Steve's hands gripped the steering wheel of his black SUV, knuckles white with tension. He drove away from the house and away from Marie as fast as he could with his best friend and his alpha broken in the back seat. He glanced in the rearview mirror at Blake.
Blake sat in the back seat, his eyes showing the pain that no words could adequately describe. He stared out watching the blurs of the houses and trees they were passing. His dark eyes, once filled with love and joy, were now weighed down by guilt and fear. Steve knew that the pain etched in those eyes would not easily fade.
The car sped through the streets, as they approached the runway, the faint roar of jet engines began to reverberate through the noises in the streets.
Steve parked the SUV by the dimly lit hangar, and they both stepped out. The jet, a sleek and powerful machine, stood like a sentinel ready to whisk Blake away from his pain. Blake's legs felt heavy as he walked toward the waiting aircraft. He knew that this was the only option left.
Marie's tear-stained face haunted Blake's thoughts. His gut told him that something with this situation must be wrong. Marie belonged to him. Not Jacob. "I will find out what he has done to her and I'll come back for her, Steve," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the roar of the engines.
Steve nodded, his eyes filled with understanding and resolve. Steve had witnessed all that happened and he too felt that something was off about the situation but he was unable to identify what. He made a silent promise to speak those back at the pack who may be able to help.
The jet's engines thundered to life, drowning out all other sounds. Blake climbed the steps, his gaze never leaving Steve. There was a mixture of gratitude and sorrow in his eyes as he stepped into the aircraft. Steve followed behind Blake. The door closed behind them, and the jet taxied down the runway, accelerating into the sky.
The jet touched down on the remote airstrip in the pack lands, the roar of its engines gradually fading into silence. Steve and Blake disembarked, both men feeling a mixture of relief and uncertainty. They had returned to the place they had sought refuge in, back to the heart of their pack.
As they made their way back to the pack house, their footsteps echoed in the crisp night air. The towering trees that surrounded the area rustled gently, their branches swaying as if to offer a silent welcome back to their Alpha.
Inside the pack house, the warm glow of the fireplace illuminated the room. The scent of the woods and the familiar sounds of the pack settling in for the night filled the air. Sophie was waiting for them in the main hall. Her eyes were filled with concern, and her voice trembled as she spoke. "Blake, where's Marie? Why has she not returned with you?"
At his mother's words, Blake dropped to his knees and tears began to spill from his eyes. Sophie rushed to her sons side and threw her arms around him. Worry in her eyes as she looked to Steve for answers.
"Come on Blake, Lets go to your room" Steve pulled Blake to his feet and guided him to his room. Sophie followed closely behind, concern etched over her face.
Once in the privacy of Blakes room, all three took a seat in the lounge area. Blakes heart twisted in pain as Marie's scent filled his senses. Every inch of his....their room reminded him of her and the bond they had shared. Blake stood and rushed over to the windows and threw them open as wide as they would go. The scents of the forests surrounding them did nothing to remove the scent. Blake threw himself back down into his seat and buried his head in his hands a fresh tears began to fall.
"Blake, Steve...Please tell me what is happening?" Sophie quizzed as she moved to sit next to her son and started to rub his back.
"Mum" Blake sobbed "She is no longer mine"
"What do you mean she is no longer yours? She is your mate. Given to you by the mood goddess"
"She is now mated to Jacob. The alpha of her original pack and her first mate"
His mother's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. The mate bond, the sacred connection that tied two werewolves together for life, was an unbreakable force of nature.
"I, I don't understand. How can this happen" Sophie quizzed.
Steve stood from his spot and started pacing around the room. His thoughts spiraling.
"Jacob spoke of the vampire poison, and that he had learnt information about this perhaps.."
"HE IS LYING!" Blake roared before Steve could finish his sentence, "Jacob has used magic to manipulate the bond between me and Marie. We must find out how and who he has been working with. Marie is being forced to do this and i have to bring her back to me"
Steve stared at Blake but dared not to utter another word. He nodded his head in agreement. "I will talk to the witches we have here in the pack first thing in the morning Maybe they can point is in a starting direction"
"I agree, Lets get some sleep and tackle this tomorrow" Sophie spoke as she stood. "Please get to bed Blake and try to sleep. You will not be able to help Marie if you are exhausted"
Blake nodded. he stood and wrapped his mother in a warm loving embrace before making his way over to the bed and lying on what was Marie's side. Breathing in her scent.
Sophie and Steve left the room in silence. Once out the room and slightly down the hallway Sophie turned to Steve.
"Steve what were you going to say?"
"My gut is telling me there is something wrong with this situation but I do not believe that it has anything to do with magic"
"What do you think? Sophie asked softly.
Steve showed Sophie into his office and shut the door behind them. he ran his hands through his hair before speaking.
"Jacob stated that he had learnt things about the vampire venom. What if it is related to this? We know nothing of vampire venom other than it rids us of our wolf. If something is so powerful to rid us of something we are born as then who knows what else it can do"
"I agree Steve." Sophie said quickly in response to Steve's thoughts.
"you do?" He asked confused.
"Yes. I believe that this has everything to do with that venom. However Blake will never believe us at the moment. He is fixated on magic being involved and taking her away against her will. We must look into both possibilities"
"I agree, i will look into the magic as Blake has requested but i will also do my own investigation into the vampire venom, and i know where i must start with this"