Chapter 10

CAESER

When the traffic light switches to green, I step on the gas, speeding down the street. I'd received a call from Jackson to come to Blood moon immediately. My jaw hurts from gritting my teeth. Looks like I'd be confronting Dylan earlier than I planned.

An eternity passes before I cut into familiar congested paths. I maneuver my car underneath the broad leaves and hanging branches. When I near the pack, I see the gates are wide open. I wind into a free spot, killing the engine.

Once I get out, I call, "Jackson!"

I spot a tall figure in the distance. Gradually, the vague outline of my men come into focus. As does something else.

The emptiness.

I look around with a sinking stomach. There's no one here.

"Jackson!" I call again, more frantic this time.

"Coming!" he yells from afar, jogging down.

When he's level with me, he tells me, "They're all gone. Our men, they reported to seeing no one this morning. They'd a..."

His voice fades into the back of my mind, drowned out by the blood rushing through my ears. A terrible realization dawns. "The girl..."

Jackson pauses. "What?"

My gaze clocks his. "The girl," I growl. "She was a means to an end. They used her to secure the deal."

"What do you mean?"

"How else could I have fallen so quickly!? When no woman has ever tempted me as strongly as she did." A bitter laugh tears out of me. "She was all part of the plan."

Jackson stares at me blankly, confusion and weariness over our situation stark on his face. I ignore him, prodding, "They can't have gone far. I expect you had told our men to follow their trail once they noticed they were gone?"

"Yes, but..." He looks away, brows knitting in confusion. "They couldn't be traced. Our trackers were able to find a footprint, though. Down south. They're long gone, Alpha."

"How could they get there so fast?"

Jackson shrugs helplessly. "They must be really gifted runners."

Gritting my teeth, I storm down to my car. F*cking Dylan.

He and his sister are going to pay for their deceit. I slam my door shut, tearing through the streets to get to my pack. Everyone is suddenly alerted of my mood. They take pains to stay out of my way when I come pounding through.

The sound of laughter becomes evident when I get closer to my room. Once I open the door, I see Bella and Amber snuggled in the sitting area, watching TV. They fall quiet once they see me.

Amber is the first to speak. "Alpha, is ev--"

"Leave us."

She exchanges one tensed look with Bella before rising and walking out of the room, leaving us alone.

Bella swallows, her hands going to clasp themselves nervously, but I'm done with the naive act.

"C-Caeser, I--"

"Cut the crap," I bite. She jumps, visibly shivering. Irritation tightens my throat. "You knew about their plans to escape, didn't you?"

"W-what are you talking about?"

"They're all gone! Every last one of them. And you," I grit, hot with anger. "You were sent to distract me. How on Earth did they find out you were my mate? What a damned good actress you are!"

I see her back stiffen. Bitterness colours her gaze and she lifts fiery eyes to mine. "What a damned good actress I am then," she says shakily. "I must have been so committed to my role that I gave myself a thousand injuries."

Just like that my anger melts away.

I stagger away from her, horrified at all the accusations I'd hurled. She was as much a victim to Dylan's acts as I was.

"I'm sorry," I say in a softer tone, approaching her. "I just... I didn't know what to think." I take her hand in mine, clutching it close while she tries to wrench it away. "Please forgive me."

When a tear trails down her cheek, a burning sensation fills me. It's like nothing I've ever experienced, shame, anger, defeat and burning determination slam into me. My wolf batters the confines of my mind, wanting to appease his mate, mark her. I shoot up, battling the frantic urges.

I need to go for a run, clear my head.

With that thought in mind, I hurry out of the room. I don't take the main routes, opting instead to follow the hidden corridors, the idea of engaging in conversation or seeing anyone at all setting me on edge. Out in the forests, I shed my clothes, giving my wolf free reign.

Black fur rolls down my body, my bones cracking as my wolf surfaces. I tear through the forest. I don't know how long I work my muscles punishingly, but when the moon climbs high up in the sky, I shift back to mortal form, scooping my clothes up. I slip them on as I go, taking the same closeted routes to my room.

Expecting to see Bella fast asleep, I'm shocked to realize she hasn't moved from the sofa.

Once her eyes fall on me, I see her visibly straighten. Fear and determination burn through her gaze and it occurs to me she wants to still has something to say. "If... If you don't want me here anymore, I can... I can leave."

"Bella--"

But she's past caring now, her resolve fueled by fear and anger. "I can start working to earn my stay here, if t-that's what you want. Or if it pleases you, I could go back to my former pack an--"

I cover the distance between us in short strides, slamming my lips against hers. Her mouth parts in shock and I use the brief distraction to slide my tongue in. Gradually, her breaths labour and she relaxes against me. A silent moan escapes her and I shoot rock hard.

Not wanting things to burn out of control, I pry my lips from hers, drawing back an inch. "And where will you go?" I whisper against her lips. My thumb goes to caress the side of her face softly. "Your whole pack is gone."

A sheen of tears infiltrates her gaze and I feel my chest constrict. Sliding my arms around her, I pull her into me and she comes willingly, clutching tight while her tears wet my shoulder.