Page 3 of Hidden Fate

Drake smirked at me. “You’ll be my wife and queen, especially with a body like that. I’ll forgive that you allowed the abomination to touch you…just forhim.”

“You son of a bitch.” Thorn pulled me behind him, blocking Drake’s view, and connected,Get out of the way.

“Shoot him and detain the others!” Drake commanded his warriors. “We need to hurry back to the château. There are several executions to record and a coronation to plan.”

Saliva filled my mouth. This time, we weren’t getting out of this.

When none of the warriors moved, Thorn punched Drake in the jaw. Drake stumbled back, tripping over Tyson’s unconscious body, which lay near five of Drake’s guards.

Thorn rushed Drake again, but Drake snarled, “You know what will happen if you disobey.”

The female warrior lifted her rifle with shaky hands, aiming it at Thorn.

No! Not this again.

As her finger touched the trigger, I connected with Thorn,Get down!

He dropped, and for a split second, my heartbeat steadied…until the dart barreled toward me. I ducked, too, and the dart sailed an inch over my head.

Thank goodness Thorn had over two feet on me, or that would’ve gone sideways.

Thorn stood, and one of the king’s warriors lifted his weapon. His hands were steady as he fired…and the tranq soared past Thorn and into the woman who’d shot at my mate.

The warrior shouted, “Thorn is the future king! Protect him!”

Drake’s eyes bulged, and his face reddened. “Take down anyone who’s against me, or your families will bekilled.”

Several of Drake’s guards pivoted and aimed their guns at Thorn.

My breath caught, and I wasn’t sure what to do.

“Protect Thorn!” another warrior yelled from the back, and two who were aiming at Thorn were hit with darts and fell to the ground.

Thorn, get out of the crossfire,I connected. Now that the warriors had moved back several feet, I rushed to Tyson and tossed the young shifter over my shoulder. Unfortunately, his penis hit my arm, but there was nothing I could do about it. We were all naked for this fight.

When I turned, Thorn was running, heading toward Theron’s settlement, chasing after Drake.

A gentle hand touched my shoulder. I spun around, ready to defend myself and Tyson as best I could with one arm, but Cassidy’s familiar face made me pause. She whispered, “We’ve got to leave. Get Thorn to listen. You’re the only one who can do it.” She took Tyson from me and ran back the way we’d come from, toward the safe house. Vlad helped Errol get away, and they rushed after her.

Glancing back, I marked Thorn as he was about to slip through the tree line after Drake. I connected to him with the only thing I could think of and prayed it would work.

Thorn, I need you!

CHAPTERTWO

Concern washedover me as Thorn responded,What’s wrong? Are you hurt?Regret and guilt weighed down our bond as he spun around, his eyes narrowing.

The knot in my chest loosened. I hadn’t been sure I could reach him, but thank goodness, his concern for me outweighed his hate for Drake. About a third of the king’s warriors were fighting those loyal to Drake…though I wasn’t sure ifloyalwas the right word since he’d threatened their families. Regardless, the outcome was the same. Eventually, they’d overtake the king’s warriors and capture us.We need to leave before—

That asshole won’t touch you.His irises darkened to cobalt. His pain and anger rushed through our connection.Run. I’ll get King Arman and be right behind you.

My heart squeezed so tightly that it throbbed. I understood what losing a parent was like, but this had to be worse for him. This parent had abandoned him and tried to make things right moments before he died.

I stayed put, needing to make sure he wouldn’t let his hate and anger take over again. Chaos unfolded around us. The guards were focused on each other, and the ones who’d fought to protect Thorn were fleeing.

Luckily, Drake’s guards were chasing them, leaving us alone, but they wouldn’t for long.

Thorn lifted the king and rushed toward me.

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