Chapter 19

Chapter 19

The dress proved to be a bigger hindrance than I expected, catching on every twig and branch as I took a shortcut through the woods. I had managed to kick off my heels just outside of the castle grounds, at least. Finally, I got frustrated and began tearing the skirt, ripping it right off.

It came out a bit lopsided, with one side nearly at my hip and the other halfway down my thigh, and I knew I’d probably get some looks when I caught up to the spearhead team, but at least the blasted thing wasn’t in my way anymore,

“KORA!” I heard my name bellowed through the trees.

“For the love of…” I muttered and took off running again, this time sprinting easily through the woods. Sure, the brush scratched up my legs, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to let Hale stop me

I used every trick they ever taught me, doubling back, crossing a stream–twice–and picking my way over the rocky ground so as not to leave footprints. It was maddeningly time–consuming, and I cursed Hale every step of the way, But at least he wasn’t going to catch me.

Or so I thought. I heard the snap of a twig behind me and quickly slid down a dank embankment, getting streaked with mud. At the bottom, I stood, still looking behind me. When I heard nothing else, I turned and smacked right into a wall of muscle. Hale grabbed me in a bear hug, keeping me from moving an inch. That’s not to say I didn’t try struggling free any

anyway. kicked at his shins and even butted my head upward into his chin. Hale simply grunted and held on.

“Are you quite finished yet, Kora?” he asked after a while, his breathing calming down along with mine. “No.” I kneed him in the family jewels.

Hale growled and gritted his teeth, but did not let me go. “Where the F*CK do you think you’re going?” he demanded after I finally went still. If that didn’t make him release me, I figured nothing in the world would.

I panted. With every breath, the spearhead team was getting further and further away. If I wasn’t careful, I was going to be too exhausted to go get Shawn. I’m going to get Shawn, you miserable-”

“Careful. I’m still your Alpha,” Hale warned, his voice low.

I looked up at him, my eyes boring into his dark ones. I realized, suddenly, just how close we were. The mate bond began screaming through my bloodstream, and I swallowed. “And?” I still managed haughtily.

“And,” Hale replied, bending forward to mutter in my ear. “You are still MY mate.”

I groaned and gave Hale a shove. This time, he did let me go, but only gave me about a foot of breathing space. “For the love of the GODDESS, Mason! Shawn’s a friend. A friend! I don’t have too many of those, if you didn’t notice, and I’d like not to lose this one.”

“We need a spearhead team to go to the border and handle an incursion, Kora. I asked Bennett to assemble my best warriors. I’m not executing some personal vendetta against your Shawn,” Hale spat

“Oh, right. Like I believe that. Look, we already dissolved our engagement, are you happy? Can go get him now I asked.

Hale punched the tree behind my head and the wood splintered. He loomed over me, his dark eyes flashing, his full l*ps set in an angry line. “I Did Not Send. Shawn. On. Purpose

I gave him another shove, but this time he didn’t move. I backed against the tree to put a little more space between us. When we breathed deeply, our chests touched, which was often, because we were both steaming mad

“You’re jealous,” I accused him.

Hale’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“Mason Hale, you’re jealous. It’s petty and unbecoming” I said, crossing my arms.

“I am not jealous of Shawn Norman.” Hale was growling now, his wolf close to the surface. I could feel it.

“Then why won’t you let me go to him?” I asked, exasperated.

“Because I don’t want you to get killed!” Hale said.

“Oh, so it’s fine if he gets killed, but not me?” 1 demanded. “Why WASN’T my name on the list to begin with? I’m Bloody Kora. I’m the best warrior this pack has. Don’t you deny it.”

“I wasn’t going to.” Hale’s eyes shifted to the side.

I laughed bitterly. “You had Bennett take me off”

“So what if I did?” Hale asked, defensive.

I poked himn right in the chest. “You’re being unfair.”

“You don’t think I know that?!” Hale raked a hand over his hair. “I promised I would always protect you.”

“But you sent me to the Traitors‘ Cave. Along with a lot of other fine, innocent people,” I accused.

Hale groaned. “Can we have this conversation later? Please?”

“Sure, if you let me go get Shawn,” I shot back.

“I’m not letting you go to the border,” Hale said, immovable. “If you want, I’ll send someone to recall him, but I’m not letting you go to him.”

I could feel my face scrunch up in confusion. “So.. you won’t let me go get him, but you’re going to bring him to me anyway? What’s wrong with me going to him?”

“Not him. HIM.” Hale growled.

“Him who?” I asked, confused as to who Hale was referring to.

“Where did you get your second scar, Kora?” Hale countered…

My ja

jaw went slack. How could he possibly know about the Alpha at the border?

“That’s none of your business,” I said, swallowing hard.

Hale moved in so close we were breathing the same air. “I’m your mate. It is my business.” I set ve

my jaw, looking up into his dark eyes with defiance.

Hale’s heated eyes traveled from my face to my bosom, then down to my barely–there skirt His hand descended, and he ran his fingertips over the bare skin of my thigh. “Tell me,” he purred, trying a different tactic.

I stifled a moan. This close, with his hands on me, the mate bond throbbed between us, and I wanted nothing more than to jump on him and have S** until we were both too exhausted to move. But I held my ground. “Tin not telling you.” “Mhm,” Hale said, still stroking my skin.

I wasn’t even sure if he was paying attention anymore. His chin rubbed against my shoulder as he sniffed along my n*eck.

“Mason. Mason!” I tugged his hair. “Stop that at oncel”

“Who was he?” Hale demanded, nuzzling the shell of my ear.

This was a losing battle. I had to dig in my heels, or I’d be waving the white flag in no time. “Maybe I’d tell you if you told me -about my father.”

Hale stood back, then, and frowned at me. “Your father?”

“I want to know more about his betrayal. If you tell me what I want to know, then I’ll tell you about my second mate,” I said.

The corners of Hale’s l*ps turned down in distaste. But, finally, he nodded.

“We have a deal.”