“We’re here for the same reason,” I say. “Someone’s taken a child. A girl. Aura’s daughter. We intend to get her back.”
Hunter’s eyes narrow toward Aura. “She’s Scarlet’s daughter. Daughter of Nixon, Reed, and Finn.”
“She is of my blood,” Aura says softly. She lowers her gaze, shame in her voice. My teeth clench. She has nothing to regret. Aura’s life has seldom allowed her a choice. Every decision she’s made has come from survival and love. If the bears judge her, they will answer to us.
“Do you know where they’ve taken the child and the restof them?” I ask.
“Bruno and Anatol have taken over Gregory’s territory,” Robert says.
“Gregory is dead,” Aura spits, fury sparking through her grief.
Hunter nods grimly. “They have fortified it. Recruiting. Stockpiling. It’s a large compound.”
“Numbers?” Kelan asks.
“Unknown,” Evan says. “Two dozen at least. Maybe more.”
“Numbers aren’t a problem for us,” Kelan replies.
Hunter’s attention moves to the runes on Kelan’s chest, then to Aura’s. “You’re marked,” he says slowly. “Mating runes.”
“She’s ours,” Kelan answers, the possessive current in his voice undeniable.
Hunter’s hand twitches. “What are you?”
“You want to know?” Kelan asks softly, menace in every word.
“We want our friends back,” Hunter says evenly. “Trust requires clarity.”
Kelan steps back five paces and transforms in a flash of silver fire. His cloth drops as he becomes a dragon, towering and radiant, wings spread wide enough to block the fading light. The bears stumble back, wide-eyed. Caleb swears quietly.
Kelan rises onto his hind legs and releases a stream of dragon fire into the sky. The roar shakes the trees, and the forest echoes in response.
When he shifts back, reclaiming his human form with deliberate calm, even Hunter’s expression changes.
“We don’t need allies,” Kelan says. “But we will workwith you to free this family.”
“We can take you to their territory,” Robert says.
“You can show us where it is,” Ronyn replies. “We will take you.”
I glance at the Caleb. “Stay. Guard the twins.”
He nods once, resolve hardening in his young face. “Bring them home.”
I turn to Aura. “Ready to fly?”
She nods, clutching her fur around her, though she is still trembling.
I shift, my golden wing curling around my mate. Evan steps forward reluctantly. I hold Aura to my chest and grasp Evan to my other side before launching skyward, cloaked in ancient magic. Flying with a naked man in my arms isn’t the most comfortable experience, but it’s necessary under the circumstances.
Kelan and Ronyn follow, bearing Hunter and Robert.
Below, Caleb stands in the ruined doorway, a lone wolf guarding what remains of his pack.
War waits.
We have a child to find.
