Mating the Female Alpha
Chapter 76 – Something doesn’t feel right.

Landry's POV

"Sir, there's still no sign of her," one of Landry's warriors said through a mindlink.

Landry hadn't stopped looking; Cora's trail had gone cold. It's been a little under 24 hours since he last saw Bernice and with every fiber of his being, he was worried. Though, he tried not to show it to his warriors and more so to his sister. "Keep looking," Landry ordered. "Don't bother me until she is found."

"Yes, sir."

Landry closed the mindlink. He was deep in the forest, trying to pick up that scent again, but he was getting nothing. He could sense that Bernice was still alive, but aside from that, her whereabouts remained a mystery.

He was going to search the end of this planet until she was safe again.

"Landry!" Jessie mindlinked him; her voice sounded frantic. "She's back!"

His heart raced in his chest at his sister's words. He paused entirely; there was an unsettled feeling in the pit of his stomach. Had they released her? Had she escaped?

He didn't ask any questions yet; he needed to see her for himself.

He ran with all of his speed until he reached the palace, barging through the front doors only to see Bernice standing in the center of the foyer, unharmed. She looked tired though, but for the most part, she didn't have a scratch on her. "Landry..." she breathed, running toward him. He stood frozen as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself close to him. "I'm so sorry to scare you..."

"Her scent is weird..." Amon murmured from inside of him.

His wolf was right; it smelled like Bernice, yet it smelled a little off as well. But it was clearly her in front of him. She peered up at him with her big eyes, batting her long lashes at him.

I missed you..." she breathed.

That was also odd; she didn't sound like Bernice.

"Where have you been?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at her. "I've turned this entire kingdom upside down looking for you."

"I know... I returned when I realized what mess I've caused," she said, biting her bottom lip. "I was just so mad after I found out what that awful she-wolf, Cora, had done to you. I needed to take some space."

"It's been almost 24 hours, Bernice," Landry scolded. "Do you have any idea how worried we were?"

"We shouldn't argue," Jessie said interrupting. "Let's just be glad that she's back and she's okay..."

Landry stared around Bernice's familiar face for a short while. He was angry that she left so suddenly, and yet so relieved that she was okay. But still, there was a part of him that found her to be strange in this moment. His wolf doesn't have the same effect on her as he once had.

He reached his hand toward her, running the back of his fingers down the side of her face. She closed her eyes, breathing him in with a faint smile.

Another odd reaction for her to have.

There was no wound on her head, but that part wasn't too odd. He figured her wolf would heal her of any wounds left from that rock that clearly hit her in the head.

"Were you with Cora?" Landry asked.

She opened her eyes and shook her head.

"I hadn't seen her since our talk yesterday," she answered. "She told me I should leave the palace and never return. She left after that."

"When you disappeared, her scent was fresh. I don't think she went far."

She looked worried for a moment, keeping her eyes on his.

"I swear, I didn't see her. I had no idea she was still around. What do you think she was lurking around?"

"I don't know. But I intend to find out. I have reason to believe she was the one who bugged the palace. I think we got most of the bugs out. For right now, you need to stay in this palace. I don't want any arguments."

"Of course..." she said, giving him a smile. "I won't leave you."

He continued to watch her face, unsure what was different about it. But he knew something was different. She stood up on her toes and pressed her lips against his. They were soft and familiar, and yet, she tasted different. He allowed her to kiss him though, feeling her in, taking in her scent.

"This feels wrong..." Amon growled.

Landry agreed.

For the time being, he made a promise to keep an eye on Bernice.

...

Jessie's POV

That wasn't Bernice.

Jessie isn't sure how she knows, but she knew this was some kind of imposter. As soon as Bernice appeared at the palace, she looked at Jessie like they were strangers. There was no welcome home and long hugs. There were no tears. Bernice walked into the palace and greeted Jessie like they were old business partners. From there, Jessie grew suspicious about who this woman was.

Her reaction to Landry was odd too. Every time Bernice and Landry were together, you could cut the tension of their budding romance with a knife. Their sexual tension was always too much for Jessie to handle and most of the time she felt the need to leave the room.

But this was different.

Even when Bernice kissed him, it felt almost forced.

She wondered if Landry could feel it too. She met Landry's eyes just as "Bernice" hugged him once again.

Who was this woman?

...

Bernice's POV

Pain coursed through my entire body as a whip sliced through my bare flesh. I was completely naked and shivering on the cold cement ground. Blood dripped from my body, and I felt welts forming on my flesh.

I stared up at the vampire that was enforcing the beatings. He had a glowering smile on his face; his eyes were so dark and yet they were so cold. He grabbed me by the hair, pulling me to my feet; I found it difficult to keep my stance. My body was too weakened and too bruised.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked him in a whisper. It was still unclear as to what they wanted from me. surely my absence wouldn't affect Landry that much. He might worry, but it won't make him vulnerable. They had to know that. "I want Landry to suffer," he hissed, his breath rancid, causing me to visibly gag. "He had taken something from me a long time ago, and now, I am repaying the favor."

What?

Landry wasn't a thief and wouldn't take something that didn't belong to him. What did Alaric mean by this?

Before I could ask, I could feel heat hitting my back and I screamed out in pain. The flesh on my back began to sizzle and burn. I fell to the ground in time to see another vampire standing over me with a hot iron. He was laughing, enjoying himself.

There was no way Landry would believe that Cora was me. He had to know the truth. He was going to come to find me.

I glanced up at Alaric who was standing over me once again; he had a syringe in his hand, and he grinned.

Wolfbane.

"No..." I tried to get out, but I felt the string on my neck before I could protest.

It felt like all my insides were burning and are screamed in agony. Hot tears ran down my face and my entire body weakened that much more. I was having trouble keeping conscious. "Such a naive omega... thinking her alpha is going to save her," Alaric laughed. "Little does she know... the fun is just beginning."