Chapter 2
I hear the crashing noise coming from a few doors down form us in the mansion. As soon as I hear it I jump up and look at Adam. We both immediately get out of bed and run down toward the noise that we heard. It came from Peri's temporary room in the mansion, for her to recuperate after the long night that we had yesterday. Some powerful force has blown through the door to the room. We run into the room to see if anyone is badly injured. When we get inside, there is no one in the room. No Peri. I could've sworn that she had decided to stay over tonight. I begin to worry, knowing that her maniac sister that is intent on destroying her is still lurking about. I hear the other pack members that also heard the crash behind us as they entered the battered remains of Peri's temporary room. When our alpha, Vasile enters the room we can feel the waves of power rolling off of his body as he commands to know what is going on. I try and fight the urge to immediately drop to my knees, but his power is too strong. He is still on edge after losing his mate last night, due to Peri's crazy sister. Although I try as hard as I can nothing can stop me from kneeling and bearing my neck to my alpha. Adam does the same, even though he is not Canis Lupus. Vasile is easily the most powerful alpha in the entire world, with great strength, leadership and judgment. Yet at this particular moment he is barely in control of his wolf. "What has happened here? Where is Peri?" he asks as he gains control of his wolf. "We do not know, Vasile. When we arrived here the room was in shambles and there was no sign of Peri anywhere." I answer as I stand up from my kneeling position. "It must be Lorelle. Adam, can you track them?" Vasile asks as he turns to me.
Adam
I try and sense Lorelle or Peri's magical trail, but come up short. "I can't find anything." Whatever trail there was, we've already missed it, either that or Lorelle is somehow masking it. I have no idea how she could possibly accomplish that, but I know that her hatred for her sister has made her do some insane things. I look at Crina and think all over again how close I came to losing her because of Lorelle's insane and unreasonable hatred for her sister. I turn around and see the look on the alpha's face; I can tell that he's concerned about Peri. "We must find her. She has proven time and time again that she is a friend to the wolves. Adam, can you think of any place that Lorelle would take Peri?" I try and think like a manic rogue fae and figure out where I would go if I were on the run. I have lived many centuries and seen many things and learned of terrible realms with terrible creatures. The only place that came to my mind at the moment was the worst place in existence. This place could make you see things, your deepest darkest fears. Sometimes even things that you didn't know you feared until they came alive right in front of your eyes. The In-Between. Recently my mate and I have had some uh…run ins with this particular place. But knowing Lorelle, she wouldn't take her there, seeing as we know the way out. Where else could she be? It's weird, as I try to think about another place that they could've gone I keep getting this feeling like I'm coming close to something and then I just blank on it and forget what I was last thinking. I look up at my alpha and answer honestly "I have no idea where she could've taken Peri, alpha." But for some odd reason as soon as I said that the words sounded false. Like a lie that I had no intention of coming out, that just left my mouth, like word vomit. What is happening to me? I question myself. And then I hear the voice. Not the voice of my mate, not the one voice other than mine that belonged there. It was her voice. Lorelle.
Chapter 3
Crina
Ever since what happened in Peri's room Adam has been acting strange. He's blocked me from his mind and keeps running his hands through his hair, a thing he does when he's nervous or anxious. I stare at him as he looks quietly out the window. The room is dead silent; the only sounds that can be heard are our breaths in and out. I stand up and gently place a hand on his shoulder. As soon as I touch him I feel the tense muscles in his shoulders relax and hear his sigh of contentment. I smile slightly, knowing that even though he's acting strange he still reacts the same when I touch him. "Adam, please, what's wrong? Why are you keeping me out?" I try and keep the hurt out of my voice, but from the look on his face I'm not doing a good job. He opens his mouth as if to speak, then quickly shuts it with a confused look on his face, as if he wanted to say something but physically could not. "I just…need some time alone for now. I'm gonna go for a walk" he says as he stands. When he stands my hand slowly falls off of his shoulder. I try to keep my feelings shielded from our mental bond as I feel the hurt of rejection come over me. I am his mate, the other half to his soul, his equal, he should be confiding in me, not keeping me in the dark. I want to voice these things, but deep down I am still afraid of the hurt his rejection will cause me. So, instead I watch, sad and dejected as the only man that I will ever love walks out of our room, confused and lonely. I sigh and sit down on the bed. Oh Great Luna, if we cannot communicate so early on in our relationship how can this ever last? I ask the Great Luna, the creator and the protector of the Canis Lupus.
Adam
I can feel the hurt that Crina radiates as I leave the room. It takes all of my willpower to leave her there, alone and hurt. But I have to figure out what's happening, how can I hear Lorelle's voice in my head? What's happening? You really don't know, do you? I feel a cold chill race down my back as I hear her voice. You, my dear High Fae have been put under a spell. What? How could that be? When? Oh, remember your brief stay in the In-Between? When you were all alone and defenseless? That's when. No. It couldn't have been…how could that be you wonder? Don't worry about the specifics; just know that it has happened. And ever since this little spell has been placed on you I have had you completely under my control. I'm using you as a sort of spy. This way I know everything that the wolves are planning and will always be a step ahead, without putting myself in danger. As for you, you cannot breath a word of this to anyone. When I say anyone, I mean anyone, including your precious mate. Why all the secrecy? As you know, there are vast amounts of realms and infinite worlds within these realms. My goal is to find the opening to the world that belongs to the Dark Fae.