Antony's View

Four months have passed since that fateful night. I can still feel her lips on my own. Her hands running through my hair. "John...I can't stop. She has become my own personal nightmare and daydream. I had to see her at the gala. I just couldn't stay away from her. " I say my head in my hands. "Lili I am sorry." I whisper.

"Antony come on man. I'm sure she is fine. I'm sure she just pulled one of her many disappearing acts." Johns says placing a hand on my shoulder. "She's disappeared for longer periods of time before." I want so bad to believe him but I know something is wrong. I know I shouldn't have left her alone in that maze. I should have stayed with her. Protected her. Been for her what she needs in her life.

I stand up and look at my best friend. The only person who really knows and understands me. "I want our territory patrolled. In case she stumbles onto our land." I tell him and he simply nods. I want her found. I want to know she is safe. Be it with Eirik or not. I need to know. I have to make sure she is safe. John left the room to give my orders to the others. Her eyes haunt me every time I close my own eyes. Her voice calls to me any time I'm alone in the woods. Her scent fills my nose when I run with my pack. I am a man obsessed or posessed. Though, I know I will have to snap out of this soon. I can't leave my pack or my job. I have to nut up and deal with it. 'I swear I'll never stop looking for you.' I think to myself and walk out of my cabin out into the moon's bright light.

My pack is around me milling about. My boss knows enough of the situtation for me to take a vacation with pay. Hell, I have enough time built up in the company that I can stay out here for about a year. Still I know that I need to go back to work at some point. Help keep my mind busy. So I won't drive myself crazy thinking about her.

A month goes by with no a word about Lili. Still I keep my pack on alert. I am to be notified immediately if anything comes up. Sleep evades me most nights. My mind is turned on auto pilot a good majority of the time. Muscles working and moving from memory. How can memories that once brought me happiness now have become unrelenting nightmares? Her once happy face turning into a twisted version of what I remember her being. Her screams waking me from my sleep. Though, when I do wake, I find myself alone in my office, and in a cold sweat. Always in my office. Always in a cold sweat. I fear the worst for her. The fears are unrelenting. Haunting me at every turn.

I stare out my office windows overlooking a city that once brought me happiness. Now it makes my stomach twist in knots. It's as if the city itself reflects my pain. I stand here hoping, praying for any sign of her. John always brought me reports on the pack. I keep busy with issues here at the office. Day in and day out. It's my new routine now. My new normality. Mary and Jenny come to the office almost every night to bring me food. I know Jenny is miserable. Hell, it is my fault she is alone all the time. I don't care. It doesn't matter. All I want, all I care about is Lili. Jenny will stay in the office sometimes, begging me to come home. To come be with her.

"Please come home Antony. I need you. Our pack needs you. We need our alpha back." She pleaded.

"I know you do Jenny. I know you want me home, but-"

"But you want to stay here in case something happens. In case something comes up. I know I know. You are pulling away from me. You are getting further and further away from me Tony." She interrupts me. Tears starting to form in her eyes. She cries often, but I just don't care.

"You know I hate that name." I quip back in a harsh tone. Sighing I apologize softly. I know I should care that she cries. I should care, but I can't. I just can't stop thinking about Lili. I have to know what's going on and if she is ok.

She slides the rubbermaid container to me and I catch it. She walks to the door where Mary is waiting for her. "I love you." Jenny whispers quietly as she walks out. Mary comes up to me as I am sitting down in my chair. She walks up behind me and gives me a hug from behind.

"Not you too. Please I don't need it from you as well Mary." I say sighing and patting her hands.

"No Antony, I'm with you. I want her found. Do whatever you need to, to find her. I want Lili home. Safe and sound in her manor, room, apartment, where ever. I just want her home." She kisses my cheek softly.

"I will. I promise you, we will see her." I pause, stand up and hug her. "Have John call me as soon as you get home please."

Mary nods her head and hugs me back. I knw that her and I are in the same boat. Ever since the day we were told that she went missing. Mary turns and leaves me alone with my demons. Alone again in my office. The moon shinning bring in the night sky. Casting an eerie glow inside my office. I sat there at my desk and ate what the girls had brought in for me. After I finish up everything I look back out at city below me. I can't take it any longer I have to go and see Eirik. I have to go to Enigma. I grab my keys off my desk, and head out to the garage. Making my way through the hall I start becoming more and more irritated. With anger coming to full bloom as I reach my Porsche. Taking a few moments, I try to calm myself down before heading to Enigma.

The drive out to the club feels as though it is taking longer than it actually does. All I can think about is ripping his head off. If he has had anything to do with Lilianna's disappearance I am going to kill him on the spot. Finding the bar is easy, parking on the other hand is not. So, I decide I am going to park in the warehouse next to the club where most of the employees park. Getting out I see Henry standing by the entrance. I slam my door and lock the car with a click of a button. Marching up to Henry I grab him and slam him up against the wall. "Where is he?" I growled. Henry just stares at me. No expression. "I asked you a question..." I slam him against the wall again. Still no reaction. "Blood sucker." Still he gives me no answer. "I know you heard me. I asked you a question Henry. Where in the f*** is that POS bloodsucker you call a boss?" I can feel my wolf stirring wanting to be let loose.

"He's indisposed at the moment. I would suggest though wolf..." He pauses emphasizing the word wolf. He knew what I was just as I knew exactly what he was. "That you leave and come back later when you've calmed down. I'm sure by then Eirik will want to talk to you."

"What do you mean he is indisposed? He's never too busy to talk with me." I asked letting him go.

He straightened his clothes and looked back at me. "I mean he has been missing since Lili went missing. Apparently his old flame has taken him prisoner. I just stand there while he talks. "You're not the only one who is looking dog." He continued and went back inside the bar.

I can't believe what I'm hearing. So both of them are missing? Did they run off together? Could what John said be true? Did Lili and Eirik pull a disappearing act together? A million questions start racing through my head as I try to figure out what's happened to the two of them. I know something isn't right. So etching deep down is telling me Lili is in some kind of trouble. I just wish I knew where the hell she is being held.

**Eirik's POV**

"Come on my dearest. We use to be seen as gods among our kind. Now look at you. Pinning over a human woman. She is food and nothing more. " Jacolynn says to me. Chains of silver wrapped around my wrists, torso, and legs. She at least made sure none of the silver touches my skin.

"I do not love you. I do not want you. You have become something of a shell. A shell of a woman I once loved. What you do, what you are now is nothing but a monster. I only see death and destruction when I look at you now." I can hear the pity in my own voice. She has truly become a monster. Yes she is beautiful. Just as beautiful as I remember the day I met her oh so many years ago.

Jacolynn slaps me throwing my head to side. I can taste my own blood. "LIAR!" She screams. "I know you still love me. I know you still want me."

"No I do not. I love Lilianna."

Again she slaps me. " Fine we'll see just how much you love her when I show you her corpse." She says sauntering off towards the door. A playful tone about her voice.

"What have you done to her?" I yell trying to move, trying to get free so I can show this crazy psycho bitch who has the real power.

"Me?" She asks, acting innocent. She dramatically put her hand over her chest. "It's not me who will make her a corpse. It is her new master that will do it."

"Where is she? What have you-"

"I took care of your little obsession. Moved her out of the way. So we can be together again. So we can rule like we use to." She says this as she moves in a blink of any eye to grab me by my throat. She smiles sweetly. Or well what she thinks is sweetly. To me, she just looks like an evil snake waiting for its prey.

"I would rather die tonight than spend another second with you. I will never love you again. I loved you once yes, but never again. You are a misreable memory, and I will keep you that way." I spit the venomous words in her face. She just looks at me and I see her smile falters ever so slightly. I just sit here waiting to see what Jacolynn is going to do. Be it she kill me now. Hell, I'd rather die with the knowledge of Lili's love than ever be with this crazy bitch. She just simply releases my throat and walks out of the room. Leaving me to own thoughts. She plants a seed in my mind and lets it torment me. She leaves me in a windowless room. Making sure I can't tell the time. I loose track of how long I sleep or if I'm going to sleep at any particular time.

I didn't know how long I'd been there. The only way I could tell that it was a new day was by my daily blood supply coming in. Always a young man. I had to hand it to Jacolynn, she always was the jealous type. She comes in every so often when blood is brought to me. Knowing that I don't have to be let free of my restraints but she gives me the courtesy nonetheless. Insisting that she watches me to make sure I don't escape. I should have left her to Elizabeth when she was suspected of being a witch.

Another night Jacolynn comes into my room again. "Good evening lover. Has your time alone done anything to chnge that beautiful mind of your?" She asks as she sits herself into my lap. She had my restraints removed. Though, this time there was no blood donar.

"No!" I growl through gritted teeth. "No amount will ever change my mind. You can starve me and leave me in this place to rot out the rest of eternity. I will NEVER be with an evil wicked bitch like you."

"Too bad. And here I thought you would do ANYTHING for your Lilianna." She purrs as she removes herself from my lap.

In a blink of the eye my hand is wrapped around Jacolynn's throat. "Where is she you psychopath?" I demand from her. A smile grows on her face.

She removes my hand from her throat. "You know I like it rough baby." She kisses my lips and I push her back.

"Jacolynn. I suggest you tell me where the hell Lili is. I know you know where she is."

"Join me and your dear Lilianna will be fine. I promise she will be dropped off back at her home to live the rest of her life without fear or harm."

"Let me go, tell me where Lili is, or I will rip your throat out. Then I will feed your rotted corspe to your dogs. NOW LET ME OUT YOU POSIONOUS BITCH!" I scream the last sentence. Wanting to make my point clear.

She just looks at me in mock shock. I know the wheels are turning in her head. She knows I mean what I've said, and that I will do exactly what I've said if she doesn't comply. " Well that was a beautiful threat. The old you coming out. I guess you haven't lost your old ways after all. Though, I'm afraid Lili's new master will be pleased to hear that he will get to keep his new pet. I'm sure they are having a lot of fun together." She says and snaps her fingers. Another servant comes into the room and waits for her orders. " Mr. Venandi needs some more time to himself. Make sure he is properly restrained. Oh and no blood until I feel he needs it. Let's grant his wish."

"Yes mistress." The servant walks oer to my chair and motions for me to sit. I take my seat and the servants does as he is bid by his mistress.

"You are a deciteful poisonous bitch."

"Yes you've said that already. Please do try to come up with something new." She says and leaves me.

Alone yet again. Alone with my demons, taunting me about my poor Lilianna. It pains me to imagine the horrors she must be going through. She must hate me for being kidnapped again, and to be in the situtation she is currently in. I should have never left her alone. I should have been there to protect her, keep her safe. She depended on me. God knows what she thinks of me now. I have to get out of here and find her. I need to stop beating myself up for all this and blame the real person at fault. Still, I need to find a way out. I need to make my escape and rescue my beautiful Lilianna. Even if she hates me forever, I still need to bring her back home.

As more time goes by, I start to see less and less of Jacolynn. The knowledge of not knowing what's going on is driving me insane. My need to know where my Lilianna is makes my blood boil. Her memory keeps my spirits up to stay alive. I have to find her. I pray Henry and the others are out looking for her. I'm sure he's realized something is a miss since I haven't been around for what I suspect is at least a few months.

One night, a knock sounds out the door. A young woman opens the door and walks in with an off white letter in her hand. She looks up at me with unnatural green eyes. She's timid and shy. "You're free sire." She tells me. I can tell she is one of Jacolynn's many servants. She comes over to me and removes my chains. I stand up for the first time in months. Stretching my muscles from being in one position for so long.

"Where is your mistress?" I ask polity.

"She is out sire. She left you this note." With a shaking hand she hands me a piece of folded up parchment. Her wax seal in blood red wax. I open it hastily. ' My dearest Eirik. I am letting you go home for now. I will come to you in four months for you to join me once again. I suggest you get everything in in order. With all my love. Your humble servant J

PS As an added bonus I will let your little blood bag go if you conceded and join me.'

I see red instantly. Jacolynn knows exactly where Lili is. I throw the note to the floor. "Tell your mistress that I will never join her. Not if she were the only woman left alive. I would rather die first. She means nothing to me." The servant just stares at me unflinching. No expression on her face.

"Yes master. As you wish."she says quitely.

I push past her and head out of this hell hole. She always had expensive taste. That showed in all the things hanging on her walls. Along with, the things that were scattered around her home. I look for a any door that I could use to leave. Anything to escape and find my Lili. Staying with this monstrous woman would mean my Lili is safe, but I've had months to choose. Now I have four months to find out where she is hiding Lilianna. "Lili I'm so sorry. I should have never left your side." I say to myself. As if it's a prayer that she will somehow hear. Finally making my way outside I feel the cool air hit me. "That woman kept me from the middle of winter to now what I'm assuming is the possible end of spring." The air is warmer than what it had been that night I lost Lilianna. I shake my head.

Quickly I find one of the many vehicles on property and take it. I have to get back to the city now. I have to got through a lot of paperwork. It's still dark so I have plenty of time to get to my manor from where ever the hell I am. Judging by the woods along side the road. I can only assme that I am somewhere up north from the city. I head south and start towards Enigma. Henry can help me find what I'm looking for hopefully.

In no time I'm at the bar pulling into the garage, and make my way upstairs to my office. Quickly I start going through old paperwork about any property owned by our kind. No one specific just records of property to know who is where in case something happens to someone. Mostly just the council members, but I have picked up a few others. I'm praying Jacolynn's properites are in these files somewhere. Maybe, just maybe, I can find out where she is hiding Lilianna, and bring her home.

"EIRIK!" I hear my name being called and see Henry. Startled awake I look at the clock on the wall ticking away as time slips past. Every minute counts in this. I look around myself at the stacks of paperwork.

"What is it Henry?" I ask exasperated.

"I'm just checking on you. You've been back a week and all you have done is go through old paper work. You need to get some real rest. Not these little power naps you've been taking here and there." He says leaning against the door frame. The club already shut down for the night.

I know I can trust Henry to take care and run the bar. With him doing that, it leaves me more time to rummage through stacks of paperwork to see if I can locate any of Jocelynn's property in the near by areas. I know she has to be hiding her near by. "Yes and you're point is what?"

He looks at me concern etched on his face. When I first got back Henry had informed me about what happened with himself and Lili. He felt that her disappearance was his fault. Since he was the last one to see he. I explain to him that it wasn't his fault. That we should not have even gone that night to the gala. Still, I know he felt at fault. "We are starting to become concerned for you. Please let me or someone help you. Just tell us what we can do. You know we will serve you no matter the cost. Especially when it comes to her. We love her too. She's family." He emphasized the last word. It hurt thinking about Lilianna, and the pain she could be going through while we are here trying to find her.

I run my hands over my face. I am starting to feel exhaustion set in with this, but I have to do it. "I know... I know you want to help, but honestly there's nothing here. I know Jacolynn better than anyone else. I know she is hiding Lilianna somewhere on one of her many properties. I just don't know which one at this moment. Hell she may not even be on one of Jacolynn's property. She could be anywhere really. However, I know Jacolynn has her close by." The words leaving my lips are painful. I can hear the angst in my own voice. I want her back. Her warmth when she lays next to me. Her smile lighting up my darkened world. Her laughter that filled the air with its own joy. I fear I will never hear it again.

"We will help you Eirik. Just tell me what I can do." I hear Henry say and I don't hear him. Lili's face is all I can see. Her voice all I can hear. I had to find her. I hang my head letting it rest in my hands.

"Find anyone connected to Jacolynn who may have gotten a new pet. We find him we will find Lili. If you hear anything let me know immediately."

"Right. I'll pass the word around and see if I can drum anything up." He says. I see him physically relax a little and smile.

*** Antony's View ***

"Antony come on brother. You can't keep doing this." John says holding me up. I'm completely fubared. Hell, I can barely remember my own name. Yes, she is still haunting me. The weather has turned hot. Summer in full swing and in its last months. Then autumn then winter. Winter making it a year since she has been gone if we haven't found her by then.

"Six months...six fucking months with no word, no even a whisper John." I slur my words and stumble about with John trying to keep me upright. We made our way down the busy streets of downtown to his waiting Suburban.

"I know man I know. Come on lets get you home. I'm sure Jenny is worried sick about you." He says stuffing my drunk self into the SUV.

"All that girl wants is to be alpha female." I say harshly and matter factly. I had learned the truth not long after Lili had disappeared. I had over heard her talking to someone about her ambitions. I hated her in that very moment. "Fuck it. I don't care. I will...*hiccup* I will...*hiccup* never love anyone...like I do Lilianna. I need her back." I say as the hiccups start. I hope that if I drink enough I will forget her, forget my pain. It's never enough though. I may pass out, but it's never enough.

"I'm taking you home. I suggest you sober up some before you say something you will regret to the wrong person." John says as we start from downtown towards my apartment.

"Why..." I yawn "I don't care. Let everyone hear me about that stupid bitch." I turn my head to the side and almost immediately fall asleep. I let the darkness consume me. Drowning out everything around me. Praying she isn't in my dreams waiting for me. Since leaving Enigma I'd put on a front for as long as I possible could. Trying to forget Lilianna. I'd all but given up hope completely. Only my inner most circle continued the patrols of the territory. Jenny...poor Jenny. I threw her to curb when I heard her traitous words. Now, now I am trying with her. Trying to forget what she said. Trying to see is she really wants to be with me or if she just wants the power and prestige that comes with being mated to an alpha. I'm gonna give her a chance to do the right thing. Hell, I even proposed to the girl, before I overheard her conversation, and still let her keep the ring. She doesn't know I know. Still, though I have seen a change in her that doesn't match what she said. So, I'm giving her a chance to prove to me she loves me. Sometimes though, late at night, my pain and the dreams become too much. My façade starts to crack. When the cracks start to show in my mask, heavy drinking ensues shortly there after.

The smell of coffee and breakfast cooking fill my nose. I know I'm at home and Jenny is down stairs cooking. I stretch out and feel the start of my hangover. My head starting to pound. This time, it isn't as bad as the others. Maybe I shouldn't drink so much and these things won't happen. I find myself still in my clothes from last night. I know today I don't have any work to do. I have the day off basically. I walk myself right into the bathroom, take care of pressing business and jump into the shower. I let the room fill completely with steam before getting underneath the relaxing spray. The water seemed to ease away the tension and stress in my muscles. Quickly, I wash off and towel off. I'm starving and want breakfast. Today is going to be a good day if it kills me. I figure Jenny and I can pack a lunch and go out to the cabins. Just the two of us and spend some real quality time together. Get away from everything that surrounds us here. Smiling I quickly got dressed and went down stairs to make all the preparations to surprise my beautiful fiancé. Then the two of us can have a serious conversation about what is expected of our relationship.