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

to the exit.
    As Graham threw one last look toward the draechen, though, Shtamakarein met his gaze. For a moment, Graham could have sworn the man smirked at him. His eyes were completely clear of pain, and Graham knew that the prince could have gotten up from where he lay any moment now.
    Shockingly, though, Shtamakarein did no such thing. Graham, Philip, as well as Philip’s men and the rest of the prisoners rushed outside. With their prince down, the draechen didn’t follow them. Although they ran into a few other guards, they managed to reach the edge of the courtyard with reasonable ease.
    As they leapt over, Philip finally asked, “What happened back there? I could have sworn there was no way I’d get you out of there alive.”
    “I don’t know,” Graham answered. Only that was a lie. Graham did know. Shtamakarein had let them go. He’d, in effect, set them free. Graham didn’t know what that meant, but he was reluctant to share it with his friend, here where everyone could hear.
    Outside, they found more of Philip’s men waiting by a group of jeeps. Everyone rushed into the vehicles, and although it was a tight fit, even the prisoners managed to get in. It seemed Philip had come prepared in more than one way. Graham ended up sharing a car with Philip and four other people, but he didn’t mind.
    As they drove away from the draechen mansion, though, Graham’s thoughts wandered away from Shtamakarein’s inscrutable behavior. His wolf sensed something, a beautiful presence, one he had missed so very much. His breath caught, this time for an entirely different reason. Caelyn. Finally, he’d get to be with his mate.
    With every passing moment, Graham’s awareness of Caelyn increased. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Graham saw a large shadow looming above them. It was a cargo plane, obviously meant to carry them to safety. In front of it, several figures waited, one of whom was pacing in obvious agitation.
    As the jeep drove closer, the man in question looked up. Graham’s heart clenched, the sight of his beautiful angel wiping away every ounce of his pain, fatigue, and distress.
    When the car stopped, he opened the door on automatic pilot. He was moving through a haze of need and desire, the wolf within him aching to be set free, the man wanting to say and do so much. Caelyn met him halfway and practically fell into his embrace.
    “Oh, thank Jenarra,” he gasped out, burying his face in Graham’s chest. Hot tears fell on Graham’s naked skin, branding him with the emotion that had caused them. “I was beginning to lose hope.”
    “Hope is always the last one to die,” Graham replied, pulling Caelyn close. “Thank you, angel. I know you’re the one who made it possible.”
    Caelyn looked up and wiped his eyes. “It’s not me you need to thank. I really couldn’t do anything to help you.”
    He sounded frustrated with himself, almost humiliated at his own impotence. But Graham would have none of that. He was glad Caelyn had asked for assistance. Anything else would have been pure folly. No one, no matter how powerful, could take on the draechen alone and win.
    “You did the right thing,” he told his angel. “But now, let me introduce myself. I’m Graham Powers.”
    “Caelyn Sutharlainn,” his mate replied, still clinging to him.
    “I hate to interrupt this touching reunion,” Philip said from behind them, “but get your asses inside the plane. We have to go.”
    At Philip’s words, Graham finally remembered where they were. Reluctantly, he broke the embrace. He noticed that the blood and gore on his chest was now sticking to Caelyn’s elegant clothing. “I’m getting you all messy,” he whispered.
    “I don’t care,” Caelyn replied, his voice low and choked. “I hate these robes anyway.”
    Graham kind of hated them, too. He didn’t know much about sprite customs, but it was obvious to him that Caelyn’s garments were celebratory, in honor of the supposed engagement.