Royal Shifters Series

Book 7: Chase

Dreams usually don’t last long for me, but this one seems to be never-ending. I’ve walked around my vineyards a million times over, waiting for something else to happen. The sun is brighter than it’s ever been before, and everything looks different, almost magical. Like I’m in a different world where everything glimmers and shines. My vines glisten in the early morning dew, and the grapes are so ripe and plump they could almost burst. I pluck one and pop it into my mouth, chewing slowly to savor the sweetness on my tongue.

Peering up at the sky, I notice the sun hasn’t moved an inch. I’ve been in the field for hours, but nothing has changed. Something is off. I can feel it.

I run through the vineyard to the edge, only to hit an invisible wall. The force tosses me back, and that’s when I feel the magic. It’s not dark or menacing, but it’s keeping me away from something for a reason. Kara.

I have to wake up from my dream. Extending my arm, I move closer to the invisible wall, my fingers gliding over the shimmering veil. It doesn’t hurt to touch it.

Rearing my arm back, I use all my strength to punch through the wall. The impact makes the bones in my hand crack, the pain radiating through every inch of my body. Ignoring the ache, I hit the wall, again and again, watching as the cracks expand out like veins. Stepping back, I move away as the wall begins to crumble, knowing I won’t escape from it crushing me. When it crashes down, I close my eyes …

My eyes flash open, and I jerk awake, my senses on full alert. I look over at the clock; it’s six in the morning. The room is dark, but I can see the sky beginning to lighten through the edges of the blinds on my windows. When I stare down at Kara’s side of the bed, it’s empty. I can’t sense her anywhere close by, but I can still smell her scent. Panic and fury rise in my chest.

“Fuck,” I hiss, jerking off the covers. I grab my clothes off the floor and put them on. It wasn’t just an ordinary dream; it had to be because of Kara’s friend, Evangeline. There’s no other explanation.

Grabbing my phone, I race downstairs and follow Kara’s trail to the front door. Before I can open it, I hear a car pull up the driveway. Not only that, I know who it is. Whipping open the door, I storm down the stairs just as Evangeline gets out of the car.

“Where is she?” I growl, knowing my eyes are blazing at her.

Evangeline holds up her hands, the smell of her fear making me back down. “I’m sorry. It’s a long story. I came here to get you out of the spell, but it looks like you’re a lot stronger than I thought.” Still holding up her hands, she cautiously approaches me. “I tried to get her to stay, but you and I both know how hard-headed Kara can be. I’m worried about her. I never should’ve helped her leave.”

“Where is she?” I repeat.

She closes her eyes and hangs her head. “On a plane to Virginia. She wanted to go home.”

I should’ve known Kara would run the second she knew we were mates. Hell, I haven’t even processed it. But, deep down, I think I’ve subconsciously known for a while.

Turning on my heel, I bolt back inside. “I’m going after her.”

When I get to my room, I grab my duffel bag and cram a bunch of clothes inside. Evangeline is still out by her car, and I can sense her torment. Once I have everything I need, I

lock up my house and toss my bag into the trunk of my car.

“She thought I could help her take the bracelet off,” Evangeline calls out.

I slam the trunk lid of my car and face her. “And obviously, you couldn’t.”

Evangeline shakes her head. “It’s too powerful. I’m sorry for putting you under a sleeping spell, but Kara’s my friend, and she asked for help. It wasn’t until I found out you two were mates that I told her to stay. It’s not safe for someone like her to be alone. Especially with what she has planned.”

Dread settles into the pit of my stomach. “What the hell you do mean?”

Evangeline’s despair hangs like a heavy weight around her. I can see it in her eyes that she cares for Kara. “I’m a witch who uses light magic, Chase. Sometimes I think that’s why my path crossed with Kara’s a long time ago. She needed someone like me in her life. Have I always been able to help her? No, but I keep trying. And now, she wants to find someone from our past.”

“Who?” I growl.

Evangeline’s eyes sadden. “His name’s Xavier King. We were together for several years before he turned to dark magic. I thought he could resist it, but he didn’t. If Kara seeks his help, she’ll have to pay a steep price. I’m afraid she’s going to give up everything for nothing.” She steps closer. “Kara’s always been a good friend to me. I want to see her happy. Yes, she’s made mistakes, and many would say she deserves what’s coming to her, but if she gets involved with Xavier, she’ll be in over her head.”

What’s distressing is that she has a head start. If I try to call her, she’ll only ignore me. After grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I scroll through until I find my private pilot’s number. He’s a human and has been on my payroll for several years now. “I’ll just have to stop her,” I say.

Evangeline nods. “You’re the only one who can.”

“No,” I utter, nodding toward my car. “You’re going to help her, too. I need you to come with me.”

Evangeline opens her trunk and pulls out her suitcase. “Kara bought me a plane ticket already. I just need to get back to the airport.”

Shaking my head, I take her luggage and put it in the trunk with mine. “We can get there faster with my jet.”

Her eyes widen. “You have your own plane?”

“Yep.” I motion for her to get into my car. “And it moves a whole hell of a lot faster than most others. The more time we waste in California, the longer Kara has to get into trouble.”

Wasting no time, Evangeline gets in the car, and I press send on James’s number.

“Good morning,” he answers.

“I wish I could say the same,” I reply. “We need to fly out to Virginia as soon as possible.”

“On it. I’ll get everything ready. See you at the airport.”

We hang up, and I hop in the car, squealing the tires as we make it out onto the main road. It takes about twenty minutes to get to the private airfield, but I’m going to try and make it in ten.

“Who’s James?” Evangeline asks. “Is he part of your pack?”

“No. He’s human. A pilot, actually.”

Her head jerks my way, but I keep my eyes on the road. “Does he know what you are?”

“I’m sure he has his suspicions, but I haven’t said anything. His wife died a couple of years ago from cancer. I think he enjoys traveling around and staying busy. It occupies his mind.

Unfortunately, nothing is keeping my mind off of Kara right now. I reach over and touch the phone icon on my dash. A list of numbers pops up, and Cameron’s is the first one I see. While I’m gone, I need him to watch the pack.

I press his number, and the line rings a few times before Cam’s groggy voice echoes over my car speakers. “Damn, it’s early,” he grumbles.

“I need you to watch over the pack. There’s something I have to do out of town.”

Cameron yawns. “Oh yeah? What’s up?”

“Kara’s gone.” The line goes silent. “She left in the middle of the night for Virginia.”

Cameron snorts. “Let her go. She’s not stupid enough to mess with the Royal pack. You’ve watched her for a month and a half now. I’d say you did your duty.”

I hook a glance over at Evangeline, but she keeps her focus out the window. “I can’t let her go, Cam,” I say, running a hand through my hair.

“Why not?”

“Because she’s my mate.”

Cameron sucks in a breath. “Holy fuck.”

Exactly.