Page 60 of Hidden Fate

Overwhelming sensations surged through our connection. Thorn felt the same way that I did…and adding that to the emotions rolling off the dragon shifters surrounding me only made things worse. Like I was drowning on land.

When Thorn stopped blocking my view of Lowell, allowing me to see the older man’s naked form again, that was the icing on the proverbial cake. He was so worried that he didn’t care about my view of the naked older man anymore.

“Those arenotour people. They’re loyal to Drake.” Thorn tensed. “But thanks for the warning. We need to move before they find us.”

“It won’t be long.” The older man stepped aside into the thick brush. “But I can buy you some time.”

“Don’t.” Thorn jerked his head toward the vehicles, indicating he wanted us to move. “I’d hate to drag the wolves into this mess. It’s bad enough with dragons suffering. We don’t need more of our brethren species getting involved.”

Lifting a brow, Lowell scanned my mate again, seeing him in a new light.

Saphira and Brenton took off toward our vehicles with renewed vigor.

Thorn gestured for Theron and Hydra to move next, but no one budged, and even Saphira and Brenton paused when they realized no one was coming behind them. I went to my mate, refusing to leave him. The warriors followed suit, remaining right behind me.

“I’ll take up the back.” Thorn gestured more urgently while leveling a heavy gaze on me. “And make sure I don’t see anything.”

I’ll be in the back with you.I pushed my determination toward him and planted my feet on the earth. He needed to know I was unyielding on this.

“No, Your Highness.” Arrow shook his head and crossed his arms. “We are here to protect you, not the other way around. And I’m certain I’m talking for everyone here and not just us warriors.”

Nodding curtly as if he’d come to a decision, Lowell clapped my mate on his arm and said, “If you hurry, you’ll make it out of here. I can buy you time with little risk since they’re on wolf lands. Drake might not like it, but it won’t seem like we’re aiding you. So go. Now. For the sake of all supernaturals, we need you to take the throne.”

I smiled and took Thorn’s hand in mine. I was certain that Lowell was the alpha of this pack and had made a decision about Thorn. Best of all, he approved of my mate. We needed any help we could muster.

Surprise filtered through our bond, and Thorn’s heartbeat quickened slightly, but my mate’s face remained a mask of indifference. “Thank you. But please don’t cause problems for yourself and your pack.”

“We appreciate your concern.” Lowell stepped into the trees, his hunter green eyes glowing. His voice changed into one that sounded half human, half animal. “Now go.”

Bones cracked, and fur matching his hair color sprouted over his arms. I’d never seen a wolf shifter before, let alone one shifting, and I was intrigued, but we didn’t have time to loiter.

Everyone watched Thorn and me, waiting for us to make the first move, as if they were afraid to run in case we lagged behind.

Instead of arguing, Thorn took my hand, and we moved in unison. Appeased, Brenton and Saphira spun on their heels and took off again, this time with Theron and Hydra. Vlad and Errol paused and settled in behind us and in front of the warriors, likely so Vlad could keep an eye on Thorn and make sure he didn’t do something noble to save us. There was no guarantee that Lowell’s plan would work.

As we picked up our pace, I heard the wolves running away on our left. At least Drake’s warriors hadn’t parked in the same lot we had. There must be one on the other side of the mountain.

Each breath I took was harder than the last, mainly because I was listening for any signs of someone approaching. With the adrenaline coursing through my veins and fear’s cold claws digging into my chest, my hearing seemed better than usual, even being tapped into my dragon. But all I could hear were the wolves running away and the sound of our footsteps, along with some squirrels scurrying through the trees. Between that and the scents of dragon shifters, trees, and sunshine, I wasn’t losing my mind.

Well, maybe I was. Ismelledsunshine, which I’d never noticed before, but with the warmth on my skin and the fresh smell surrounding it, there was no denying it.

The tree line came into view, the parking lot peeking between outstretched branches. We were close, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up, not with the warriors laboring to breathe behind us.

Hints of their hunger bled through, weakening their magic and their endurance. It wasn’t drastic, and they were keeping up, but if we had to engage in a fight, there was no telling how long they could hold up against other well-trained warriors who hadn’t been suffering like they had.

Noises came from the left, and my heart stuttered.Do you hear that?The source wasn’t small like a wolf; it was more human-sized but moving too quickly.

Yes, I do.Thorn kept his attention focused forward.Keep running. If we start scanning the area, it’ll slow us down. They’re far enough away that we should be able to get to the car without trouble.

The warriors behind us stiffened, their movements not quite as quiet, confirming they were also straining and on high alert. Everyone’s footsteps remained strong and steady.

When Saphira and Brenton broke through the trees, part of me felt relieved, but I locked that down. We weren’t out of the woods yet, and I didn’t mean literally. Until we were in the vehicles, driving away with no one following us, we could still be attacked.

My dragon roared, inching forward and ready to be released for battle. I could see a few cars with humans hanging around them close to our vehicles. Shifting would not be possible, but at least Drake’s warriors would have to be careful around the prying eyes.

A few seconds later, Thorn and I were on the dirt path to the parking lot.

I could hear feet pounding from about a mile away.

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