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Or unless they never intended to let her live.

The thought sends a surge of primal terror through me, my hands tightening on the steering wheel until the leather creaks in protest. I force myself to breathe, to focus. Panic won’t help Maya now.

The Golden Birch Inn comes into view, its elegant façade nestled among tall pines. I park haphazardly at the entrance, already sniffing the air as I exit the vehicle. Maya’s scent is here, recent enough to follow, along with Mathew’s and several others I don’t recognize.

They lead not into the inn itself, but around the back of the property, toward a service entrance. I follow them, every sense on high alert. The trail continues to a small parking area, then abruptly ends.

They left in another vehicle.

A growl of frustration escapes me as I scan the area, looking for any clue, any hint of where they might have gone. A young man in a service uniform exits the rear door of the inn and is startled when he sees me.

“Can I help you, sir?”

I approach him, trying to appear less threatening than I feel. “I’m looking for a woman who was here earlier. Auburn hair, slender build, with a man with purple hair.”

Recognition flashes in his eyes. “Oh, them. Yeah, they met with some people in the private dining room for maybe half an hour, then left.”

“Together?” I press. “All of them?”

He nods. “Yeah, they all went out through here. The woman seemed a bit, I don’t know, out of it? Her friend had to help her walk. Said she wasn’t feeling well.”

Ice floods my veins. “How many people were with them? What did they look like?”

“Three others. Two men and a woman.” He shrugs. “Didn’t really notice much about them. They tipped well, kept to themselves.”

“Which way did they go? What kind of vehicle?”

“Black SUV,” he says, pointing. “Headed north on the main road.”

North. Away from the palace, toward the mountains and the vast wilderness beyond.

Perfect for hiding someone they don’t want found.

I thank the young man and return to my car, heart pounding with renewed urgency. I need to follow them, but I also need backup. Charging after them alone would be foolish, especially if they’re armed and expecting pursuit.

I grab my phone and call Erik.

“Griffin,” he answers immediately. “Jerry told me what’s happening. Where are you?”

“The Golden Birch Inn,” I reply concisely. “They were here, but they’ve moved on. North, in a black SUV. At least five people, including Maya. She’s been drugged.”

Erik curses. “We’re on our way. Twenty minutes out, with a full tactical team.”

“I’m not waiting,” I tell him. “I’m going after them now. They have too much of a head start already.”

“Griffin, don’t—”

“She’s my mate.” My voice breaks slightly on the word. “I can’t lose her again.”

A pause, then: “Follow, but don’t engage until we arrive. That’s an order from your commander, not a request from your brother.”

“Understood.” It’s a lie, and we both know it. If I find an opportunity to get Maya out safely, I’ll take it, regardless of the risk to myself.

“Be careful,” Erik says quietly. “We’re coming as fast as we can.”

I end the call and pull back onto the main road, heading north. The mountains loom ahead, their peaks disappearing into low clouds. Somewhere in that wilderness, Maya is being held against her will, possibly injured, certainly frightened.

And Mathew—no, not Mathew, that’s clearly not his real name—has her.