Darius
Ethan’s words are still ringing in my ears.
“They’re going to execute her, Darius.”
I push through the woods, my lungs burning with each breath. Trees blur past me as I run in human form, still faster than most wolves can sprint. My wolf howls inside me, clawing at my control, tearing at my restraint.
But I must have clothes when I face my father. Must stand before him as the heir, not as a naked animal.
The irony of that thought would be funny if fury weren’t raging through me.
Beside me, Calloway, Voss, and Strand keep pace, their expressions grim. Their investigators follow behind us. Because it doesn’t matter what I know; I’m still only the heir to the alpha position. My father has the ultimate say, and if he decides to kill my mate despite the web of lies I’ve uncovered, I’m powerless alone. I require allies who are on equal footing with him. Other alphas who can challenge his authority.
I should have come back immediately. Should have trusted that the truth would come out eventually. But I knew better. I’ve lived in this pack my entire life, watching Father manipulate pack law to suit hispurposes. Without hard evidence, without allies, I would have been powerless to save her.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I snatch it without slowing down.
“Where are you?” Ethan’s voice comes through the speakerphone, tight with panic.
“Thirty minutes out from the detention center. What’s happening?”
“She’s not at the detention center.”
I stumble, nearly losing my footing. “What?”
“She was never there. Anne and Sienna have been trying to get hold of you. They just called me.” His breathing is ragged, as if he’s running, too. “Violet and Lillian were both being held at the arena. In the underground dungeons. Ryker came and helped Lillian escape. And there’s just been a pack-wide announcement that Violet’s execution will take place in an hour. How far from there are you?”
The arena is in a different direction. My mind calculates distances, routes, the fastest way through the woods.
Cold dread pools in my gut. “An hour and a half.”
“Same for me. Hurry.” Ethan’s voice is urgent, tight with worry.
I end the call and push myself harder, my muscles screaming in protest. My strides eat up ground quickly, but it’s not enough. Not nearly enough, even though I know this forest like I know my own heartbeat. Every tree, every path, every shortcut is burned into my memory from years of running these trails.
But knowledge doesn’t make me faster. Doesn’t close the gap between where I am and where she is.
An hour. She has an hour, and I need ninety minutes.
The math is simple and devastating.
My wolf tears at me from the inside, desperate to take over. He could run faster on four legs, cover more ground. But he’d also leave me naked and vulnerable when I reach the arena. And I need every advantage I can get when I face my father.
When I face the pack that is coming to watch my mate die.
The thought sends fresh rage coursing through me. I channel itinto speed, pushing my body past its known limits. My heartbeat thunders in my ears. Sweat soaks through my shirt. The three alphas are struggling to keep up now, their breathing labored.
I don’t slow down. Can’t slow down.
“Darius.” Alpha Calloway’s voice cuts through my focus. “We’re with you. Whatever happens in that arena, you have our support.”
I don’t acknowledge him. Can’t. If I do anything but run for even a second, I’ll lose what little control I have left.
Violet. Survive.
The words pound through my mind with every footfall, a prayer and a command rolled into one. I know she can’t hear me. The mate bond is still one-sided, still unacknowledged. But I need her to live. Need her to hold on just a little longer.
There is no me without her.
