by Stone, Leia
Noble blanched. “Brother, wait a second. What if Nai did go willingly as Justice said and—”
“She wouldn’t do that to me,” I growled. Didn’t they know of our love? No. That wasn’t even a possibility.
Justice just gave me a sympathetic look that made me want to bludgeon something—or someone—anyone really.
“If she did,” Noble continued, “I’d advise you not to out her to the rest of the High Mage Council. If they’re not in on it, you could get her into trouble.”
Crap. He had a point.
Without looking at Justice or Noble, I returned to the door and the guards.
I kept my attention on the men, both from our pack and around our same age, but the one on the left was a year younger than us. “Richie,” I snarled, my voice still barely human. “Has anyone gone in or out since Justice put you here?”
The dark-haired guard shook his head. “No, sir. I mean, not besides you guys. The high mages came by—”
My blood boiled. “When?”
Richie swallowed. “Maybe a minute before you did. They said they wanted to use the portal to go home—”
My nostrils flared, and I struggled to keep my wolf in check. “And?”
“I … I told them we had orders from the alpha king that no one could go in.” He winced. “So they left. One of them said they’d use the other portal. Sorry, I hope that was the right thing to do. I overheard Prince Justice speaking about Nai—Queen Nai—disappearing, and I figured you would want to lock down the exits…” He dropped his chin to his chest.
I clapped a hard hand on his shoulder. “You did good.”
I wasn’t going to be an a-hole on my first day as king just because I was in a crisis. Besides, he might’ve just bought us time to catch up with them.
My thoughts jumped to the secluded area on Daybreak’s lands where the high mages could enter and exit our island, and I whispered to myself, “Other portal.”
“Noble.” I turned to my brother and ignored his wide, panicked expression. “I’m putting you in charge.”
“But—”
“No,” I growled, clenching my fists. “You’re the only one I trust to run things while we’re gone. If Justice and I aren’t back in an hour, send a letter through the official channels to the High Mage Council, requesting that my mate be returned. Promptly.”
Noble gulped but nodded his head.
Turning my attention to Justice, I took in his dark, murderous expression, mirroring my exact mood. He was usually the more reserved and stoic of us. He was my ride or die, loyal to me in everything. I didn’t even have to ask; he just nodded.
“Lead the way, bro,” he said, the words clipped and short, and waved for me to move ahead. As I passed him, he whispered, “We’ll get her back.”
Emotion wrung my chest and clogged my throat.
I knew he was right. I was being an irrational fool, but Nai wasn’t just my girlfriend or my mate. We were fated mates; she was the other half of my soul. Something horrific had to be going on for her to leave me—especially like this.
First, find Nai. Then, fix whatever it was that made her leave. No matter the cost.
My skin turned to fur, muscles bulking and tendons snapping over my cracking bones as I shifted to my wolf.
The other portal to High Mage Island—maybe there were more, but these two were the only ones I knew of—lay on the other side of the island, on Daybreak lands.
‘I’m sending five guards with you and Justice,’ Noble pressed into my mind. ‘You’re king now. You need proper security.’
‘Fine.’ Whatever. I didn’t care about protocol, security, or even my crown. My fated mate was missing, and she was the only thing I could think about right now.
* * *
Justice and I ran—faster and harder than ever before. The silence between us was heavy and taut, my emotions roiling through me as the darkened forest blurred past. I processed my anger at the situation, trying to make sense of it—any of it.
The trees thinned, opening into a large glade in front of us. Waves crashed below a rocky overhang. Daybreak’s lands butted up against the north shore of the island. Dense forest and rocky cliffs mixed with the salty air of the sea. Trails to the beach wound through the terrain, but this was the best place on Alpha Island for cliff diving and rock climbing.
My uncle had brought me here once each year since my twelfth birthday to show me the high mage portal and discuss battle strategies. If we were to ever be attacked, Declan always said it would come from our north side.
His voice echoed in my mind, and I cringed at how much I had wanted to be like him. I’d seen him as cold and distant but a strong, calculating leader—not for the psychotic maniac he was.
‘Nai?’ I tried her for the umpteenth time. The only other couple I had ever heard of being fated mates from two different worlds were Nai’s deceased parents. So I had no idea of what we were capable of. Hell, I wasn’t sure if anyone did. Not that it mattered; I wouldn’t give up.
‘Was John still at the coronation party?’ I asked Noble, inquiring about the new alpha of Daybreak.
I’d killed the former alpha of Daybreak, Mallory’s dad, and traipsing onto John’s land without seeking his consent was disrespectful, but he’d understand, right? I was king, and this was Nai … I needed her back—now. He and Sara had been so nice to Nai and me when we were on his land before. I didn’t think he’d mind now.
‘I think so,’ Noble said and then confirmed it a breath later.
Justice slowed his pace as his nostrils flared. Then, he bared his teeth. ‘Mallory here.’
I’d already picked up on her scent, but I hoped she’d take off rather than confront us.
The five guards Noble sent trotted up behind us, huffing and puffing. Apparently, the entire royal guard needed to increase their training and conditioning. Declan had become overconfident and lax. I wasn’t stupid. A new king would always be tested—even if I didn’t know how or when. I’d need a strong guard to protect our borders and a group of trusted elites to help keep my loved ones safe.
‘They’re close,’ I shot back to Justice. A breeze carried their scent nearer, and I sniffed the ground, trying to pinpoint their location. ‘As in right around—’
“What the hell are you doing here, Rage?” Mallory growled, stepping out from the trees behind me.
Her sister followed her, muttering, “Come to rub salt in our wounds?”
I spun, shifting into my human form with extra caution to use magic and keep my clothing on. Mallory had tried to hook up with me my second year at Alpha Academy, and she’d been a bitch to Nai. The last thing I wanted was to be naked in front of her.
“Or are you here to finish off the rest of our family?” Mallory spat.
“I’m not here to kill you,” I huffed, rolling my eyes. I didn’t know what else to say to her without sounding like a dick. I’m sorry for your loss, but your dad was a prick and deserved it?
She stepped closer, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and her body trembled.
Next to me, Justice, already back in his human form, snorted with derision. Even before Nai, he’d hated Mallory.
My guards stalked closer, still in their wolf forms, as Mallory stepped into my personal space.
“You could have let him live!” Her scream cut off as a sob ripped from her throat.
I sighed. There was no joy for me in her pain, but she was wrong. I couldn’t have let him live.
“Alpha fights end only with death. You know this, and so did he,” I said.
She glared at me. “Then, why are you here?” she growled through clenched teeth, stepping closer.
Justice stepped forward, chin held high, and gently pushed her back. “Have some respect for your king.”
Mallory balked, eyes widening, and then she lowered her gaze and her chin while I flicked a gaze to my brother.
‘She’s grieving. Let it go…’ I almost said before I remembered how Mallory and her siblin
gs had joined Nolan in trying to kill my mate during the mid-year games. As king, I’d need to deal with that kind of behavior. Might as well set the standard now.
I stepped up to her, toe-to-toe, and stared her down, letting all of my anger and frustration surge to the surface. “I don’t need permission to go anywhere on Alpha Island. I’m king,” I told her, my voice barely human. “And this is your official notice that you’ve both been expelled from Alpha Academy for unsportsmanlike conduct.” I looked to her sister to make sure she knew I was talking about her as well. “If you ever attack my mate or my family, I’ll personally watch my guards tear you to shreds. Don’t challenge me again, Mallory Daybreak.”
Then, I blasted past her and her sister, not noticing the four other Daybreak wolves who’d left my coronation early with the girls until afterward. I ignored them all; I didn’t want them to think I was a pushover. Best to be stern now and not have to deal with another challenge fight later, but I was glad Noble had the foresight to send extra guards. Not that these six would be a challenge, but a fight would take time.
As for Mallory and her sister’s expulsion, it was the best way to limit her training and decrease the potential that she or her sister challenge John in the future for alpha of their pack. Besides, with John as alpha, his daughters had a rightful spot at Alpha Academy as his heirs.
A low whine of submission came from Mallory’s throat as I passed, but she didn’t move from her place by the tall cedar tree. Good riddance.
Once Justice and I entered the clearing, I scanned the land.
Several homes sat near the edge of the cliff, overlooking the water; the rest of the pack’s homes were scattered throughout the territory. I glanced at the castle-like monstrosity Mallory had been raised in. Her father had been just like Declan, cold and calculating.
Dismissing her and her father from my thoughts, I scanned the trees on the northernmost tip of the clearing. As soon as I found the tree, I’d find the portal. Once I found the portal, I’d hopefully find my mate.
My heart thundered with eager anticipation as my thoughts narrowed until my sole focus was Nai. I walked to the right, along the cliff, until I reached the copse. Then, weaving through the trees, I searched for the weeping willow among the juniper, pines, cedars, and firs.
High Mage Island overlaid Alpha Island, but the former resided in another dimension we couldn’t see or access. They were protected in their elite plane of existence, and as far as I knew, there were only two portals in or out: the library and the weeping willow.
I stepped between two giant cedar trunks, feeling the scrub and undergrowth brushing against my legs, and then pulled to a stop. There it was, a curly willow tree sitting in a much smaller clearing of grass. The tree’s naked limbs looked sorely out of place, turning orange in the fading sunlight. Between the bare branches, the light caught on a shimmering kaleidoscope of colors.
“This is it?” Justice walked up beside me. “The tree?”
I nodded while considering the best approach. “There’s no door. No lock.” I took a deep breath, hoping it would be easy. “Maybe we just walk through like the portal to the mortal world.”
“Maybe.” Justice rubbed the back of his neck and narrowed his eyes at the intricately woven branches. Finally, he turned his attention to me. “I’ll try it first.”
“I’m king, not made of glass.” I rolled my eyes and stepped forward.
My brother grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “I wasn’t implying you were made of glass, idiot, but if this thing shreds you to pieces, I’ll be king. Neither of us wants that.”
“Good point.” I glanced down at my hand, noting the charred skin already flaking away and showing hints of pink, new skin underneath. High mage magic was potent stuff. I carried a hefty amount of elemental fire magic, but it was nothing like the power used in making these portals.
“I’m not sure I want you walking through either,” I said to Justice, holding up my healing hand.
Footsteps announced several visitors, and my lip curled when I caught Mallory’s scent.
“They’ve spelled them with protections,” she said, “so only high mages are able to use them. You can’t get through without breaking the spells.”
“How would you know that?” I asked, facing her with a glare. “And why would I trust you?”
I then looked at one of my five guards. Could I ask one of them to risk their life like this? “Oh, screw this.”
I wanted my damn mate, and I wanted her now! This was my fight for her, so I’d get her.
Sucking in a deep breath, I parted the long stringy branches and stepped toward the shimmering light—only to have Justice pull me back. Again. As I spun on my heel, a black tennis shoe hurtled past my face and hit the colorful wall of magic. With a sharp, loud zap, the shoe disappeared, leaving a puff of dark smoke and the acrid stench of burning rubber in the air.
Shit.
Maybe this was a time to think more and act less. That could’ve been bad. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the panicked, desperate thoughts driving me. Being without Nai, thinking she was hurt, was tearing me up inside, but I wanted us together alive.
“You owe me new sneakers.” Justice patted my shoulder, but his demand fell empty and discarded.
All I saw was the pity in his eyes.
My attention flicked to my guards, and I balled my fists. “Jonas and Garret, fetch the master mages from school: Carn, Jin, and Helo. We’ll have them break the protection spells.” I faced Justice and growled with frustration. “I don’t care about the repercussions.”
The two guards raced off, back toward the school, and I resisted the urge to follow.
‘Just tell Noble to send the mages up here,’ Justice spoke into my mind. ‘You’ll cut down on travel time that way.’
I rested my hand on Justice’s shoulder. I wasn’t thinking clearly; everything was a panic in my mind. ‘Thank you.’
I repeated the request to Noble, who assured me he’d get right on it.
‘Stay there until I know something,’ Noble said. ‘No sense in you running around the island like a chicken with your head cut off.’
But I couldn’t just stand here, waiting. I paced the small glen, pausing at each end to glance at the tree. The more I looked at the damn tree, the more I debated another trial like with the door in the library.
‘Don’t do it,’ Justice said, making me jump.
I met his gaze, and he shook his head.
‘I know you want her back. We all do,’ he said. ‘We’ll get her back, bro. But she’ll skin you alive if you do anything stupid.’
‘How do you know I was going to do anything stupid?’ I snapped, my frustration boiling over.
He snorted. ‘You’ve got stupid written all over your face.’
A heavy, sinking feeling pulled through my chest and then churned through my gut.
‘Rage?’ Noble’s voice, filled with trepidation, hit me, like a punch to my stomach. ‘The master mages are gone. You gave them the weekend off, remember?’
‘Gone,’ I repeated stupidly, and my gaze jerked to Justice. ‘Why did I let them leave? Stupid.’
Justice gave me a pitying look, but it was Noble who answered.
‘There’s a meeting on the High Mage Island. They said it was to discuss the best approach to a relationship with a new king. I totally forgot until now. I’m sorry, bro.’
Panic coursed through me, and each breath tore at my chest. I swallowed hard and looked to Justice.
‘I’m out of ideas, brother. What if she’s hurt? What if she needs help and I can’t get to her? What if her grandfather was bad this whole time and he’s hurting her—?’
‘No.’ Justice growled. ‘We can’t think like that. Come on, I’ve got an idea.’
When he turned and started to shift into his wolf form, I followed him, ignoring Mallory and her little crew, who were likely glaring daggers at my back. I needed my mate.
‘Nai! Where are you?!’
&
nbsp; Chapter Three
“This is brilliant,” I told Justice as we drove through the streets of Mageville towards the portal that led from the Magic Lands to the mortal realm in Montana. There was always a high mage or advanced level mage working the portal. I could ask—no, demand they let me through one of the portals on Alpha Island. Or at least demand they return my mate to me. “Why didn’t I think of it?” I mused under my breath.
Justice cast me a side-eyed look from the passenger seat. “Panic turns your brain to mush.”
“I only panic when it relates to Nai,” I admitted, thinking about all the stupid decisions I’d made when I discovered she was my fated mate. “One day, you’ll find your mate and know what it’s like.” I chuckled, thinking of my stoic brother chasing after a girl. “I can’t wait to see how you roll when you’re in love.”
He just shook his head and pointed to the road.
“If you scare one more mage, I’m going to take over as driver,” he said, referring to the cloaked figure walking in the ditch rather than the sidewalk because of my distracted, high-speed driving.
Fair enough.
My mouth dried as we exited the populated parts of Mageville and headed toward the dense woods at the border. I just hoped Kian wasn’t on duty. That asshole wasn’t someone I wanted to owe a favor—let alone ask one of him.
As we approached the border, Nai’s aunt stepped into view, and I sagged into my seat with relief. Of all the mages I could have found here, she was the only one I was inclined to trust. She’d helped us once; surely, she’d help again—especially because Nai’s safety was something we both wanted.
I pulled over to the side of the road and put the car in park. Rolling down the window of our SUV, I was relieved to see that when she saw me, she smiled. Genuinely.
No hate there.
“Greetings, King Courage of Midnight,” she said, her voice like wind chimes.
News traveled fast.
I returned her smile. “Greetings, Sariah. I’m so glad to see you. I need a favor, and it’s kind of urgent.” This was no time to shoot the shit and ask about the weather. I wanted Nai in my arms. I needed to inspect every inch of her for injuries and then take her to bed. “I hope you can help.”
