Alpha's Mate (Completed)

Chapter 44

~Ryker POV~

''We're getting closer, over halfway there.'' I mind-link the pack. I wish that I had set one up with Kimbriella beforehand, or none of this would ever happened. But there was no sense in dwelling in the past when I had to chance to rescue her now.

''Alpha?'' Elison mind-links me hesitantly. It's fortunate that high-ranking members of the pack can set up their own personal mind-links without alerting the rest of the pack, because I can immediately tell that's something is wrong.

''I just learned from the Foster family that their daughter is missing. I think she could be a spy, and they could, at the least, be prepared for our arrival. At the worst, Kim is long gone.'' 

I release a long stream of expletives into the mind-link, making Elison wince. Growling, I inform the the rest of the pack to speed up. If feels good when they obey, trusting, instead of questioning my order. Out of nowhere, I stumble as the pain from earlier returns. It's all I can do not to collapse, but I can't stop. I won't stop.

''Ryker? Everything alright?'' Elison says, or rather, thinks, sounding concerned. 

''Mhm.''  I grunt. He silently moves over, offering a shoulder. I bristle with offense and move away. I don't need help. Of course, as soon as I do this, a stronger wave of pain hits and I stagger as I run, smashing into him sideways. He quickly braces to support me, helping me run. We've slowed back down to accommodate me, and this is unacceptable. ''Elison, help me go faster.''

''That's a terrible idea Ryker.'' He informs me, doing it anyway. We begin to pick up the pace again. Steadily, I increase speed, trying and failing to ignore the pain. I try to picture the face of my mate, using to spur me on.

There, on top of a hill, she stands. My beautiful, strong mate. I bound forward, pain forgotten, but still there. I reach her... and go through her.

My hind legs collapse from under me. Well, that explains why the pain didn't subside. The stupid  pain causing cruel hallucinations and playing with my emotions. The pain takes hold, stronger than before, and I whimper before I can steel myself, praying that no one heard my moment of weakness. 

''STOP!'' Elison says, causing the pack to a halt. Normally I would be furious, but I have no strength to be angry. I try to move, to find my feet, but Elison's strong paw holds me down. 

''Release me!'' I say commandingly. I can sense his internal struggle, what he believes  is right versus his duty to me as Alpha. After a few moments, his willpower wins. 

''You'll recover faster if you don't fight it, and be stronger for the battle.'' He argues, logical as always, a perfect balance to my impulsive nature, as most Alpha/Beta pairs tend to be. I reluctantly wait for the pain to stop, impatient. It takes three more minutes for it to disappears, I spring up with a snarl, sprinting down from the hill and not bothering to warn anyone.

They'll catch up soon enough. Determined, I push my legs to move as fast as they can. I must reach her, and if she's already gone... My legs feel weak again at the thought. I push that thought out of my mind and focus on the running.

~Kimbriella POV~

''Please tell me she's saying this as a cruel, sick joke, and the reason you aren't denying it is because it's such a ridiculous clam that you don't even feel the need to acknowledge it.'' Decker unplasters himself from the wall, still clutching his face. Ryan shrugs, not bothering to deny anything. I shift uncomfortably as the bones rearrange themselves in my arm. 

''I think you know the truth.''

''But... how could you? How could you lie, pin it on the Aldaine pack?''

Ryan laughs coldly. ''It wasn't that hard. You wanted to believe it, had been brought up with that hatred. It was simple matter to make you believe it.''

''I think you owe me an apology.'' I sing-song giving Decker a pointed look. I hide my grimace as the majority of the bone fragments snap back in place.

''Because this is a great time for that.'' Kaden speaks up, hiding his sarcastic smile, I glare at him.

''There will be no apologies! Since you know my plan, you all must die.'' He declares without remorse, shifting without warning.

I dive out of the way as the intimidating black wolf springs at me. I barely make it out of the way, his claws raking across the right side of my face as I dive left, seeking the protection, little though it may be, of the couch. I hiss as I press my fingers to my face and they come away red and bloody. On the bright side, the last small portion of my arm clicks back into place, and I can relax a little. 

Oh, wait, no I can't, because Ryker is coming for me again.

''A little help would be great!'' I yell before shifting as I roll away. My light gray fur bristles as I growl at him, baring my teeth viciously. He stands his ground, growling back. I make the first move, swiping at his face with a paw. The more experienced fighter by far, he sees this coming and bites my paw, making me yelp in pain. 

As he moves to attack me again, Decker leaps in from behind, attacking him with a scary frenzy that I definitely would not want directed toward me. I almost-almost-feel sympathetic for Ryan as he goes down beneath the claws of Kaden. That is, until he rears up, bleeding but strong enough to throw Decker of his back.

I move in to attack Ryan.. and tear into his side with my claws, digging out his flesh...