Chapter 15
The darkness was thick and unbroken as Marissa slid into the black car that had arrived in the dead of night. It was 3 a.m., the moon a faint glow on the horizon, and the pack grounds lay silent, as if holding its breath for what was to come. Her heart raced, her fingers clutching the worn leather of her seat as the driver–a silent, stoic figure in a dark suit–closed her door and took his place at the wheel.
As the car rolled forward, her heart beat like a drum against her ribs, a hollow thump of both fear and excitement. Marissa’s gaze drifted to the packhouse, the familiar building standing tall and silent, fading into the mist as they made their way down the winding road. She took a shaky breath, letting her fingers intertwine, pressing her palms together in a futile attempt to calm her nerves.
This is it, she told herself. A new life,
a
00 11:43
1/5
11:43
Chapter 15
88
fresh start. She closed her eyes, imagining the strength of her soon–to–be mate–the Alpha King. Her fate would finally be sealed, her blood anchored by the bite of a powerful mate who could stabilize her raging lycan blood. A part of her felt relief at the thought, knowing her pain would ease. No more sleepless nights filled with bone–deep aches or constant reminders of the strength she couldn’t control. Soon, the searing burn that had always threatened to consume her would finally calm.
She clenched her hands tighter. She didn’t care what he looked like, or if he was every bit as ruthless as they said. This was her path, and she would walk it.
As dawn broke over the Shadow Pack grounds, Hunter sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes against the faint light spilling through the window. His sleep had been fitful, his mind troubled by strange dreams of
3143
2/5
Chapter 15
Marissa slipping through his fingers, disappearing into the shadows. He‘ d brushed it off as nonsense, but the knot of unease refused to leave him.
He padded out of his room, his footsteps. light as he made his way to the kitchen where Caleb was already leaning against the counter, a mug of coffee in hand.
“Rough night?” Hunter asked, noting the tired look in his brother‘ s eyes.
Caleb nodded, his gaze distant.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he murmured.
Hunter poured himself a cup, frowning.
“Why?”
Caleb ran a hand through his hair, frustration lacing his features. “It’s Marissa,” he admitted quietly. “I had a dream, she was running away from us.”
Hunter laughed, though the sound was strained. “She’s probably just sleeping in,” he said, forcing lightness into his tone. “She was acting pretty secretive
3/5
Chapter 15
yesterday, but it’s not like she’s just going to up and leave.”
But even as he said it, Hunter couldn’t shake the strange tightness in his chest. The way Marissa had spoken yesterday, cold and dismissive–it had been so unlike her. And that mountain of gifts… something had changed. She was holding something back, something important.
“Should we check on her?” Caleb asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied Hunter‘ s expression.
Hunter hesitated, then set his coffee down, his mind made up. “Yeah.”
They slipped outside and crossed the grounds to Marissa’s quarters. The
silence around them seemed heavier, as though the whole pack held its breath. When they reached her door, Hunter
rapped his knuckles against it, listening to any sign of movement inside. But there was nothing.
– DON 1143
4/5
Chapter 15
“Marissa?” he called, knocking again.
Still no answer.
With a glance at each other, Caleb twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open. The sight that met their eyes made Hunter s stomach drop. The room was empty. Completely empty. Not a trace of her remained–no clothes, no bags, not even her scent lingered in the air.
Caleb’s voice was hoarse, filled with a mix of anger and hurt. “She’s gone.
90% 114
