Taken by the Wolf King (Gladiator) by Marteeka Karland

before stomping into his boots.
    She seemed to choose her words carefully, glancing more than once at the camera in the ceiling. “There is a place in the city hardly anyone goes. It’s one of the most beautiful and tranquil places I’ve ever seen.”
    “Then why does no one go there?”
    “It’s…private.” Why did the mere mention of this place set him even more on edge? Gods, he hated this world! “But I want you to see it. It’s so beautiful.” She finished in a rush. “Come.” She took his hand, leading him from her apartment.
    Leif thought she’d relax once outside, but she didn’t. Not even a little. If anything she grew more agitated. Hands sweating, Elsa gripped his like a lifeline, clutching one of his in both of hers. A fine shiver went through her body with every step.
    “What’s wrong,” he finally asked.
    “Nothing!” Her response was vehement and instantaneous. “Nothing at all!”
    Right. His first instinct was to let go of her hand so he’d have a better chance of defending them both should trouble find them. But she clung so tightly to him, like he was her only lifeline in a turbulent sea, and he couldn’t make himself. His battle wolf clawed at the surface of his subconscious, wanting out, needing to protect both him and Elsa.
    They approached a clearing surrounded by a densely wooded area. Over the trees, Leif could see a massive wall rising. The feeling of being trapped suddenly blossomed in his chest, making normal breathing nearly impossible. This was wrong. So very wrong. His feet absolutely would not take him any farther. “No,” he grated, sniffing the air. He pulled Elsa close to him, enfolding her in his arms. “Not right…”
    “Just…just a little farther,” she urged, her voice quaking slightly as she tugged him forward, deeper into the greenery.
    “Elsa,” he snapped, his voice barely above a whisper. “Stay close to me. If we are attacked, stay behind me and keep your hand on my back so I know where you are.”
    She…didn’t. Instead. Elsa eased away from him, tears flowing freely down her face. “I’m so sorry, Leif,” she said in a broken whisper. “So sorry…”
    ***
    The shocked look on Leif’s handsome face was nearly her undoing. Pain sliced through Elsa’s chest as she watched him realize she’d led him into an ambush. Willingly. The chancellor’s men chose that moment to charge from the trees, weapons trained on him, though, thankfully, none shot at him. She had no doubt they’d been ordered to capture him alive for study. During state dinners, she’d heard that scientists all over Skyward Home were working on mapping the shifter DNA to see exactly which gene stimulated their extraordinary ability to heal. They felt they were close to a breakthrough, which meant any human attack on the shifter world would have a far better chance of success since human weapons were already more advanced. If they could make it harder to kill human soldiers, if they could somehow compensate for the phenomenal speed and strength shown by different species from the shifter realms, conquest would not only be possible, it would be as good as done.
    Not that she particularly cared about the reasons why the chancellor wanted Leif. All that mattered was getting him through this, then getting him out of whatever hellhole they deposited him in.
    “Leif,” she pleaded. “J-just calm down. Don’t fight them, they’ll only hurt you worse!”
    “Elsa?” Already he was preparing for battle, his body growing bigger, stronger. The sound of ripping cloth was loud in the night as his clothing was unable to contain his growing musculature.
    “P-please! Just go with them!” She sobbed openly now, hurting more than she could ever remember. Always she had to think of Jaccob and Surriah, but having to consciously make this kind of decision was killing her. “Don’t hurt him!” Soldiers seemed to come from everywhere, dozens of them. All for one man. Leif. Her man. And