Chapter 39

“What do you mean Mark’s not here?” I looked around the room, blinking at everyone.

Scythe rubbed the back of his neck. “He went to go find you.”

“Alone? Why didn’t anyone go with him?” There were so many people in the room around me, and Mark went off by himself. I didn’t understand.

Jori approached me and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer into him. “We have search parties looking for you. We still didn’t know where you were. Mark wanted to run off to get to you before it was too late. He said he could feel where you were, but there’s no way he could actually sense where you were, so I wouldn’t send the extra men with him.”

Jori’s touch was comforting, but I found myself pushing away from him. “You couldn’t spare a few people to go with him because you didn’t believe him?”

“Calm down, Adira. You’ve been through a lot and need to rest and get a check-up. You don’t look okay,” Jori said, reaching for me again.

I stepped back. “No. Mark shouldn’t be out there alone.” I turned to Rie and Scythe. “Why didn’t either of you go with him?”

Scythe frowned. “We were going to, but when we woke up this morning, Mark was gone and there was a note in his place.”

Rie stepped closer to me. “We can try calling him to see if he’ll answer and come back. He wasn’t answering my calls earlier though.”

“Give me a phone.” I held out my hand, which was shaking and covered in dried b***d.

Rie looked worried, but she pulled out her phone anyway. I quickly grabbed it and found Mark’s contact. I hit the call button and felt myself bouncing as the phone rang. My chest felt tighter with each ring that went unanswered. It went to voicemail.

“Mark, it’s Adira. Please come back. I’m at the pack house. I made it back. Please come back.” I ended the call and let my arm fall to the side.

Jori reached out and touched my arm. “Adira, please stop worrying about him.”

My jaw clenched, and I looked up at Jori. “You don’t understand. Something is wrong. I can feel it.”

“I think you might just be paranoid and overly exhausted from everything you’ve been through. Please Adira. Let the doctor check you out at least.” Jori squeezed my arms.

I didn’t want to go until I knew Mark was safe, but maybe he was right. I was in rough shape, so maybe it was a good idea to get checked up.

At that moment, Rie’s phone started buzzing. I looked at it, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw the caller ID. I quickly answered it. “Mark, where are you? Please come back. I’m safe-”

My throat went dry when the voice on the other side was not Mark’s.

“Adira, I’m so glad you made it away from me safely. You are a lot more trouble than I anticipated,” Theron said.

“Where’s Mark?” I tried to keep my voice firm, but it was difficult. I was terrified it was already too late.

“Oh, this weak little mate of yours? He thought he could take me on all by himself, but he was wrong.”

Everyone was watching me silently.

“Is he… is he still alive?” I could hardly bring myself to speak.

Theron laughed. “For now. If you don’t do as I say, he won’t be for long.”

“How do I know he’s alive like you say?” I wanted proof. I wanted to hear Mark’s voice.

“You don’t trust me? I’m hurt, big sis.”

“Don’t call me that,” I snapped. “I won’t do anything you say unless I have proof Mark is alive. If he is, I’ll give you what you want.”

Jori tried to snatch the phone out of my hand, but I moved away from him. I could tell he was angry with me, but nothing he could say would change my mind.

“You are really annoying,” Theron said. “Fine. Here’s your boy toy.”

I heard rustling as the phone moved around.

“Adira,” Mark’s deep voice rang through the phone. “Don’t do it. Don’t sacrifice yourself for me. You’re more important.”

“Mark, no-”

I heard a slap on the other side of the phone, followed by Mark crying out in pain. Tears started forming in my eyes.

The next voice I heard was Theron’s voice again. “You got your proof. Now listen very carefully.”

I nodded my head, listening to his instructions. I was to meet him in a park for the exchange, and I was to go alone. I had twenty-four hours, and if I didn’t show up or if I tried anything, Mark would be dead in seconds. Theron promptly hung up the phone, and I felt numb. I had just escaped, but if I wanted to save Mark, I would have to go back. Maybe Theron would make it quick this time.

Rie grabbed my arms. “Adira, what did he want? Was that the kidnapper?”

I nodded slowly. “He has Mark, and he says if I want him to stay alive, I have to give myself up for him.”

“No,” Jori said firmly. “You somehow made it back safely from that maniac, and now you want to give yourself up to save Mark? It’s not worth it.”

My eyes hardened. “I can’t let Mark because of me! I’m not worth other people dying.” I started to hyperventilate as I thought about Clara.

“We will discuss this later,” Scythe said, stepping between me and Jori. “Adira needs to get checked out and relax first.”

“We have twenty-four hours,” I said quietly.

“Perfect. That’s enough time for you to get the care you need and for us to make a plan to save Mark.” Scythe took my arm and started leading me away before anyone could argue.

–

I felt barely present as the doctor took a look at me. I replied to his answers with simple nods. Apparently, three of my ribs were cracked and healed improperly. The doctor has to re-break the bones and set the bones properly. Other than that, I only had minor bruises that would heal quickly on their own. I was given some sort of medicine that would temporarily enhance my wolf healing powers, so it would only take a few hours for my bones to heal, instead of the normal amount of days.

Rie made sure I took a shower after the doctor’s visit. As I was undressing from Clara’s pocket, I felt the wooden box and sticky note she gave me. Now that I had a moment, I took out the box and examined it. I opened it up and saw a small syringe inside. I looked like the one Clara had injected into Theron. Was this the same serum that suppressed Theron’s powers?

“Everything okay in there?” Rie called from outside of the bathroom.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

She and everyone else was extremely worried about me, and I felt like they were mothering me. Apparently, I had been with Theron for three and a half days. They had searched for me relentlessly, but it was difficult. There was no scent or trail to follow, since Theron had just shifted me away. Each day without any news made Jori and Mark both grow more anxious and irritable.

I could only imagine how they felt. In the few minutes I didn’t know where Mark was, I felt panicked and terrified. I wasn’t sure if knowing where he was was any better though.

I put the box on the sink and looked at the sticky note again. I wondered who this friend of Clara’s was. Maybe she would be able to help me learn how to use my powers and grow stronger. I didn’t know if I would ever get the opportunity to find out.

With a sigh, I set the note down and climbed into the shower. I knew Jori would fight me sacrificing myself for Mark. Even Mark told me not to do it, but I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t even try.

I let the hot water run over me, and my body started to relax. It washed away all of my thoughts for a few moments. I stayed in the water longer than I had anticipated, but I felt much better after the shower. I got out and dressed in the clothes Rie gave to me. I was practically a new person once the grime and dirt was gone.

When I left the bathroom, Rie was waiting right outside for me.

“Come on. You should lie down for a little while.”

I stopped. “No, I don’t think I will be able to relax until we figure out how to save Mark.”

Rie frowned. “We can figure that out after you rest.”

I shook my head. “Rie, please. I can’t lose Mark. Not before I tell him I-” I cut myself off from continuing. I didn’t want to say anything else until I spoke to Mark directly.

Rie lifted her eyebrows knowingly. “I see. Okay, let me tell everyone to come to a meeting now.”

Jori, Percy, Scythe, Rie, Daniel and myself met up in a meeting room. Everyone started sitting down, but I stayed standing. I didn’t feel like sitting.

“We have to save Mark no matter what,” I started, not wanting to wait around.

“No, he is not worth your life,” Jori said firmly.

“I’m with Adira,” Scythe added. “We have to save Mark. We don’t have to sacrifice Adira though to do it.”

“I have nothing to gain by trying to save that traitor,” Jori said, crossing his arms and leaning back in his arms.

Rie jumped to her feet. “You’re the one who betrayed him!”

“This is not the time to get into that subject,” Daniel said before things got more out of hand.

“Look, I don’t care who helps me or if I have to go by myself and sacrifice myself to rescue Mark. I’m going no matter what.” I looked directly at Jori. I knew he had his selfish reasons for not wanting to rescue Mark. If Mark was out of the way, there wouldn’t be much of a choice for me, and I understood that he didn’t want to lose his mate. But it didn’t change anything for me.

“Adira, please.” Jori stood up, not breaking eye contact with me. “We could be happy together, you and me. Don’t risk your life for Mark and just stay here and be happy with me.”

This was the most genuine thing I had heard from Jori since I had met him, and it hurt my heart. Part of me still was drawn to Jori, and even though I knew Mark would be my choice, I hated seeing Jori look upset.

I sat in my chair slowly. “I can’t let Theron kill anyone else because of me.” My voice was weak and defeated.

Percy looked at me closely. “What do you mean by anyone else?”

I proceeded to tell them everything that happened to me. I started with how Theron was my half-brother trying to kill me so he could inherit the family powers to Clara sacrificing herself for me. I left out the part about the note and the syringe she gave me though. I still wasn’t sure what I would do with them, and I didn’t want anyone taking the serum away from me. I could see people getting greedy with something like that, which scared me.

When I stopped talking, everyone was quiet and unsure.

“I’m so sorry,” Scythe finally said. “Clara wasn’t your fault. None of it has been.”

“But it is,” I quickly retorted. “If I had stayed away from all of you, no one would’ve been put in danger. I can’t let anyone else die because of me.”

Jori looked at me carefully. “I think I get it. I still don’t like it, but if you insist you have to do this, then I will help you. You will not be going to that meeting by yourself.”