The Queen Is Kidnapped

That morning, Ross walked through the eastern gardens alone, enjoying the cool breeze against her face. She had almost reached the ancient fountain when she stopped. Something felt wrong. The birds had gone silent.

Ross slowly turned. She saw nothing. Only trees and their flowers that had fallen down form the trees and the distant sound of the palace bells.

Her instincts sharpened. "Who's there? No answer. Then the shadows moved. Three figures emerged between the trees. Ross's eyes narrowed. "You shouldn't be here."

One of them smiled. "You're coming with us, Your Majesty."

Ross's ancient power stirred beneath her skin. She didn't panic. "Try."

The first attacker lunged. Ross raised her hand. But before she could command the wolves around the palace, something struck the back of her head. Pain exploded through her skull. Her vision blurred. She heard someone shout.

"Now!"

A strange silver powder filled the air. Ross staggered. Her power suddenly became difficult to reach. Her knees weakened. She tried to call the wolves. Nothing happened. The last thing she saw was the palace disappearing behind her as strong arms caught her.

Then darkness swallowed her.

Knox was in the council chamber when the first scream reached him. He immediately stood. Every warrior in the room froze. Another scream followed. Then a guard rushed through the doors.

His face was pale. "Your Majesty—"

"Where is Ross?"

The guard swallowed. "We can't find the Queen."

Knox's expression changed. "What do you mean you can't find her?"

"We searched her chambers. The eastern gardens—"

"Where is she?" The command shook the room.

The guard dropped to one knee. "We found this."

He held out a torn piece of Ross's dress.

Knox stared at it. For one terrible second, he didn't move. Then his wolf exploded inside him. A roar ripped through the palace. Windows trembled. The guards outside dropped to their knees. Servants screamed. Nobles ran from the corridors. Everyone remembered that sound. The terrifying Alpha King. The man who had once ruled the kingdom through fear. Knox's eyes turned black. "Lock the gates." Warriors immediately rushed into action. "No one leaves the kingdom." He looked at the commanders. "Search every road, every forest, every border." His voice was terrifyingly calm. "Bring me whoever took her."

Beta Nash entered the chamber moments later. He took one look at Knox and stopped. "Oh, no."

Knox turned. "What?"

Nash pointed at him. "That face."

Knox's eyes narrowed. "What about it?"

"That's your terrifying Alpha face."

"I'm going to find my wife."

Nash sighed. "And there it is." Knox grabbed his sword. Nash immediately stepped in front of him. "You're not going alone."

"I wasn't asking."

"I know. That's the problem."

Knox pushed past him. Nash followed. "Knox." No response. "Knox!" Still nothing. "You don't even know where they took her."

"I'll find her."

"And when you do?"

Knox stopped. His eyes were burning. "I'll kill whoever touched her."

Nash stared at him. "That's exactly what I'm worried about."

Knox turned. "They took the Queen."

"They took Ross," Nash corrected.

Something shifted in Knox's expression. Nash continued. "And if you're going after her as the Alpha King, you'll think strategically." Knox's jaw tightened. "But if you're going after her as an angry husband, you'll charge into a trap and get yourself killed."

Knox stepped closer. "They took my wife."

Nash stared at him. For a moment, there was silence. Then Nash smiled faintly. "You finally sound like a husband."

Knox glared. "This isn't funny."

"I know." Nash's smile disappeared. "That's why I'm coming with you."

Within minutes, the kingdom's greatest warriors gathered at the palace gates. More than a hundred wolves stood ready. Knox mounted his horse. His expression was cold. His heart was anything but. He couldn't stop thinking about Ross. The way she had looked at him that morning. The way she had admitted she once loved him. The fragile hope that had appeared between them. And now she was gone.bHis fists tightened around the reins.

He had spent two years treating her as though losing her would mean nothing. Now the thought of never seeing her again made his chest feel as though it were being crushed.

Nash mounted beside him. "Before we leave..."

Knox looked at him. "Don't die." Knox stared. Nash shrugged. "Someone has to annoy you when we bring Ross home."

For the first time, Knox almost smiled. Almost.

Then a scout rode toward them. "Your Majesty!" Knox turned. "We found tracks."

"Where?"

"The northern forest."

Knox immediately kicked his horse forward.

The army followed.

Deep inside the northern forest, Ross slowly opened her eyes. Her head throbbed. Her wrists were bound. She was inside a dark stone room. Three men stood nearby. One of them noticed she was awake.

"The Queen is conscious."

Ross lifted her head. "Who are you?"

The man smiled. "You'll find out soon enough."

Ross tested the ropes. They were reinforced with something that weakened her connection to the wolves. Interesting. They thought they had neutralized her. She almost smiled.nThey had made one mistake. They had assumed her power came from her wolf. It didn't. Ross looked toward the door.

Then she felt it. A familiar presence. Faint. But unmistakable. Knox. Her heart skipped. He was coming. Ross lowered her eyes, hiding the tiny smile that touched her lips. The men thought they had captured a helpless queen. They had no idea what was coming for them or maybe they would soon surely find out.