Chapter 32 Alaric I feel it first as a sharp spike of terror that isn't mine . The mate bond pulses with Sage's fear , yanking me from a meeting about border security . " -and the northern patrols- " Garrett's voice fades as another wave hits me . Despair . Betrayal . Pain . I'm on my feet before I realize I'm moving . " Find her . Now . " " Alpha ? " " Sage . " Her name comes out as a growl . " Something's wrong . TI My beast claws beneath my skin as I stride through the packhouse , following traces of her scent . She was in the library recently - honeysuckle and rain lingering near her favorite window seat . But the trail goes cold at the entrance . More guards join the search . No one has seen her for hours . Each minute that passes sends my wolf into greater frenzy . The bond pulses with her distress , but I can't pinpoint her location . " The grounds are clear , " Iris reports , face tight with worry . " No sign of her in the gardens or training fields . " A servant mentions seeing her run from my study earlier . When I burst in , her scent is there but hours old , mixed with tears . What happened , sweetling ? Where are you ? The mate bond screams at me to find her , protect her , claim her . Our bond may never be sealed , too many obstacles in our way , but even so , she's mine to protect , to keep safe . And she's not safe outside these walls . " My King . " A guard approaches cautiously , sensing my barely contained rage . " There are signs of someone leaving through the east gate . Several hours ago . " Ice slides down my spine . " She ran . " 11 My feet carry me to the east gate . Her scent is stronger here , tinged with fear and determination . I place my hand against the cold iron , and a memory slams into me - pack . How many times will she have to run ? How many times will I fail to protect her ? Sage , small and scared but fierce , facing down Cassius's " The tracks lead north , " a scout reports . " Through the densest part of the forest . " Of course they do . She's smart , my little mate . Using the thick forest to hide her trail , just like we taught her in training . The pride that flickers through my chest wars with terror - those woods aren't safe , especially not for a wolfless omega alone . 1 shift forms , my Lycan taking over in a surge of power . Other wolves fall back - they've never seen their Alpha , their King , lose control like this . But I can't focus on them . Can't focus on anything except finding her . Her scent trail weaves through the trees it cost her precious time . I find places where she rested , her fear soaking into the ground . Places where she ran , she doubled back several times , trying to confuse pursuers . Smart , but branches broken in her haste . Then I find signs of the guards ' pursuit , and Phantom nearly loses it completely . They tracked her like prey . Hunted my mate like a rabbit " Alaric Iris's voice carries through the trees . " There's blood ! " Chapter 32 +25 BONUS Just a few drops , probably from branches scratching her as she ran . But the sight of it breaks something in my chest . The mate bond pulses with her pain - physical now , not just emotional . " Where are you , sweetling ? " The forest offers no answers . Just the wind in the trees and the distant howl of wolves on patrol . Somewhere out there , my mate is alone and afraid . I head back to my office , determined to regroup , when Garrett bursts in , face grim . " The dungeons . " " What ? " " Eris had her arrested . Claims she caught her stealing from the royal vault . " The world goes red . I'm moving before he finishes speaking , taking stairs three at a time into the depths of the packhouse . Guards scramble out of my way as power rolls off me in waves . I hear them before I see them - Eris's musical voice carrying around the corner . " -really , what did you expect ? A wolfless omega thinking she could rise above her station ? It's almost sad . " Then Sage's voice , smaller than I've ever heard it : " Why are you doing this ? " " Because you don't belong here , little stray . You never did . " I round the corner as Sage responds , " He'll know I didn't steal anything . " "Will he ? " Eris laughs . " The same way he knew about you and Cassius ? The same way he's known about so many things ? Face it , dear - Alaric sees what he wants to see . And right now , all he sees is the perfect political alliance I represent . " " That's enough . " My voice cuts through the darkness like a blade . Eris spins , her false smile already in place . " My King ! I was just explaining to our little thief- " Open the cell . " She blinks . " But the evidence-" " NOW . " The Alpha command makes her flinch . But as the guard fumbles with keys , she recovers her poise . " I understand you want to be merciful , " she says smoothly . " It's one of your most admirable qualities . But after everything that's happened - her history with Cassius , running away , stealing - surely you see this is for the best . The cell door swings open . Sage huddles in the corner , violet eyes huge in her pale face . The sight of her fear - of her chains- makes Phantom howl for blood . " Garrett, " I say , never taking my eyes off Sage , " escort Lady Eris to her quarters . Post guards . She's not to leave until I deal with this situation . " " You can't be serious . " Eris's mask slips . " After everything I've done for this pack ? For you ? " " Now , Garrett . " As they lead her away , her voice carries back ; " You're making a mistake ! She'll destroy everything we've built ! "