The Wolf Prince

CHAPTER 26

Surlock slowly came awake. He was in his old room at his parents’ castle. For a moment, he lay there, looking at the canopy above him. He didn’t want to think, he didn’t want to feel.

His stomach growled, reminding him it had been a while since he’d taken nourishment. Hunger pangs gnawed at his insides—along with guilt. How could he think about eating when Darcy was gone?

He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He sat there for a moment. Pain gripped him. By the gods, he couldn’t bear the pain. He finally stood, going to the closet. He grabbed the first thing he came to and dressed. A bathroom connected to his old room. He used the facility, then stared at his reflection above the sink, noting how haggard he looked. Then, for a brief moment, he saw the eyes of the wolf.

It is good that you have returned, Chinktah, his animal guide, told him. I had thought you would be lost forever.

You tried to reach me through the humming in my ears and my dreams. I see that now, Surlock said.

But as usual, you were too stubborn to listen.

Forgive me, Chinktah.

We are a part of each other. I can do no less.

Surlock left his room, going down the stairs, and with each step he took, anger forced his depression aside. He would make Nivla pay for what he’d done to Darcy.

Muted voices grew louder as he approached the main area. He walked inside the room, saw his family gathered, saw the worry etched on their faces. His brother Kristor’s lifemate, Rianna, looked at him, eyes filled with pity before her gaze skittered away. Callie ran her hand over her stomach, which was swollen with his brother Rogar’s child. Conversation stopped when the others saw him.

“You have connected with your animal guide?” his mother asked.

“Yes, and I have my memories back.” He saw the bandages on his mother and sisters’ arms and knew they had cast a healing circle. “Thank you for what you have given me.”

“I’m glad that you are back, brother,” Karinthia said.

His gaze fell on his older sister. “It’s good to know who I am and where I come from.”

“You are well, son?” Surlock’s father looked toward his wife, who nodded her head. He strode to Surlock and hugged him tight. “I worried about my youngest son. It would have grieved me greatly if you had not returned to us.”

An ache grew deep inside him. Surlock knew his pain would never heal. But he could understand why his family had not wanted to suffer the same. His father stepped back, clearing his throat.

“Thank you for saving my life,” Surlock told Kristor and Rogar.

“You would have done the same,” Rogar said.

Kristor nodded in agreement.

Surlock knew they were right. No risk would have been too great. “But now we have another problem. Zerod is free again. We must capture him or more impures will be killed. I won’t let that happen to another one.”

“Are you strong enough to travel?” Rogar asked.

“I am.”

Karinthia stepped forward. “I’m going this time.” She looked at her brothers. “I can use my magic if need be.”

Their mother nodded. “Yes, it’s your time. I have seen it coming. We must do more to protect our people, and the impures are our people, too.”

“Then are we ready?” Surlock asked.

“Yes,” his siblings answered as one.

Leaving took longer than Surlock expected. He wanted to wrap his hands around Nivla’s throat. Surlock knew he couldn’t kill him, but Nivla didn’t know Surlock wouldn’t break his father’s law. He would make Nivla suffer for the rest of his life, though.

By early morning, they were on their way back to Earth. His brothers and Karinthia talked and planned. Surlock listened. He knew what he had to do first.

“We’ll be landing near where your craft is,” Kristor said.

Surlock nodded. “Excoria pretended to be Darcy. That’s how they captured me. She may still be in the area. I will pick up her scent and see what I can find, but I have to take care of something first.”

“You will find Darcy’s essence there.” Kristor spoke solemnly.

Surlock was surprised to see the bleakness in his brother’s eyes.

“I could not live without my mate. I can only imagine the pain you’re going through, and it hurts me. It hurts us all. You must find peace within yourself.” He handed Surlock a small device. “When you need us, push the button, and we will find you.”

Surlock nodded, unable to speak. Kristor was a strong warrior, but since he’d found his lifemate, a softer side had come through.

They landed. When Surlock stepped from the craft, what he had lost hit him with full force, almost taking him to his knees. Karinthia grabbed his arm to steady him.

“I’ll be all right,” he told his sister. “I have to face this alone.”

She nodded and stepped away.

Surlock walked through the woods, making his way back to the trail where Darcy had hit him over the head. He stopped for a moment, closing his eyes. He could almost smell her scent.

A hawk cried overhead.

Surlock looked up and saw that Kristor had shifted into his animal guide. He would find the warehouse Nivla had told him about. He doubted the female rogue would be there, but they would check it out just the same.

Surlock walked up the trail that led to the house. The last time he’d walked it, he and Darcy had mated in the meadow. He hadn’t lost the time afterward; Chinktah had been able to emerge for a short period.

As he approached the house, he wondered what Ms. Abernathy had thought when they hadn’t returned from the party. He didn’t want to tell everyone Darcy was dead. But how could he not tell them?

He took a deep breath and stepped to the back door, lightly knocking.

There was a clicking noise behind him.

Surlock turned and stared at the weapon Ralph held.

“Make one wrong move and I blow your brains out,” Ralph said, and from his expression, Surlock thought he might do just that.

“I offer you no harm,” Surlock told Ralph. “I came to speak about Darcy.”

“Yeah, and you’d better tell us where she is, too.”

The door behind him opened, but he dared not take his eyes off Ralph.

“Is this the man who kidnapped Darcy?” a man behind Surlock asked.

“That’s him all right,” Ralph said.

“I didn’t kidnap Darcy,” Surlock told them. Now he wasn’t so sure he wanted to tell them she was dead, either. He only hoped Ralph didn’t suddenly develop a nervous twitch.

The man stepped from behind Surlock. He had dark hair threaded with streaks of gray. His face was aged and lined with worry.

“Just tell me where my daughter is and we’ll pay the ransom.”

“Ransom?”

“The note that came yesterday said you wanted two million dollars. We’re gathering it now. All we care about is our daughter, and if you’ve harmed her, I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”

The world stopped moving as the blood rushed to Surlock’s head. “Darcy is alive?” Hope sprang inside him. Hope and joy and a burst of love. The emotions hit him full force, almost toppling him. “She’s alive?” he asked again.

Ah, no, if this was a lie, then he would surely be doomed. He couldn’t bear the pain of losing her twice.