LUCIAN POV
They wouldn't let me go with her.
My mother—the Alpha of Alphas who'd declared she'd storm Thornhaven to rescue Lior—had looked me in the eyes and ordered me to stay behind.
"You're too volatile," she'd said, voice firm despite the sympathy in her storm-gray eyes. "Too much of a target. The vampires issued a decree, Lucian. Hunt the golden-eyed hybrid. Every vampire in Thornhaven will be gunning for you specifically."
"Then let them try." My voice had come out more snarl than words. "Lior is mine. I'm not staying here while—"
"While I lead three hundred warriors to extract him." She'd gripped my shoulders. "I know you want to fight. Want to tear through Thornhaven until you find him. But that's exactly what they're expecting. What they want. You charging in, desperate and reckless, playing right into their hands."
"So I'm supposed to just—what? Wait here? While my mate faces execution?"
