Page 98 of The Witch’s Daughter

I tried to ignore him, too.

“They should at least let us leave and come back since they’re calling all the females before the males.” Amir sighed as he sat on the dirt beside Gentry.

“It’s a good thing you haven’t found your mate yet if you’re still complaining about ladies first.” Gentry pocketed the pebble and searched for another, no doubt saving them for his own mate.

But I didn’t smile at that thought for long.

Something about what Amir said had me looking around the field with new eyes.

What if she needs you?

About twenty had gone in.

All women, like Amir said.

“Are any of you keeping count of the witches they’ve taken back?” I spun to face the males of my coven.

“I haven’t been keeping count, no…” Gentry trailed off, glancing up with a worried expression. “Why?”

“Twenty went in.” I looked around the field, wondering how I’d missed it. “Twenty so far.”

“And it’s been hours.” Amir moaned. “We’re going to be waiting out here until midnight.”

“No, you idiot.” I pulled him up. “Twenty went in. None have come out. Take your brother and go tell Alpha Kera.”

“Tell her what?” Amir stuttered as I shoved him into Ahmad and prayed that it was a mistake.

But my instincts told me otherwise.

I only hoped Tisiphone would understand.

You’ve been protecting her from yourself for far too long. Trust that she’s strong enough to handle your nature.

She’ll hate us for this. I started jogging. It could be years before she’s ready to come around again.

It’s a risk we’ll have to take.

“Let Kera and Jareth know he’s going rogue.” Gentry was already on his feet, chasing after me as my wolf struggled for control. “Oh, gods. Please don’t do anything stupid.”

Fate paired the two of you. My beast shone in my eyes as I ran, urged on by the anxious feeling in my chest and following the tug of our soul toward Tisiphone. That means there’s a reason she has an Alpha as a mate.

35

Trish

“Where are your wolves?” I asked, trying to remain upright as I sat with my back pressed against Calla’s back, watching the blood thicken and drip down my arm.

This is pathetic, my wolf whined.

Skin really shouldn’t take this long to mend itself. If this was the normal rate of healing, it sucked.

Also, I’d lost a lot of blood.

The silver cage slowed our healing abilities to a trickle, and kept us from stretching out in either direction to avoid risking a contact burn. I’d thought silver cages were illegal. Not that the evil warlock was following any laws—shifter-made or natural—right about now.

Hence me and Calla being locked in said cage while my wolf weakly looked out through my eyes.

“I sent them away,” Calla whispered.