Chapter 40 When the Mate Bond Burns

A low, guttural groan tore from Alexander's throat, his fangs elongating as pain twisted through his chest. It felt as if thousands of needles were piercing through his dead heart, each pulse of agony making him tremble.

His fingers dug into the wooden table, carving deep claw marks on the surface. Sweat dripped down his temples, his breaths coming in ragged pants.

Soon the feeling of pain was replaced by a terrifying emptiness.

His eyes flickered red, glowing with unrestrained fury.

" She is gone" 

His nails cracked against the wood, his body taut with rage. Every cell in his being screamed to hunt, to claim what was his.

" She ran. She left me".

" Why?"

Her voice echoed in his mind "Monster". The word burned, twisting something deep inside him.

His gaze darkened " Well, I won't let you get what you want, i won´t let the power of hades slip through my fingers"

The room trembled with the force of his wrath.

Alexander´s lips curled, his voice a deadly whisper. " I will descend hell on earth."

In a blur of speed, he vanished from the room, his form dissolving into the shadows of the night. His mind a warzone of conflicting emotions

 " Is she safe? What if something happens to her?".

" No, I will punish her" he growled, the thought of caring for her was maddening. This was not how it was supposed to be.

Then, his movement halted abruptly.

Ethan.

His brother stood ahead, hands tucked into his coat, an air of calm detachment around him.

Alexander´s eyes darkened, rage simmering just beneath the surface.

" Why.. do… smell.. like..her?" Every word is laced with venom.

" Calm down and hear me out Alex" Ethan casually stated.

" I can´t be calm, my mate has run away" his gaze burning with intensity.

" You helped her, didn't you?" Alexander's voice became dangerously calm.

" Yes I did" Ethan accepted.

Alexander's eyes switch between red and pitch black.

" Why?"

Ethan exhaled sharply, sweat dampening his palms. He had prepared for this confrontation, but Alexander´s murderous intent was suffocating.

" Because I signed a contract with her, in my blood."

"What kind of contract?"

" Because I needed the blood from her heart to save you.." Ethan paused, as his eyes noticed Alexander's elongating claws and fangs.

" The drawing of blood from her heart has to be willful, so I have no choice but to sign the deal" Ethan cussed his fate. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword.

" And yet…you smell like her" Alexander's eyes turned pitch black, something stirred inside him, a feeling he couldn't quite explain. Something bitter. something…possessive.

"F**k this" Ethan recognised the warning signs.

" She held my arms because she was scared" Ethan's voice was not more than a whisper. Sweat trickled down his temple.

His throat tightened, his grip tightened on his sword, he was ready for a fight.

" Bring it on, then".

A smirk curled on Alexander's lips " that would be later," his words were intense and slow.

Alexander blurred past Ethan, but he paused, he swiftly tilted his neck, avoiding Ethan's sword, his gaze burned with anger. 

" I promise to buy her time," Ethan said as he swung at him again.

Before Ethan could react, a portal split open behind Alexander. Shadows coiled around him like living tendrils.

" I need to find my mate first"

And then, in a blink of an eye, he was gone.

" Darn it!" Ethan clenched his fists, cursing under his breath.

He vanished further into the forest, searching for him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(In The Crescent Moon Pack)

Snarls and growls filled the air, as two massive werewolves engaged in a fight.

The ground shook beneath them, each of them aiming for a bite. Their eyes hunger for something, insatiable.

The black wolf claws at the white who swiftly avoided its attack, the white one manoeuvre, aiming for its stomach, which he also missed. 

They both separated, encircling each other before engaging again, but they both soon sent flying by their collisions.

The white stood, shaking its head, while the black crashed to the ground.

The white wolf turned into its human form, his colleagues quickly brought him his clothes.

The onlookers cheered for him.

" You lose…Jacob" Ezekiel's powerful voice sounded, his hands reaching out to Jacob who is now in his human form.

Jacob accepted the hand and pushed himself to his feet.

" You are the Alpha, of course I lost" his eyes calm.

" Still ready for the plan?" Ezekiel smirked.

Jacob eyes closed, his Adam's apple bobbed, he believes this was a suicide mission. How could they take her away from king Alexander, without dying.

" Is that even possible?" Jacob asked, he pinched the bridge of his nose.

" I overheard our father discussing something about the warlocks" Ezekiel began " I think they have ties with them".

" Warlocks?"

Ezekiel nodded" We head to the warlock's realm first, using their influence, we can find some leverage" he stated, they both walked further away from the group.

" But that is not the only reason you are going, is it?" At mention of the warlock realm, Jacob felt cold dread gushing down his spine.

Ezekiel shook his head.

" The warlocks are merciless, why would they have any sort of relationship with us, werewolves?" Jacob tensed.

" That is why I need to go, I need to find out what my father is planning, why he is stooping this low" Ezekiel said, his voice held a tinge of disappointment.

Jacob didn't utter a word for a long time, he had long noticed that his own father had been too secretive lately and…moody.

"You are right, let's find out what these old men are up to" Jacob finally gave in.

 Ezekiel's eyes gleamed with satisfaction " That's the spirit" he held Jacob's shoulder.

" When are we going to leave"

"Tomorrow night"

They both continued to walk out of the training ground, discussing their plans.

Jacob suddenly came to a halt. His heart hammered in his chest. His throat tightened, his eyes flickering between blue and gold.

A scent.

The smell invaded his nostrils, it smelled heavenly, but it made his heart feel as if it was pricked by thousands of needles.

" Are you okay?" Ezekiel's voice rang In his ear.

Jacob looked around searching for its sources, his eyes finally landed on her. His breath hitched.

His mate.

" Yes" he answered, his voice laced with pain, his eyes hardened.

" Ezekiel " Ava called happily, as she ran to him, jumping on him.

Ezekiel was too stunned to respond, this wasn't like her, she was hugging him, why?

A smirk played on her lips, as she pressed against him.

The sight of her pressed against another man sent something primal surging through.. Something dark.

A dangerous growl rumbled through Jacob´s chest. 

His vision darkened.

His fangs bared.

His claws extended.