Chapter 24: Chapter 24

DEC

Kya’s mood seeps into my soul. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face, being reminded of our night together. Goddess, she’s so hot. When she jumped into my lap, I was pleasantly shocked. The little minx.

Focus, Dec. I look back at the little pup running on my flank, her parents directly behind her. “~Good job, little one. Let's all go back to your home. Your parents have a party planned for you.~” I make a quick turn.

“~Will you be there, Alpha Redd?~” The sweet little eleven-year-old girl’s bubbly voice enters my mind.

“~I will sure try, little one. I can't promise, though. Alphas are very busy.~” The pup keeps on my flank the whole way to her home. I shift and dress behind a bush, not wanting to make a little girl uncomfortable.

I walk out in basketball shorts and kneel down so I can look the girl face to face.

“You’re very fast. Luna Kya and I both want to congratulate you on getting your wolf. You can begin your training starting this Saturday morning. Do you have any questions for me?”

Her eyes are bright and proud as she shakes her head. I stand up and muss her hair. I shake the parents' hands and head back to the pack house to update the girl’s information.

Absolute terror suddenly shoots straight through my body, followed by immense pain. Kya!

“~Father. I need your keys, now.~” He tosses his keys as I rush out of the pack house. I slam the truck door closed and hasten out of the driveway, not even bothering to buckle up. “~Doc. Kya is hurt. She's not in the territory yet.~”

I push Father’s truck as fast as it will go, barreling down the road. “~Kya. Baby, where are you?~”

Her fear is still penetrating my body. “~Dec? I…I…I don't know.~”

I dodge the oncoming bus and continue heading to my mate. “~I'm coming, baby. Hang on.~”

Her fear begins to fade, along with the feel of her life. No, no, no. Moon Goddess, please protect her. Don’t take her away from me. I grip her life force with all my strength.

“~Kya. Talk to me, baby. Stay with me.~” I feel her getting weaker and weaker. I swerve around a tire and pump the brakes before my father’s truck hits more debris.

I jump out the door and follow the rubble to my truck, it’s upside down and leaning against a tree down a small embankment. I practically baseball slide down the hill to the driver’s side door.

“Kya!” I look inside in absolute horror. The truck is smashed and Kya is nowhere inside. Much worse, I can no longer feel her.

“Kya!” I growl out as I search all around for her. I sniff the air, trying to find her scent, but it’s not there.

Three voices—Damon’s, Bianca’s, and Dr. Mason’s—join in on the search, shouting her name. “Alpha Redd, I can’t feel her anywhere, I can’t even talk to her through the mind-link.”

I’m getting increasingly frustrated the more I search.

“Alpha, I can’t feel her at all. There’s nothing there, not even our bond.”

We search for a few hours. I’m not giving up. “Dec, Bianca and I will go back to our pack and find out anything we can from Owen,” Damon says.

I nod to Damon. “Keep an eye on him; if he’s dumb enough, he might lead you right to her.” They jump into his jeep and speed away. Doc and I look at each other, neither wanting to be the one to call it quits.

I’m the alpha and therefore have to make the call. My heart screams inside of me and my body quivers as I say the words. “That’s it, Doc. She’s not here.”

He nods his head as tears leak from his eyes. He plods back up the hill with heavy feet and goes into his truck.

Suddenly, a narrow blue beam of light shines down on me. The pain of my mate being ripped away from me pierces my chest. I fall to my knees and grip my head in my hands.

It’s like the full moon ball all over again. My bond has snapped and my mate is gone.

My hands fall down to my neck as I look to the sky. My mark! My mouth falls open in a panic. Kya’s mate mark is gone. I’ve lost her. I’ve lost my love, my Kya.

My skin begins to crawl and I can no longer hold myself in. My wolf takes control and I shift. I throw my head back in anguished howls. My heartbreak is so complete, I feel so empty.

Gradually I regain a sliver of control and I’m able to push my wolf back. I’m still on my knees. ~Moon Goddess, please. Help me find her, help me find my mate.~

“~She is alive, my child. Do not give up.” ~The whisper in my mind calms all of my fears.

I look up to the sky. ~Thank you, Moon Goddess.~ I watch as the single beam of blue light reflects off of something in the far distance for only a fraction of a second. I scrunch my brows and cautiously step toward it.

I sniff the air around the area of the light. Kya! I smell her. I sniff around until I find the source of the smell. A gold bracelet with a wolf reflects the moonlight once again. I pick up the trinket and run my thumb over the little wolf.

KYA

My head aches and my mouth is parched. My body is weak and I feel pain radiating from my left shoulder. I touch where the pain is and I just know it’s dislocated. I can’t heal myself, but I have to reset my shoulder for it to heal.

I grab my left wrist with my right hand and pull my left arm straight forward as hard as I can. I scream at the sudden pain, but it lasts for only a few minutes. I lean my head back against the wall as I catch my breath.

I look around me only to find that I’m locked in a cell. ~Dec? Honey, can you hear me?~ A cold breeze flows through the bars.

I shiver and gingerly rub my arms as I look around the room. Everything is made of thick round stones, including the floor and ceiling. The only thing not made of stone are the bars of the window and the cell door.

I push on the door, but it doesn’t budge. There is no light, except for the moon shining on the floor of the cell. A blue beam hits the ground in front of the door, highlighting a set of runes.

Runes were used long ago by witches, only witches don’t communicate with werewolves. At least not in this century.

I look more closely at the walls and bars. They look to be extremely old. I check the windowsill; it too has the same runes carved into the stone.

I timidly run my fingers over the engraving, cautious that they may harm me. Nothing happens, the only thing I feel is the cold rock.

I know I’m not going anywhere for a while, so I lie down on the cot and try to reach Dec. He must be really far away because I can’t reach him. I gasp as I realize I also can’t feel him. That’s not possible. Mates can always sense each other.

I run my hand over my mate mark, or where my mate mark should be, but my skin is smooth to the touch. My mark is gone. Panic mode sets in; my heart pounds and I close my eyes as tears flow freely.

Birds chirp in the distance, waking me from my nightmare. I stretch and open my eyes, only to see my nightmare has become real—is real. I hold my body and begin to sniffle.

“Oh good, you’re awake.” I know that voice. A feminine arm pushes a water bottle and a convenience store sandwich through the bars. Her face is in the shadows.

“I know you.”

She scoffs, “Duh.”

I squint my eyes trying to see past the shadows. “Who are you?”

She mockingly laughs at me. “Wow, really Ky? Aren’t you supposed to be smart?”

I sniff the air and it dawns on me… “Sarah? What is this place? Why am I here?”

She steps forward with her arms crossed over her scantily clad chest. “This is a dungeon. You’re here because my mate wants you here.”

Her mate? Why would her mate want me here? “Sarah, I’m so happy that you found him, but why would he want me here?”

A deep gruff voice answers my question. “For many reasons. One, for all the trouble you caused for my pack. Two, because you’re the luna of the Redd pack.

“Three, because the son of a bitch keeps killing my rogues. Four, because taking your pack sounds like a fun thing to do.” The man steps out of the shadows and wraps his arms around Sarah.

“Alpha Roberts? You sent the rogues, not Owen?” He doesn’t even bother giving a response. “You’re Sarah’s mate? How can that be?”

He steps closer to her and runs his hands over her body. “We’re not bonded mates, we’re chosen mates. She came to me after your worthless alpha kicked her out of the pack just for loving him. She doesn’t love him anymore, do you, my sweet?”

She leans back into his chest, one hand going behind his neck. “Not at all, my king.”

He kisses her neck and she begins panting and sticking her barely covered chest out. His hand creeps up her ridiculously short skirt and even I can smell her arousal. “And why is that?” he asks.

I can hear the sound of his fingers against her wet skin as he penetrates her in front of me. “Because you’re a better lover, a better man, and a better alpha, my king.”

His free hand shoots into her top, ripping it from her chest. He fondles her breast as he continues to work his fingers inside of her. She rubs her body against his.

“Does that make you the luna, or are you just his mate?” I say.

Her panting is getting out of control and she is no longer listening to me. Alpha Roberts growls. “I don’t need a luna. This beauty is for playing with. Isn’t that right, my sweet?”

Her panting has turned to whimpers “Yes, my king. Oh, yes! Play with me.”

He turns her around and lifts her up. Her legs go around his waist. I hear the sound of a zipper, and then flesh slapping wet flesh. Her panting is becoming more and more hysterical, and the sounds of sex ring through the dungeon.

I close my eyes and turn away, but the sounds continue, picking up speed. She cries out and squeals, but he’s relentless, continuing to screw her for what seems like an hour before he finds his release.

They take a moment to catch their breaths. Finally.

I have a question on my mind that’s been nagging me, and I need an answer. I pluck up the courage to ask, even though I don’t expect an answer. “Alpha Roberts, why can’t I feel Dec?”

Sarah is naked as she steps to the bars and points to the ground. “Because we took away your bond. You no longer even have a pack. You’re a dirty, worthless rogue.”

Alpha Roberts continues to play with his new skanky toy. “My son rejected his mate for you, so I took her instead. Now, he can have you.

“Of course, I will never allow you to be the luna of my pack. We made a bargain. He leaves the pack once he mates you, and I remain alpha, that is until this little tart gives me a new heir.”

He spins her around to face him as he shoves his tongue down her throat. I hold back from gagging as they begin another round of sex.

I move to the very back corner of the cot, trying, but failing to get away from those sounds. I bring my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around my legs, dropping my head defeated.

I close my eyes and try to find the connection to my pack. To my mate. Dec. I remember Dec’s voice; the way he said my name or called me beautiful, the way he laughed, the song that he sang for me.

But the words he had said that I hear most clearly in my mind now are: ~I, Alpha Declan Thomas Redd, swear to never reject you, Kya Samantha Mason. I’m not letting you go. ~

My heart beats like a thousand wild horses running in my chest at just that tiny ray of hope.

DEC

My heart aches, and I haven’t slept, but I can’t sleep until I find her. I hear Kya’s faint voice whisper my name, but I know it’s all in my head, just like before when she was staying with her aunt.

I think back to the times we weren’t together. It all feels like a lifetime ago. An eternity. That’s what I told her at the club. ~I, Alpha Declan Thomas Redd, swear to never reject you, Kya Samantha Mason. I’m not letting you go. ~

“I promise you, baby. I’m not letting you go,” I say aloud to myself. I wipe the tear from my eye and stand up to find a different tome, this one on the mating bond.

After hours of research and a stack of different tomes, I still come up empty-handed. “Have you found anything?” Chase asks from the doorway. Alana’s heat finally ended this morning. He went ballistic when I told him about Kya.

I shake my head and slam the book closed. “Nothing.” I rest my head back and rub my eyes with the heel of my hands. “I can’t figure out what could break a mating bond.”

Chase sets a sandwich and a glass of water in front of me. ”Alana told me to make sure you eat.”

I lean back in my chair. “What else does she say?”

His hands ball up into fists. “She said Owen is at school, as normal. Damon says he’s usually talking about Ky every chance he gets. He’s not doing it now.”

I growl from deep in my chest. “Did anyone tell him she’s missing?”

Chase shakes his head. “I told them not to even mention Kya.”

I pick up her bracelet and rub my thumb over the wolf; it’s the only thing that brings me any kind of comfort.

~I'm going to find you, baby. Don't give up.~

Chase sprawls out on the sofa that’s against the wall. “You know, I was thinking that it’s not just your mate bond that’s gone. Mom and Dad can’t feel her either. Doesn’t that happen when you break a pack bond?”

I shake my head. “It happens if you go rogue.” It begins to dawn on me that there is a way to force a werewolf to become rogue against their will. If I remember correctly, it severs all bonds…

I jump up out of my chair. “Holy fuck, that’s it.” I grab the tome that contains witch’s runes.

I remember when I was young my dad tried to teach me about them; I always thought it was useless since witches are more about mother earth now and no longer communicate with werewolves. I know exactly which book it is.

I begin combing through the tome page by page.

Chase shoves half of a sandwich in my face. “Eat while you read. At some point, you’re going to have to kill the bastard that took her.”

I rip the sandwich out of his hand. “Thanks, ~Mom~.” I tear into the food and get back to reading.

I stare at the page not knowing what to do with the information. It’s nightfall and I’ve been sitting in here for hours. I stand up and stretch, then grab Kya’s bracelet and fiddle with it while I pace the office. ~Baby, I'll find you. I promise. I love you.~

Come on, Dec, think. How would a werewolf get the rune? A rune wouldn’t be enough; it would have to be drawn by witches.

Witches aren’t the same as they once were. I wonder if a witch could even make such a rune nowadays. Come on Dec, think.

“Declan, I brought you some food, dear. Chase said you haven’t eaten all day and it’s past midnight.” Mother walks by me to set a plate on my desk.

I kiss her head. “Thank you, Mother.”

She places down the food and stops. “You’re thinking a witch has her?”

I shake my head. “No, ma'am. I think a witch drew a rune that a werewolf used on her. But witches are not around anymore, at least they’re not the same as they were.”

She turns to face me as she contemplates my thoughts. “What if it were an old rune? One that was drawn a very long time ago. The magic would still be in the rune.”

I stop in front of my bookshelf and go over the many books and tomes. If it’s an old rune, it most likely would not be on paper. A carving or a trinket? Its location would probably be in a tome. “Declan, eat. You need to keep up your strength for Kya.”

I nod without turning away from my shelves. “I’ll eat, Mother. Thank you.” I pull out a tome that I haven’t looked through yet and sit back at my desk. I robotically eat as I begin poring through the pages.

One book after another piles up on my desk. The sun rises and I pull out yet another book.

~Oh, Dec. Please hurry. I love you so much~, Kya’s voice whispers in my mind.

~I’m coming, baby. I’m going to find you.~ I wipe the single tear away as my heart aches for whatever she’s going through.

“Declan. I came to be of some assistance, son. What is the rune you are looking for?” Father places a breakfast burrito on the desk.

Not wanting to hear that I need to keep up my strength, I grab it and push the witch’s tome forward. I scarf down the burrito without even tasting it. “Now, you believe this rune is the reason you cannot connect with Kya?” Father asks.

I nod as I swallow the last bite. “Yes, sir. Kya’s bond with the pack, her parents, and our mate bond have all been severed. This rune has the power to do just that. I’ve read and re-read that page at least twenty times.

“The way it works is that the rune is placed in a doorway and any opening to a single room. Once the person crosses over it, standing within the runes, all bonds are broken.”

Father nods as he reads along, then looks over the other books that I have laid out on my desk.

“During the Revolutionary War, witches aided the militias. They had their own strongholds and dungeons. At one point, Cornwallis had an alpha under his command. The alpha used his pack to locate the militias in the areas.”

Father looks at the bookshelf and pulls out two more thick tomes and drops them on the stack. “Now, the story says that a witch broke the alpha’s bond with his pack.”

He shoves one of the tomes at me and begins thumbing through the other. “I believe they threw him into one of the witch’s dungeons.” He continues looking through the tome. “I think the alpha lost his mate bond at that time.”

He begins searching the second tome. “He went mad after being cut off for a long period of time.” Father humphs, then pulls out yet another book.

“His pack was not able to find him in time. He had already turned rogue and then went back to his primal state.” Father pores through the tome.

“Ah, here.” He points out the story of the original rogue alpha. Father returns the unused books to the shelves. “Good luck, son. I hope the Moon Goddess blesses you in your search.”