Werewolf's Way [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 1] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) by Scarlet Hyacinth Page A

the vehicles, wicked-looking guns in their grip. “Let’s get out of here,” the guy who’d first grabbed Caelyn said.
    Caelyn found himself shoved into one of the jeeps, with his bodyguards taking position next to him. Two other men took the driver’s seat and shotgun respectively. The car started with an obscenely loud screech, taking him away from the mansion and his mate.
    “Wait,” Caelyn cried out. “What about—”
    “We have another group freeing the prisoners,” one of the men next to him said, gripping his arm in a punishing hold. “Just be quiet and let him drive.”
    What could Caelyn do? He remained silent and prayed to Jenarra that somehow, he and his other half would get out of this all right.
     
    * * * *
     
    Graham dangled from the chains in his cell, feeling alone, tired, defeated, but most of all angry. Caelyn hadn’t kept his promise of coming to see him again, so here Graham had been forced to stay, the solution to their predicament impossibly beyond his reach. He’d more than underestimated the draechen when he’d thought he could escape this place so easily. If anything, as the days passed, the chances of him succeeding in this decreased more and more.
    Shtamakarein hadn’t been away long, and the first thing he’d done upon his return was to reassure himself that Graham remained under lock and key. The guards had been instructed that no one, not even the service staff, was to enter Graham’s cell, which made Graham wonder exactly what Shtamakarein knew.
    Under the circumstances, he could understand why his mate hadn’t been able to return. It still hurt, though, more than the silver chains binding him down ever could.
    Outside the cell, the guards were pacing and mumbling. “So, tonight’s the party, huh?” one of them asked.
    Graham perked up, trying to hear more of what they were saying. “Yeah,” another replied. “Can’t believe His Highness is finally getting married. And to a sprite, no less.”
    A sprite. Oh, dear gods, Caelyn. Graham swallowed around the knot in his throat. Shtamakarein had told him about it, but a part of Graham had still hoped it wasn’t true. His blood roared in his ears, but he forced himself to keep listening.
    “Can’t say I blame him.” The second guard chuckled. “I’d tap that.”
    “I suppose you’re right,” another draechen said. He sounded a little thoughtful, not as pleased as the other two. “The sprite does seem nice, although a little shy. I just wonder if…you know, if it’ll be enough.”
    “Mind your tongue,” the first man said, snarling. “I’m sure they’ll be perfectly all right.”
    “I’m just saying,” the previous guard replied defensively, “His Highness is getting awfully close to his two hundredth birthday.”
    “Well then, it’s a good thing that he’s getting a mate, don’t you agree?”
    Graham didn’t understand half of what they meant. They seemed to believe that something was wrong with their leader, which was truly worrisome if it was the case. Graham tried to remember if there was something specific about draechen reaching their two hundredth birthdays, but he couldn’t come up with anything specific.
    “Look, our opinion doesn’t matter. This is a good thing, and we should be happy for His Highness.”
    “We’re all happy. I guess I’m just surprised they’re holding the celebration here and not at the main palace.”
    They were right. It was, to a certain extent, surprising. Of course, an engagement party could be held at either of the residences of the draechen since from what he’d heard, they were all quite majestic. But logic stated that such an important event would take place at the main imperial residence.
    “I heard it’s because it was all very rushed,” another guard commented. He chuckled lightly. “Some people claim Prince Shtamakarein compromised his fiancé.”
    Graham gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached. Just the thought of what that implied made him want