A Howling Heart
Chapter forty

Austin's POV.

Matias is such a poor excuse for an Alpha. He can't even control the insufficient members he has now. It is a surprise that he confronted me about the mishap with the previous Alpha. I'll let him find comfort in the peace we've agreed upon now, but I will infiltrate my plan when the time comes.

There is too much movement and secrecy within the cursed bloodlines, so I must take action. We need to build a larger army and a weapon.

Power can be wielded in different forms. Sometimes, it is in physical strength alone, sometimes in numbers, and sometimes, it resides within the blood of a naive young girl who denies her destiny.

At least, that is what the spy we've paid in the pack has said. Fae is fighting her destiny. She refuses to mate with Matias. No heirs to the pack will be born, the bloodline will cease, a bloodline that I will not have access to except through her until the curse ravages her body.

It will not do.

That's why I am less than happy when I am informed by my Beta, Nolan, that Fae has been taken by one of the pack members. One with iniquitous intentions.

"What do you mean he kidnapped her?" I inquire with a raised brow as I stand, peering down the hill of the vast mountain our pack resides on. The rogue encampment at the bottom of the hill has dwindled with their members joining our pack.

Nolan pulls his fingers through his shoulder-length blonde hair and shifts his gaze to the east side, where Matias's pack lies deep within the trees of the next city. "Their Alpha is returning. If he cannot gain control, then his fate is justice for the misfortune of his bloodline."

"We need her alive," I reply stiffly. His insubordination is irking.

"What do you want me to do, Sir?" Nolan stands taller, his shoulders tense and his eyes blazing excitedly.

"Remain nearby. If Matias doesn't manage to breach where she's being held captive, go in yourself by any means necessary." Matias is reckless. Impulsive. Sloppy. I wouldn't be surprised if he couldn't get there in time. Nolan's eyebrow arches. "She's that important?"

Anger seizes me. I clench my jaw, feeling the wolf inside me wanting to lose control, but I hold back for Nolan's sake. He would be the closest target for my wolf to unleash his anger.

"Do you question my authority?"

Nolan shakes his head, and his eyes divert with shame. "Of course not, Austin. I just want to ensure it's worth the risk to Amoux."

"It is," I snarl and wave him away dismissively. "Do it or go to Timberland for good."

Nolan sprints without another word, not wanting to relinquish the social status he's gained in our pack. He's always been very vain. He will do what benefits him most. Remaining on my good side is just that.

I peer off into the darkening sky, where my weapon is held captive.

"Do not die..."

***

Matias's POV.

There are unfamiliar scents surrounding me, threats I cannot see, and ones I don't have time to confront. Not when Fae and I have lost contact and the threat of her demise weighs me down mercilessly.

I don't know what to do if it is too late. How could I have not been more aware of who was surrounding us, surrounding our territory? In this chaos with Esai and the backlash continually received from her mother, I've let my guard down for more political threats-other packs, other species.

Those bloodsuckers in Thurse can decide that they want to attack us any day, and we wouldn't be ready. I need to mate with her. I need to secure our bond and our safety. I wish she understood the gravity of her pause with her decisions. I understand she wants the truth of all things, but there are things I do not want to reveal to her yet-things that may scare her away from willingly accepting her fate as one of us. In this world, there are monsters that humans can't even fathom exist. Feuds between our races have lasted centuries. There are powers of good and evil, and most of us creatures fall on the side of evil.

How do you tell someone all of this without the fear of rejection? It's too plausible a choice for her right now, and with her mother in her ear cheering her to accept a life of rejecting me and consensually enduring the curse's effects, I fear I am unable to be as convincing as I'd hoped.

She has to say yes! Doesn't she know that I love her? That I would lay down my life for her?

There are enemies all around, yet I have come to her aid whenever she's called me.

I try to tap into our bond and yell her name. "Fae! Fae! Can you hear me!"

There's no contact, no connection. I don't feel the exciting sensation of her presence in my mind.

My heart beats against my ribcage like a horse galloping. I grapple with every painful reality that it may be too late before deciding I won't accept anything that writes her off as dead.

Not my mate! I won't allow it!

"Anima Mea! My love! Do not lose hope! I am coming to you!"

I tear through trees, running as fast as I can, moving with the speed and agility of a true Alpha. In human form, I still manage to maneuver through the forest like it is my first nature. I am thankful. Howls echo around me from my pack. Everyone but Nate.

The suspicion grows until I've convinced myself it is him. I'm fuming by the time I get near our pack's residence. Inwardly, my soul demands his life as penance for the betrayal he's committed against our pack, against me. Where is she? Where could he be keeping her?

Maykayla, Treyvon, Grendal, and Brandon circle me. Their howls signal they've located a scent. Her scent.

My Fae!

We head off in the direction of the scent. Time has slowed, and my nightmares have entered the playing field. Fae's lifeless body flashes in my mind, and despair grips my insides and twists until I'm nauseous.