Chapter 35

**This chapter contains Explicit Sexual Content. Readers discretion is advised**

The hot water steamed up the shower and drenched us. Ethan picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He pressed me against the shower wall and continued to kiss me like he was a hungry man. He pulled away from my lips and kissed down my neck.

I tilted my head back and let my body relax. Even though I was in a compromising position with my Gamma, I couldn’t feel any shame. I knew this was wrong but with my numbed feelings, I could care less.

In the distance, I could hear a buzzing noise. My phone was on silent and it was the vibration of that. Whoever was calling me could bloody wait. Ethan kissed down my chest and stopped right above my boobs. He pulled back a little and looked around.

“Do you hear that?”

“Yeah, it’s my phone” I was panting a little.

“Nah. I hear sirens. Can you not? It sounds like the pack siren” Ethan put me down and turned off the water.

Fuck, he was right. As soon as the water turned off, I could hear the sirens. The pack had sirens that went off in case of an attack. Shit, we were getting attacked! What the hell?!

I quickly grabbed a towel and headed for my balcony. I looked down to see all the warriors sprinting into the woods. Some shifted as they sprinted, others stayed in human form.

“Ethan let’s go” I opened the balcony door and leapt out the side letting my wolf take over and shifting mid-air.

I landed on my paws with a thud, letting out a loud howl. Behind me, I felt another thud. Ethan had shifted as well.

****Matt what the hell is going on?**** I mind linked, sprinting in the direction of the others. Ethan right behind me.

****About fucking time! Where the hell have you been? About 12 rogues are approaching our boundary line from the East. They came through Alpha Dawns territory. Apparently, they’ve caused some damage there. The damage is similar to Alpha Cowan’s attack. They are looking for something**** I could hear he too was running.

I picked up the pace. I really hope it was the same rogues. I had the urge to rip into a few of them. But what were they doing here? Did they really want to take on The Queen of the South?

****How far are they?**** I focused on the pack mind link.

****They are about 10 miles out. I’ve got some warriors watching them from a distance. They don’t seem to be in a rush**** dad replied.

****Alpha, some of them are in human form and have a person tied up with a bag over his face**** someone mind linked.

Fuckers had a hostage! They were just asking to die today. I let out a growl and sprinted faster, digging my paws harder into the ground.

As I approached the boundary line, I could see the barrier of wolves. They were all waiting, ready to attack.

I slowed down and walked up to stand next to dad. He had some of the other Alphas next to him.  They were all in human form. Ash walked over and flanked me on the other side. He had shifted into his chocolate brown wolf. They were all standing behind all the warrior wolves as the second point of attack.

****where were you?**** dad mind linked as soon as I got next to him

****I was busy. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again****

I had lost focus and given into my desires. As much as I had numbed my emotions, I still have my brain to tell me right from wrong.

A growl echoed through the woods and all the warrior's wolves growled back, crouching into position. Slowly, scruffy-looking wolves started emerging from behind the trees. One after another they formed a semi-circle and bared their teeth, growling at us.

“Enough” a voice yelled. They didn’t stop. They bounced back and forth on their heels, ready to attack.

Two-men walked through the middle of the semi-circle. They were both holding the hostage. They stopped in the middle and pushed the guy so he was kneeling. My nose tickled with a familiar scent. I knew the guy.

I took two steps forward trying to pick up the scent more when a laugh echoed over the growling wolves.

“Stay where you are Queenie. I don’t want you ruining my plans” I turned towards the new voice.

Clark and the girl from the auditorium walked out of the woods from behind the rogue wolves. They were holding hands and smiling. *What the fuck?!*

Kona was mad. She didn’t like the fact that Clark was with the rouges and another female. She crouched growling loudly. My human feelings were numbed, her wolf once wasn’t.

“Now now. Calm down, Queenie. I know what you are mad about, but believe me, I have a surprise that will piss you off a lot more” Clark chuckled.

*What had gotten into him?!*

I watched as he let go of the girl and walked over to the guy kneeling in the middle. An evil smirk spread across his face as he yanked the bag off the guys face.

My heart stopped and it felt like someone had punched me in the guts. I stopped crouching and growling and stood up straight.

Before me, all the wolves stopped growling but started in positions. I started to walk and all the warriors parted, making a path for me. I stopped when I got to the front of the barrier they had formed.

Kneeling on the ground before I was Clark. He had his hands tied behind his back and a dirty rag covering his mouth. He had bruises all over his face and body and looked like they had rolled him around in the mud. He looked up at me and groaned loudly. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

My eyes flickered up to the man standing behind him and then down to the guy kneeling before me. What the fuck was going on?! They both looked the same.

****Matt bring me a shirt. NOW**** I mind linked.

I wanted to talk and for that, I had to shift back. From behind me, I heard footsteps. I took control back from Kona and let my bones crack back. As soon as the shift finished, Matt draped a shirt over my shoulders which I quickly buttoned up.

“What is going on here?! Who are you and how is there two of you?!” I looked between the man again.

The guy on the ground groaned and whimpered trying to talk.

“You see Queenie, I thought you would have figured this out after seeing him. You don’t recognise your mate? Oh wait, how could you? You rejected him” The man threw his head back and laughed loudly.

He wasn’t Clark. Clark would never talk or laugh like that. I looked down at the guy on his knees. He kept wriggling and groaning. Desperately trying to say something. I could see the desperation in his eyes, he was begging.

“What have you done?!” I yelled.

“I took advantage of a situation you created. The Silver Moon pack have a long heritage of witches. They house books and books of spells all wasting away in a dungeon. So I simply went in and stole them all with the help of all my new friends.” He turned around and waved at all the rogues behind him.

“I’m sorry for the mess we created. It was so much fun!” His laugh echoed through the woods.

My head was pounding from anger. He killed so many innocent people for some spell books?!

“And then I saw the strain my destruction was putting on your relationship. So I devised another plan. Thanks to my newly occupied spell books, I found a way to switch from one body to another. While I was plotting my plan, I stumbled upon a spell that I could actually use to create any face I wanted. Wasn’t I just lucky?” He grinned at me and pulled the guy to his feet.

“And then I waited. I heard chatter that you were coming back home. So I slipped into character and got back to Angel Falls under the radar. I got even luckier when one of my boys overheard Clark saying he needed to go back home to get some things. I quickly got into his house and when he came up the stairs, I tied him up and stuffed him in the closet. I did all that while your precious brother and his friends were downstairs playing video games”

I starting to see red. My body was pumping blood so rapidly I left like a nerve was about to burst open.

“You had that argument with me. If you notice,  there’s no mark on my body, but his mark is still there” he tilted the guy's neck and flashed the 2 crescent moons I had punctured into Clark’s neck.

“See you were becoming sick and weak not because you rejected your mate, but because he didn’t accept it, I did. Since he didn’t accept it, your body was fighting off the sudden separation of your mate. The bonding is begging for a union because it knows its mate is out there. You were becoming weak because your body is still connected and bonded. It’s missing and craving its mate”

I could feel the blood drain from my face. That’s why I kept hurting. That’s why I was in so much pain. Because I was still bonded to Clark through his mark. My body was fighting the separation.

“I knew you’d get weak to the point where an attack would destroy you. I just had to wait. I watched from a distance and sometimes from up close. I watched as you started to become fragile. I knew it was only a matter of time. Then this morning, I delivered my last blow. When I saw you, how weak you had become, I was pleased. My plan was working and if I couldn’t have you, no one could” he tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes at me.

“Roy” the word left my mouth without hesitation. He was the only one that had this obsession with me. Obsession wild enough to create this havoc.

“Oh! You’re giving me shivers! I love the way you say my name. I just wish you were naked and under me when you did say it. That part I couldn’t manipulate”

He opened the rag around Clark’s mouth and dropped it to the ground.

“Alex, I’m so sorry”

I looked at Clark. Trying to find the right emotions, but I couldn’t. Shiloh had numbed the whole mating bond thing in me too. I was happy to see him, I felt relief he was okay. But that was it. Roy didn’t know I had shut off certain emotions. He didn’t know I had my strength back.

****Everyone, be prepared. He doesn’t know I’m not weak anymore. He's here to attack because he thinks he got the upper hand. Let’s make him wish he had not come here today**** I mind linked the pack.

“You see Roy. When wolves hunt their prey, they are quick and agile. They don’t tease or play with their food because the moment you let the prey rest, it goes into survival mode and starts to plan a way to get to safety. You should never let that happen because they regain their strength and become unpredictable. You’ve done a good job planning and plotting alas you teased and played with your prey too long.”

I watched as his face changed from happiness to confusion.

“You brought 12 rogues to fight the strongest warriors in the south. The strongest Alpha in the southern kingdom. Your dumb ass thought it was a good idea to use that Alpha’s mate as bait, could you be any more stupid ?” I laughed. I had no fear. I knew he didn’t stand a chance.

The rogues all growled loudly, getting agitated.

****Create a double-banded circle around them. I want them all either caught or killed**** dad mind linked.

The warriors moved slowly, trying not to make any sudden moves. They formed a circle around the group and got into position.

I smiled “last time you got away. This time, you’ve come back to a very different situation.”

He was just outside our boundary line.

****Push them in. Bring them into our land.**** I commanded.

The warriors started snapping their teeth at the rogues and moving them towards us. I grabbed Clark and quickly walked backwards before Roy could grab him. We all moved towards the imaginary line.

“What is going on?! What are you doing?! I’ve got spells and powers unlike before Alex, you can not defeat me. Give me back the boy”

He was so busy looking around and talking he didn’t realise he had stepped over the line.

****“NOW”**** I yelled and the warriors launched themselves.

Four wolves quickly circled just Roy and the girl he brought with him. Roy lifted his hands and chanted a spell, bracing himself. But nothing happened. He opened his eyes and looked at his hands. Behind him, the rogues fighting off my warriors.

He closed his eyes and chanted again. Still, nothing happened. He looked at his hands and then at me.

“What did you do?!” He yelled at me.

I laughed “you’re in my land asshole. I have my witch protecting us. Your spells won’t work here”

I passed Clark over to someone and jumped into the air letting Kona take over and landing on top of Roy. I snapped my muzzle at his face and he screamed and struggled to getaway. My paws pinned his shoulders and legs to the ground, restricting his movement.

“See Roy, never tease and play with your prey. She doesn’t like it” Ash was standing next to me with ropes in his hand. I snapped my muzzle one last time and then let Ash pick Roy up. Matt came from the other side and helped Ash.

****Take him down to the dungeon and get Shiloh to make sure he can’t play any tricks.**** I mind linked Matt and turned towards the fighting rogues. 

From the side, I saw one rogue leap on top of a warriors back. The warrior growled and tried to shake him off. I ran over and tackled the rogue off the warrior sinking my teeth into his neck and squeezing it tightly. I heard the crack and my mouth filled with metallic liquid. The wolves body went limp and his head flopped over. I tossed his body into the middle and looked around to see who I could help.

Within minutes there was 6 dead rogues and 6 badly injured ones getting rounded up. They all got tied up just like Roy. I wiped my muzzle on the ground. A pure white wolf with a blood-stained muzzle looked a little creepy.

****Anyone got a spare t-shirt**** I mind linked.

“Over here” Ethan called out. He was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. There were certain places in the woods we had hidden spare clothes. He must have found one.

I walked over to him and he pulled off the t-shirt he was wearing and held it out for me. I closed my eyes and Kona gave me my control back. I let my bones crack and suddenly there was a cold breeze on my bare bottom. I quickly took the t-shirt and pulled it on.

“Thank you” he gave me a tight smile. We were both embarrassed about what had happened earlier. Since Clark and my bond wasn’t broken, I had basically cheated on Clark. I felt no remorse for it. I knew what I had done was wrong, but I didn’t care. My mate love was numb.

“Alex” a voice called out.

I turned to see Clark leaning against my dad. I looked at his bruises. He was wobbly on his feet. He must have a broken leg. I slowly walked over to him.

As soon as I got closer, he let go of dad and grabbed me, pulling me into a tight hug. I froze in place. Happiness bubbled in me a little. I knew I was happy about this, but it was happiness I would feel for anyone.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. He told me he would kill you. That if I didn’t do as he asked he would make sure you died a painful death” he was holding me so tightly it felt like I was going to disappear. I could hear his voice crack a little but I was so numb I didn’t know how to react.

He pulled back to look at my face and he obviously didn’t see what he wanted to. His smile faded quickly. I knew there weren’t many emotions on my face.

“Alex-... aren’t you happy to see me?” His eyes searching my face.

“I’m sorry Clark. I did what I had to do. I was in pain and getting weak. I couldn’t be a good Queen if I was weak.”

He looked confused.

“I got Shiloh to numb some of my emotions. I thought I was in pain because I had rejected you. If I had known, I would have done things differently. I’m sorry. We should get you looked at” I looked down at his leg. He was holding me and keeping the weight on one leg.

Ethan walked over and held his arm out for Clark to take. Clark just stared at me as I handed him over to Ethan and moved aside as Ethan helped him walk. I knew I was being mean and heartless, the boy had been through hell and back, but I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t feel anything for him.

Ethan helped Clark to the clinic and I followed them. I knew dad had the rogues and Roy under control.

Leo quickly came over and helped Ethan get Clark onto a bed. Leo called the nurse and they started cleaning up his bruises and patching him up. Clark’s eyes were on me the whole time. His gaze searching my face for his mate. The mate he still had lots of love and compassion for.

Leo asked Clark to remove his shirt. He slowly pulled it off revealing multiple big gashes across his chest that looked a few weeks old. He had more cut marks and gashes that looked a lot older. There were a few burn marks and what looked like bruising from getting whipped. Without his shirt covering him, you could see how slim he had became. The muscles and abs were gone and all you could see now were his boney ribs. Kona growled in my head. She wasn’t happy.

They were starving and torturing him. But why?! What was Roy trying to achieve?! They had laid low for 6 months!

“Why did they torture you? They would have known you wouldn’t heal. You’re a half blood” I asked angrily. No person should be treated like that regardless of their species.

“He wanted information on you. He kept asking me things I didn’t know and when I told him I didn’t know, he made his rogues beat me up. He was adamant that I knew everything. Once they found out I couldn’t heal as fast as them, they made it a game, taking turns to torture me.” he winched when Leo moved his leg.

“It looks broken buddy. We gotta plaster it up before your bones set. All your bruising and cuts should heal and fade away in a few weeks unless of course...” Leo’s eyes drifted to me and I nodded, putting my arm out. They wanted my blood to help heal Clark. Since the bond wasn’t broken, my blood was still valuable to him.

I wanted to help. It was the right thing to do.

I walked over and sat on the edge of the bed Clark was on. One of the nurses handed me a blanket to cover my thighs. I was still in just a t-shirt.

****Matt, I need some clothes please**** I mindlinked.

****I’m grabbing them for you now. Be down soon**** he replied.

The nurse came over with some syringes and drew my blood. She changed the needle on them and injected it into Clark. Within 5 minutes, you could see Clark’s body heal up. The bruises and gash marks were all gone and he looked much better.

Matt walked into the clinic with my clothes.

“You look much better” he smiled at Clark, handing me my clothes.

“Just from the outside. How’s Natalie?” Clark and Matt had a chat while I walked away to put my clothes on.

“My work here is done. I’m gonna go see where dad is. Call me if you need anything. Ethan, stay with Clark. Keep an eye on him.” I pulled my hair into a ponytail and started to walk out. Matt followed me.

“Alex” Clark’s voice stopped me.

I looked over my shoulder.

“Do you really not feel anything for me anymore?”

“No Clark, I don’t. I feel sympathy and empathy, but that’s all. I’m sorry if that’s not what you want to hear” I didn’t want to look at him. I knew he would be hurt by my words and I didn’t want to see that.

“No love? Or happiness about me being alive?”

I turned around and debated on what words to use to make me sound like I wasn’t a bitch.

“Technically, you were never dead. I was told you moved away and I had made peace with that. Yes, I’m happy to see you, but I’m so detached from my emotions that I don’t know if it’s happiness or relief that it’s one less death I have to worry about. Fuck, I don’t even feel ashamed about almost sleeping with Ethan earlier today.”

All eyes turned to Ethan. He had been lingering in the corner quietly.

Matt grabbed my arm and turned me towards him.

“You what?” Shock evident in Matt’s voice.

“You heard what I said. You aren’t a saint either so don’t you dare start judging me.” I yanked my arm out of Matt’s grip and turned towards Clark.

“It’s probably not something you want to hear your mate say but I’m just being honest. I did what I had to do to keep myself alive. It wasn’t the best choice to numb myself but it worked and it saved my pack today. Today was evidence on how weak a mate makes you. So I don’t regret the choices I made.” I gave Ethan and Matt one last look and turned to leave.

I walked out of the clinic and headed for the dungeons. Kona was whimpering in my head. She wanted to go back to Clark and make sure he was okay. She wanted to be around him and I could care less. I desired to know what was happening with Roy and his new crew.

I could hear the screams and curses even before I entered the dungeon. They were getting beaten up and I was happy about that. I walked into the smelly muddy cave and let my eyes adjust to the dim lighting.

Dad was sitting on a chair watching Baron and Tim beat Roy in one cellar while Chris and Vince were whipping the 6 rogues in the second cellar. They all stopped the moment I stepped in. My eyes zeroed in on Roy. He was cowering against the wall, his bruised face covered in sweat and traces of blood.

Just looking at him made my blood boil. I walked into the cellar and grabbed him by his neck, pulling him to his feet. With all the force I had, I slammed him against the wall, squeezing his neck.

“You had 70 people killed. 70! A whole pack lay in ruins for days while we salvaged body parts from the rumble. Images that are burnt into my memory. Scenes I pray I never have to see ever again. You did all of that just for some spellbooks. SPELLBOOKS!” I yelled at him, slamming him against the wall again.

“You kidnapped my mate and made me drift away from him just to destroy me. Today, I stand before you so numb of emotions that I can’t even find it in me to comfort my mate. The mate you tortured for 6 months! 6 FUCKING MONTHS” I squeezed his throat more and watched us he pawed my hands, trying to pry them away so he could breathe.

“You crossed the line when you killed 70 innocent people. When you left families grieving for no reason! You are a monster!” I yelled at him slamming him against the wall. I slammed him so hard the ground shook and small pieces of debris fell from the ceiling.

“Yo-.... you... you bitch! Do you think you’ve stopped me?! You have no idea what is about to happen. This is just the beginning!” He choked out.

“What do you mean the beginning?!” I slammed him against the wall harder.

“There’s a reason these rogues were helping me. They are testing your strength. They want to know your weaknesses, your strengths, anything that will help them take you down. You have something much bigger brewing and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” He spat at me groaning in pain.

I let him go and he crumbled to the ground, coughing and trying to breathe.

“The uprising. The prophecy. It’s coming true isn’t it?”

“I’m glad at least you have some knowledge. Whether or not it’s the prophecy coming true, I don’t know. But yes there’s an uprising coming your way and trust me, they have powers and resources you don’t even know about”

A shiver went down my spine. I had known there was something big coming. Legend has it that the last time a white wolf was born, there was a big war between two powerful territories.  The white wolf was a sign of peace and was sent to bring balance back.

Last time the white wolf was a spirit that was sent in the middle of a war to possess a powerful Alpha to bring order. This time, the white wolf was born with the spirit which meant the Goddess knew this uprising was going to happen. It was a plan 18 years in the making.

I turned to look at dad. He looked shocked and angry. All the faces in the cave had fear in them. My life as we knew it, was going to change dramatically.......