Chapter 71 - Surprised by Three Mates

April POV

“Nothing yet, huh?” I asked as I stepped outside. Mom was standing next to Dad and Sebastian.

“Not yet. Here, you need to take this for the spell. We’re going to cloak the pup so Catherine doesn’t get any ideas.” Mom handed me a bigger vial of black liquid.

“How long does it last?” I asked as I removed the cork and took a sniff. I gagged at the smell and gave her a crazy look.

“It should wear off after 48 hours.” She said. I put the vial to my lips and quickly chugged it. I gagged at the last swallow and mom giggled.

“Try not to throw it up.” She said. I wiped my face and groaned.

“They’ve spotted some movement on the west side of the castle,” Dad said. My heart raced in my chest.

“Okay, we’ve got to do this quickly.” Mom said. She placed a hand on my belly and closed her eyes.

“cacher ce que l'on veut cacher. cachez ce chiot, de sorte qu'il ne puisse pas être trouvé jusqu'à ce que les dangers soient écartés. (conceal what we wish to be hidden. conceal this pup, so that it may not be found until the dangers are gone.)” she recited it twice before I felt a warmth roll over me.

“There you go.” She said with a smile.

Dad and Sebastian began moving to the west side of the castle when all of the sudden my mind filled with several voices.

“They’re here.” Brandon and a few others said through the link.

“Alright, April. Come with me. We’re going to make sure we get everyone we can into the training center and seal it.” Mom said. I nodded and ran after her, seeing many pups and younger wolves running to the doors.

“Mama?! Mama?!” One little pup ran around with tears on his face, searching for his mom.

“Hey, it’s okay.. we’re going to keep you safe. Come here, I’ll find your mama.” I said as I scooped him up. He held onto me tightly as I ran towards the training center.

“Louis? Louis, where are you?” A woman’s voice made him jerk his head to the left.

“Mama?” He asked. I spotted the woman and quickly ran to her.

“Oh, thank you! Everyone was running.. he let go of my hand and when I turned he was gone!” She cried. She pulled the boy from my arms and held him tightly.

“Hurry inside, we only have a few minutes,” I said. She nodded and quickly ran into the training center. I hurried several other pups inside the center, making sure each and every one of them was safely inside. After I few moments, only a few wolves were left entering.

I looked through the crowd of wolves.. where’s Viktor? He should be here.

“Mom, have you seen Viktor?” I asked. Her worried voice sounded through my mind.

“No, he’s not responding to my links. I don’t see him anywhere in here.” She said. My heart thudded fast, and panic began to set in.

“I’ll find him, don’t worry,” I said. I quickly sped off towards the castle. He has to be there. Please be there.

“Viktor?” I opened a link to him but got no response.

“April, what’s wrong?” Klaus ran up to me.

“Viktor isn’t in the training center and he’s not responding to any links,” I said. His eyes glazed over and within seconds my other mates had joined.

“We will find him,” Alastair said. He and Alexei ran upstairs and began shouting for Viktor. Klaus ran outside and did the same.

“Viktor?!” I shouted. I opened a link with one of his room servants.

“Nora?” I asked.

“Yes, Princess?” She quickly replied.

“Have you seen Viktor?” I asked.

“No, miss. He left a few minutes ago to head to the training center.” She said. My heart dropped.

“Keep an eye out for him and link me if you find him,” I said.

“Yes, Princess.” She replied. I searched through every room I came across.. every hidden room I could think of, but I couldn’t find him.

“Mom? Anything?” I asked

“He’s not here.. I told him.. no fighting.” She said. I quickly opened a link with all the warriors.

“If you see prince Viktor bring him to the training center,” I said.

“Princess, we haven’t seen him,” Brandon responded.

“Just keep an eye out,” I said.

“We will.” He replied.

“Viktor?” I tried again to link him.

“April! Help!” He screamed through the link. I looked around frantically.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“They have me! I was trying to fight some wolves I saw.. but they were too strong and there were too many.. they tied me up.. it burns. And I can’t see anything.” He said breathlessly. I closed my eyes and tried to find him in my mind. My eyes shot open when I felt he was where we were supposed to lead Catherine.

“Mom, ballroom.. now!” I said.

“I’m sealing the training center.. if I leave now, they’ll all be in danger.” She said.

“Come as soon as you finish. I found Viktor.” I said and I closed the link. I quickly felt my pocket, making sure I still had the vial of grey dust. When I felt it, I ran toward the ballroom doors.

I shoved open the doors and saw no one. I looked around confused when I heard a growling behind me. How did they get inside so fast?

I turned around and saw a massive wolf.. he lunged at me but before he could reach me, a grey blur blew past me and tackled the wolf to the floor. Liam!

There was snarling and growling, but the wolf was no match for Liam. Liam grabbed the wolf by its neck between his teeth and began shaking him, then a hard snap sounded through the room and the wolf went limp.

Liam shifted to human form quickly, running toward me and grabbing my arms.

“You need to get out of here!” He said.

“They have Viktor. I can’t leave.” I said. We both looked around when another snarl caught our attention.

Before Liam could shift a second Wolf attacked, wrapping his claws around Liam’s throat. I went to attack when a Lycan stalked up to me out of nowhere. It’s like they’re invisible before they attack..

The Lycan growled at me, its eyes pitch black, his claws sharp and ready to slice. I went to shift when Iris spoke.

“We can’t shift.. the pup..” she reminded me.

“Then I’ll use my other gifts,” I replied. The Lycan lunged at me, slicing deep into my arm and making me scream. I lifted it off the ground with my magic, slamming it hard into the ground but it wouldn’t stop. Another snarl came behind me, I felt a sharp pain in my leg and when I looked down, it was too late. I was ripped to the ground, being dragged around by a wolf.

I let my claws come out, shoving them into the wolf's side when I finally got close enough. I shoved my fist hard through its side, wrapping my claws around its heart and squeezing. I ripped the wolf's heart out and it fell to the ground beside me, loosening its grip on my leg.

“Alexei! Klaus! Alastair! The ballroom!” I yelled through the link, but all I got was silence. Why can’t I link them?

The Lycan stalked toward me, he swung an arm down and I rolled. His claws stuck deep into the floor. I grabbed its wrist and within a second, he was completely incinerated.

Liam struggled on the ground, trying to get the wolf off. It had let go of his neck, and he growled as he tried to shift, but the wolf wouldn’t budge and clamped onto Liam’s shoulder. I closed my eyes and felt the fire roll off of me, my entire body erupting into flames and my feet lifting off the ground.

I flew across the room, slamming into the wolf with every ounce of strength I have. The wolf yelped, my fire burning it badly..

His fur melted off, yet he still kept fighting. I used all my power as I slammed into the wolf again, and in an instant, it also turned to ash.

I let my fire die down, dropping to the floor and breathing heavily. Liam lay on the ground choking up blood, his neck and shoulder completely mangled. He reached for me, tears in his eyes but he couldn’t even get a word out.

“Shh.. shhh. I’ve got you.” I spoke softly to him as I reached my hands down. He didn’t even move when I touched his shoulder he just stared at me with fear in his eyes.

I closed my eyes and let my healing ability begin. His choking stopped and was replaced with heavy breathing. When I opened my eyes his shoulder had completely healed.

“April!” He shouted. I turned around but was too late, I was lifted off the ground, Catherine standing several feet away. She was using her magic.. and I couldn’t breathe. Liam stood up to fight, but she flicked her wrist and through him so hard, he hit his head on the concrete wall and passed out.

I struggled against her magic, then without another second of thinking, I summoned two hellfire daggers. I quickly launched them at her, one of the sticking in her left shoulder, the other missing completely. Thankfully, it was enough to have her drop her magic and I fell to the floor.

“You little b*tch.” She growled. She swung her hand, attempting to throw me but I summoned another dagger and struck her in the thigh.

“Where’s Viktor?” I growled. I was only met with a chuckle.

“You mean the little brat named after my mate? The man your mother killed?” She sneered.

“I will kill you. Where Is he?” I growled. I could feel my anger taking over, the fire covering my body completely, once again.

She raised her hand and a veil was lifted, Viktor was in the corner of the room.. now visible to everyone.

“April?” He was shaking, his face bloody and he was holding his chest.

“What did you do?” I looked at Catherine with wide eyes.

“Your mother took my Viktor. So I’m taking hers.” She said. In the blink of an eye, she twisted her hand, and Viktor’s head snapped.. but she didn’t stop there. Within seconds his head flew off his body and he rolled on the floor limp. His head rolled toward me, bile rising in my throat and I felt his link snap.. clutching my chest tightly as I felt the pain of my little brother leaving this realm. he’s gone.. he’s dead.