Chapter 28

**Jaxson**

Something was wrong. I could feel it. My mate was in trouble. I could sense her fear and panic through the bond. I clenched my fists and my wolf was threatening to break free. I closed my eyes and braced myself against the tree and tried to breathe in and out like my father taught me.
“Mate! Our mate is in trouble.” My wolf growled.
“Jaxson,” my father whispered, “What is it?”
“Mate,” I growled, “Something is wrong. Terribly wrong.”
Before my father could say anything, I felt my bones crack and transform into my wolf. I ran through the woods and tried to talk to her through the bond. Nothing. Not a goddamn thing. I made it to the edge of the forest and sniffed the air. Not even a fucking scent! Nothing. I continued to run as fast as I could and made it to my home. I transformed back to my human form, not caring that I was walking inside stark naked. The only thing I cared about was Lana. I looked around the room and nothing seemed to be out of place. However, when I entered the kitchen, my mother was knocked out and my son was gone.
“Fuck!” I hissed, “Mom, I need you to wake up.”
My father rushed in and instantly rushed to her side. He picked her up and held her close.
“Is she…”
“She’s alive. Just knocked out. Go put some pants on and check to see where Cole is. If I’m right, he’s going to be in the same shape as your mother. I’ll put her somewhere safe, and find Natalia.”
I rushed to my room and slid on a pair of shorts. I searched each and every room to come up empty. I finally looked outside to find him knocked out in the bushes. I tapped his face and whispered, “Wake up, Cole.”
“Hmm,” he moaned, “Jaxson?”
“What happened here?”
“I…” he groaned, “I remember I was guarding the house. Then, I saw Lucinda… she talked to me. Then, nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, it was her. What happened?”
“Lana and Gabriel are gone. Get all the best trackers and start searching for them. I’ll call Allesandro and tell him what’s going on.”
“I-I’m sorry.” He croaked.
“Where’s my sister?”
He shook his head, “I don’t know. She was in her room.”
My father’s livid voice growled through the air, “Fucking traitor! Goddamn Lucinda did this.”
“What?”
“And she’s brought Duke back to life.”
“Lorenzo!” I growled.
“No, this is just Lucinda. I can’t believe I fucking trusted her.”
Suddenly, it all makes sense. Lucinda… the witches wanted to take out another pack. The perfect plan to take Alpha Lorenzo out of the equation. If he had nothing to do with this… fuck, this was bigger than I thought.
Where was Lana?
My son?
And why bring my brother back to life?
“Lorenzo may have tried to get Lana back and kill James’ daughter, but this wasn’t him. Your mother said they were taking Lana to the coven. Lucinda’s coven. Whatever is happening, it’s all Lucinda and Duke. I’ll call Allesandro; you get Cole inside and checked out by the doctor.”
“Natalia…” Cole whimpered.
“She’s fine. Natalia is in the safe room with Giselle. Go!”
It was like Tara all over again. I grabbed Cole by the waist and helped him inside to his room. He collapsed on the bed and groaned in pain. “Fuck, bitch must’ve got me good.”
I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my wrist. “I’m sorry, Jaxson. I couldn’t…”
“It’s not your fault. Lucinda had us all fooled. Including me.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to wait for Allesandro to arrive, and then I’m going to form a plan to get my mate back. I know you don’t like vampires, but I have to work with them. For my mate and my two children.”
“I know. It’s not that I dislike vampires.”
“Then what?”
“I was jealous when we were younger. You wanted to hang out with Allesandro more than me. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t blame yourself for this. It wasn’t your fault.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Mad at you? No. Pissed my mate and son is gone? Hell yes. And I’m going to get her back. Both of them. Rest, Cole. I have a feeling you’re gonna need all your strength for this war.”
When I reached my office, my father and Allesandro were already waiting for me. I curled my fists and clenched my jaw. “They took my son and my mate. These witches are going down. One by one. And when I take each one of them out, Duke will be next.”
“I already have my best men tracking them. Your father was kind enough to get something that belonged to them so they have their scent. We’ll find them, Jaxson.” Allesandro tells me.
“Jaxson, help us.” I hear Lana whisper through the link, “I don’t think I have much time left until they take my baby from me.”
“Hold on, baby. We’re coming for you. Very, very soon.
“They’re going to come for you. Watch out for…”
“Lana! Lana!”
I fell to my knees and let out a howl, alerting the entire pack to get busy. I had to find her. Find my son. Or I feared my mate would die. And soon I would too. I held my head in my hands and let out a feral growl. I could feel my eyes changing. My father tried to calm me, but I shook my head.
“I can’t control it… my wolf is too angry.” I said through gritted teeth.
“Allesandro, maybe you should step out.” My father warned.
“No!” I growled, “Maybe he can be of use right now.”
“How?” my father asked.
“His blood… give me some of his blood.” I said through clenched teeth.
“Jaxson?” my father started, but Allesandro was already biting into his wrist.
Allesandro picked up a glass and squeezed his fist, filling the glass halfway. He handed it to me and I gladly took it and drank. His blood may be the only way to get into Lucinda’s territory without being detected as a werewolf. Plus, it will give me the strength to fight off each and every one of the motherfuckers. Including Duke. That’s the one I really want.