I checked my hair and makeup in the mirror. I had to make sure I looked incredibly fuckable. Then I followed Max's directions to Lucius's room. I walked up to the two human guards. "Lucius told me to wait for him in his quarters."

They grabbed the handles of the doors and pulled them open without a second thought. I didn't know whether to be insulted or grateful at how no one in the palace considered me to be the slightest threat. Well, maybe they'd improve security after I orchestrated their first jail break.

Lucius's quarters were as sterile as the rest of the palace, but even worse because he didn't have any personal effects. No overstuffed bookshelves or paintings of the ex over the fireplace. Nothing.

I went straight for his desk and checked the second drawer on the right. The keys were just where Max said they'd be. Then I headed into his bedroom. His threat replayed in my mind when I caught a glimpse of the four posts on his bed. I had to get Max free before anyone discovered what I was doing.

I pressed the wall on the left side of the bed and with a little pressure it gave way allowing me into the tunnels. I hurried in the darkness, remembering Max's directions. A left, another left and a right to get back to him.

I stepped into the dungeon, keys in hand. I rushed over and unlocked Max's cell. The second I freed him from his shackles, he picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder.

I didn't object because I knew we needed to get out fast and all I'd do was slow him down. He took the tunnels out of the palace and we entered the city. He ran through the backstreets and all I could do was lay there like a sack of potatoes and hope I didn't slow him down too much.

He moved faster on foot than we could have on horse, perhaps even faster than a car, it was hard to judge considering I was upside down and making every effort not to hurl on his back.

We ran for hours which seemed impossible with his injuries. Buildings turned into plains which then turned into woods and Max showed no signs of stopping.

What had to be a hundred miles from the palace, Max's legs buckled and he crashed into the ground. As he fell, he twisted his body, rolling himself around me to make sure I wouldn't get hurt.

He lay against a tree breathing hard. "I can't go any further."

I looked around wondering where we were. "Will they be able to catch up to us if we stop?"

“We should be okay for the night. First they have to realize we’re gone, then they have to track us. I’m not taking a direct route.”

So we actually had a destination and weren’t just running for our lives. That was good news. “Where are we headed?”

“Deabru territory. Claudia is the only one who can stop Lucius.”

Of course she was. She probably spoke ten languages and did Olympic gymnastics for fun. Why wouldn’t she be the solution to realm peace? “I saw a painting of her in your room. She’s very pretty.” This wasn’t the right time to be pouring my insecurities all over him but I couldn’t stop myself.

“Yes. Lyricists all over the realm have written epic poems celebrating her beauty…”

Wrong answer, buddy.

“But they haven’t laid eyes on you yet.”

I fought to hide the huge grin on my face. “Don’t waste your energy on charm. What do you need?”

He was already in bad shape from the fight and his imprisonment. Carrying me for miles at a full sprint didn’t help him any.

“I just need to rest for a bit. I need meat to regain my strength but I’m in no shape to hunt.”

“I can do it.” There was only one thing to be done and it was going to be satisfying. I grabbed the hem of my dress and started ripping until I had a functional skirt. I untied my bustle and propped it behind Max’s head as a pillow.

“This isn’t the city. You can’t just order takeout. There are dangerous animals in these woods.”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.” I cocked my 9mm. “Just tell me this, if I shoot one of these dangerous animals, what are the chances they’ll turn into a person?”

He closed his eyes, momentarily overwhelmed by pain. “There aren’t any shifters in these woods.”

“Good. Then I’ll be back soon.”

“Kiera…” he groaned.

“I saw you tear apart twelve men. I’m pretty sure the most deadly thing in these woods is you, and I managed to evade you for two days.”

He gave a hoarse chuckle as I walked away.

For all my bravado, I didn’t have the slightest idea what I was doing. I didn’t know much about hunting and I knew even less about some mystical realm. I didn’t know if I was hunting boars or griffins.

But Max needed me, so I was going to find something edible and kill it. Max had run southeast from the palace, so I continued in that direction assuming it would be the safest. I didn’t get far before spotting tracks—small hoof prints.

I followed the tracks to a creek. Dammit. Why couldn’t it have been a griffin? A giant vicious griffin with metal claws. Anything would have been better than the doe drinking from the creek.

I took aim. Well, at least it wouldn’t be hard to carry back. I knew I had to act fast. Anything could cause it to scurry away costing Max a much needed meal. I just needed to shoot. All I had to do was pretend like I wasn’t murdering Bambi and bring Max back his dinner.

Bambi’s nose twitched in the most adorable way. I lowered my weapon. There had to be something else out here. Woods were full of animals. As I was about to walk away a tiger pounced from the bushes snapping Bambi’s neck, killing him instantly. I gazed up at the starlit sky and thanked whatever deity looked after werewolves and put two bullets in the tiger.

I made it about a quarter of a mile before deeply regretting my decision. Fortunately, the tiger was a small female so I was able to carry it, but man was it heavy. By the time I reached Max I was dragging the damn thing by it’s paws.

I dropped it at his feet. “I hope you’re rested because I have no idea what comes next.”

Max stood up, which was a good sign, and started stripping. Okay, less of a good sign. “Do you know how to make a fire?”

“I got the badge to prove it.”

“Good. Make a fire. I’ll take care of the rest.” Max’s limbs stretched and contorted. Dark fur sprung from his skin. Once he was shifted he tore into the carcass’s flesh.

I scanned the area for dry wood.

By the time I got the fire started Max had left several piece of meat for me on a piece of my discarded skirt. I gathered the rest of the fabric to sit on as I cooked the meat. “And to think, a few hours ago I had a big bed in a fancy palace. Now I’m sitting in the dirt with you.”

Max whimpered and nuzzled up against me. I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You’re damn luck I’m fond of you.”

I rarely saw Max as a wolf. I’d seen him partially shift a few times. I figured I should be weirded out by it, but I wasn’t. Man or wolf, to me he was just Max. I fell asleep with him curled around me.