Summary: Vernon's a rat (nothing new) and now Elide has to face the consequences of not showing up at the mating ball. And put up with her mate.

Only to find

myself lost

Once again

Elorcan Werewolf 2

Elide decided to make a chocolate cake since what girl didn't like chocolate? It would be a celebratory cake for the Fireheart Pack making it through their first mating ball alive.

Unfortunately, the moon goddess had other plans.

Elide! Aelin screamed down the pack link.

Elide let out a startled cry, accidentally dropping the batter. Hissing in frustration, she grabbed a sponge.

What is it?

Your uncle Vernon leaked to the cadre about your absence. I'll kill that bastard. He doesn't deserve the Alpha position.

Fear leaked through Elide.

What's going to happen to me?

Aelin didn't answer right away, and Elide could sense her distress. She left the remains of the cake on the floor and hurried to the weaponry room.

For your apparent insolence, Lorcan Salvaterre wants to whip you. Hide in the dungeons. He can't detect your scent there among the other prisoners.

Hide?

Yes. He's heading into your direction.

Where are you?

Aelin paused. Then growled: Running away from my mate.

Elide's eyes widened as she stuffed a couple of daggers down her boots, and stuffed medicine into her pouch.

Why are you running away from your mate? Mates were precious, a gift from the moon goddess herself. Life without a mate passed without true purpose or happiness.

Because my mate is Prince Rowan Whitethorn, Lycan and heir to the Doranelle throne.

Elide didn't have time to be shocked as her connection with Aelin blasted with fear. Before she could ask, her front door banged open, a low growl piercing the empty air.


Elide didn't go to the dungeon. She'd had been trapped in one for her entire youth, and there was no way in hell she'd let a Lycan cow her into one.

So she slung the pack over her shoulder, and sprinted as fast as she could with her ruined ankle to the back door, and slid into Aelin's camaro. After dutifully clicking on her seat belt, she slammed on the pedal and steered the car with impressive strategy through the woods into the main road.

If she made it into the completely human cities, then she'd be safe. Lycans had a covenant under Pack law to not step foot into mortal land for their safety as their temperament could wreck cities.

Elide sent a quick message down the pack link of her plan, and then palmed a knife in her hand. She wouldn't go down without a fight. There was a time she'd been defenseless, but she was no longer that girl anymore.

A howl sounded through the air, and a small part of Elide yearned to slam on the brakes and comfort the wolf. But Elide wasn't going to listen to that part of her that might kill her, so she pressed the gas pedal harder.

Survival first.

Don't use the main roads, Aelin let out a strangled sound down the link. He's sending his bribed police officers in to slow you down.

Elide let out a curse that would have made Manon proud. She didn't know why Lorcan was so bent on punishing her. The entire world didn't revolve around them, and sure as hell didn't live to satisfy their every whim and urge.

As soon as she caught sight of the flashing red and blue lights of police cars, Elide swerved the car into the forests. She expertly drove through the line of trees, both fallen and drooping as if expecting her unwelcomed entrance.

What she lacked for her werewolf form, she made it up with driving. When Aelin had became Alpha, she'd gained all of Arobynn's previous debts. To force her to step down, most of the Alphas had demanded that Aelin pay them immediately.

Elide had helped by racing on the streets, much to Aelin's and Manon's protests. She didn't mind. It meant she could serve and be helpful in other ways rather than doing laundry and washing dishes.

When she'd been beaten Lycan Fenrhys in a drag race, she'd gained over one trillion in dollars, no one believing a little girl could out race one of the cadre, betting against her. Fenrhys had demanded that Elide take off her pale mask she wore to protect her identity, but as soon as her hands had gotten a hold of the money, she had booked it.

The way the male had looked at her like she was his next meal —

Elide shuddered.

When the forest cleared out, Elide hit the side streets. Her fingers gripped the wheel tightly as she zoomed past the edges of her pack's border at 250 mph. There was no way Lorcan could catch her.

Or so she thought.

The same dark blur flashed past the car, and a blink later, Elide saw a male standing in the middle of the road, arms crossed. The aura of power and dominance oozing from the male was enough for Elide to slam on the gas pedals.

She would not stop for anyone.

The male seemed to realize that Elide would run him over, but also seemed to have a death wish, because right when the car was a fraction of an inch from his chest, he easily sidestepped, a brow raised.

Elide flung the dagger out the window in his direction, and then pressed the pedal harder.

There was no way. There was no way a werewolf — even a Lycan — could run that fast. But it seemed like fate wanted to test her today.

The passenger door of the car ripped open, and Elide screamed as a body slid into the shotgun seat with the ease of gracefulness and elegance. She slammed on the brakes, watching in satisfaction as the male's body hit the dashboard — served him right for having absolutely no manners and not bothering to buckle up.

Before she could reach for the dagger in her boot, the male snarled, and lifted himself up.

A large, muscular body with ropes of corded muscle looming over her.

The hunt had ended.

And Elide knew she'd been captured as soon as those onyx eyes locked onto her.

"You ran away from me, Elide Lochan." His canines elongated, and Elide shivered at his low voice, that granite rough-hewn face. Her pulse throbbed as the male's eyes raked her over.

The Lycan leaned forward, resting his jaw against her collarbone, a warm breath caressing her skin.

Elide swallowed harshly.

She felt the edges of his teeth gently scrape against her flesh, the male inhaling her scent greedily.

"Did you know," Lycan Lorcan Salvaterre breathed, sending sparks and shivers down her skin. "You ran away from your mate, Elide Lochan?"