Blood Enigma

The Cursed Blood

Early in the morning, Kenneth awoke, feeling the lingering effects of a passionate night with Ethan. Their reconciliation had culminated in an intense and exhaustive lovemaking session that lasted until dawn. Now, Kenneth was plagued by severe lower back pain, which he rubbed briskly while wincing.

He staggered to the bathroom to brush his teeth, but was suddenly overtaken by nausea, vomiting into the sink. Was the intensity of the night's activities making him ill?

Glancing at his disheveled reflection in the mirror, Kenneth tried to dismiss the discomfort and took a quick shower. After brushing his teeth and dressing for school, he attempted to make Ethan breakfast—eggs and pancakes with maple syrup. However, the sight of the food only made him feel queasier, prompting another rush to the toilet to vomit.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" he muttered, wiping his mouth as he prepared to leave for school. Grabbing his bag, he set out into the quiet streets.

As he walked, Kenneth noticed a black van trailing him. When he turned to check, the van came to a stop. Growing alarmed, he broke into a run, but the van matched his pace. In a panic, Kenneth tried to call Nicholas for help, but stumbled and fell. The van seized the opportunity, and men rushed out to subdue him. Despite his struggles, they overpowered him, forcing him into the van.

They used a potent scent to incapacitate him, causing Kenneth to lose consciousness as the van sped toward Wallace Manor, the town's most opulent estate.

Ethan woke up in their apartment, groggily stretching and rubbing sleep from his eyes. Noticing Kenneth had already left, he saw a slew of missed calls from Nicholas. Remembering their passionate night together, Ethan texted Nicholas to apologize for missing the calls and asked what was wrong. His phone rang just as he headed for the bathroom.

"Nick?" Ethan answered, surprised to hear a frantic Nicholas on the other end.

"Where is Kenneth?!" Nicholas demanded urgently. "Don't let him out of the apartment!"

Confused, Ethan replied, "Kenneth isn't here. I just woke up, Nick."

Nicholas's frustration boiled over. "What the hell, Ethan! I've been calling you both all night and got no response!"

Ethan's concern grew. "Calm down. What's happening?"

Nicholas's voice was tight with anger. "Mom found out last night and confronted me. Kenneth is in danger if she gets to him first! Let me know if you find him. I'm heading to your school now."

Ethan swore under his breath. "Shit!" He grabbed clothes in a frantic rush, bolting out of the apartment. He scanned the streets desperately for any sign of Kenneth, but the area was eerily empty. Ethan sprinted through the neighborhood, heart pounding with fear, praying he wasn't too late.

Meanwhile, Nicholas arrived at Kenneth's school, frantically questioning classmates about his whereabouts. No one had seen him, which was unusual so close to the start of classes.

"Shit!" Nicholas muttered, anxiety knotting in his gut as he realized the urgency of the situation.

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Kenneth awoke, groggy from the drug that had been administered to him. The haze of disorientation quickly turned to panic as he realized he was bound and gagged. Struggling against the ropes, he felt the terror rise in his chest, his muffled cries echoing in the oppressive silence.

"So this is Ethan's mate," Amelia's voice sliced through the darkness, cold and calculating as she circled him. "A man, and clearly not from a prominent Lycan family. Must come from humble origins."

Kenneth's heart pounded as he strained to locate her voice, piecing together the horrifying reality. It had to be Amelia, Ethan and Nicholas's mother, finally catching up with him as the brothers had warned.