Mated

Skylar's POV

Skylar rushed towards Melissa, determined to save her from Alonzo's clutches. But as he reached out, the world around me began to blur. The transportation spell was taking hold, and he was powerless to stop it.

Alonzo's laughter echoed through the forest, taunting him as he fell to the ground, helpless. He tried to call out to Melissa, but his voice was silenced by the spell.

As he lost consciousness, he saw Alonzo's retreating figure, his eyes gleaming with malevolence.

Melanie's POV

We finally found Skylar unconscious in the trees, his body still recovering from the transportation spell. I rushed to his side, relief washing over me as I saw he was alive.

"Skylar, wake up!" I urged, shaking him gently.

He groggily opened his eyes, confusion etched on his face. "What...what happened?"

"We found you here."

Skylar's eyes widened . "Melissa! Where's Melissa?"

I slapped him hard across the face, my anger and worry boiling over. "You're asking us? You're the one who was with her last!"

Skylar's eyes widened in shock, his face stinging from the slap. "What are you talking about, Melanie? I don't know where she is!"

Adryan and Daren exchanged worried glances. "Skylar, you were transported out of the room," Adryan explained. "We found you unconscious in the trees. We have no idea where Melissa is."

Skylar's face contorted in anguish. "No...no...this can't be happening!"

I glared at him, my heart racing with fear for Melissa's safety. "You need to remember something, Skylar. Anything. We have to find her before Alonzo does."

Skylar's eyes squeezed shut, his mind racing. But his memories of Melissa's whereabouts remained frustratingly elusive.

Skylar's POV

I opened my eyes, my head pounding and my mind foggy. Melanie's slap still stung my cheek, but her words cut deeper. I was the last one with Melissa, and now she was gone. I scrambled to my feet, desperation driving me.

"Think, Skylar, think!" I muttered to myself, trying to recall any detail. But my memories were shrouded in a haze, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that time was running out.

Suddenly, a faint image flashed in my mind. Melissa, her eyes closed, her body limp...but where was she? I strained my mind, but the location remained elusive.

"I don't know where she is!" I admitted, feeling helpless and frustrated.

Melanie's eyes blazed with a poisonous purple light, her anger and worry for Melissa reaching a fever pitch. She slapped Skylar again, the sound echoing through the forest. Adryan rushed to restrain her, holding her back as she struggled to break free.

"Mela, stop! This isn't helping!" Adryan urged, his voice calm but firm.

But Melanie's fury was unrelenting. She fought against Adryan's grip, her eyes fixed on Skylar with a fierce accusation. "You need to remember something, Skylar!" she spat, her voice venomous. "Anything! We can't lose my bestfriend"

Skylar cowered under her gaze, feeling the weight of his failure bearing down on him. Why couldn't he remember? Why had the transportation spell taken everything from him?

As Adryan finally managed to subdue Melanie, the group stood there, frozen in tension. They knew they had to find a way to uncover the truth and rescue Melissa before it was too late. But with Skylar's memories still shrouded in mystery, their chances of success seemed slim.

Melanie's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing through Skylar's very soul. "What were you doing with Melissa in the forest, Skylar?" she demanded, her voice low and menacing. "Why did you two get captured?"

Skylar's eyes fluttered closed, his body still recovering from the transportation spell. But he knew he had to speak, had to tell them what happened. He took a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper.

"We...we were at my house, having a movie date. Alonzo's men ambushed us, took us by surprise. We fought back, but...but they were too strong."

Melanie's expression turned incredulous. "A movie date? Are you kidding me, Skylar?" Melanie asked as she recalled the used condoms and drugs at Skylar's room.

Skylar's face turned bright red as he realized what Melanie was implying. "No, Melanie, it wasn't like that! I swear, we were just watching a movie and talking. That's all!"

But Melanie's expression was unyielding, her eyes flashing with anger and disappointment. "Save it, Skylar. I saw the condoms and drugs in your room. Don't try to deny it."

Skylar's eyes dropped in shame, his mind racing to come up with an explanation. But before he could speak, Adryan intervened.

"Melanie, stop. This isn't helping. We need to focus on finding Melissa, not accusing each other."

But Melanie's anger was still simmering. "You're right, Adryan. But Skylar needs to understand that his recklessness has consequences. And now, Melissa is paying the price."

Skylar's eyes opened, his gaze meeting Melanie's. "I know it was reckless, but...but we needed a moment to ourselves.

"Ohh shut your trap Skylar", Melanie raged on. "You were sleeping with my best friend and supplying her drugs look at the mess you've put her into". "I wonder what she was doing with a low life like you".

Skylar's face turned red with anger and shame, his eyes flashing with defiance. "That's not fair, Melanie! I love Melissa, and I would never hurt her!"

But Melanie's fury was unrelenting. "Love? You call getting her addicted to drugs and putting her in danger love? You're a monster, Skylar!"

Adryan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Melanie, stop. This isn't helping. We need to focus on finding Melissa, not tearing each other apart."

But Melanie's anger was too raw, too fresh. She turned on Adryan, her eyes blazing. "You're defending him? After what he's done?"

Adryan held up his hands, his expression calm. "I'm not defending him, Melanie. I'm just saying we need to focus on the task at hand. We can deal with Skylar's mistakes later."

Melanie's gaze narrowed, her eyes fixed on Skylar with a fierce intensity. "I'll deal with him later, all right. And he'll pay for what he's done to my best friend."

Skylar got very angry, his voice transforming as he said, "Know your place, demon! I would never hurt Lissa or let her come close to drugs. She is my mate, and the mother of my unborn child!"

The whole group gasped in shock, their eyes fixed on Skylar with a mix of astonishment and incredulity.

Melanie's face turned white with rage, her eyes blazing with fury. "You...you're claiming Melissa as your mate? And she's pregnant with your child?"

Skylar's expression was unyielding, his voice firm. "Yes, Melanie. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect her and our unborn child.