Ayla's POV
I stumbled backward from the silver light, my heart pounding as Professor Arkon's unconscious face burned into my mind. Elena grabbed my arm, steadying me.
"Don't listen to them," Elena hissed. "It's a trick."
But the image looked so real. The magical chains around his wrists. The dark room and his chest barely rising and falling.
Kira laughed loudly, "Oh my dear, it's very real. We took him an hour ago from his apartment. He fought well, for what it's worth. But he was no match for our magic."
The hooded figure lowered their hand and the image vanished, leaving only darkness. "You have until the full moon, Ayla Rashborne. Three days. Complete your mate bond and come to us willingly, or watch your mate die."
Before I could write a response, before Elena could argue, they w
