I tried Zira’s phone again and it went straight to voicemail, while Isaiah dealt with his mate. I don’t think she liked the idea of Isaiah being with another girl just before she arrived. Granted I would have loved for Zira to be my brother’s mate, but I was glad I didn’t have to listen to her gushing all about him. There's only so much a girl could listen to concerning their sibling. I called her mother and she immediately picked up.
“Any news,” her mother asked with worry.
“Not yet and I guess you just answered my question,” I laughed trying to lighten the mood.
“Should I be worried, Isabella?”
I hesitated for a moment. “No. Of course not, Mrs. Lake. I know Zira can handle herself. She just needs a moment to cool down.”
Her mother went so quiet that I only heard her breathing. “Remember a couple years ago, we got lost in the woods. I panicked and was basically paralyzed, but not Zira. She took charge and used the river to get us back before nightfall. She will always find her way back home, ok?”
Please believe me, I hoped.
“You’re right. She is my little brave wolf. Thank you Isabella. Be sure to let me know when she comes back there, you hear.”
“You will be the first.” I hung up the phone and took a moment to breathe. I felt like I was holding my breath the entire time. Hell I was finding it hard to believe myself. Then out of nowhere there was a howl that pierced the air. That howl was intense and full of anger. It had to be Zira's. My best friend was hurting and I’m stuck here doing nothing. I turned to look at my brother.
Zira? He mind linked.
Has to be, I said, while he walked Alaia back inside the house as I started making my way towards the howl. I just need to get to her before anyone else.
Wait! Isaiah yelled coming up behind with Hunter in tow. “I don’t want you going alone.”
"Why not? She doesn’t need us ganging up on her. She's just angry, not a threat," I started for the woods again, but Isaiah.
“I don’t know, Isa. The way she looked when she bolted after seeing Isaiah kiss Alaia was primal,” Hunter said, “and hot but mostly primal.”
“It’s not about her being a threat. She just sounds far away. There could be rogues out there, so you’re going with someone and that’s final.” Isaiah mindlinked someone and a few seconds later his Gamma, Jace, came around the house.
“Whatever.” I ran towards the woods not waiting for Jace to catch up. I shifted into Jas, my wolf, and started running towards the howl. I did my best to pick up her scent and there was something in the air.
I’m going to check some familiar places. Keep me updated Isaiah mind linked the group.
I shifted back into Jas and tried to remember the direction of the howl. I ran leaving Rio, Jace’s wolf, only a few feet behind me. I tried getting Jas to connect to Nina but even she wasn’t having it.
I felt a bit responsible. I was so consumed with my own happiness I didn’t even think of how Zira would feel. To have a bit of happiness of her own being taken away in an instance. I couldn’t even imagine how I would feel if Victoria was fated for someone else. I would literally die. As soon as we find Zira, I’m going straight to Victoria and I’m not ever letting her go. No matter who was against it.
Come on, Zira. Help me find you. We covered a great distance until a rotten smell filled my nose. I heard Rio growling as two male rogues came into the clearing.
We have rogues. I mind-linked everyone.
This far in our territory. What the fuck, snapped Hunter.
Where? I’m on my way, Isaiah said.
No! Jace and I got this. Zira’s alone. Find her, I said.
Fine, just be careful and remember they don’t play fair.
I watched as one walked closer to me and the other dipped off between the trees. I’m no stranger to fighting and thinking about Zira being alone and afraid only fueled my anger. If one of these motherfuckers touched her I would- Rio stepped forward and I growled at him.
I got this one, I said as I stepped forward. Go after the other one.
Rio ran after the other rogue and I used the distraction to attack the one left behind. The rogue sidestepped me and bit my tail. It hurt like hell but I used it to my advantage to sling the rogue to a nearby tree. I pounced and tried reaching for the rogue’s neck, but he swiped for my face. I rolled out the way and got back in a fighting stance. He charged at me but I dodged and bit his back leg until I heard a snapping sound. I had him now as I backed him up to a tree. Right before I could make the killing blow, the rogue dropped something and disappeared in the air.
What the hell was that I asked Jas.
She lifted her head and sniffed the air. Witch she growled.
Third Person
Frank used the magic ball to disappear before the she-wolf did any more damage. After the smoke disappears he realizes he’s at the meeting point just outside the pack’s line. He looked around for Danny and Mac, but there was no one in sight. He tries to move and remembers that his leg was broken.
“Stupid bitch and her big ass mouth,” Frank cursed while trying to hop to a nearby tree.
Frank looked around and finally found a stick large enough to carry some of his weight. Finding the tree with their hidden clothes, Frank only saw one other set so at least one of his brothers made it back. While trying his best to dress with a broken leg, Frank contemplates his day. Earlier this morning, he was content being balls deep in some random’s vagina from the bar, now he’s dealing with some crazy witch’s drama.
Maybe he should’ve fake being sick but that wouldn’t have worked with this crew. Everybody has to pull their weight no matter what and the money was always good. He was trying to think of a way to get back to Nas and his crew, when the smell of blood hit his nose. This blood smell was familiar so he slowly hopped along to find the source. Soon he heard voices and one sounded like Danny.
“You didn’t say anything about that bitch having an Alpha bodyguard,” Danny spit out. He sounded as if he was choking on something. It didn’t sound normal.
The other voice was too soft for Frank to hear, so he tried to move faster.
“Hurry up and heal me,” Danny yelled.
The other voice whispered some more which seemed to make Danny very angry.
“What are you talking about? This wasn’t part of the plan,” Danny gargled out before Frank heard a quick swipe of a blade.
Frank stopped and strained his ears to hear anything. Minutes passed and Frank started moving towards the way he heard Danny’s voice. He came upon a small clearing and there he saw Danny.
Danny’s body was laying on the ground with his head a few feet away. Fear suddenly hit Frank like a tornado. He clapped his hands over his mouth and hid.
The cloak figure was bent over the body as if it was examining it. Then the cloak figure suddenly stopped and turned around. It scanned the trees and bushes waiting for someone to present themselves. After a few minutes, the cloak figure turned around to finish the incantation. Suddenly Danny’s body went into flames and the cloak figure disappeared.
Frank finally let breathe. He did his best holding his breath to slow down his heartbeat. Whoever that was didn’t seem to like his crew and he refused to die right now. He listened to his surroundings to make sure that person was really gone before hopping over Danny's body. There was nothing Frank could do for Danny now, especially in his state. Frank didn’t feel right leaving his brother out here to die alone. So Frank stayed until the last bit of fire died down. He grabbed the head of his fallen comrade and started on his long trek back to Nas. Back to his brothers.
Isabella
Jas looked around to make sure that the rogue didn’t have more friends. If witches were involved this just got more dangerous. Why would there be rogues, let alone witches in our territory? I thought as we ran towards Rio just in time to see him swipe the rogue’s head off in one move.
Show off I sneered.
I heard that, Rio said, walking towards me with no injuries. Are you okay, he asked, checking for injuries.
Nothing Jas can’t handle. The rogue disappeared into the air. I think witches were involved, I replied.
We have to inform the Alpha, Rio suggested.
We gotta keep moving. There might be more and Zira is still alone.
Rio nodded and we started back on our path. A few minutes later we heard another howl. This one was different. This was a sound of victory and there was so much power behind it.
Please tell me that was you, Isaiah, I hoped. I could feel the anxiety building up.
No but I’m heading that way. I’m close.
Jas moved with lightning speed. A few minutes later, I could smell a mixture of scents: a rogue, blood, Zira’s and another familiar scent I couldn’t quite place. Then I felt Isaiah. He was close. I followed those scents to a small clearing. When I came to, I saw Devon growling at a man sitting on a log. He didn’t quite look familiar until he turned around.
Alpha Zack, clad only in really small shorts, looked up and smiled. “Took you guys long enough.”