Chapter 44

HUDSON

I felt empty. Void.

It was like someone ripped my heart out and broke it into little pieces that no one could ever put back together.

I glared at the two fish swimming in the lake. Even these fish had someone to be with!

And who did I have? No one. The only person who could ever stand beside me for the rest of my life was gone.

My wolf whimpered again and curled up into a little ball. He had been laying on his side ever since we got the news Alexis was missing.

We were both broken.

It had been two days now and there was no sign of her. It was like she disappeared from the surface of the earth.

I stared at the crumpled hoodie in my hands and sniffed it again, trying to calm myself down with the scent of her. Her scent was the only thing keeping me sane right now and that was absolutely vital at this time.

The threat wasn't gone. The griffins were still there and they could attack at any time.

I knew that if Alexis was here, she would want me to protect the pack at all costs, whether she was there or not.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back on the tree I was sitting against.

I could still see her when I closed my eyes. Her image haunted me.

Her beautiful brown eyes that twinkled with mischief when she decided to roast me. Her cute button nose that twitched when she didn't like something or when she was trying to lie. Her gorgeous hair that had me aching with the desire to run my fingers through it when it shone in the sunlight. Her pretty mouth that would open up with some of the sweetest and funniest things I had ever heard in my life.

God, did I miss her.

"Hudson,"

My eyes opened slowly to find my dad staring down at me with a sad look on his face. I gave him a weak smile, "Sup, old man? You still put up a great fight. I saw you tear through at least four griffins."

He chuckled and sat down on the grass in front of me, facing the lake.

"I wanted to check on you, considering the only places you've been are your house and your office."

I sighed, "Well, I have to keep everything going. I'm not the only one feeling the loss. The pack lost their Luna as well."

He stayed silent for a few seconds before changing the topic.

"You know, when your ma and I met, we absolutely hated each other."

"You hated your own mate?"

"I didn't know she was my mate at the time. We've known each other since we were pups. I went to school with your ma. I sat right behind her and tugged on her braids until she would snap at me."

I chuckled quietly, "I guess that characteristic runs in the family."

"She was such a goody two shoes and I hated that. I wanted to see her lose control. Little did I know, she was such a little spitfire underneath that good girl facade. She still insults me to this day like she did back then."

"How cute," I said sarcastically, trying to ignore the aching in my heart again my thoughts trailed back to Alexis, "How is this important right now?"

"Fine, I'll fast forward to when your mom was pregnant with Bradley. She was kidnapped by a rival pack just as she was closing in on her due date. I don't know if you remember, but I doubt it. You were about two years old."

My eyes flew open as curiosity overtook me, "Who kidnapped her?"

He snorted, "If I told you, you would probably murder his son."

"His son?"

He sighed, "Breydon's father kidnapped your mom."

I nearly choked on my spit, "Are you serious? And you're okay with Breydon now?"

"Just because his dad was an idiot doesn't mean he is. He's a good guy, his father wasn't. His father wanted power. Thank the Moon Goddess, Breydon took after his mother and not his father. That's one of the reasons our packs are allies. Breydon wanted to make sure we had no bad blood between us after his dad died."

"Figures. Now, why is this important?" I asked impatiently.

"Patience is a virtue, Hudson," my dad said amusedly.

I squeezed my eyes shut as a ripple of pain traveled through my chest at his words. "But procrastination is a bitch," I muttered, quoting Alexis with a sigh.

I heard a small snort before he continued his story, "Well, I was sure your mother was dead. Breydon's father had even sent me a fake body to make it seem like she was really dead. But after a while, I realized that I never felt her leave my heart. The bond didn't break, Hudson. That was how I knew she was still there. That she was still waiting for me."

He turned his head to me, "Hudson, do you still feel her?"

My eyes shut as I sensed the mate bond. It was there, but it was just out of reach.

"It's there, but I can't get a grasp of it. It's like something is blocking it."

He nodded, "You would be in even greater pain if the bond broke, Hudson."

"I can't even imagine."

My dad stood up and brushed himself off, "Don't lose hope, Hudson. She'll come back. There must be a good reason as to why she went missing."

I got up as well and stared up at the moon that was slowly making its way into the sky, "I hope so. I'll keep waiting, even if it takes an eternity."

He smiled sadly and patted my back, "I can't believe all my children have grown up. I still remember running around the house trying to get you potty-trained."

I stared at him, slightly horrified, "Too much information, dad."

Just as he was about to reply, a mind-link pushed through my head.

Alpha, there has been a report of a griffin sighting. Should we stand on guard?

You had got to be kidding me.

Stand on guard, Devin. I'll be there soon. Matthew will assign warriors to each boundary line. When there's a clear report, send all the pack warriors to the boundary the griffins are planning on entering through.

My dad rubbed his face, "When will this end? Why do they want to be immortal so bad?"

"I'm ready to end this today, once and for all," I said, speeding towards the fields. When I reached, the warriors were gathering their weapons and preparing themselves for an attack. Matthew was barking orders, and Boston was taking note of all the warriors in the field.

"Where was the sighting?" I snapped at the two of them.

Boston glanced at me for a second, "South border. I guess they decided to change their tactics. But they're still walking. I have no idea why they're not flying in."

I turned to Lacey with a pointed look and she shrugged, "Don't look at me. I have no idea either. My friend just called me that they're walking and will be here in like half an hour."

Matthew grunted at the word 'friend', and I rolled my eyes. Clearly, this friend of Lacey's was a guy.

"Well, let's head over to the south border, shall we?"

***

I leaned against a tree and waited with my warriors patiently. A group had already gone ahead to see where the griffins were at.

The griffins were being smarter this time and taking the path that had more coverage. It would be a lot harder to keep track of them if they were climbing rocks and going around trees.

Alpha, they're closing in. They should be reaching you in a minute or so.

I looked at my warriors and nodded, causing them to all straighten and get their weapons ready. Boston and Matthew were at the head of the group, standing there with their arms crossed and fierce looks on their faces. Breydon was leaning on the tree opposite mine and smirked when he caught my eye. I returned it with one of my own and shook my head– he was way too excited for this.

Suddenly, I heard the soft sound of leaves rustling and branches cracking.

Looks like our visitors were here.

Breydon and I straightened and walked to the middle where we could see the branches moving as the griffins came closer.

And finally, they came into view.

The man in front of the group, who I assumed was Xavier Porterson, stopped in his tracks at the sight of us. He seemed surprised to see us standing there, casually waiting for him.

I raised an eyebrow, "Don't just stop there. Only cowards run from their enemies."

Xavier laughed loudly, "Would you look at that? The Alpha has got balls. Well, you won't be laughing when we're all immortal and crushing you under our feet. We'll send all of you running with your tails between your legs.

"Jokes on you. My tail doesn't even go between my legs," Breydon muttered under his breath. He had lost a part of his tail during a battle where a wolf had cut it off with a silver knife.

I gave him a look and turned my attention back to Xavier, "You don't seem like you came here to attack."

He nodded, "I thought we could come to a.....compromise."

I raised an eyebrow, "Uh huh. What sort of compromise?"

"I understand that the Blessed One is your mate. So in exchange for her, I'll give you my half-sister once I find her."

Was he talking about Lacey? This man was seriously stupid.

"Once you find her?" I asked curiously. Breydon coughed into his fist to muffle his laughter.

"Lacey went to go pick her sister up. But when she gets back, I'm sure she'll be enough to satisfy your needs. You don't need the Blessed One when you can have Lacey. She's quite the looker, you know."

I looked behind me at Matthew, whose face was slowly turning a dark shade of red.

Calm down, Matthew. He doesn't know the truth about her. Just calm down.

"So what do you say?" Xavier asked, staring at me expectantly

"Well, I say, you're insane," Lacey said, stepping forward from the group of warriors that were surrounding her.

Xavier's face was comical. Breydon couldn't hold his laughter in and started laughing hysterically as the griffins stared at Lacey in shock.

"You–you... fucking traitor!" Xavier exclaimed, stepping towards her. I quickly shoved him back, "Now what compromise do you have to offer me?"

He glared at me, "None. Hand over the Blessed One or say good-bye to your pack and your family."

"Right," I said, crossing my arms.

His eyes narrowed and he stepped forward till he was in my face. I stared at him blankly, not at all intimidated by his glare.

"Listen here, wolf. You don't want to know what I could do to you and your pack. I'll have you begging for mercy," he spat.

I rolled my eyes, "Even if you tortured my pack, you wouldn't find the Blessed One anyway. She's not here."

Xavier scoffed, "As if I would fall for that trick. What do you think I am? Stupid?"

"Pretty much," Breydon shrugged.

Xavier's face turned murderous, "Hand over the Blessed One. Now. Or I'll blow up your pack right this instant."

"I told you, she isn't here," I said impatiently, resisting the urge to reach over and strangle his neck.

"She has to be here! Where else could she be?" He all but yelled over all the growls my warriors were making.

"I don't know. Maybe over here?"

My heart nearly stopped at the sound of that familiar sweet voice. My knees suddenly felt a lot weaker than they did before.

I turned my head to the right slowly, my eyes widening as I took in the sight in front of me.

Her chocolate brown eyes landed on me, sending my heart into a frenzy and my wolf howling with happiness.

A breathtaking smile formed on her face and tears filled her eyes,

"I love you, you bastard."