‘Alpha, you look awfully tired. May I suggest you rest for the night?’ Alice says. I nod, making my way to my room. Everything in my room sways; I grab onto the armchair and sit down. Kicking my shoes off, I wait for the swaying to stop. My door creaks open.
‘Is someone there?’ I ask, squinting at the figure I can barely make out.
‘It’s me!’ She says.
‘Astrid? Is that you?’ I ask. I try to stand; I struggle to get my balance. I feel a hand gently press against my chest.
‘Sit down, Ryker. I’m here now. I’ll take care of you,’ she whispers. She straddles herself on my lap.
‘Astrid, you came back.’
‘Of course, I did,’ she says, as she slowly unbuttons my shirt.
‘Why did you leave? Where did you go?’ I ask.
‘All that matters is that I’m here with you.’
One of her hands caresses my bare chest, while the other unbuttons my jeans, unfastens my belt and frees my growing bulge. Her lips brush across mine.
‘Ryker,’ she whispers, lustfully, placing my hands on either side of her thighs.
‘Astrid,’ I whisper. She grinds herself over my member, increasing her pace and making me moan.
‘I want you to mark me Ryker,’ she whispers. Everything spins and sways, and I’m in an absolute stupor. All I can think of is the aching; I want to be inside her.
‘I’m going to mark you first,’ she whispers seductively in my ear; her teeth protrude and scrape the skin on my neck, before stopping. I feel the pressure as she is about to puncture my neck. Wait. Astrid can’t shift yet. She can’t mark me yet. Where’s our usual heat? Sparks? I quickly push the person off me.
‘Alpha! What’s wrong?’ She asks.
‘Vanessa?’ I ask, squinting to adjust my sight.
‘No, it’s Astrid,’ she says.
Tucking my erection back in my pants, I try to stand.
‘Vanessa! Astrid hasn’t had her first shift yet. She can’t mark me even if she wants to!’ I yell in anger and fall to the ground.
‘What have you done to me?’ I yell.
‘Ryker, please! Astrid is not coming back. I’m doing you and the pack a favour!’ She yells. I try to mind-link Leon and Kane, but I can’t connect.
‘Did you poison me?’ I ask.
‘Not exactly,’ she says. I try to crawl to my door. I’m about to lose consciousness; I fall into darkness before I can get to it.
‘He is too heavy mum. We can’t even roll him,’ Vanessa says. I squint, letting my eyes adjust; I haven’t moved from my spot on the floor.
My head is pounding and nausea creeps over me, I mind-link Leon and Kane for help; I’m still groggy but can see a bit clearer.
‘Quick, do it now, Vanessa!’ Alice yells, shoving Vanessa toward me.
Vanessa straddles me and bares her fangs over my neck. I want to push her off but Alice hits me across the head with a heavy object. Her fangs just pierce my skin when Leon and Kane barge in and pull her off me.
‘Alpha! Are you okay?’ Kane asks.
‘They drugged me! Vanessa almost marked me,’ I yell, angered.
‘You have waited too long for your Luna. Vanessa would be a more fitting Luna than that wretched little bitch Astrid!’ Alice yells.
Standing, I lean against the wall for support.
‘Bring Alice to me now!’ I snap. Leon has Alice’s arms behind her back; he pushes her toward me. I grip her neck tightly with my hand.
‘What did you do to Astrid? Where is she?’ I yell. Alice is struggling to breathe, but forces a smile at my words; I squeeze her neck tighter.
‘I will kill you right now if you do not tell me!’ I warn.
She struggles for breath and gives a small nod. I release my grip; only enough for her to speak.
‘The morning she disappeared she came into the kitchen for something to eat. No one else was up yet. I warned her to leave. I told her to save herself the heartbreak of the elders choosing Vanessa over her, and to leave. I threatened to kill her before her first shift if she didn’t leave.’
My wolf growls ferociously in her face; I’m struggling to control it. As much as I want to see Alice dead, killing Alice won’t bring Astrid back. I throw her across the room.
‘Kane! Leon! Take them both to the cells, where they will stay!’ I yell. I manage to get back into the armchair.
Leon and Kane return a short while later with a jug of water and a glass; they place them on the table next to me.
‘Alice must have drugged my food. I felt dizzy after eating it; I couldn’t even stand up straight. Vanessa pretended to be Astrid, and she seduced me. She wanted to mark me,’ I explain. Leon and Kane look at each other with worry.
‘Alpha, you should rest in bed today until it wears off,’ Kane says.
‘No, we need to find Astrid! Have any of you heard from Seth?’ I ask.
‘No. We’ll go into the city. We’ll take over from him. You won’t be much help, Alpha, in your condition,’ Leon says. Sculling two large glasses of water, I stand.
‘I’m fine,’ I say, only to fall back into the armchair.
‘Come on, Alpha,’ Leon says, grabbing one arm and Kane the other, lifting me over to my bed.
‘Rest Alpha. We’ll mind-link you the moment we hear anything, or find her. I’ll get Hayley and Mia to check on you throughout the day. Mind-link them if you need anything,’ Kane says. They leave, and not long after that, I’m asleep.
I wake that afternoon and mind link them. Any progress? I ask. I don’t know how to tell you this Alpha, but we haven’t been able to mind-link Seth or find him. He has gone awol. Kane links.
Attempting to mind-link Seth myself, nothing happens. Something must have happened to him; he wouldn’t just disappear. He would have mind-linked us. I link Kane and Leon. Keep searching for them both; keep trying to mind-link Seth. I will be in the city soon. And yes, I’m feeling much better, so I will be of use.
We spend all night searching for Astrid and Seth. I don’t understand. Astrid has vanished without a trace, and now Seth? What if someone is involved in their disappearance? Who? There are only two nights until Astrid shifts. I need to find her now.
Returning home, I want to feel as close to Astrid as possible. I go into her room and look around; her scent is strong on the couch.
I lie on the couch and a few thoughts cross my mind. Astrid has been sleeping here instead of her bed. It smells strongly of vanilla and cookies. It explains why her bed looks as fresh as the day she got here. Why wouldn’t she sleep in the bed?
Drifting off to sleep on the couch, I dream of Astrid; I kiss her lips and look into her beautiful green eyes.
‘Astrid, my mate. I am so blessed the Moon Goddess chose us to be together,’ I say.
‘Ryker, I want to be by your side forever,’ she whispers, looking into my eyes. Before we can kiss, she disappears from my arms. ‘Astrid! Wait! Come back! Astrid!’ I sit upright on the couch and look around the quiet room.
It was just a dream. I stare at the floor, finding a business card. Zenith Creations. We were near that building yesterday! Why would Astrid be at Zenith Creations? How does she even know Alpha Zenith? That pack has always been bad news! I link Kane and Leon. Get the car ready. I think I know where Astrid is! I put the card in my pocket. Walking outside, I get in the car.
‘Where are we going?’ Kane asks.
‘Zenith Creations,’ I say. Kane and Leon give each other a look.
‘What has Alpha Zenith got to do with Astrid?’ Kane asks.
‘We’re about to find out,’ I reply.
