66.

*"I love you, Michael.'*

Those were the last words Michael heard before the link to his mate was cut off. Those three words brought fear and comfort to him both at the same time. His steps faltered and was brought to his knees as he felt the excruciating pain to his heart and body. His wolf wanted out, he demanded to be let free. 'Mate in trouble. Need to go to mate' Zane said to his human. Michael didn't need to be told twice as he instantly stopped fighting with the rogue and willed fire to engulf the wolf's body then shifted, running back to the palace.

No one stood in his way both rogue and ally, his anger was felt by every one pack member or not. 'Find her Michael. I won't lose her again" Landon said to him. Michael followed the destruction the rogues made in their wake to get into the palace. The metallic scent of blood was everywhere, rooms and hallways were filled disfigured bodies of his people. Those who weren't strong enough to fight the beasts, the images that he passed as he ran through the hallways brought back painful memories of his pack. Michael felt somewhat guilty for what happened, it wasn't his fault Malcolm was a maniac but he felt guilty for not being able to protect the ones who died in the palace.

He was about to enter the ballroom when a slab of concrete came up and blocked his path. 'Arabella. It's only me. I'm alone' Michael said to her.

"Michael" Arabella cried as she removed her barrier. She was weak, bruises were still visible on her once cheerful face now the look of loss and fear took over her features.

Michael went over to her and she buried her face in his fur. "They took her. They took my baby" she cried out loud. To lose her daughter once again was heart-wrenching for Arabella. She missed nearly eighteen years of her little girl's life now her fear of losing her forever was etched in her mind.

Michael shifted and stayed crouched beside the queen. In his peripheral vision, he saw his sister and mother beside two wolves while Rayan and Ariana sobbed into their palms.

Michael's world would forever be in ruins as he saw the weak bodies of Noah and Jonah. He rushed over to them trying to see where they were injured.

'We'll be fine, brother. Go find our beauty.' Jonah said to him.

The word brother as they called him didn't fail to register in his mind, he knew they both acknowledged him and slowly began to trust him but as far as a brother he never expected that much.

Michael smiled at that with gratitude but kept an eye on their state.

"Why are you stubborn, my young prince?" A soft feminine voice said to them. They all felt peace and utter calmness in the room as a soft white light surrounded them. A tall slender woman with white flowing hair appeared behind the twins.

"Goddess," they all said reverently bowing to the mother of all wolf spirits.

"Rise my children. I've come to ease your worries and also warn you. I've watched what power and greed have done to my people and this war is meant to get a greater outcome. I've seen one outcome but it has been altered due to unforeseen circumstances.
Michael, you must find your mate, I know you felt the initial breaking of your bonds but it wasn't of consent. You and Emma have a love that every wolf wishes for with their mate, used that love you have for her to save her," she said kneeling down beside the twins. She laid her hands on their wounds and a white light appeared under her hand; slowly the boys were looking 100% better than before. Their once ragged breathing was back to normal and the wounds were completely healed.

"There you go, my sons. You've protected my child very well, your duties would be put to the test. Go with your prince and save his mate.
But I warn you three, you cannot defeat Malcolm. The key for his eternal life would be his downfall," she said leaving them as quickly as she came.

Her last words lingered in everyone's mind but didn't want to linger on it.

"Let's go. They can't be too far away. Her scent is fading" Michael said desperately and stalked out the room.

"Michael wait. " Noah shouted after him. Reluctantly Michael stopped, annoyed that they were being so calm about things.

"You can't go searching for her blindly and unprepared...." Jonah stated before Michael stopped him.

"I don't care where she is or who has her, one thing I do know is that I'm going to find my Emma. If I find death, let it be after she's safe. You can stay here and plan but I'm going now," Michael spat at the twins and left.

"Its still chaos out there. They can have her anywhere" Jonah hissed as his brother followed the prince.

"True but we have to find her before he burns this whole place down" Noah shouted over his shoulder. In front of them Michael stalked angrily into the darker side of the forest, his mate's scent made the path easier but the fiery trail he left was something more.

Noah paused when he caught another familiar scent, "Aiden" he hissed. "And James" Michael growled ahead of them sending a fireball into a nearby tree.

"Traitor. All this time he was a traitor," Michael yelled, fire engulfed his body, his eyes shone brighter.

Noah and Jonah had to step back from the undeniable destruction before them, "He pledged his allegiance to her" Michael continued.

'Michael' the faint voice of his Emma reached him.

He fell to his knees overwhelmed by hearing her soft voice. The bond between them was still intact. 'Baby. Where are you? Are you okay? Emma, please answer me' he told her desperately.

He was instantly calmed by her voice and knowing she was still alive. 'I... I... Caleb... And....I..... We can't....' She tried to say.

"No no no" he cried out getting to his feet, the remaining strength of their bond was enough to lead Zane to them, Michael shifted and the twins followed his lead and shifted.

They ran further into the forest, farther away from the palace grounds.

Zane was in full control, the path that he took looked like it hasn't been used in centuries, he made his way to a makeshift path that was recently used. His hackles rose as he caught the scents of the traitors and his mate.

'They're close' he told Michael and gave his human back control. They covered their scents and made their way to a meadow. At the center of it was an unused cottage with broken shutters and overgrown bushes surrounding it. Wolves surrounded the cottage while a few vamps made their way to it. They waited till it was a steady flow and they were unseen.

Michael got uneasy he couldn't feel her nor Caleb where can they be.





******************************************************



"Wake up my love."

Emma opened her eyes to a dull room and someone hovering over her. She noticed her legs and arms were shackled. "Why am I chained ?" She asked, her voice was hoarse, her throat was dry, her neck was paining her. Looking around the room she spotted Caleb chained to the wall just as she was, he was still out but looked like he was coming around.

"Where am I!" She shrieked. Emma tried calling for her wolf but no answer. Where is Alia? She asked her herself.

"With your mate of course," Aiden said stepping in front of her. No longer was Aiden the loving friend she once knew, in front of her was an Aiden full of darkness. His eyes were cold, there was something dangerous about him as he came towards her.

"Mate?!" She asked.

"You are now mine Emma," he said touching her neck. Emma shivered by his touch but not in pleasure.

"No, you're not, Aiden. Quit fooling yourself. Michael is my mate. He's the one I'm destined for, NOT YOU," she shouted.

Aiden slapped her across her cheek then held her by her neck, putting pressure on it causing her to fight for air.

"I marked you. He doesn't deserve you" he yelled, " You were always mine".

"You're sick." She spat.

As he was about to hit her again, someone entered the room.

"Sorry for this lover's spat but the king would like a word with you" the person sneered.

"Heather?!"