Thelma's POV
The secret passage was narrower than I'd expected, barely wide enough for us to move single file. James led the way, with Elizabeth behind him and me bringing up the rear. My wolf was stronger now, but still not fully recovered. Every step was an effort.
"How much farther?" I gasped.
"Ten more minutes," James said. "Maybe fifteen. The passage opens into a natural cave system that runs beneath Silver Ridge. We'll come up right under the old Alpha's mansion, that's where Victoria will have taken Xavier."
"Assuming we're not too late," Elizabeth muttered.
I felt the mate bond twist, a sharp spike of pain that made me stumble. Xavier was hurt. No, not hurt, emotionally devastated. Something terrible had just happened.
"He's in pain," I said. "We need to move faster."
"We're
