The Mysterious Luna
Chapter 71

Jessica POV

The pain was excruciating, like someone pushed their hand through my chest and ripped my heart out. I could barely move from where I sat on the ground.

“Where is he?” I shouted repeatedly, but no one answered.

I tried to mine-link him, but didn’t get a response.

My hand instantly reached for my mark and I brushed my fingers over the raised scar tissue. I was sobbing uncontrollably, not able to process what was happening. I could still feel him, but I wasn’t sure if it was my mind playing tricks on me.

“It’s going to be ok.” My mother soothed, as she rocked back and forth holding me in her arms.

“Do you think he’s really gone?” I asked and my voice was barely above a whisper. Just the thought was destroying me.

“Until I see it for myself, I won’t believe it.” She replied in a stern voice.

“Do you think Gretchen did something?” I asked, while wiping my tear stained cheeks with the back of my hand.

“I do. She’s hellbent on hurting me, what better way to do that than go after you and Colton. The people I love the most in this world.” She replied and I looked at her face to see tears running down her cheeks.

“Oh my goddess, Jess! I’m so sorry.” I heard Sam’s voice and turned to see her running towards us.

“He’s not dead.” I said firmly, while standing from the ground. I still felt the pain in my heart, but sitting around wasn’t going to help anything. Sam wrapped me in her arms and I saw pity in her eyes.

“Colton’s strong and a fighter, you’re probably right.” Sam replied.

“Where’s Josh?” I asked, while pulling away from the embrace.

“After he opened the safe room and let us out, he stormed off towards Colton’s office. I don’t think he’s taking things very well. I tried to talk to him, but he practically ignored me.” Sam replied in a sad tone.

“Let’s go replace him.” I said and we all started walking towards the pack house.

We reached Colton’s office and the door was wide open. I walked in and found Josh speaking to someone on the phone.

“Just call me if you see or hear anything. Thank you.” Josh said, before hanging up and letting out a heavy sigh. He ran his fingers through his hair and wouldn’t make eye contact with me. I could see so many emotions in his face, he looked angry, sad, frustrated and concerned.

“I’m sorry Jess, I should of followed him. This is all my fault.” Josh blurted out and I could see the pain in his face.

“It’s not your fault Josh and I don’t believe he’s dead. Unless I see his body, I won’t believe it.” I replied, while wrapping my arms around Josh and giving him a comforting hug.

Our conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. We all turned around to see who it was. There were two warriors standing in the doorway with a somber look on their faces.

“Luna, Beta. I thought you guys would want to know, we found Alpha Philip’s dead body. His throat was ripped out and Alpha Colton’s scent was all over the place.” One of the warriors reported, before bowing his head respectfully.

“What about Alpha Colton? Any sighs of him?” Josh asked in a hopeful tone.

“No, sorry. There weren’t any other signs of him in the area.” The second warrior replied.

“Thank you, keep searching beyond the territory for any clues.” I said and they nodded before leaving the office.

“That’s a good thing.” My mother pipped up, causing all of us to look at her with confused frowns.

“How is that good?” I asked, while watching her intently.

“Well, clearly Colton killed Alpha Philip’s if his scent was all over the body. But the fact that his body wasn’t found, makes me believe that Gretchen teleported him somewhere away from the territory. She wouldn’t of bothered to move him, if she only intended to kill him.” My mother replied and what she said made sense. If Gretchen did kill him, wouldn’t she want to rub it in our faces? Leave his body for everyone to see? I thought to myself.

“What about the pain we felt?” Josh asked with his own frown.

“She’s a witch, that could of been her manipulating your thoughts. Trying to make the entire pack believe he’s dead.” My mother replied and I saw hope flash across Josh’s face.

“But why? What could she possibly want with him?” This time Sam asked, making me think about her question.

“Heather.” I mumbled the name, but more to myself. Everyone’s attention turned towards me.

“What about Heather?” My mother asked.

“She’s obsessed with Colton. Never could accept his rejection. I bet she’s got something to do with all this.” Josh replied for me and I nodded in agreement.

“Where would they take him?” I asked, while racking my brain for any clues.

“I don’t know, but we should send a team of warriors to check Alpha Philip’s territory. I doubt they would take him there, but we should still rule it out.” Josh replied and I nodded.

“Peter is coming with some of his men. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind doing that when they get here.” My mother replied.

“Ya, if he can do that, we can focus on searching other places.” I replied.

We all turned towards the door when there was another knock. This time, Kyle stood in the doorway.

“Luna. I’m really sorry ab…” Kyle started to speak and I cut him off.

“Don’t. He’s not dead.” I replied sternly and I saw the pity on his face. I had to avert my eyes, I hated that look. It was like he thought I was in denial, but my mother was right, he’s not dead until I see his body and I’ll keep reminding myself of that.

“How many men did we lose?” Josh asked and I was grateful for the subject change.

“16 dead and 32 injured.” Kyle replied.

“How many prisoners?” I asked, knowing that some of Alpha Philip’s men had surrendered.

“19” Kyle answered.

“I just got a mind-link from one of the border patrol warriors. Alpha Peter and his men just crossed onto our territory, he’s been instructed to meet us in the office.” Josh advised and I saw my mothers face light up.

A few minutes later, Alpha Peter walked through the office door, accompanied by some of his men.

“Thank goddess you’re ok.” Peter sighed in relief, while wrapping his arms around my mother in a tight embrace.

“I’m fine.” She replied, but neither of them were letting go of one another. Watching them made me long for my mate.

“If I had known they were attacking so soon, I would of gotten her sooner.” Peter said, while glancing at me and Josh apologetically.

“It happened fast, we appreciate that you’re here now.” I replied with a head nod.

My mother and Josh started to explained everything that happened to Peter. I stepped out of the office, needing a minute to myself.

Please goddess let my mate be ok. I silently prayed, while a single tear ran down my cheek.

————

Alpha Colton POV

I was about to run back towards the main fight, when I heard a noise behind me. I quickly spun around, thinking maybe some of Alpha Philip’s men followed us. I was surprise to see a woman in her mid 40’s watching me. She had a slight resemblance to Beth and Jess making me think she must be a relative. She had a wicked smirk on her face, as she walked towards me.

“Alpha Colton, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” She taunted.

“I can’t say the same, Gretchen.” I replied, spending extra time enunciating her name.

“What gave me away?” She pouted, stopping only a few feet away from me. We hadn’t met before, so she probably was surprised that I was able to identify her.

She was close enough for me to grab her, but when I tried, I found myself frozen in my spot. I couldn’t move anything, not even a finger.

She laughed devilishly, while I struggled to break free from her hold.

“What do you want?” I gritted out.

“To make my cousin and everyone dear to her suffer.” She sneered, before making a pair of silver shackles appear out of thin air.

She quickly locked one around my wrist and yanked my arm around to my back. She grabbed ahold of my other arm and brought it back before securing my second wrist.

“I’m going to f*****g kill you, witch.” I spat out angrily, as the spell wore off and I started to regain control of limbs.

“Oh right, that reminds me.” She exclaimed and snapped her fingers, before mumbling something in a different language.

All of a sudden, I felt the most excruciating pain and fell to my knees. It felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. I g*****d in agony. If my hands were free, I would of been clutching my chest.

“What did you do?” I gritted out, I could feel the veins in my neck practically busting from how much I was straining from the pain.

“Don’t worry, I’m not killing, yet.” She taunted and paused before continuing to speak.

“It just feels like your heart is being ripped out, but it’s all for show. Your mate is feeling your pain right now, in fact, your whole pack is feeling your life fade away.” She explained smugly, clearly enjoying the power she held over me.

“She’ll know I’m not dead.” I replied angrily.

“Doubt it. Now, someone has been patiently waiting to see you. It’s rude to keep her waiting, shall we go?” She mocked and before I could even reply, she grabbed ahold of my arm. I felt a weird power rush through my body and within a matter of seconds, we were in a different location.

I blinked a couple times, while taking in my new surroundings. We seemed to be in the living room of a rundown house. The roof was leaking and the furniture was in rough shape. It was a small room with a fire place, a torn up couch, a broken coffee table and a few chairs scattered around.

“This was my childhood home. Beth and I use to play in here everyday together. It’s been abandoned since the the war that wiped out my kind.” Gretchen explained in a bitter tone.

“I can’t say I feel sorry for any of them.” She continued and chuckled dryly.

“Sit” She ordered, motioning towards a wooden chair and before I could even respond, my body was forced to sit. She had clearly used magic to make me comply.

She lifted her hands in front of her and a silver chain appeared. She used her magic to make it snake around my body, until I was completely motionless.

“My mate and pack won’t stop looking for me.” I growled.

“They’ll never replace you here.” She chuckled.

I heard a door opened and I immediately looked towards it. I can’t say that I was surprised to see her. Heather stood in the door way, with a smug look on her face. She was wearing a skin tight, short black dress and 6” black stilettos. Her outfit was completely ridiculous for this location, but I wasn’t surprised. She always wore slutty clothes.

“Well well well, fancy meeting you here, Alpha.” She mocked, while leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed over her chest.

“You’re pathetic, you know that? So desperate you need the help of a witch to get a man.” I spat out, causing her to glare at me.

“You killed my father. I initially didn’t want you dead, but now I’m not so sure.” She seethed, while slowly walking towards me.

“He was a coward and didn’t deserve his title.” I taunted. I could literally see the vein in her forehead pulsing. If looks could kill, I’d be dead.

“Calm down, Heather. He’s trying to piss you off.” Gretchen said, while rolling her eyes.

Heather started bickering with Gretchen about me and I took the opportunity to try and get in touch with Jess. I know the silver would make mind-linking next to impossible, but I still had to try.

‘I love you, Jess. I’m not dead. I’m in Gretchen’s childhood home. I hope you hear me.’ I said through our link, but didn’t get a response. I really hope our bonds strong enough that she can feel me and sense that I’m still alive. I won’t let this be the end.