Derek's POV
We then discussed where Hugh might be hiding. We decided that the entrance to the forest was the only place he could hide. After nightfall, Gerald and Kent drove to the forest to kill the "rogue couple" who had poisoned Erika and at the same time attract Hugh's attention. Thirty minutes later, Steven and I drove out into the woods to catch Hugh.
Getting into the car and sitting in the back, I vaguely felt Erika's presence. But she wasn't there.
Wait for me! I'll go with you. She mind-linked me.
My eyes were shining. She could mid-link me again! The mate bond between us was restored!
"Stop the car. Erika wants to come with us," I ordered Steven.
"Has Luna fully recovered?" Steven asked.
"Yes!" I replied with thinly veiled excitement.
I had been upset all day because I couldn't feel her presence, even though I knew it was only temporary. Every second was unbearable because I couldn't feel her presence and communicate with her.
Now that we could communicate again, it occurred to me that I wouldn't have been so upset if she had been able to speak words.
"Steven, you gave her a full check-up when I sent her to your hospital. Is there any chance, in your opinion, that she might be able to speak again?" I asked Steven.
"That's a difficult question because I don't know the reason for her inability to speak. I don't know if it's something to do with her vocal organs or her brain".
"I think it has something to do with the abduction. It seemed to be a painful experience for her, so I never mentioned it to her. Steven, see if you can find out why."
"Alpha, do you mean..." Steven asked cautiously.
"Yes, your gift," I answered in the affirmative.
"Yes, Derek." Steven nodded.
Erika's presence grew stronger. I got out of the car and waited for her. Soon I saw her and she ran towards me, throwing her body at me. I reached out and took her in my arms. The moment I held her in my arms, my heartbeat began to quicken. My wolf was in ecstasy. He had been driven mad since he couldn't feel his mate's presence.
I didn't let go until she had freed herself from me.
We looked into each other's eyes. I felt complete and in the moment. I knew she felt the same because she didn't hide her feelings from me. If only time could stand still and this moment could last forever and ever!
We got into the car and headed for the woods. Gerald and Kent had already arrived and were searching the forest, not just to mislead Hugh. They were also looking for the "rogue couple" who had poisoned Erika. It might never occur to Hugh that he was also a target while he was watching others.
We didn't drive all the way to the entrance of the forest. Instead, we stopped half a mile away. Then Erika and I crept into the forest. I had a feeling Hugh was hiding in a tree.
The plan was that I would send electricity in all directions. A web of electricity would form and Hugh would fall out of the tree wherever he was hiding.
I took a deep breath and concentrated on the energy flowing into my hands. Then there was a current of electricity around the tips of my fingers. I raised my hands to the sky. Suddenly there was lightning everywhere. Even the sky lit up. Erika looked at me in surprise. She hadn't seen me use my gift like that before. Her surprised look made my pride swell.
"This is my electric web. It can stretch indefinitely until it catches something," I told her proudly.
Wow! That's awesome. She mind-linked me with her eyes wide open.
Immediately after my electric web was formed, there were shrieks ahead of us. We exchanged glances. Then we both ran in that direction at high speed. Soon, Erika began to pant. So I picked her up and kept running.
After a few seconds I saw two men lying on their stomachs on the ground. I gave each one a blow on the neck to make sure they were unconscious. Then I turned them over with two kicks. Their faces were all blackened.
Who is Hugh? I mind-linked Erika.
Erika walked over, crouched down and studied their features carefully. Then she summoned a dagger, walked over to a man and slit his throat.
I turned to another body. So he was Hugh. The mate bond between me and Erika wouldn't have been broken without him. I stepped forward and kicked him hard in the shoulder. To be honest, I wanted to kick him in the head. But I was afraid of killing him right then and there.
I got a big sack and put him in it. I asked Steven to come over and get Hugh. We got back to the car and drove back. Gerald and Kent didn't find the "rogue couple". But they still stayed in the forest because they had another job to do. They had to let James know the risks he was facing and they stayed there to offer help if things turned against James.
Hugh was half-conscious when we arrived at the pack. From time to time, he would open his eyes and start raving about something. The pain from the electric shock made him lose his senses and he couldn't even recognize Erika, even though she was right in front of him.
We drove to Steven's hospital and put Hugh in a room. Steven would use his gift in this particular room and we could watch on the screen in another room. Steven gave him a shot of a liquid I didn't know about. With the effects of the liquid, Hugh fell asleep immediately. Steven took out a timer and put it next to Hugh. Then Steven pulled out a chair and sat down in front of Hugh without saying a word.
Erika looked at me in confusion and mind-linked. What is he going to do?
Wait a while and you'll find out. I mind-linked her with a smile.