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Ryder's POV
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I gather my food and head to the elevator. Luna Taylor forced me to leave the hospital to take a get some fresh air and eat. I've rarely left the room in the span of five months, only once a week to let my wolf run. These last few months have been absolute torture. My wolf and I have a strong bond with Ryka and her wolf. That bond being ripped away is devastating, I feel empty. She may not be my mate, but she is my best friend, and that says a lot. To see such a amazing warrior on her knees has crippled me. I don't know what to do except to live for my Pack, even if I've hardly seen them. Tomorrow, I plan to stay all day and bond with my Pack.
As I reach her door, a foreign smell invades my senses. Glass breaks, and an ear piercing scream follows. I bust into the room, only to find she's gone, a bloody note left in her place. I pocket the note and throw myself out the window, shifting as I fall three stories to the ground. The impact violently shakes me, glass cuts my pelt as I follow the scent. I chase the unknown scent, until it stops at a meadow. River howls in agony, a chorus of howls share the same emotion, though many are filled with rage. Pure determination fills me as I take off towards my pack.
"Kaleb, I need all the trackers in my office, now!"
"Yes Alpha." I sprint past awestruck pack members, reaching my office in record time. I bust into my office to find all my trackers packed inside. I rip the note out of my pocket, growling as I read the messy scrawl.
You should've watched her closer Alpha Sharp. You're childish mistakes have doomed her to a Hell on Earth. Even a warrior as strong as her can't survive The Shadow. I'll make sure to keep in contact with you. I'm going to have such a good time with your sweetheart. Sending you videos of me raping her and draining her powers will be so much fun. Oh, and don't come looking for me. It's useless, as you can't track darkness. Tata now!
My desk is flipped as a blinding rage fills me. A paperweight flies from my hand, almost decapitating a tracker. I throw the disgusting note on the floor.
"Find her! Now!" River uses his Alpha command on the trackers, many of them cowering in fear. In turn, they each smell the note and run out the door. I continue to destroy my office until a desperate call stops me.
"Alpha Sharp, do you have any leads?" Alpha Black links. I can practically smell him burning holes in his carpet from pacing.
"I have a note. I'm on my way with it. I just sent my trackers out." I shove Lauren out of the way, paying no mind to her mate growling at me. Shifting on the way out the door, I let River take full control.
"Hurry, we don't have much time."
"Kaleb, double the patrols, this can't happen again." As soon as I make it to the Black Paw Pack House I am overwhelmed with wolves.
"Alpha Sharp are you okay?"
"Is the pack falling apart?"
"What happened to the window?"
"Who screamed?"
"Get out of my way!" River throws everyone off him, not caring about what the consequences are. He takes the stairs two at a time, running into Kaiden on the way.
"Where's the note?" River shoves the note into his face, almost hitting his nose. Kaiden's eyes darken in rage. His breathing halts as he rips the note in half. I take control from River in order to have a civil conversation.
"Assemble your trackers. Have you increased your patrols?" He nods his head and stalks out of his office. I follow him to his meeting room, his trackers already gathered. He sits at the head of the table, explaining the plan and passing around the note.
"Alpha, What if we can't find her?" A small red haired girl asks.
"We will."
"But what if we don't?"
"We will not stop until we find her."
"But s-" I growl, cutting the girl off.
"You're either committed to this search, or you're a rogue. Which one will it be, pup," She bares her neck, causing me to growl in satisfaction.
"Go find her, now!" The trackers scramble out the door, leaving only Kaiden and I.
"Kaiden, we need to contact other packs. We should be using our allies." He scoffs and turns away.
"You said you would protect her! You promised! It's all your fault! If you hadn't left none of this would've happened!" His claws wrap around my neck as he pins me to the wall. I take a moment to assess him.
"Where were you? You could've been there. You could've protected her while I was gone. Oh, I know where you were, off in your own little world, fucking your mate. If you and Harley would quit going at it like bunnies, maybe you could get shit done around here! You've done nothing since you've been Alpha! All you do is get into petty fights like a child! You act like a pup, Kaiden! Man up and take on some responsibility! Your best friend just got kidnapped and I bet you were planning on going to 'blow off steam' with Harley when the trackers left! That's a disgrace! You're already a disgrace to the Alpha title and you've not even been one for a year yet! You may be able to sit back and let her die but I can't! Go fuck your mate, you're not good at anything else!" I shove him to the floor and storm out of the room.
"Alpha Sharp, I've caught the scent on the North Border!" My heart warms as I realize we have a chance.
"I will save you Ryka, just hold on. I'm on my way Sweetheart. I love you." I pray to the MoonGoddess that she hears.
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4/4/19
3/3/20
YOU ARE READING
The Heart of the Shadow
WerewolfI shift to my human form and walk over to the crumpled paper on the ground a few feet away. Grabbing only the corner when I see it is covered in wolf slobber. The handwriting on the page is almost illegible. I see you have your...
