Chapter 52

Jessie and Poppy were at my side in an instant. Jessie grabbed my arm, her face a mix of anger and worry.

"Emily, we need to get out of here," she whispered, her eyes darting around the mating hall. "We need a drink. A lot of drinks. Somewhere far away from this ceremony."

Poppy nodded, already reaching for my hand. "Come on. Let’s go before Stella finds her voice and starts screaming."

But I couldn't move. I turned to Liam, who was standing like a statue. His eyes were wide and glassy, fixed on nothing. I knew that look—he was on the mind link, listening to the frantic voices of the pack’s warriors.

I grabbed his shoulders and shook him hard. "Liam! Look at me! What is happening? Where did Nathan go?"

It took a few seconds for his eyes to clear. When he finally focused on me, he looked pale.

"Liam, tell me!" I demanded.

"It’s the witch," he rasped, his voice shaking. "The witch and a rogue. Something is wrong in th