“You’re walking, Callie,” James stared at her in awe. “I cannae believe you’re walking. You’re saved.”
“Aye.” She flashed him a quick grin that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And after this is over, you will marry me, James Cairn.”
His lips trembled with laughter. “What a romantic proposal, Caledonia MacLennan.”
“I’d jump you,” she said, taking a step toward him to cup his handsome face in her hand. “But we need to move.”
His gaze turned questioning. “What did I miss back there?”
“She’s his mate, James. Thea is Conall’s true mate. His scent is her scent now. Like Mum and Dad. Why do you think she insisted on saving me before we were released?”
James staggered back a step, his expression slackening. Then understanding quickly slipped into place, hardening his features. “Her scent.” He nodded, realizing. “Of course.” His eyes flew to the castle in the distance where a large boat waited at the castle dock. A boat probably intended for Thea. Their time was running out.
James bared his teeth. “Well … this definitely means war.”Wanting Thea to get as much rest as possible before they rescued Callie and James and faced Ashforth, Conall decided to go ahead with strategizing with his pack at the Coach House without her. He would fill Thea in on the way to Castle Cara.
That had been the plan.
More hours had passed than he’d intended, but Conall had assumed if Thea had awoken and was restless, she would find her way easily to Torridon Coach House. Since she hadn’t shown up, he believed she was sleeping, and he was glad for it. Neither of them had much rest lately, and she’d need every ounce of energy and strength within her to face Ashforth and all the demons he represented.
However, something knotted in Conall’s gut as he approached his house, a feeling of unease he didn’t quite understand until he walked inside and felt the emptiness.
That was when he realized he couldn’t feel Thea. He was unable to track her. Fear slammed through him as he tore through the house looking for her. Then out into the garden, to the rocky loch shore.
She was nowhere.
Absolutely nowhere.
And he couldn’t feel her to track her.
It could only mean one thing: someone had drugged her with Ashforth’s concoction.
Conall got into the Defender and sped back to the Coach House, kicking up dirt and stones in his wake, the vehicle bouncing over terrain that was meant to be traversed carefully.
It was impossible to be careful.
He had no time for fucking careful.
His heart was thumping so hard, he was nauseated. His legs and hands trembled as he dove out of the car, just stopping himself from howling right there to draw his pack to him. Yet Conall knew he needed to stay focused and clearheaded. He couldn’t let himself think about Thea in Ashforth’s hands.
He’d lose control entirely.
Instead Conall hurried across the car park where he knew his warrior wolves, along with three of Peter Canid’s, were waiting to set their plan in motion.
Before he could reach it, the Coach House door blew open and Sienna Canid ran toward him, yanking a gag from her mouth, stumbling as if she were weak. Her eyes flared when she saw him, and concern had Conall hurrying toward her.
He caught her as she fell against him, panting, her eyes wild. Dried blood marred a cut near her temple. “Sienna?”
“Conall,” she gasped, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I tried to stop him, but he knocked me out and when I came to, he’d tied me up. I’m so sorry—”
“Who? What?” Conall cut off her rambling.
But before she could answer, they both spun at the sound of squealing tires as an old Honda blew into the car park and skidded across the concrete to a halt. The doors flew open and Conall’s heart lurched at the sight of James and Callie.
Callie!
She ran toward him.
Ran.
Glowing with strength.
“Conall!” She threw herself into his arms, knocking him back on his feet. Disbelief and joy, along with mounting fear, overwhelmed him. If Callie was cured—
“Conall.” Callie pulled back to grab his shirt, her gray eyes bright with anxiety. “He has her, Conall. Ashforth has Thea at Castle Cara. We have to save her. I know she’s your mate. I recognized the scent. Ashforth was going to throw James and me out but Thea wouldn’t let him until she’d cured me. She cured me, Conall.”
Thea was with Ashforth.
She’d cured Callie … and she’d done it because …
Conall stumbled back, remembering her expression as she turned to him in bed last night.
“And you know I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She was sacrificing herself for him, for the pack.
Well, fuck that!
His claws shot out, his gums aching as his canines slid down. He bared his teeth as Callie gave him a dark grin and released her claws in support. His next words were guttural but clear. “Let’s end this bastard.”