Strange Essence

[lvan’s POV]

I quickly followed Hans towards the location where Elder Theodore was found after claiming to have

been attacked by Arissa. Around us, the maids and guards were still in a frenzy. I could only assume

they were worried about being punished for just happening to not be present for the whole ordeal.

"Take note of everyone who was on duty at this time." I said, drawing Hans’ attention to me. "I will

be sure to take care of them all.”

Even if they tried to beg for forgiveness or give me bullshit excuses, I wasn't about to let them off. It

was too strange and seemed too perfectly planned. That meant that all of them were helping that

bastard, Elder Theodore, and whoever else he was working with.

"It was here, sir." Hans said, stopping in front of a large round window that was broken and still had

blood on it.

Nodding, I stepped forward and touched the blood with my finger tips. Lifting it to my nose, I gave

it a good smell. This blood was definitely Arissa’s, but how did they manage to get ahold of it? Did

they hurt her before taking her away?

Feeling my rage beginning to rise, I closed my eyes and focused on the area. Extending my senses, I

felt around for any sign of an unknown presence. At first I felt nothing, but soon I began to get a

small hint of who I was after.

"Well?" Hans asked as I opened my eyes and looked at him.

"I'm not sure.” I murmured, scratching my chin. "It is vaguely similar to my brother's, but there are a

few differences.”

If this were Isaac, I would have no issue pinpointing him. However, this person was someone I

wasn't too terribly familiar with. Shit, that left me at a loss.

"Get a group together.” I snapped, standing up and fixing my gaze on Hans. "Since it resembles

Isaac the most, we will visit him first."

I knew that this could possibly mean we would be wasting time on finding Arissa, but I was at a loss.

I could only hope that I would pick up on the owner of this essence amongst my brother's pack.

Since his essence was somehow mixed into it, he was my only clue.

"And what of Elder Theodore?" Hans pushed.

"Have Igor follow him closely and report anything he may discover to me through mindlink.”

While I was away, I could only hope that Elder Theodore and his conspirators would slip up and

think they were safe from all suspicions. Once their guards were down, they would easily give away

everything, and when that happened, I would be sure to deal with them accordingly. I didn't give a

damn if he was an elder and above me. He touched and possibly hurt what belonged to me on my

land, and I wouldn't forgive that.

"I will get right on it, Alpha.” Hans responded, snapping me from my quickly growing need for

violence. "How many men should we bring to rescue Arissa?"

"Six at most."

There was no need to bring an entire army for this mission. If it came down to it, Hans and I were

more than capable of taking care of Isaac and his lackies. Even if he was an alpha, he was nowhere

near as strong as I was.

"Yes, sir."

I watched as Hans began to move, leaving me alone in the corridor where Arissa had been

kidnapped. Once I was sure he was gone, I turned back to the window and took in the scene once

more.

Despite trying to remain calm and assure myself that she was capable of taking care of herself, I felt

anxiety claw at my heart. It was a foreign emotion, and it was almost suffocating. This was the

reason I never wanted to find my mate or grow attached to anyone. Once that happened, you

would become a wreck if something were to happen. I didn't have time for that. I needed to be

strong and collected for my pack.

"You better be safe.” I hissed, running a hand through my hair in annoyance. "If you aren't, I will be

sure to punish you once I get you back.”

Deciding that I needed to stop wasting time, I began to move, heading back to my room so that I

could get changed. Once I was fully equipped and ready, I would meet my men on the grounds and

get moving. There was no time to waste.

[Arissa's POV]

I wasn't sure how long Gillian and that bastard father of Ivan's were gone before they returned with

a change of clothes and a maid. Growing alert, I watched as they made their way towards me with

amusement shining in their eyes.

"Amanda," Gillian began, addressing the maid that he had brought. "This is Arissa, and she will be in

your care.”

Confused, I looked from the nervous-looking Amanda to Gillian. What the hell was this about me

being in someone's care? Wasn't I a prisoner and, therefore, should be treated as such?

"I want you to make sure that she is fed and bathed regularly.” Gillian continued, oblivious to my

quickly growing suspicion. "If I find that on the night of the blood moon she is weak or dirty, then

you will be punished severely.”

"I won't be here that long.” I pointed out, cutting him off. "If you think that you can keep me here

that long, you're wrong."

I would be damned if I stuck around that long in this damn room where omegas were regularly

raped and impregnated. Even if I had to kill myself, I would make sure to do it before I let Gillian

touch me.

"You can say that now." Gillian responded sweetly. "However, if you've forgotten, I am aware of your

little secret.”

I could feel the ice race through my veins at his words. He knew my secret. Of course he did, and

that was the reason Tristan knew as well. Fuck, how could I have slipped up so badly?

"Anyway, soon enough I will be able to become the ultimate alpha.” He laughed, looking proud as

he took me in. "Isn't that right, grandfather?"

"That's correct.” Ivan's father responded, clapping his shoulder. "Once you create the ultimate heir

and consume her heart, you will be unstoppable.”

"My heart," I repeated, feeling my eyes grow wide. "What good would that do you?"

Now I was confused and beginning to think that maybe these two were truly insane. There was

nothing special about me except my alpha abilities. Why would consuming any organ of mine help

them?

"Don’t play dumb.” Gillian snapped, narrowing his gaze. "I'll remind you again that you have no

secrets from me."

"What?" I truly didn't know what he was talking about. "I think you've lost your mind."

For a moment, Gillian and Ivan's father examined me, clearly debating whether or not I was truly

playing dumb. When they realized I wasn't, big smiles began to spread across their lips.

"Well, well,” Ivan's father laughed, looking pleased. "It seems those idiot sons of mine never figured

out what you truly are.”

"Old man, could you stop talking crazy and tell me what the fuck you mean?" I growled, beginning

to grow annoyed with this ridiculous back and forth.

"Don't you know, your dearest mother has fed you vampire blood since birth?" lvan's father said,

slowly stepping towards me. "She wanted to make sure that you were the strongest alpha to exist in

this world." He continued, touching my cheek. "Due to her interference, you never developed a wolf.

But despite having that wolf, you are still much stronger than any other wolf, even in human form.

You're the first and last vampire/wolf hybrid to exist in this world. Once Gillian is able to impregnate

you, your child will possess all of your abilities and your strength. And once Gillian eats your heart,

he will too. *

I could feel my mind beginning to reel at what this old man was telling me. Was my whole life truly

a lie and all thanks to my mother?

Unable to fully process it all, I opened my mouth and let a shriek of rage escape me as my sanity

slowly began to slip. I was going to kill these two, and then I would find the very person who hurt

me the most and deal with her too.