Fated To My Lycan Stepbrothers
Chapter 181

Zeke's POV

I listened to Marley words again and I felt a bit was missing. To be frank, I had expected her to burst out emotions after emotions about how unhappy she was with my mate choice, but she has rather been... sobbing a lot of how things have gone because she wasn't paying enough attention, bla, bla, bla... It was getting tiring, considering the fact I have to console her. Although I was glad to have my attention on other things apart from the futile search. It was really getting to me now. Being able to calm Marley down and not add to her injuries, I placed her b**t gently on the rest beside me.

Before long, I remembered how late it was getting for the message to be here. I needed to know if my mate and friends were doing alright. My legs carried me back and forth in the manor, and my nerves on edge. The simple plan me and Kyle had set in motion was in full swing obviously, and Beta Brooke had fallen right into the trap.

The great plan was for him to follow Renée, use his knowledge of being captured before, hopefully get to where my mate was and care for her. Then he was to give the sign to the boys who would be where they could see him. With good strategic planning, Tim could figure out how to break in, Vic could create a distraction, and Sam would bring my mate home alongside beta Brooke to avoid mistakes.

That was it. Simple right? Well that was all it was in my head and I really hoped they were able to do that or at least we're halfway. Poor Tim, Vic, and Sam were out there, helping, and all I could do was await Sam's return for crucial information. It would be a shake if they were caught. Being caught was a terrible loss for us and it would only show Baron what we are planning.

Tim and the rest haven't been thought on how to withstand t*****e. They would spill before they even start. They just have to not get caught. None of them.

To me, time seemed to drag on forever. The manor went on with its duties, but only those around my quarters knew what was wrong. Any wrong move could alert the pack that Luna was missing, so we had to be discreet to make sure we found her and end it there. Lily has been asked to tell everyone to go home except the cook and cleaners who would clean after a muddy run or bleeding transformation.

The cook had one job and it was to cook for the guests. We were not to speak when they were around or show distress.

My major worry was the elders. Elder Freya could decide to visit today.

"I think she's having a lot of fun with Laura, so I don't think she will be here. She's actually quite dedicated to torturing. I can hear her screams."

I paused. "Really?"

"No." Flame deadpanned. "All I am saying is that she may not be here today and I totally understand."

I rolled my eyes, forgetting for a moment there was another being in my head. One that made stupid comments as he liked.

"Then we have Elder Rosalie, who wanted to teach Naya but never got the chance. They all will be here this morning to scrutinize my mate. The moon is tomorrow!" I nearly yelled, feeling distressed and out of my elements in a bad way.

"We can come up with a good excuse. Find Shadow, he is good at that." Flame suggested. I wasn't a very good liar, but my brother was and I wasn't shocked, Flame had called my brother, Shadow again. I love it. I was about to do so when the peace of the manor shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps, or rather pawsteps that echoed through the halls.

"Who is that?" Flame asked like he could see better than me.

I looked at the heavens. "Please, let it be the message to go ahead."

Marley sat upright, wincing when she hit a sore looking hand.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I am." She muttered, eyes still staring at the door. I was a bit observant of her restlessness. It could be due to her daughter's disappearance. I wouldn't put it past that.

Bang!

The door swung open, and Sam stumbled in, panting heavily. I could tell he has been running for a long time. He was in good shape anyway, so it wasn't hard for him to be the fastest in wolf cove academy. His fur was all disheveled, soaked in sweat, proving the incredible speed he possessed. I sighed in relief, eagerly awaiting the message. My eyes narrowed on his hands dramatically, my mate wasn't with him. Neither was the message Sam carried. "Sam?"

Sam quickly transformed. "I am sorry, alpha. It took a long time for Beta Brooke to communicate with us. He claimed he had to be extra careful." That was his cup of tea.

"Where is my mate? How is she?" I asked at once.

The room fell into a hushed silence and anticipation hung thick in the air like a dense fog.

"Em, I didn't get to see her, but from the look of things..." he took a deep breath to steady himself and his voice was a bit raspy from the exertion. "The plan worked, Alpha. Were ready to move. The Blood Moon wolves are distracted, and now's our chance to get Naya and Beta Brooke out of there. Our only chance. If we blow this up, it's over. Goddess! It's so hard."

Relief surged through me like a warm wave and I gave him a big peck at the side of his cheek to which he made a gross face. "Great job, Sam. You've proven again why you're the fastest wolf in the pack. We'll move when you're ready." It may not have been his first time at the field, but it was his first time at the Blood moon pack and he must have been so exhausted and scared.

"How was the blood moon pack?"

Sam visibly shuddered. "Scary and empty. I wondered where all of them had gone. How could they all be cupped up in their houses? It seems more like a prison to me, not being able to shift, but to receive permission first.

Goddess!" He exclaimed again. "And like, there are those crawling monstrous things. It's hard to believe they were once like us."

It wasn't hard to believe, because I have been there, but what had been hard for me to believe was the rate at which Sam spoke. It was as if he went on an excursion which was good in a way. I wouldn't want someone who's afraid on my team. As Sam and I dove into the details of the rescue plan, my attention was undivided as I absorbed every piece of information.

Sam, despite his obvious fatigue, tried to share his invaluable insights into the gothic castle's layout and potential setbacks.

Once we were done strategizing, I felt the need to check on Marley again. Her restlessness must not be seen by the others. Besides, she was no longer where I could see her.

The weight of her daughter's disappearance may have pressed down on her, but I was worse off and I found myself sharing in her pain. We were in a moment of vulnerability, we needed to comfort each other as she was my step mother.

"Marley?" I called out gently after dismissing Sam to give him a moment to catch his breath. Not hearing her response and fearing the worst, I quickly rushed into her quarters unannounced. That was a mistake because strong hands grabbed my cheek and she pressed her soft lips on mine like she has been deprived of me for so long. I was about to resist, when I felt this could be a temporary escape from the void left by Naya's absence.

"Wrong, Zeke, wrong. She is trying to mate you so that Naya would be repulsed when she gets back." Flame screamed in my head, causing me a headache. "If only we are officially mated as a ritual, you would feel your guts tear up inside and puke painfully. I hate that we still feel warm after this kiss."

A desperate howl of pain tore out from my throat, our connection faded, and a heavy shadow loomed over my thoughts. An unsettling feeling crept in, and a pang of guilt twisted in my gut. It was an override and I felt it both from Kyle, and Naya, coupled with Flame's.

Kyle burst into the room immediately, catching me and Marley in our position in my arms. The howl must have brought him here as well as alerted over two hundred wolves in the pack of my agony, pain and anger of losing my mate. Coming to my senses, I shoved her back. Hard.

"What's wrong?" Kyle eyed the both of us suspiciously.

I blamed it on Flame who had to project his painful thoughts to me and make me howl. Damn, now I feel guilty like 100 times over.

I pulled him out, ignoring a shocked and hanging Marley.

Kyle was quick to mention. "Something's wrong with Marley, Bro...something isn't right with her. I reckon we will send her away. She is bad for our family. Isn't she giving you a tough time?" He wasn't trying to be direct with what he had seen. That was clever of him.