Page 57 of Mane Attraction
The abandoned structure sat in the middle of a dense wooded area, purple trees stretching up toward Nova Aurora’s twin moons like gnarled fingers. If she could reach the forest before Crispin shifted into his lion form, she might have a chance. Lions were powerful, but dense woodland would slow him down and give her places to hide.
Her legs pumped beneath her as she sprinted toward the tree line, the black cocktail dress that had made her feel so beautiful just hours ago now hindering her movement. Behind her, she heard Crispin’s furious shouts growing closer.
Run,her mind screamed.Run like your life depends on it, because it does.
THIRTY-SIX
LEV
Lev’s fingers clenched against his thigh as he scanned the grand ballroom for the tenth time in as many minutes. The celebration continued around him—pride members laughing over dessert, couples swaying to the gentle music, and children weaving between tables with sticky fingers and bright smiles. But the joy that had filled him all day had curdled into something sharp and restless.
Where is she?
Xelene had excused herself to freshen up before their first dance, promising to make it quick. That had been twenty-five minutes ago. Twenty-five minutes of Lev trying to maintain his composure while every instinct screamed that something was wrong.
“Your Majesty,” Elder Mason approached with a warm smile, “the pride is eager to see you and your mate take the floor. Will Lady Xelene be joining us soon?”
Lev forced his most charming grin, the one that had gotten him out of countless scrapes over the years. “Any moment now. You know how women are with their preparations.”
But even as he spoke, ice crystallized in his chest. Xelene wasn’t the type to fuss over her appearance. She’d been flawlesswhen she left, every hair in place, her black dress hugging her curves like a second skin. She’d looked like a queen already.
More pride members began glancing toward the ballroom entrance, their conversations growing quieter as they noticed the future queen’s continued absence. Lev caught snippets of whispered speculation and saw the concerned furrows appearing between eyebrows.
This isn’t like her.
“Lev.” Benjamin materialized at his elbow, Janice close behind. His friend’s green eyes held the same worry that was eating at Lev’s gut. “Everything alright? You look like you’re about to shift and tear the ballroom apart.”
“Xelene’s been gone too long.” Lev’s voice came out rougher than intended, drawing sharp looks from nearby guests. He cleared his throat and lowered his tone. “Something’s not?—”
The words died as agony slammed into him. Terror, raw and primal, crashed through the mate bond with such force that his knees buckled. The crystal wine glass in his hand shattered against the marble floor as every muscle in his body locked tight.
No.
“Lev!” Benjamin’s hand shot out to steady him as the king swayed on his feet. “What the hell?—”
The telepathic scream that tore through Lev’s mind was worse than any physical wound he’d ever suffered. Xelene’s voice, distorted by panic and fading fast.
Crispin has me! Help me!
Then silence. The mate bond didn’t disappear, but it dimmed to barely a whisper, leaving Lev feeling like half his soul had been ripped away.
“That bastard has her.” The words came out as a growl, his lion surging so close to the surface that his eyes flashed gold. Several guests stepped back in alarm. “Crispin took Xelene.”
Janice’s face went white. “Are you sure? How do you?—”
“I heard her through our bond.” Lev was already moving, his long strides carrying him toward the ballroom exit with lethal purpose. “She’s in trouble. And when I find that bastard, I’m going to tear him apart piece by piece.”
Benjamin and Janice fell into step behind him, nearly jogging to keep up as Lev’s pace increased. Pride members called out questions, but Lev ignored them all. Nothing mattered except getting to his mate before that psychotic coward hurt her.
If he’s touched one hair on her head...
“The bond’s gone dim,” Lev said as they burst through the ballroom doors and into the main foyer. His hands were already working at the buttons of his ceremonial jacket, preparing for the shift. “I can barely feel her.”
“Maybe he drugged her,” Benjamin suggested, his own voice tight with concern. “If she’s unconscious, that would explain why the bond feels muted but hasn’t disappeared entirely.”
“How are we going to track her?” Janice asked, her crisis management instincts kicking in despite the fear in her eyes. “If the bond is compromised?—”
“Scent trail.” Lev shrugged out of his jacket and began working on his shirt. “My lion form will be able to follow it, but we need to move fast. The longer we wait, the colder it gets.”
