Claimed

Chapter 57: Triggered

Ben's POV:

TW: Blood, gore, and death ahead. Read with care or you can read the summary in the a/n 💜

Autumn was my favorite season. Sophia's scent reminded me of fall, so the smile that formed the moment I woke up and breathed her in was so natural, it was almost an automatic response. A breeze drifted over my face, the blanket soft over my and Sophia's naked bodies. We stayed at her gazebo, put blankets down inside and fell asleep after several rounds of celebrating. Our completed bond was a steady, assuring hum in the back of my mind. My arms tightened around Sophia, and I drew her up from my chest, burying my face in her hair. I sent a gentle caress down our bond and she stirred, mumbling something and burrowing into my neck, her lips grazing where she'd marked me.

Marked me. She was mine. Forever. My mate.

"Sophie," I whispered, nuzzling against her ear.

She groaned and snuggled against me, her bare skin warm against mine. "I'm not a morning person, mi cielo. Have mercy."

I chuckled and nuzzled against the mark, placing a light kiss there. "What if the morning includes you laying back and relaxing while I taste you?"

She lifted her head, a smile forming, but the smile fell and she whimpered, dropping her head to my neck.

"Sophia." I flipped us over and cradled her head, heart pounding at the pain I felt traveling through our bond. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know," she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut. "Goddess, I feel like I'm hungover. Or drugged."

My brows furrowed. "You only had one drink."

"I know." She massaged her temples, wincing. "I'm so out of it, though. My head's all fuzzy, and—"

Our yelp was simultaneous. My new connection to Red Claw pack was throbbing in pain.

Sophia's eyes snapped open and she scrambled to stand. "Ezra. Something's wrong with Ezra."

Clumsy was not a word I'd ever associated with my mate. She was always graceful, her movements confident, but right then she could barely stand and when she did, she stumbled, struggling to get her clothes on. Jumping to my feet, I slipped my arm around her waist. "Sophie, stop. What's going on? Are you sick?"

"I don't know." She rubbed her hands over her face, shaking her head. "I don't know but it doesn't matter. Something's wrong with Ezra, Ben." Her voice cracked and I pulled her to my chest. "Something's wrong. I have to get to him."

"You're not going to make it like this," I said, catching her when she almost fell again. "Let's call and talk to someone there."

Except no one answered. Sophia bit on her nails as I called every single ranked wolf, Darius, Ezra, Levi, Noah, then all the ones in Blood Moon... No one answered. We were at least two hours away, even if Sophia could run at full speed and there was no way she could.

"I have to go. I have to." She held onto the gazebo for support but still swayed. It didn't make sense. She only had one drink and I knew that because when she got it, she made a point to wink at me and say she was only having one because she wanted to have me later.

Once I yanked on clothes, I gathered my dizzy mate in my arms. Fear slammed in my chest, making my heart pound. Why was she sick and what was wrong with Ezra? Why was no one in Blood Moon answering? "I'll carry you."

Running as fast as I could wasn't fast enough. Halfway there, against my better judgment, I let her down when she told me she was okay enough. She was still unsteady, but it didn't slow her down. She sprinted through the trees and I did my best to catch up to her. The closer we got, the more unpleasant scents started. Something rotting, and coppery.