AN OFFER SHE CAN'T REFUSE

Lost Little Pups

AUTHOR'S --THIRD PERSON POV:

David watched as Xander punched the bag in their private gym. He'd been watching his sons for a few days now—ever since their mate disappeared—and he was so broken for them.

"Xander!"

Xander stopped long enough to glimpse his father walking in, ready to practice.

"It's my fault," Xander said, "It's all my fault. She could be dead--or wandering the Shadow Realm, lost and alone."

David sighed, "Stop. It isn't your fault."

"She's gone, Dad—without a trace," Xander punched the bag a few more times, sweat pouring from him. He'd finally stripped off his shirt and David could tell he'd been out here for hours.

"We'll find her."

Xander stopped and sighed, "When? Where the fuck is the council on this?"

"Doing what we can, Xander."

"Doing what exactly?"

"Don't take that tone with me."

"Fuck this. I'm going out there again."

David watched as his son hit the showers and then made his way out of the gym.

Bear walked in and smiled, his grin fading as he saw David's face.

"Bear, where is she? My boys are so broken without her."

Bear frowned, "I know. I think Q swam a thousand laps yesterday because you forbade them from leaving the house."

"I have to protect my sons now," He told his friend, "Be ready to go to war."

Quinn jumped into the pool, swimming as quickly as he could back and forth and back and forth—lap after lap, into the early morning hours, passed midnight.

"Q!" Sebastian was calling to his brother, but Quinn had dove underwater. When he came up, he was face to face with Seb.

"Brother, you're killing yourself."

"I can't be out there so I have to do something!" Quinn growled, "I dreamed of her, Sebastian. Ever since we were kids. I thought about what my mate would be like, look like or how she'd make me feel. Sabrina makes me feel...like...."

"Your soul is on fire?"

"Exactly," Q said, "I know it's been a month, but every waking moment with her was intense—and when I'd watch her sleep, knowing those fucking mutts were right outside the property—I wanted so badly to hold her, make her mine for all eternity."

"She's coming back, Quinn, you've got to believe that," Seb said, "I can't lose hope because I have to deal with the three of you."

Xander poked his head in.

"I'm going to find her. If you guys are coming, let's run."

Q and Seb quickly joined their brother who was headed towards the game room to gather Hudson.

"Hudson! Earth to Hudson!" Seb waved a hand in front of his brother's face, but Hudson didn't even blink. He was holding the game controller and staring straight ahead at the television, but his character was dying over and over again.

"Hey!" Xander slapped his brother on the back of the head, "Snap out of it. We're going to find Sabrina."

Hudson was instantly alert.

"My mate?"

"Our mate," Sebastian kept reminding them.

"I went to her room last night," Xander said as they gathered some food and water, "I just miss her like crazy."