Page 59 of Hidden Fate

With each step, the sensation of being watched intensified, and a cold warning coursed down my spine. Thorn didn’t appear to be affected, and no one else did, either. Maybe my anxiety was getting the best of me.

What’s wrong?Thorn connected, sensing my unease through our mate bond. He stiffened beside me, tugging me closer to him.

I know this sounds weird, but I feel like we’re being watched.A shiver ran down my spine. I couldn’t kick the sinking suspicion.

Thorn scanned the area, and his breath caught.Something is following us on your side and slightly behind us. I hadn’t noticed it.

I glanced over my shoulder, frowning.

The warriors had stern expressions like there was a threat nearby. They sensed whatever it was, too.

“The wolves,” Arrow said tensely. “They came across us the first day we settled here and talked with us. We’re technically in wolf territory. When they heard what happened, they were fine with us hiding here. Other shifters told them about what Drake’s been up to. They think he’ll come after the wolves once he conquers the dragons, and they don’t want him in charge.”

The wolves surrounded us, and my heart thundered. They were tense, as if they might attack. When the group in front of us stopped, Thorn hissed beside me.

Since I was shorter, I couldn’t see what was happening, but then a deep voice sounded from in front of us. “What’s going on here?”

When Thorn wedged us between Vlad and Errol and released my hand, my heart ached. This was the first time he’d ever left me behind without me urging him to.

“We came to take Arrow and the others to safety.” Thorn continued to push forward, and when Theron and Hydra parted, I caught a glimpse of the action.

A naked older man blocked our path. He had short gray hair and a matching goatee. His arms were bulging without him flexing. At one time, he would’ve been the buffest man I’d ever seen…but now I’d met dragons. Despite being older, nothing on him was sagging, and unfortunately, that was yet again something I couldn’t unsee.

“I didn’t realize we were on wolf territory, and I’m sorry we didn’t alert you to our presence.” Thorn looked over his shoulder and scowled when he saw I had a clear view of the naked man. He moved to block the older man from my view.

Thank you for that,I connected. I had no desire to see anyone naked but him, and it unsettled me that this man had no problem standing in front of us completely nude.

“Why didn’t you know this is wolf land?” the older man pressed, his voice turning gritty.

“Because I haven’t been involved in the supernatural world for over twenty-one years. I’ve only recently acclimated again.” Thorn lowered his head, but not in submission—in respect.

It was strange how I picked up on things like that now.

“You’re the prince the warriors here are so desperate to protect.” The older man’s voice softened. “You’re the true heir to the dragon throne?”

I couldn’t breathe. Whatever Thorn said now would set the course for our future, and I was grateful we’d talked about it earlier.

“Yes, I am.” Thorn nodded, and something shifted in our bond…acceptance.

“Good.” His answer was so simple. “My name is Lowell.”

“I’m Thorn.”

A wolf howled in the distance, and the sound was chilling.

“Nice to meet you, Thorn,” the wolf shifter replied. “Are you expecting more of your people?”

I sensed the warriors behind me tensing, and Vlad’s neck corded.

Thorn shook his head. “No. Why?”

“Because twenty more dragon shifters are entering the woods two miles west of here.”

CHAPTERTWENTY

My legs almost gave out.We’d expected Drake to send people here after sunset, but they were already here, and we were outnumbered. I feared we were about to find out how badly our warriors were suffering from malnutrition.

Considering how well things had been going today, we should’ve been prepared for this. Our luck always ran out, a fact I tried not to focus on too often. So far, we’d scraped by, but that particular silver lining could vanish at any time. It was too scary to consider because I could lose Thorn…forever.

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