Page 49 of The Hunted

All over again, Arelle was reminded of her situation. That she had mated herself to a man from the land. That she had an intended mate on his way to her colony. Once more, it seemed as though she had found every single rule she shouldn’t break and yet, still managed to do exactly that.

It felt taunting almost. How dare she forget? How could she be so stupid?

Though it killed her to do so, and she had absolutely no idea what would happen when she left her mate behind on the island, she slipped out from under his arm and stood up on shaky legs. She did her best not to look back, to keep walking toward where the sea lapped at sharp rocks.

Their blood had finally washed away. The storm … gone. Not that it mattered. The storm was inside her, now.

By the time Arelle reached the water’s edge, the sore, healing scrapes on her toes and legs touching saltwater, she finally looked back.

Her heart stopped. Just for a second.

She was sure it did. He stared back at her. Burning blue eyes. Hatred and confusion warred.

“Wait,” he said.

Faintly.

It didn’t sound like an order, but it didn’t have to. Not when it was her mate saying the word—request, plead or demand … it didn’t matter. That was the bond.

Everything inside demanded she do what he said. Wait. The calls from the sea came louder; the ship sailed closer.

“Prince!”

The man turned his head toward the sound.

“Prince Eryx, are you here?”

Was that his name?

“Eryx.”

The name came out of her lips lower than a whisper.

He hadn’t even heard it.

Then, his gaze snapped back to hers. His hand slid along the ground, and though she could tell he was still weak, he seemed determined to stand. She wanted to tell him to rest—it’s what he would need for a while. Mating took a lot of energy. The bond often drained their kind of everything, and recovery was sometimes the best part.

Except he would be alone.

And so would she.

Arelle gave a slight shake of her head, a whimper falling from her lips.

She couldn’t speak.

Not to him.

It would finish the bond.

Their voice and songs …

He’d always be able to find her if he heard it.

It was bad enough that he’d spoken because now, she would always hear him.

“Wait.”

Her next step hesitated.