Wolf Dreams

Chapter 6

Lifting his hand up at her to stay put for a moment, Lazlo pulled out his cell phone and called Prince Ruben's private number again. Though King Leo was technically the Alpha of the Teslinko Pack, Ruben was younger and much more accessible.

This time, the prince answered and Lazlo relayed the information as succinctly as possible. Immediately, Ruben understood.

"Let me gather up six of my best men," the prince said. "We'll meet you at the forest in five minutes."

"Great." That would definitely give Lazlo enough time to begin the shift back to wolf. He had to give his body time to recoup energy. Normally, he wouldn't have risked changing when he'd known he'd have to do so again later in the day, but his wolf had been out of control and had required the run to grow calm. Plus, he'd thought to do a bit of preliminary recon, though he hadn't found any clues to Katya's whereabouts during his short, solitary run.

Concluding the call, Lazlo looked up to find Erika watching him. She was balanced on the balls of her feet, as though prepared to run. He got the distinct impression she meant to flee. Which was good. She shouldn't be around when Ruben and his men got there.

"I've got to go," she said. "I hope you and your...Pack find little Katya."

He nodded, suddenly tongue-tied.

She crossed to him, standing on tiptoe and placing a hard, swift kiss on his mouth. "Plus, I don't want to take a chance that my dream will come true," she murmured against his lips. "Be careful and stay safe."

"Where are you going?" he asked. "I didn't spot any other cars in the parking lot."

She pointed toward home. "I walked here."

Since her family lands were away from the palace, lessening any chance she'd run into the prince and his guards if she headed in that direction, he nodded.

Any minute now the prince and his scouts would burst into the clearing, eager to change swiftly and begin their pursuit as wolves.

As was he.

As he opened his mouth to tell Erika goodbye, he heard, from somewhere deep within the forest, a girl scream. A high-pitched, terrified sound that pierced straight into his heart.

Lazlo froze, wishing he was still wolf and able to use his superior lupine hearing. Straining as he tried to ascertain the direction from which the cry had come.

"That way," he muttered, deciding.

"Yes," Erika agreed.

Adrenaline pumping, he cursed. "I can't wait for the others. I've got to go. Now."

Her eyes widened. She glanced from him to the direction the scream had come from, then finally nodded. Each second he wasn't searching was a wasted second.

"You'll have to stay here and inform the prince and his men what happened," he said to her, already stripping off his clothes.

"I..." Swallowing hard, she squared her shoulders. "How will I explain knowing about...the Pack?"

He frowned, then took a deep breath. "Just tell them you're my mate. They'll understand that logic and will let you be."

To her credit, she didn't even hesitate. "Hurry," she urged. "Save her."

Praying he could change quickly, he stripped off his clothes and dropped to all fours. Shifting twice in one day took a lot of energy, but he felt strong enough to do it.

The change ripped through him, lightning-fast, propelled by his adrenaline. As soon as he'd completely become wolf, he took off in the direction of the sound, hoping he wasn't too late.

***

Chest aching, Erika watched Lazlo go.

Quite frankly, facing the prince and his guards terrified her. But she'd do anything to save Katya. Even face down seven werewolves who surely wouldn't be happy to learn she was aware of their secret.

Her trepidation increased as the seconds ticked by. Though she listened intently, she heard nothing else from the direction of the earlier scream. However, voices from the other way, toward the palace, signaled the arrival of the prince and his six men.

An instant later, Prince Ruben and his guards burst through the trees.

He stopped still and glared at her. "Who are you and what are you doing in the Royal Forest?"

Quickly, she relayed what had happened, pointing the way Lazlo had disappeared. As he had directed, she concluded by saying that she was his mate.

At the word, the prince's eyes narrowed. He gave her a quick, appraising glance and nodded. "Then you may stay as long as you wish. We may ask you to help with the child once we locate her."

Heart pounding, she almost refused. But remembering the limp, tiny figure of the girl she'd seen in her dreams, she agreed. "I believe the kidnapper is armed, though I don't know if he has silver bullets."

Prince Ruben's expression hardened. "Thank you. We'll be sure to take adequate precautions."

"I'll wait at home. My land borders yours." She indicated the direction. "If you send someone for me once you've located her, I'll help in any way I can."

One quick inclination of his head, and the prince turned to his men. Apparently completely without modesty, each man stripped and then dropped to the ground. The glittering lights appeared-a million fireflies swirling and dipping and glowing.

Then, barely ten seconds later, seven wolves stood where there'd been men.

Erika stared, awestruck. Though none were as beautiful as Lazlo, they were still amazing specimens. While the other wolves were varying shades of gray, Prince Ruben's coat was sable, the same color as his hair. He bounded up beside her and cocked his head. His lupine eyes gleamed with intelligence.

Ignoring a surprising stab of envy, Erika pointed once again. The prince pivoted, growled at his men and took off running. The others followed, disappearing into the forest in search of the kidnapped little girl.