“I’m going after my mate.” Drantos clenched his teeth.
His father frowned as he straightened to his full height. “No. I need you here. Our trackers will find her. They’re going after her now.”
“I'll do it,” Drantos snarled. He didn’t give a damn what his father ordered. She had been taken. He had to get her back before she was killed by Decker for being the granddaughter he believed useless to his cause—or it was discovered she wasn’t as human as he believed. He’d send her to Aveoth. It would be hell trying to recover her from the cliffs and the GarLycan clan, if not impossible.
It drove him insane thinking about losing her forever, either way.
Kraven opened his eyes, drawing Drantos’s attention. “Bat?” His fear showed on his features. “Is she breathing? I don’t hear her.”
“She lives but she’s unconscious.” Velder crouched again and caressed his son’s face. “You acted quickly enough when they leapt out of the trees. You took the brunt of the attack with your back and seemed to have cradled her when you were thrown clear of the truck. Don’t try to talk.”
Relief etched across Kraven’s pained features. “We must protect her.” He turned his head to meet Drantos furious stare. “I heard Dusti claim she was Bat. I couldn’t move but I was conscious. She allowed them to take her to save her sister. She should be safe until Decker realizes she lied to his men to dupe them into taking the wrong woman.”
Drantos threw back his head to roar out in rage again. It made it worse that Dusti had purposely put herself in danger and lied to be the one taken. He paced, unable to keep control of his beast. Not only were his claws extended but his fangs elongated. More hair sprouted down his body. “I’m going after my mate!”
His father stood to confront him. “No, you’re not. The clan comes first.”
“She needs me.”
“She renounced you. It is forbidden for you to go near her.”
“She doesn’t understand our ways!”
“It is still the law. It’s up to our trackers to find her and bring her back.”#p#分页标题#e#
“No,” Drantos snarled. “She’s mine.”
“We’ve been attacked and some of our people are injured. Your own brother is hurt. You need to calm and allow our men to find Decker’s granddaughter. They will bring her to safety. Our people are your priority right now.”
“Let him go, Dad.” Kraven coughed up blood, rolled to his side, and reached for Bat. His hand rubbed her leg where he could reach her. “They took what they want. They won’t be back. He needs to go after his mate.”
“She’s not his mate.” Velder shook his head.
“I exchanged blood with her during sex but I didn’t tell her we had begun the mating process. I planned to explain everything once I had her safely inside my home.” Drantos forced his mind to work. “She’s wearing Red’s jacket. It masks her scent.” He glared at his father. “Do the trackers know that?”
Velder hesitated. “Take a walk with me.”
Drantos spun, marching a good ten feet away. He glared at his father. “What?”
“You need to pull yourself together. The woman will be found. I sent two good trackers after her.”
“That's not good enough.” Drantos dared his father to tell him otherwise. “You can’t talk me out of it.”
His father grabbed his arm. “I forbid it! Our clan is in danger and I have one son down. I need you, Drantos. The men I sent will find her. Your place is here.”
“You’re wrong.” Drantos glared into his father’s stunned gaze. “Ban me from the clan if you must but I’m going after her. Decker might realize she’s not completely human if she’s injured and bleeding. I won’t allow Aveoth to have her. She’s mine to protect and I will die to do so if that’s what it takes.”
“You can’t risk your life for a woman who has shunned you.”
Drantos jerked out of his father’s hold. “And you can’t take what she said seriously.”
“Laws are still laws, son. Several of us heard her say she doesn’t want to live with you.”
“Dusti is my mate regardless of what she claimed.”
“And I’m your clan leader, and I’m ordering you to help me escort our injured home.”
Drantos was furious. “No!”
His father snarled. “Do what you’re told!”
People around them turned their heads.
Velder lowered his voice. “My orders are clear. Follow them.”