Chapter 36 Lev
THIRTY-SIX
LEV
Lev’s fingers clenched against his thigh as he scanned the grand ballroom for the tenth time in as many minutes.
The celebration continued around him—pride members laughing over dessert, couples swaying to the gentle music, and children weaving between tables with sticky fingers and bright smiles.
But the joy that had filled him all day had curdled into something sharp and restless.
Where is she?
Xelene had excused herself to freshen up before their first dance, promising to make it quick. That had been twenty-five minutes ago. Twenty-five minutes of Lev trying to maintain his composure while every instinct screamed that something was wrong.
“Your Majesty,” Elder Mason approached with a warm smile, “the pride is eager to see you and your mate take the floor. Will Lady Xelene be joining us soon?”
Lev forced his most charming grin, the one that had gotten him out of countless scrapes over the years. “Any moment now. You know how women are with their preparations.”
But even as he spoke, ice crystallized in his chest. Xelene wasn’t the type to fuss over her appearance. She’d been flawless when she left, every hair in place, her black dress hugging her curves like a second skin. She’d looked like a queen already.
More pride members began glancing toward the ballroom entrance, their conversations growing quieter as they noticed the future queen’s continued absence. Lev caught snippets of whispered speculation and saw the concerned furrows appearing between eyebrows.
This isn’t like her.
“Lev.” Benjamin materialized at his elbow, Janice close behind. His friend’s green eyes held the same worry that was eating at Lev’s gut. “Everything alright? You look like you’re about to shift and tear the ballroom apart.”
“Xelene’s been gone too long.” Lev’s voice came out rougher than intended, drawing sharp looks from nearby guests. He cleared his throat and lowered his tone. “Something’s not—”
The words died as agony slammed into him. Terror, raw and primal, crashed through the mate bond with such force that his knees buckled. The crystal wine glass in his hand shattered against the marble floor as every muscle in his body locked tight.
No.
“Lev!” Benjamin’s hand shot out to steady him as the king swayed on his feet. “What the hell—”
The telepathic scream that tore through Lev’s mind was worse than any physical wound he’d ever suffered. Xelene’s voice, distorted by panic and fading fast.
Crispin has me! Help me!
Then silence. The mate bond didn’t disappear, but it dimmed to barely a whisper, leaving Lev feeling like half his soul had been ripped away.
“That bastard has her.” The words came out as a growl, his lion surging so close to the surface that his eyes flashed gold. Several guests stepped back in alarm. “Crispin took Xelene.”
Janice’s face went white. “Are you sure? How do you—”
“I heard her through our bond.” Lev was already moving, his long strides carrying him toward the ballroom exit with lethal purpose. “She’s in trouble. And when I find that bastard, I’m going to tear him apart piece by piece.”
Benjamin and Janice fell into step behind him, nearly jogging to keep up as Lev’s pace increased. Pride members called out questions, but Lev ignored them all. Nothing mattered except getting to his mate before that psychotic coward hurt her.
If he’s touched one hair on her head...
“The bond’s gone dim,” Lev said as they burst through the ballroom doors and into the main foyer. His hands were already working at the buttons of his ceremonial jacket, preparing for the shift. “I can barely feel her.”
“Maybe he drugged her,” Benjamin suggested, his own voice tight with concern. “If she’s unconscious, that would explain why the bond feels muted but hasn’t disappeared entirely.”
“How are we going to track her?” Janice asked, her crisis management instincts kicking in despite the fear in her eyes. “If the bond is compromised—”
“Scent trail.” Lev shrugged out of his jacket and began working on his shirt. “My lion form will be able to follow it, but we need to move fast. The longer we wait, the colder it gets.”
He turned to Janice, his expression softening slightly. “I need you to go back to the ballroom. Tell the pride what’s happened—that Crispin has taken Xelene. Keep them calm, keep them here. Your experience managing crises should serve you well.”
Janice nodded with fierce determination. “I’ll handle it. Just... bring her back safely.”
“I will.” Lev’s voice carried the absolute certainty of an Alpha who would burn the world down for his mate.
Benjamin was already stripping off his own formal wear, his movements efficient and practiced. “I’m coming with you.”
It wasn’t a question, and Lev felt a surge of gratitude for his friend’s unwavering loyalty. “It could be dangerous. If Crispin’s desperate enough to kidnap her—”
“Then you’ll need backup.” Benjamin’s green eyes flashed with their own predatory light.
The transformation began as soon as Lev’s last piece of clothing hit the marble floor.
Power rippled through his massive frame as bones lengthened and muscles expanded.
His golden mane erupted from his skull like a crown of fire, and when the shift completed, he stood nearly four feet at the shoulder—a magnificent beast built for dominance and destruction.
Beside him, Benjamin’s own transformation was equally impressive, his darker mane and slightly smaller frame perfectly complementing Lev’s raw power. Together, they made a formidable hunting pair.
Lev’s enhanced senses immediately picked up Xelene’s scent—lavender and something uniquely her that made his lion rumble with possessive need. The trail led from the main foyer toward the castle’s side exit, growing stronger as they followed it into the cool night air.
The two lions bounded across the manicured grounds with fluid grace, their powerful legs eating up distance as they tracked the scent through the pride territory. Lev’s mind raced even as his body moved with predatory purpose.
Where would Crispin take her? Somewhere isolated, somewhere he could...
The thought made Lev’s lion snarl with murderous intent. When he found Crispin—and he would find him—there would be no mercy. No honorable combat. Just swift, brutal justice for daring to touch what belonged to Lev.
They ran for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, following the scent trail through familiar streets and into the wilder areas beyond the city proper.
Lev’s heart hammered against his ribs as they entered the northern woodland, where the purple trees grew thick and the undergrowth provided countless hiding places.
Then, abruptly, the trail went cold.
Lev skidded to a halt, his massive head swinging left and right as he searched desperately for any trace of Xelene’s scent. But there was nothing—just the earthy smell of decomposing leaves and the faint musk of other woodland creatures.
No. This can’t be where it ends.
Benjamin circled back, his own frustration evident in the way his tail lashed against the ground. Through their shifter bond, Lev felt his friend’s determination and shared desperation.
We’ll find her, Benjamin projected. There has to be something we missed.
But as Lev cast about in an ever-widening circle, hope began to fade. The scent trail was completely gone, as if Xelene had simply vanished into thin air. Either Crispin had been clever enough to mask their trail somehow, or...
Somewhere out there, his mate was in the hands of a madman, and he was no closer to finding her than when they’d started.
Hold on, he projected into the ether, praying she could somehow hear him through their dimmed bond. I’m coming for you.