Page 47 of Elusive Mate

Colby picked up his phone. “Lucian, how nice to hear from you.”

He could hear a jet engine in the background noise from Lucian’s end of the call. The white tiger-shifter wasn’t wasting time.

“Don’t start with me, Reynolds. I know she’s at Windsong. I expect you to honor our agreement and hand her over to me.”

“Our agreement never included my handing her or any other female shifter over to a clan where she doesn’t want to be. As a matter of fact, I have dozens of them here now. It wouldn’t take much to put together a posse that would like to lynch me.”

“We had a deal.”

“We did. The deal was that I would use my best efforts to plead your case to the Shadow Sisters to help you find Zenya—charming girl, by the way—and I did that, but apparently you tracked her down before I could give you the information. At no time did I ever guarantee you anything other than my best efforts.”

“You didn’t give me that information within the month.”

“That is true, but I did try, which is all I ever agreed to do. It would seem your mate has made it very clear that she did not wish to return to Ice Storm or to you. You might want to ask yourself why that is. What I will tell you is that she didn't seem very happy about leaving.”

“So, she is there…”

“No, Lucian, she isn’t. I had asked her to consider what it was she really wanted to do before leaving, and I told her that if she wanted to stay and try and make a go of it with you, I would play peacemaker. She assured me that she would. She didn’t. I’m not sure when or how she left Windsong, but I give you my word, she isn’t here.”

“How could you not call me?” growled Lucian.

“How could I? Your mate went through a traumatic experience, or didn’t anyone tell you that she had been kidnapped by vampires, drugged and taken to some kind of lab where they did who knows what to get whatever kind of information they’re seeking? Let’s just say, it wasn’t like she was on vacation in Paris.”

Lucian sighed. Colby had never heard the enigmatic white tiger-shifter sound so defeated. In fact, he’d never heard the arrogant tiger sound anything less than triumphant.

“If she wants to go to Paris, I’ll take her to Paris. I just want her back. Damn it, Reynolds, I need her. She’s my fated mate. She seemed so happy.”

“I think she was happy. I think she cares for you, deeply. I don’t know her well, but she didn’t look frightened, and she didn’t look like a woman who’d just escaped what would probably have been a fate worse than death. She struck me as a woman who wasn’t going to be forcibly given back. She should have been more than happy to stay. I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but the reason I didn’t call you last night was that I actually believed—if only for a moment—that she’d take me up on my offer. If nothing else, she had to know I wouldn’t turn her over to you.”

Another sigh. “I don’t think she’ll trust any shifter that isn’t female. Her brother is my beta, and we sort of set her up and trapped her into taking her vows.”

“Ah. Well, do your beta a favor. If and when you get her back, try to get her to forgive him. I can tell you, if they were ever close, he feels the breach between them almost as keenly as you feel the one that exists between you and her.”

“There’s no way you can find out where she went? I’d really appreciate anything you could do on my behalf.”

“No threat of withholding the Baihu Clan’s support for the Resistance?”

“None. We’re in. I don’t think we have any choice. You were right when you said you knew I would never throw in with the League, but I can’t stand by and do nothing. Too many years as a Navy SEAL taught me that some things are worth putting your differences aside and fighting against a greater evil.”

“Oh my god, Lucian, you almost sound reasonable.”

Lucian chuckled. “Don’t let it get around.”

“Your secret is safe with me. But I will see if I can do anything on your behalf where your mate is concerned.”

“Thank you, Colby.”

Colby was fairly sure that was the first time Lucian had ever called him by his first name. The guy had it bad. Almost as bad as he had it for Brie. Colby turned around, looking out into the wilderness, and hoped that someday they might all find peace and happiness. That day was not today. But maybe, just maybe, that day might come.

CHAPTER 19

ZENYA

It was hard not to feel defeated, but as soon as she spotted the woman outside the kitchen, a faint flicker of hope ignited. If the Shadow Sisters were here, she might not be doomed to her fate. But was it really doomed? Hadn’t Lucian showed her that he had feelings for her other than those of a possessive alpha male? He’d built her an amazing clinic and made her feel like he valued her skills and training. Was he telling her the truth or was he merely trying to lull her into acceptance?

“Did Colby try to talk you into making it work with Hendrix?” the woman asked, a smile playing around her lips. She seemed to know the alpha of Windsong well.

“He did, but it’s not what I want. And you are?”

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