Fangs and Roses

Chapter Thirty-Three: Kingdom Reborn

Alexander Lykos

Blood dripped from my hands onto the floor of my study, some droplets outlining the shattered wood that laid scattered while the others stained the map that I had been pouring over. It has been one day since Sapphire's abduction, and we still had no leads to where Damien had taken her... there was nothing I could do till we found anything.

Jared, Angel, and my parents had volunteered to help everyone back into their homes as well as to oversee the patrol teams. Shadow Mountain was in utter chaos ever since Damien's forces had attacked... patrols teams were constantly watching our borders in case of a second attack, Jared had ordered recovery teams to retrieve the bodies of our dead for their families to identify, the Healers were overwhelmed by the number of casualties they had to treat, families were trying to gather all their living members to prepare for the funerals... it never seemed to end.

I had been cooped up in my study trying to search for a place that Damien might have taken her, but all my theories bore no fruit. All I seemed to understand was that he needed a large plot of land to house all the members from the three packs which ruled out all their original lands since none had the capacity to house so many people. My frustration eventually boiled over, resulting in the destruction of my table.

Tears soon joined the blood as they slid down my cheeks. I had promised Sapphire that I would never let Damien take her away... I failed her... I failed as a mate. I picked up the map from the floor, my hands shaking as I stared at all of my scribbles.

I should have known something was wrong.

Tear.

I should have been there with her.

Tear.

I should have protected her.

Tear.

I should have saved her.

The shredded pieces of the map floated gently towards the ground as I released them from my grasp. I stared at my bloodied hands, which had started to scab over... I did not even get to hold her before the attack, or even tell her that I love her.

A thump against my door jolted from my thoughts, the lock rattling as whoever was on the other side continued their abuse.

"Open up, Xander!"

The door shook again as the metal screamed in protest.

"Amelia, he is not ready--"

"Well, too bad for him! We should be working together to devise a plan to get my cousin back, not sulking in a room!"

"Amelia--"

Angel stopped as I opened my door, her mouth still agape as she stared at me in shock. I looked to her right to see Amelia and one of her members, who had been responsible for trying to kick in my door. She looked at her feet, avoiding my gaze while her Alpha's stare met it. Amelia rested her hand on a walking stick for support, but her gaze was hard and fierce. She hobbled up to me, and poked my in the chest.