Flames dancing in the night, the screaming and crying of the humans echoing through the air can be heard for miles, as the Vampires burn their homes and crops. Scanning the damage that they have inflicted, and what they still need to destroy, Zane's eyes land on one of Xavier's Vampires getting ready to bite the neck of a woman. Knowing that killing was not part of the plan, he quickly rushes to stop him.
"Wait! Do not kill her," he ordered the Vampire.
Snapping his head around to face the prince, Xavier glared at Zane with his eyes full of annoyance. "And why exactly can't he kill her dear prince? Don't tell me you are soft over these humans?"
"On the contrary, Xavier if you kill all these humans, they can't run to the castle and help bleed their resources dry faster. I'm merely making sure YOUR plan is executed the way it was intended with no additional delays," he replied as he closed the gap between him and Xavier's to assert his dominance.
Nodding at the prince, Xavier signaled for his man to release the girl. As soon as the Vampire pushed her to the ground, she quickly picked herself up and fled towards the direction of the castle.
"Now, let's get back to work and make sure your plan stays as it should and NEVER question my loyalty again!" Zane demanded of Xavier as his eyes turned red in anger as he spun on his heel and walked away.
As the remaining humans fled the farm, the Vampires torched the remaining buildings and food. Signaling for a retreat Prince Zane turned to Xavier. "Go back; I'm going to go scout the next farm for tomorrow night."
Xavier nodded as Zane walked away, taking one last turn to look at the destruction they caused; he couldn't help but be conflicted. Yes, this is revenge for the death of his brother, but they are merely farmers and women. They are not the ones responsible for Alias's death. Walking through the woods towards the second farm, his enhanced hearing caught the sound of someone quickly approaching. Knowing he was currently in wolf territory; he quickly hid behind a tree in the shadows for cover. Peeking out, he noticed a blonde girl, who was a wolf; sprinting past him. As she ran she was constantly looking behind her as if she was running from something or someone. A short while later, a group of four ragged men ran past him continuing in the direction that the girl went.
This girl is not my concern. The wolves will be dealt with later; I need to focus on the humans.
Deciding to move on to the farm, he ignores the five wolves and continues towards his destination.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
The crescent moon peeking out of the clouds filled the forest with minimal light. The lack of light did its job of restricting them, but not deterring them from their search. Ravenna and Patrick took their time searching through the woods along the Alarian border as thoroughly as they could. Although they were unsure as what to look for, they agreed to maintain their focus on any signs of a struggle, unfamiliar scents, or the scent of her father.
"Relax Raven, he will turn up!" Patrick said trying to calm her down as she was in was running around the woods in a frenzy.
"Honestly, I should have gone with him, letting him go felt wrong and I was right!" She panicked as she was still scanning the ground looking for any signs of footprints or a struggle.
"You are not psychic and he's an adult, neither of you had any indication this was going to happen. You need to calm down! We have every Alpha sending out people looking for him I promise he will be found."
"You're right! I'm sorry; I'll try to calm down a little." She replied with the fear and worry echoing in her voice.
"Maurice is on the main road with the others. There have been no signs of your father's car; he could easily be in a hotel asleep and just slept through his phone calls."
Ravenna took a deep breath and relaxed a bit knowing Patrick was right. "Thanks," she said to him as she looked up to see him sniffing the air with a purpose. "What do you smell? Is it Dad?"
Holding his hand up to quiet her questions, he began to walk away from her in search of the source of the smell. Suddenly, he began to pick up the pace as the smell of blood entered his nostrils. Breaking into a full sprint, he finally reached the source, a blonde woman fighting off three rogues, while the fourth lay on the ground bleeding,
"MATE..." He said looking at the girl with a love-struck expression.
Pushing him aside Ravenna ran towards the Rogues. "We need to help her or she won't be around for you to enjoy Dumbass!"
Grabbing a Rogue by the shirt, Ravenna punches him in the face breaking his nose. As he crumpled to the ground, she looked up as another began charging at her. Placing a well-placed sidekick to his gut, the Rogue covered his stomach as he doubled over in pain. Taking advantage of his bent-over state, she grabbed his head pushing his face into her knee, following it up with snapping his neck.
Dropping his corpse, she turned towards Patrick, she realized he was fighting the third Rogue, and his mate is lying on the ground unconscious. Heading towards Patrick's direction to assist, Ravenna was suddenly grabbed from behind around the chest. Using a move Alias taught her; she threw her hands in front of her pushing his arms loose while throwing her head back as hard as she could. Her head connected with his already broken nose and allowed her to break free. Quickly turning to face him, she grabbed his head and snapped his neck.
Looking at Patrick, she realized he took care of his Rogue and is now by his mate's side. The girl is hurt and hurt badly.
"Get her to the castle! I'll finish things here!" She ordered as she ran to them helping him lift the injured girl off the ground.
The smile he gave Ravenna was full of relief and gratitude, he gently picked up his mate, and ran towards the castle in full Werewolf speed. After Patrick was out of her view, she sighed and looked around at the damage they had done. Looking down at the four Rogue corpses, she decided to start searching their clothing, looking for a clue as to who they are, where they are from, or who sent them. Bending down to check the Rogue closest to her, the wind changed directions causing an herbal/pine smell to drift her way.
Rising to her feet, the smell intrigued her. Slowly walking towards the direction of the smell, she was quickly pushed to her knees due to a sharp pain in the back of her head. Realizing she was hit from behind; she knew she had to get to her feet and protect herself. As she tried, someone pushed her back to the ground and a foot was placed on her back.
"Well, well, well, look who is out without a bodyguard," the Rogue smirked. Ravenna managed to look up and instantly recognized Raul, the wolf she had banished from the Blue Lake Pack. "She will fetch a nice payday for us!" He sneered as he bent down to look her in the eyes. Forcefully grabbing her chin with his hands he forced her to stare at him as he smiles evilly, "nice to see you again, and sleep, well princess."
Feeling a stabbing in her neck, she slowly starts blacking out from the nightshade/wolfsbane combination. As her vision began fading, she could make out the sounds of leaves rustling and branches cracking, followed by the screaming of the Rogues. Once she collapsed to the ground, she managed to open her eyes making out the silhouette of someone was standing over her.
"Alias.....It can't be."
Then she blacked out.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
The sprint to the castle felt like it took forever for Patrick. His mate's breathing had slowed and he was starting to worry even more for her health. Finally arriving at the infirmary, a nurse had him follow her into a room where he placed his mate down on the bed. Sitting next to her, he held her hand and prayed to the Moon Goddess for her safety until Doctor Anderson came in, to analyze her condition.
"You need to leave now Patrick," the doctor demanded as he began pulling medical tools out of cabinets.
"Why? She's my mate?"
"Exactly, and if you want her to survive you need to leave. I can't be dealing with your interference as an overprotective mate," the doctor demanded.
Patrick nodded solemnly, defeated and scared he walked into the waiting room. Knowing he also had a job to do, he needed to find someone to protect Ravenna. Mind linking Marcus, Patrick quickly requested he leave his station and find the Princess, for bodyguard coverage. As he continued to pace a hole into the waiting room floor, he finally received a mind link from Marcus. Marcus confirmed that he has found someone to handle Maurice's duties allowing him the ability to protect the princess. Marcus also gave him the rest of the evening off to take care of his mate. Grateful to his friends, Patrick relaxed about his work duties and sent him Ravenna's approximate location. With one less worry on his mind, Patrick continued to pace and pray as he waited for the doctors to finish working on his mate. After about 45 minutes, Doctor Anderson finally came to the doorway, informing the worried mate that she is now stable and resting.
"Can I see her?" Patrick asked hopefully.
"Of course," the doctor replied leaving her room.
Patrick stood up and slowly walked into her room, as he lowers himself into this seat, he takes her hand and smiles to himself. Thanks to Ravenna, he was able to get her medical attention in time to save her life. As he sat down waiting for his mate to wake up, he was suddenly startled by the door slamming open and a very angry Serena storming in.
"You Bastard! You left her alone and now she's missing too!!" Tears start streaming down Serena's face as Maurice grabs her and pulls her in for a hug.
"What??? Who's missing??" Patrick asked confused.
"Ravenna was not at the spot you told me, there were another four dead Rogues. trackers show she was carried away but they lost track of the trail," Maurice answered solemnly.
Jumping out of the chair Patrick shot a look of panic at Serena. "Stay with her she will wake up soon," he hurriedly left the room and sprinted for the woods.