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My mate.

My Sir.

Mine.

I swallow down the bile wanting to escape. I almost turn around the pain of leaving him is so intense. I don’t know what to do. I need him. He is my home now. I don’t want to run away from him.

But I keep going.

I keep running.

Because he asked me to, and because I know he was right.

“Fuck,” I scream, the sound absorbed by the wind and trees around me. The agony in my voice is painful even to my ears.

I cross miles in minutes.

My goal is the dragon’s house.

I see a dim light coming quickly. I will not roll over and not fight. I will not leave my mate for long. I don’t know where she will take him. I hope not far.

Hope.

It’s been so long since I have had any. Elijah gave me that.

I barely stop before I hit the door to their house. My hand automatically goes to the doorknob but it’s locked. I start pounding. Loudly and repeatedly.

“Laken,” I shout. “Penny. Bishop.” Over and over, I say their names. “Please, please, please,” I sob.

The door swings open so fast I fall forward into Laken’s arms. “Jesus, Saylor. What happened?” I register Bishop and Penny behind him.

“I need help. I need the vampires. Now,” I say urgently.

“Why? What’s going on?” Penny asks.

“She has Elijah. He made me run. He said I had to. I didn’t want to but she would have killed me in front of him.”

“What the fuck?” Bishop snaps, reaching for his phone.

“Saylor, slow down,” Laken says gently. “Bishop is calling Ryker. Start at the beginning.”

“A girl from Elijah’s past is back. He thought she was dead but now she is a vampire. He made me run.”

“She let you go?”

“She said she just wanted him.” My throat closes.

“Alright, come and sit. It’s going to take a little time to get everyone here. I need you to tell us everything once they are.”

“We have to go now,” I clench his shirt. “We can’t let her take him away.”

“Hey,” Penny cups my shoulder. “Nothing will happen to Elijah. He will take care of himself until we get there. He wouldn’t want you so upset. Would he?”

“No.” I shake my head. “Can you believe I used to never show my emotions?” I ask, shocked at my actions.

“I do. Mates can change so many things,” Penny says, putting her arm around me and guiding me to the couch. “Laken, will you get her a drink?”

“Of course.”