Chapter 20

Luke

There were hundreds of thoughts reeling in my mind and none of them were positive. Making my way through the crowd, I went outside.

" Alex!" I said through the link. Whatever feeling I am getting right now isn't a good one.

" Alpha."

" Any lead?" I asked, pacing back and forth outside the front door.

" I am sorry, alpha, but no. We are looking," he answered.

" Sh*t," I cursed myself, pinching the bridge of my nose.

" You shouldn't have left her?" Hunter's angry voice boomed in my head.

" Now don't start. You know why I left," I snapped.

Suddenly, I felt my heart beating faster and there was a feeling that I can not describe. It is the feeling of something bad going to happen.

The loud music that was playing inside died down, making it easier for me to hear everything. Using the chance, I heightened my hearing, when I was hit by a scent, it smelled like a garden full of roses with a mixture of wine and.. The summer breeze. Before I could realise what it meant, I was already walking following the intoxicated scent. With my heart palpitating, I increased my pace.

The scent led me to the backyard of the pack house and a little bit further into the forest. I was so desperate to find the source of the smell that I became almost blind and realised that there were two more people present there except me.

" Ummm," my heart froze and my eyes snapped in the direction of the sound, only to see that Vladimir was ready to bite on Scarlett's neck or ready to mark her. His one hand was on her waist and another one was on the back of her head, holding her firmly in place. His eyes were closed and I saw a smirk appear on his lips as soon as he lifted his head from her neck.

Looking at her, she was in a daze, her eyes were half opened and there was a small smile playing on her lips but it wasn't genuine, it looked more like ghostly.

Using my speed, I reached them and with a hard blow I threw him away. He flew a few metres away from where we were standing. His back met with a tree before he landed on all fours without any sound.

I held Scarlett by her waist and pulled her closer to my body while glaring hard at Vladimir. I looked at the fragile girl in my arms.

" Mate!" The word slipped from my tongue, realising that it was her scent and it was her birthday. She turned 18.

" Don't mess with me, Vladimir," I said, holding back the urge to tear his head from his body.

" Keep your hands and mouth to yourself," I said, seething in pure rage. If only Scarlett wasn't in my arms right now, I would have shown him his place.

" Mate!!!" I growled, loud enough for him to hear.

Hearing me, he was shocked for a few seconds before a sickening smirk made its way to his lips.

" Oh," he said.

" The king finally found his mate," he said with a chuckle.

" Alex, backyard," I said through the link and it was enough for him to understand. It didn't take long before he arrived as well as aurora.

" I was this close," he said.

" To make this little girl my bride, but you ruined everything by appearing here and, to the worst part, you came out as her mate," he said. I could hear a gasp that came out of the aurora.

" Now it will be fun to play with you, Alpha," he said, his eyes glowing red and he smiled wider, showing his long cannis. Aurora came to my side and held Scarlett as she was wobbling from the drink she had and I let her.

" Don't," I punched his jaw, as I reached him, taking him by surprise. He staggered backwards but didn't fall on the ground. Rubbing his jaw, he looked at me. The smile, the smirk, all vanished and something flashed in his eyes.

" Don't ever step on my space or I will tear you to pieces before burning you," I said through gritted teeth.

" I will take her away and will make her mine. I will mate with her and let her carry my child after I turn her into one of us," he said in a whisper, but it was loud enough for us to hear. His voice sounded like a promise and there was calmness just like the one before the storm.

Before I could say anything, he vanished before our eyes.

" Witch," Hunter said in my head. I am already aware of the abilities of vampires, but they can't just vanish into thin air, just like that, only witches are capable of doing that.

Turning around, my eyes softened as I saw Scarlett had passed out and Aurora was holding her. Walking to her, I picked her in my arms in a bridal style and walked past my parents who were standing there, shocked and speechless. Half of the crowd were all gathered in the backyard, silently watching me or should I say us. I stopped in my tracks and sighed.

" She is my mate and I want all of you to treat her with respect," I said without looking, before walking inside through the back door.

I made my way through the hallway to the hall where half of the crowd were present and it looked like they were waiting for me to walk in. All of their gaze was on my mate and I didn't like it.

They all stood aside as I made my way and walked through the crowd. I went straight to my room. Walking in and to bed, I gingerly laid her on the bed before sitting down on the edge of the bed.

" Stunning," Hunter whispered as he came forward to take a look at our mate.

" We almost lost her," he said, looking at her. I never saw him sad or even broken.

" But we didn't," I said.

Looking down at her sleeping peacefully, my heart melted and there was a strange peace in my heart. I never knew my heart could feel this way.

" Mine!!!" The words left my mouth and they sounded possessive.

Tucking the hair behind her ear that fell on her face, I went to remove her shoes.

" What about her dress?" Hunter said suggestively. I rolled my eyes at the horny dog.

" Only if you want to get killed by your own mate," I said.

Pulling the duvet on her, I went to the other side of the bed. After I stripped to my boxers, I joined her.

I frowned, looking at her and the distance between us. Clearly not happy to be far away from my mate. I pulled her closer to my chest, making her stir in her sleep. Her back was facing me but I could hear her steady breathing, meaning she was in a deep sleep.

I felt like a pervert as she just turned 18 tonight and here I am. My consciousness wasn't allowing me to sleep with her right now, but right now this is the only way to calm my nerves down. I

My heart was palpitating thinking back on what would have happened if I was late by a few seconds. I felt a chilling sensation under my skin. Burying my nose in her neck, I inhaled her scent to calm myself down and it worked. Soon I drifted into a deep slumber.