Chapter Four Of Us

Ryker POV

As I was waiting for Bayne to see if the mystery female from last night had some kind of internet footprint, so we maybe be able to find her general whereabouts, I showered and slept off the remaining hangover. Feeling better, I joined the others to find out what they found.

"There you are. I was wondering when you were going to join us. You don’t look like hell anymore. I hope that means you feel better."

"Yes, I do actually. Any news?” I responded, nodding towards Bayne.

“We got lucky. The females she accompanied posted on social media. They also included some exuberant and bold photos, which was very helpful. They even have the decency to tag names. In this one here, you can see the birthday girl, Paityn Windsor and her sister, Lyric Windsor, also another friend common in the photos, Kinsey Cole. The sisters’ own a coffee shop while the friend runs a homeless shelter/soup kitchen. Ms Cole vendors out of a meal on wheels called Meal Mentors. I traced Lyric Windsor’s IP address, and found her home address, conveniently located next door to the coffee shop, Mocha Munchies. If they are rogues of any kind, they are really bad at it. They haven’t covered any tracks at all.” Bayne informs us.

“Very well. Which one is the one that I made an exit with?” I inquired.

“That would be Lyric Windsor. She’s a teacher at the local school for young kids.” I looked closer at the labtop to who he’s pointing to.

"Hmm. She’s attractive, yes, but I still wouldn’t bail in the middle of a mission for her. Let’s examine the other two and see what we can find out about her. Then we confront her together. If I start acting suspicious, do what needs to be done to keep me from making the same mistake.” I order all my brothers. They simply nod, accepting the command. “Split into two teams for the two females. Bayne, you will be with me in case something happens, you have more of a chance to take me out. Find their location so we can head there now.”

“Looks like the sister recently posted about a girls’ night after meal time in the soup kitchen which consists of takeout , and a movie for all three. Bayne was quick to answer.

“Well, that was convenient. The age of technology makes hunting rogues much easier than it used to be.” I pointed out with a smile. Lynx finally spoke up,

“We are locked and loaded. We can head out whenever. Also there’s stuff for sandwiches in the kitchen if you want to eat first.”

I nod my thanks and go to the kitchen to make a sandwich. Then I get anything I will need ready, like possible necessary weapons while I eat. Fifteen minutes later, we are in the car headed toward our suspects location.

In our usual all black attire for the four of us to be easily hidden in the shadows, unnoticed. Orion’s Guild, as in my team, arrive at the soup kitchen’s location. Knowing exactly what to do, Lynx and Syn head off to observe Paityn and Lyric Windsor for any indication of rogue activity. Bayne and I do the same, heading in Kinsey Cole’s direction. The others will mind-link us if there’s any trouble, which is basically a psychic channel we can contact each other through. Only pack mates’ and fully mated couples can speak through the mind-link.

What consists of the mating ritual is consensual love making and a mark from both individuals. A bite in the neck above the collarbone. Only practiced and fully mated supernaturals can see it. It’s basically a warning to leave that male or female alone. It is almost like a wedding band but stronger and not reversible.

The four of us are inside the soup kitchen, located inside a previously abandoned motel apparently. Here, the females are helping the homeless or poor individuals by giving them food or helping them find a seat in the packed environment. There are a lot more people than I would have expected here to eat. We are inconspicuous enough not to be noticed in our corner of the cafeteria. I can see that Lynx and Syn are keeping watch of Lyric and Paityn, while Bayne and I keep a close eye on Kinsey, as she is moves throughout the cafeteria, helping the guests.

Not long later, I hear Lynx over the mind-link.

“Uh, Ryk? We have a situation.”

“What is it?”

“It looks like Lyric Windsor is marked, or at least the start of one. It’s not quite that visible yet, it’s faded but it’s there. There is also a warning scent surrounding her I can smell all the way over here. She’s been scented.”

“Well, F-k.”

“Youdon’t remember marking her or even scenting her?” Bayne asks quietly. I stay silent trying to remember I would have a better chance of doing that if I was looking at her. I can’t see her from my vantage point.

I mind-link back to Lynx and Syn on our open channel.

“I’m coming.” Bayne stops me.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea considering what happened last time you looked at her?”

Normally alphas would be offended by a member of the pack doubting their decisions. But Bayne helps run things as much as I do almost. He shared with me once, he wouldn’t ever want to be Alpha since we have to make a hard decision. He helps make sure that I don’t look weak to the pack. And so far when it comes to this female, I have been nothing but.

“It will be fine. I won’t approach her. But I need to see for myself.” I told him. Bayne follows me over to Lynx and Syn. They stand by a side door of the cafeteria, which they’re able to see if any of the females go into the kitchen for anything. At that moment, Lyric came walking out, carrying a large pot of chicken noodle soup. Her blonde hair is tied in a messy bun, high on her head, wrapped in a hairnet. Little to no makeup on her face. Her skin glistens with the light layer of sweat from the heat of working hard and the mass amount of warm bodies in the building, coupled with the heat being on full blast. This female looks nothing like the female from the photo on social media. That female was put together, dressed up to the nines. This female was a hot mess, for lack of a better word. Seriously, I tried to think of a better word but she literally describes the word.

Getting a better, closer look now, I notice something completely unexpected. This is the female from my dream. The shock is evident on my face. My feet move without consent in her direction. There’s something about her that I can’t place. Then her scent invades my nose and I want more. Under her rainstorm scent, I catch something else. The scent mixing with hers is my own. There is no doubt about it anymore. I am the one that marked her, and the dream was not a dream at all.

Feeling sick with myself, I want to talk to her. I want to make sure she is okay. The thought of her getting hurt, especially by my hands, brings a rage out of me. That is when she notices my presence. I’m only a few feet away from her. My brothers abruptly grab my arms and shoulders forcing me out the side door. The last I seen of her with a look of confusion, then, recognition, finally shock and disbelief.

After the door closes behind us, I push my brothers off. I want nothing more than to go back in there and worship every inch of the female. Even with her hair a mess, any make up, slightly smeared, and wearing an old, plain, pink T-shirt, blue jeans, and apron. Her pale, clear skin was luminescent. Her bright eyes are a color I have never seen before. Teal or turquoise with deep green around the pupil. An open sea I can happily get lost in. Some thing about that niggled in the back of my mind that I could not place.

Growling, I turn to the males, intending to fight my way back to that female. It’s as if the rational part of my mind went to sleep, leaving anger, aggression, and possession, and it’s wake, making me feel the need to attack. Syn and Lynx jump into defensive positions, where Bayne takes a different approach. He submits, hands up, palms facing me showing no weapons, neck open wide. I huff in dismissal, then reguard Lynx. Who then does the same. Finally, I set my sight on Syn. He normally resents the show of submission, but given my current state, his only choices are do it or die. After a moment, he does, though not happy about it. Given my Alpha blood, I am stronger, faster, and naturally more skilled than they are. Even my senses are more heightened. For a true Alpha feels everything on a deeper, more personal level.

Bayne attempts to calm down his self up before anyone gets hurt.

“How about we all just take a deep breath?” He suggests, not wanting to infuriate me further by giving me a command. I do as he suggests to gain a level head. Then I take a few more breaths for the tunnel vision to go back to normal. Only now realizing how close I really was to tearing into the only family I have left.

“What the F-k?” I exclaim, not understanding what is happening to me. What did this female do to me? I’m ready to pull my own hair out at this point. Whatever spell this female cast is a strong one. I told the others,

“She must be a witch. It’s the only explanation.”

“We definitely need to talk to her.” Bayne says.

“We should talk to all of them. Just in case it was one of her friends that did it for her.” Syn added.

“I don’t understand what anyone of them get out of casting this type of spell on you. Is it as simple as just a crush and she wanted you to bed her?” Lynx questioned.

“Maybe. Let’s not focus on the motive right now. We need to find a way to stop this so I can act myself again.” I proposed, sauntering off with the others behind to start planning.