Chapter Three

Marcus’ POV

Two days now I have been planning our next move. Finding my mate was never part of those plans. Almost losing her on the same night was not in the plan. For my kind, finding a mate was special. Ever since the beginning of the uprising, finding a mate was rare.

So much death and destruction has left the world in a state of depression. Happiness doesn’t exist anymore for most of us. Watching Randy and my other pack members working alongside the humans in this compound sent a wave of pride through me.

My wolf was excited to see our mate’s reaction to our efforts. Visiting her in the hospital room was hard but keeping my wolf away from her was harder. She has been unconscious for most of it. I wasn’t sure how she would react when she had her senses back. I was dreading her dismissing us. My wolf probably wasn’t going to take it very good.

“Alpha, we got word back from our scouting team that a group of demons have been boarding up not far from here. So far that hasn’t been much action, but we should probably keep an eye on it and see what develops from there.” Giving the approval Randy relayed the orders to the scouting teams.

“Do you want me to handle them now?” Randy has been my beta since I took over the pack after my dad died. I was only sixteen at the time, but together we did what was best for the pack. They all depended on me to keep them safe. Now I was leading them into war, and no one was safe.

“I think it is time we called the Triune Triade Alpha’s together.” Randy looked shocked that I would even suggest it. “If this disease is as bad as we are projecting it will only be a matter of time before it reaches the other Alpha’s territories. They need to be kept in the loop.”

“I agree Alpha, but if we sent word to them would we not also be putting them on the demon’s radar.” He had a point, but it was a risk that needed to be taken.

“We need to talk to Tina and find out if she has made any progress with the samples Raven brought back.” Randy nodded in agreement. My mind kept returning to my mate, fighting against the urge to check on her again. My wolf was on edge. Tina had assured me that she was stable and would wake up soon, but it didn’t stop my wolf from pacing around in my head like a caged and beaten animal gnawing at my insides.

We made our way to the lab where Tina was working. I couldn’t help but think about how much things had changed since the war broke out and normal wasn’t normal anymore. Being an Alpha was never something I wanted, but it was my responsibility now.

Entering the lab Tina looked up from the microscope she was peering into. Her tired eyes met mine, and I could see the worry etched in her features.

“Any progress?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Dustin and Freddy were entering the lab behind us just as Tina stood from her microscope.

I wasn’t sure why but since arriving Dustin has not been very friendly towards me. My wolf didn’t much like him either. Something about him was off I just couldn’t figure it out. “Tina any news?”

“Well yes and no.” Her defeated tone had me on edge, but I stayed silent as she walked over to the monitors and pulled up a file. It was a DNA sequence but some sort of black tar slim was attacking it.

“This is a splice of human DNA that has been infected.” She hit a fast forward button on the screen. “Once the white substance is inhaled the host dies of heart failure and the organism’s takeover.”

“Well, what is the white powder?” Dustin stepped forward.

“My best guess is this is the burnt remains of a species of demon. The organisms feed on until they are transported into a new host.” She switched screens and an image on Demon DNA populated.

“So, we need to figure out what kills the organisms?” Tina nodded to me.

“Yes, but that is the real hurtle. I have tried all known medications I have access to and none of them seem to slow this thing down.” I wouldn’t imagine anything used to cure a human of an illness would get rid of this supernatural pest. 

“That’s because this thing isn’t of human origin. You need to think outside the box Doc.” I didn’t wait for her response honestly; I was tired, and my wolf wanted to see his mate. It wasn’t the best news, but it was at least a step in the right direction.

***

Raven’s POV

My body was cold. Jumping awake I was surrounded by darkness. I couldn’t see anything. I could hear the shuffling of feet all around me though.

“Hello?” I was lying on cement with no memory of how I got here. Lightning flashed in the sky lighting up my surroundings for the first time. “The alley?” How did I get back in the alley. Why was I here?

“Raven,” spinning around just in time for a flash across the sky to light up the golden eyes of the werewolf who saved my life the other night. I scrambled away from him but didn’t get far. My back pressed against a building.

Then he was there. His body pressed tightly against mine. Vibrating as he purred in pleasure. “Mine!” His strong hands grabbed my wrists slamming them above my head holding them there. In this position I couldn’t stop my breasts from thrusting up and brushing against his body.

The only thought formulating in my mind was how it would feel if my hard nipples were brushing against his bare skin. Wetness pooled between my legs, and I couldn’t stop myself from rubbing my thighs together in need. “Oh God not again!”

“Do you know what I would love to do to you Darlin’?” He bent down pressing kisses along my exposed neck. Moans escaped despite my best efforts to block them out. “Mm that’s it purr for me Darlin’.”

“No!” I bucked against him trying to throw him off. “You’re a monster I will never be yours.” I seethed at him finally locking my gaze with his.

“How could I ever be with someone like you? You are a murder.” I spit at him. I watched as anger and pain twisted his face. He growled and punched the brick wall close to my head. Pieces of it crumbled under the impact. He released me at the same moment. I crumbled with broken pieces of brick.

He was pacing the alley like a caged animal. His eyes never left mine. I realized then that I was his prey, and he was on the hunt. “You know nothing about me Darlin’. I am no more a monster than you are.” He roared at me takin an aggressive step towards me. I involuntarily flinched away from him.

“I may be a monster, but it was your kind that made me who I am.” I wanted to sound confident in my response, but it came out as a whisper and unsure.

“If you want me to be a monster then I will be your monster.” He growled at me before rushing me. In seconds his fangs were sinking into my throat and my screams echoed back at me in the empty alley.

“RAVEN!” My eyes sprang open to a blinding light and Dustin rushing into my bedroom. “Raven, are you okay?”

Rubbing my eyes waiting for them to adjust I didn’t process his question right away. Pain. It radiated throughout my whole body. Why? I felt like I had been hit by a bus.

“Dustin,” I mumbled in a still half-asleep voice. “What are you doing in my room?” How did I get to my room? Last thing I remember was arguing with… Marcus.

“Marcus? Where is Marcus?” He was carrying me somewhere. Why was he carrying me?

“He brought you to the infirmary a couple of nights ago when we got back from gathering the samples.” He paused and walked closer to me. “You were shot.” That’s right during the extraction I was shot by the vampire. Or was it the demons. Hell, who knew anymore.

“Look I know we aren’t a couple anymore, but I feel like maybe there are some things we should talk about.” He stepped closer to the bed. His thighs pressing against my mattress making it dip slightly towards him. “I know I have some apologizing to do. Things I need to work on. I know I can be a better man for you. I feel like I am at a point where,” his hand trailed up my arm. Goosebumps spread across my body as he put the strap of my night gown back up on my shoulder.

Dust was still a very attractive man and the chemistry between us had never been an issue, but it felt different now. His touch felt wrong. It was as if my body had made the conscious decision that this man was not the man I wanted. Not knowing what else to do I sat up in my bed swiftly.

My covers pooling in my lap leaving my body exposed to him. Barely hidden by the almost see through nighty. I saw him take a breath as his eye traveled over me. My nipples were hardening from the chill air.

Dustin’s hand shot out to grab the back of my neck forcing me to tilt my head up to him as his lips crashed against mine. He tasted sour against my lips. Memories of us before melted away inside of me. I wanted to forget them. He deepened the kiss and maneuvered his body on top of mine ripping the covers away from me completely so he could position himself between my legs.

His hands on my thighs were rough and unforgiving. Frightened of this new side of Dustin I pushed against him. It wasn’t right. This wasn’t right. Despite the force I used he didn’t budge away from me. I kicked and tried to scream. Bucking my hips up to throw him off only pissed him off.

His kiss became harder; more violent. His hands were holding my arms down with such force I thought he was going to break through my skin. Then seconds later he was gone.

I sat up in my bed and saw Marcus or what use to be Marcus punching his face in. “Marcus,” I screamed at him. I couldn’t let him just murder him. If he killed Dustin now the alliance between our people would be over and we would be one step further from saving our people.

Our people needed this alliance as much as I didn’t want it. “Marcus,” I jumped out of bed. My head is spinning a little. At the same time, I was grabbing his arm mid punch Freddy came into my room. The look of shock at being caught off guard quickly wore off and he helped me remove Marcus.

“I’m going to kill him!” he seethed. Dustin rolled over coughing up blood.

“She wasn’t to upset about it.” Dustin shot at him a sick smile spread across his face as he stood in front of us.

“Dustin!” Freddy grabbed his arm aggressively.

“Fuck you!” Pissed wouldn’t cover how I was feeling. Pain crossed his features but he didn’t stop smiling. “If you ever come around me again I will gut you myself.”

Marcus grabbed me pulling me too him. I knew it was his wolf that was controlling him right now. He buried his face in my hair taking in long deep breaths.

“Get the fuck out!” I screamed at him. I wanted to hurt him as much as he was hurting me right now.