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Jax sprang up at my concerned tone, then began whipping his head in all directions in search of her. “Where is she?” he snarled, his blue eyes glowing in the darkness.

“I don’t know. She was just here. Aliya!” I called out.

In the distance, racing footsteps sounded against the cobblestones. She was running back to the castle. She was running away from us.

I moved to sprint after her, but Jax’s hand shot out in front of my chest.

“Wait, do you smell that?” he asked, his ears perking as he scanned the night around us.

I sniffed the air, the foul, rotting odor teasing my senses. Oh, gods. “Cusith,” I breathed.

With one mind, the two of us leapt forward, shifting in midair and shredding out of our clothes. My claws kicked up clumps of earth behind me as I raced for the castle at top speed, Jax’s larger wolf form gaining as he charged beside me.

I didn’t know why Aliya had left us there or what she was planning, but I didn’t care. There were cusith here, and she was in grave danger. I only hoped we could get to them before they found her.

Chapter 21

Aliya

MY PULSE WAS POUNDINGin my head even louder than the stomping of my feet beneath me. I ran faster than I’d ever run in my life, back toward the castle entrance. My legs ached, and my lungs burned, but neither could compare to the agony shredding my heart.

The day with Jax and Tannin had been so lovely, and I would cherish it forever. So many times as we danced and laughed, I questioned whether or not to go through with my plan. I had all but decided not to when Jax started asking about my parents. Those questions had given me the perfect opportunity to get them out of the castle, and I knew I couldn’t let the chance slip away.

Despite their passionate declarations of love and devotion, it was clear to me Jax and Tannin’s allegiance to their pack went deeper than our mate bond. I couldn’t trust them to protect me, or what remained of my kingdom.

Standing in front of my parents’ graves had reminded me of the sacrifices they’d made for their people and for me. And although it had destroyed me to do it, I’d known that turning my back on the two men I loved was the best way to honor their memories.

So, I crept away and bolted.

My feet had barely touched the cobblestone paths when Tannin called my name. Panic had shot a jolt of energy through my limbs, propelling me even faster.

But they were chasing me now. I looked over my shoulder, and two massive black wolves were darting across the cemetery at a terrifying speed.

I screamed at the top of my lungs, pushing my legs harder. I had to get to the entrance before they did. Jax and Tannin loved me in their human forms, but the beasts they’d become didn’t look capable of love or anything other than brutal violence.

I didn’t want to know what would happen if they caught me before I sealed the ward.