chapter 37

~Tessa~

Tessa felt like she was running through the forest for ages. She originally had Zander escorting her, but they have since been separated. Her instincts were screaming that something was wrong, and she felt like she was stuck in limbo. After deciding to mark each tree she passed, Tessa discovered she’s been following the same path for four laps now. This solidified her suspicions that magic was at play here. It had to be an illusion and she just needed to find her way back to her territory. The more concerning fact was that her link was cut off from the pack and Dainin. She could still feel their connection through the bond, but Tessa wished he were with her. She missed him more and more with every passing second.

Finding herself lapping the path for a fifth time, Tessa noticed the clouds finally began disappearing revealing a pale moon. It felt like she had just been pulled out of a haze. “Alpha! Are you there," Cadence’s voice screamed in her head, causing her wolf to wince and growl at the sudden intrusion, but they were grateful to finally hear her voice. “Yes, I’m here, but I’m afraid John is up to something,” Tessa responded, feeling relieved as the scenery was finally changing. “Is everything okay? Is everyone safe,” she asked in a rush as she made it closer to the clearing.

She could just make out a line of warriors patrolling the border. “Yes Alpha,” Cadence replied, “I doubled the guard but there have been no signs of an intruder or attack. You have been missing for over an hour. We couldn’t pick up your scent anywhere.” Tessa’s worry only grew with this knowledge. If this witch could trap her in a loop, hide her scent and cut off her connection to her pack, she was more powerful than they first believed.

When Tessa finally broke through the border she was met with howls of relief as Warriors came up to greet her. “I’m okay everyone. Great work but keep your guard up. Witchcraft was involved in my disappearance,” Tessa explained. The air surrounding them grew heavy as they connected the dots like she did moments ago. “We’ll beat this so don’t be discouraged,” she hoped her encouragement would keep their morale up. “If anything crosses the border, I want it captured and locked up for interrogation. Is that clear,” Tessa directed and took off toward the pack house after they agreed.

Cadence, Zander and Elijah paced the steps waiting for her to arrive. Tessa quickly shifted back to her human form as the three approached her. “Any word from Alpha Monroe and how his pack is doing,” Zander asked with his face filled with concern. Tessa’s expression remained grim as she shook her head in response. She could feel her stomach churning at the thought of anything happening to Dainin after what she did. “It’s too dangerous to send a scout alone to their territory. I wouldn’t feel right asking anyone to risk it,” Tessa looked to ground in thought, running her hand over her face.

She was considering a second attempt at going herself, but Tessa knew it would be selfish to put herself in such a dangerous situation when her pack needed her most. “Something has to be done,” her wolf anxiously stated. She knew they wouldn’t be able to concentrate without knowing White Sand was safe. “And Dainin,” her wolf pointed out the obvious.

Elijah cleared his throat stepping forward. “Alpha, you need to remain here where it’s safe. You’re their main target and the pack needs your leadership,” he said. Tessa knew the risks, but she could only think of making sure Dainin was alright. “I will go in your place Alpha. I’ll take a handful of warriors and we’ll report back immediately,” Elijah volunteered before Tessa could argue. Tessa paced in front of the group contemplating the outcomes but was pulled out of her thoughts when Elijah’s hands rested on her shoulders. He looked deep into her eyes and all she could see was courage. “Tessa, this is what all the warriors and I have trained so hard for. My life’s mission is to protect the pack and you. My Alpha,” he paused, taking a step back. “Please, let us do this,” he begged.

Tessa was moved by his words and she could feel a presence behind her. She turned around meeting the eyes of eight warriors, standing tall and ready to fight. “Elijah is right, and we have to have faith in our pack,” her wolf spoke with pride. “Okay. You all can go,” she stated, meeting their eyes with silent gratitude. “Stay together in groups no less than three. Understood,” she ordered. “Yes Alpha,” they replied before shifting and running toward White Sand. Tessa sent a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess to protect everyone from this evil they were about to face. "I bet she’s getting tired of hearing from us,” her wolf chided, which only earned an eye roll in response.

Tessa led Cadence and Zander to the large living area where the Alphas were gathered. Ronan was the first to approach her. “Thank goodness you’re alright. Where have you been,” he asked, looking her over for wounds. “I’m fine Ronan,” she stated, faking kindness. She couldn’t understand how she was his concern, especially after knowing she was mated to someone else. “If he survives this let’s hope he finds his mate so he can leave us alone," her wolf’s words were cold. The last thing Tessa wanted to think about was anyone on her side perishing in battle.

Shaking the dark thoughts from her mind, Tessa moved further into the room. “I’m sure you’re all wondering the same thing, so I’ll explain,” Tessa took in all their curious eyes, “This is only a theory, but I believe their witch trapped me in a time loop. No matter how far I ran it was the same path over and over again. I believe they also cut me off from my pack link, which is why I couldn’t get in touch with anyone,” she waited for shouts of outrage, yet only soft whispers could be heard. “We need to continue being on high alert,” she said/ “John seems to be putting his plan into action and we haven’t heard anything from White Sand since the exam ended,” Tessa stopped as a feeling of anxiety took over her body. Waves of panic surged through her making her heart race.

The Alphas watched in confusion as Tessa swiftly left the room. Cadence was right on her heels, sensing something was wrong. Disturbing visions began flashing through her mind, causing her to brace herself on the edge of the kitchen island. She soon realized these weren’t her emotions, they were Dainin’s. “Dainin,” she called desperately through the link in hopes they were reconnected. “Love please answer me,” she begged, knowing he was in trouble and going through something terrible. She received no response. A wave of nausea rippled through her body, but Tessa held back the bile.

Anger was now replacing the panic and nausea making her wolf growl and snap in a frenzy within her mind. Tessa ran outside in case she shifted. She could feel Cadence watching her from a safe distance. “What’s happening,” she asked her wolf, falling on her hands and knees, breathing hard. Tessa closed her eyes in an attempt to block everything out while her wolf fought to control her emotions. The last thing they wanted was a forced shift.

Suddenly, as quick as the anger arrived it vanished, leaving Tessa panting as sweat dripped from her face. She began to feel her control returning, but something was missing. Her chest felt empty and her mark began to burn. She winced holding her neck as she leaned back to sit in the grass. Her chest constricted in pain as the once warm sensation from her bond with Dainin turned cold. It took all she had not to cry out his name to the heavens. “Could he really be gone,” she thought, holding her now twisting stomach at the thought of losing him. Her wolf only whimpered in response, sharing her pain.

As she sat stunned and confused, Cadence cautiously approached her. “Tessa,” she called her calmly. “Are you alright,” Cadence asked, sitting in front of her on the grass. Tessa watched as Cadence reached out, brushing a stray tear off her cheek. She didn’t even feel the contact, she felt nothing. “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “Suddenly, I was overcome with Dainin’s emotions to the point my wolf almost forced a shift,” she paused to try and make sense of what happened and Cadence took her hand in hers, “but now I feel nothing.” Cadence’s brows pulled together in confusion.

Taking a few deep breaths Tessa stood, wiping the sweat from her face with her t-shirt. She could feel the presence of every Alpha watching her from the house. “Zander? Send them to their rooms please. The shows over,” she growled, refusing to feel embarrassed by what they witnessed. Tessa knew her mate had been in danger and she knew John must have had something to do with it. “Please be okay,” she thought through their link, refusing to give up hope that he was okay. She wasn’t surprised silence was all she received in return.

Cadence stood in front of her, looking into her eyes. Tessa quickly locked her emotions away and buried them deep. She knew the night was only going to get worse and crying about her mate wouldn’t protect their packs. “Something happened to Dainin Cadence,” Tessa spoke low enough for only her to hear. She didn’t want to risk further panic amongst her guests. “I can’t feel him anymore,” Tessa spoke calmly, even though her mind was consumed with more grief. It seemed to be the only emotion she had for most of her life, maybe it was the only emotion she deserved.

As if on cue, Tessa received a mind link from Elijah. “Alpha,” he hesitated for a moment, but Tessa knew what was coming. “It seems Alpha Monroe has disappeared. We can’t pick up his scent anywhere,” Elijah's informed. Tessa closed her eyes trying to stay calm, but Elijah’s news proved her greatest fear. Dainin was gone.

In a fit of rage, Tessa flipped her large outdoor table, sending it flying as her wolf rose to the surface. As she continued her rampage, hoping John was watching. Death was coming for him and anyone who stood in her way. If this was what the Moon Goddess had in store for her than she would take hundreds of Rogue wolves and traitors to the grave with her. Now, Tessa’s only mission is to protect her pack, even if it meant sacrificing herself in the process. She had nothing else to lose.