Page 52 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

Oh, stars, please let her be alive…

Drake set the photo down and slid me a glare. “It appears as if the two of you have been enjoying yourselves,” Drake said, gesturing with a hand to the many photos that lined the mantle.

My hair bristled. “Yes, we have,” I said, my voice dripping with hostility. “Now, have you picked up any clues or not?”

Drake looked away and continued to walk slowly through the living room. “Don’t rush me,” he said, his tone laced with the authority belonging to a king.

My upper lip curled back to expose my fangs. “Maybe I wouldn’t rush you if you weren’t taking time to browse through family photos.”

Drake’s withering glare was menacing enough that it would surely strike fear into the hearts of any who looked upon him. I was immune. Drake then stepped into the long foyer, and I trailed after him. I watched him intently as his eyes snagged to the blood smears that stained the wall leading out to the front door—at the small crimson handprint. A spark of rage ignited in his amethyst eyes, the bright color leeching out from the corners of his eyes like tongues of flame. His talons sliced out under the tumultuous emotions.

I took an inhale of the air around me. The sharp bite of rage and the tart stench of worry permeated the air. A soft gasp escaped my lips.

Drake…is worried about his daughter…angry that she was taken…but how can he care for a child he’s never laid eyes on?

My inner wolf cocked her head as she studied our fated mate. Drake seemed to struggle with tearing his gaze from the blood smear, but he did so, choosing to stalk back into the living room. He dropped to a knee and rubbed his fingers along the dried blood stains where Thelma’s body had lain. He drew his fingers to his nose and sniffed the residue. A snarl tore from his throat, and I flinched at the ferocity of it.

Drake pushed to his feet and whirled to face me. “A shadow fae helped kidnap Melodina,” he growled.

My brows rose. “One of your people was working with the summer fae?”

Drake’s eyes narrowed to thin slits. “She’s no longer my people.”

I blinked. “Who is she?”

Drake’s gaze skated away from mine. “Rosalana.”

My lungs seized, and I backed up till my back hit the wall. Shock burst within my insides as if shrapnel tore through me. “Y-your…lover took my daughter?”

“She’s not my lover,” Drake hissed. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as if seeking calmness and patience. And that thought caused the ball of anger that festered inside me to rupture.

My claws sliced out, and I bared my fangs at Drake. “Love or not, I will kill her for taking my child,” I vowed darkly.

Drake held my gaze with unwavering focus. “Get in line,” he said, his voice deathly calm.

My breath hitched at that. I blinked rapidly.Wait…is he saying that he wants to kill Rosalana as well?

My mind spun. It didn’t make sense that Drake would be willing to kill his former lover. Imprison her, yes, but murder…

My mind snapped back to the present as I caught sight of Drake stalking toward the front door. I hurried to chase after him.

“Wait!” I called after him. “Where are you going?”

“To the summer fae realm,” Drake said, not stopping.

“Then I’m going with you.”

That stopped Drake in his tracks. He slowly faced me, a brow arched. “And how do you suppose you’ll enter the summer fae realm.” He crossed his arms. “Werewolves are forbidden.”

I sliced the air with my arm. “I don’t give a damn whether I’m welcome or not; I’m going after my daughter.”

Drake held up one finger. “Firstly, it'sourdaughter,” he said. A low growl rumbled from my chest. “And secondly,” he said, holding up another finger, “They’ll kill you before you even get within twenty clicks of the palace.”

I fisted my hands, my inner wolf snarling. But I knew Drake had a point. I felt my body tremble under the riptide of frustration and sadness that threatened to drag me under.

I can’t lose my daughter; I just can’t!

Tears pricked my lashes and spilled over against my will. I slammed my eyelids shut against the raw pain that stabbed at my chest. Then, a palm cupped my cheek. My eyelids snapped wide open. My mouth parted as I stared into Drake’s eyes, his face so close, his nose was a hair’s breadth from mine.

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