Blamed

Chapter 18

Soon, we made it to the cabin and the sight before me confused me. Ophena was pacing back and forth, snarling and growling at Crimson as she sat on the last step on the porch. They both looked over at me as I began walking towards them and Crimson's eyes slowly trailed behind me.

"We have a problem." Ophena rushed out. My eyes floated over to Crimson, but her eyes were still glued on the vamp. He fidgeted beside me, the chains making soft clanks as he moved around.

"When did you get here?" I asked. She waved me off and cast a look back at Crimson. Her brown orbs looked dim and she looked completely drained. Her hands rested on her head, fingers weaving through her hair.

"That doesn't matter right now. Something bad has happened." Her eyes shifted to the vamp then back to me.

"The bloodsucker is fine," I reassured. A look of suspicion lingered on her face, but she didn't question it.

"I have a name, you mutt." He muttered. Ophena rolled her eyes.

"Harold has kidnapped some of my wolves. Two males, three females, and six children. I thought it had something to do with your... mate, but I see she's been with you the whole time." She gave me a look, but I ignored it.

"When did this happen?"

"Just a few hours ago. I tried to call, but it went to voicemail." I looked at Crimson and she glanced at me. A shrug shook her body and she leaned on the side of the railing that was hooked to the porch.

"What? I'm not an assistant. Answering other people's calls is not my job." She seemed to wheeze out. I stepped up to her and Ophena slowly moved out the way. I bent down on one knee and removed her hand from her head. Specks of yellow glistened in her eyes and she was breathing heavily.

"Karlos should be back with Julio later tonight. I can send some trackers out to search for them." I said. My knuckles brushed Crimson's jaw gently and her eyes fluttered.

"No. If we send more wolves, they're liable to get kidnapped as well. We need to go on our own." She growled out. I nodded, standing up. Crimson pushed herself up as well, but I laid a hand on her shoulder.

"You're not going. You need to stay here." I said sternly. She shook her head, shrugging my hand off. Her eyes clashed with my own and I could see a hunger in them.

"I have to go. It's the only way I'll be able to control this. I've been in one spot for too long. I'm not accustomed to so many lives around me." She admitted calmly. Leo growled slightly, glaring through my eyes.

'What if she is just using us? The vamp said that this is apart of her plan.' He pointed out. I bit my lip, my green orbs searching her brown ones.

'I don't think she is, Leo.' I breathed out, getting lost in the two seas of chocolate. The mate bond was becoming more unbearable each day. It was making me confused about most of my decisions and thoughts. I could sense it deep within me and no matter how much I told myself that I couldn't allow myself to go that far, my entire being yearned for me to do just that.

"Fine. Let's get a move on now then before it gets too late." She shook her head again and I blew out a breath.

"It's better to move at night. Broad daylight raises suspicion and they would most likely know where we're coming from. We can't go through the usual exit from here. We'll have to go through the lands of the Unwanted." She said. I shook my head, giving her a look.

"We are not going through that wretched land again," I growled out. Memories of being stabbed surfaced to my mind, angering Leo and me.

"Hey, watch it. That wretched land is where I stay." He hissed. Crimson nodded, crossing her arms over her chest.