Mystery Stone

Zion's P.O.V.

After the guys and I joined Rain and the ladies in their conversation, Rain asked me if I would talk to Eithan about him and Morgan adopting the orphan siblings, Eligha and Chelsea. I tell her that Eithan asked me the same thing moments ago, which we both found amusing. I suggest we start by asking Jessica and Orian about their adoption of Joshy, thinking it may give them a shove in the right direction. A few minutes after beginning our conversation about Eithan and Morgan adopting the pair, a guard burst through the door in a panic as he looked from me to Eithan.

"Alpha, my King. There's a problem in the basement." He says while panting. We're on our feet instantly.

"Stay with Rain," I tell everyone as Eithan, Christian, and I take off, running out of the room and heading to the basement, following the guard.

We reach the basement quickly, and all grind to a halt, rendered speechless by what we see. It's a bloody massacre. Body parts spread everywhere, blood and guts splattered on the walls. What the hell happened here? I scan the room and find two omegas curled up in a ball in the far corner of the basement.

"What happened?" I asked the guards who were supposed to be watching them.

"I... I don't know. They just exploded." He studders. "Everything was fine one minute, and then they just exploded."

"How does someone just explode?" I ask him, but when I face him to get an answer, I notice his eyes are wide, and his whole body is shaking. He's in shock, likely traumatized from what he saw.

"Zion, I think I found something," Eithan calls out to me, pulling my attention from the guard. I walk over to where he's crouched over one of the dead omegas. I lean down, and he points to a dark stone in a puddle of blood. I pick it up and examine the strange markings on it. I've seen them before somewhere, but I can't place them. I pull my phone out and send a picture of the marks to Lady Ezmerelda. I have a feeling she'll know what it is.

"What is it?" Eithan asks, and I shake my head.

"I'm not sure. I sent a picture of it to Rain's mother. Hopefully, she can tell us." I say and hear my phone ring a second later. I answer it, but I hear Lady Ezmerelda's panic-stricken voice before I can even say anything.

"Where did you get that? Is Rain okay?" She says in a rush. I tell her that we've had a few issues since we left the castle and explain what I'm standing in the middle at this moment. "I'm sending a few of my top witches there right now. I know Sam and I have to stay here to keep an eye on things, but you will need people who can deal with this kind of thing."

"What is all of this?" I ask her.

"Dark magic. Most likely, the person or people responsible for trying to poison Rain blew themselves up to keep from being made to answer your questions." She says. "This kind of magic isn't used in most covens since it's forbidden magic. This was most likely Douglas' doing."

"Do you know where Sam is?" I ask. I heard shuffling on the other side of the line and then Sam's on the line. "Send some warriors with the witches. I have a feeling we will need backup."

"Yes, my King. I'll have them ready to leave within the hour." He says, and I thank them both before asking Lady Ezmerelda to send me information on the stone and end the call.

"What do you want to do?" Eithan asks me while standing next to Christian.

"Let's get this mess cleaned up. And take these omegas and the guards to see Doctor Mikka and make sure they are okay. I need to see Rain." I say and start to walk up the stairs before coming to a stop and turning back to look at them. "Do you have a shelter in the pack?"

"Yes, it's on the other side of the pack house." He answers, and I nod.

"Have a few guards run through and make sure it's all clear. We're going to need it. There's no guarantee that they will attack, but I don't want to take a chance on losing those that can't defend themselves." I tell him and see his eyes fog over as he gives his orders. "We also need to take pictures of this mess for our report to the supernatural council."

"Yes, my King." Eithan and Christian answer in unison before I leave the basement and head back to our room, making sure to stop by one of the hall bathrooms and clean myself up so I don't scare them. Once I have all the blood off, I walk down the hall and open the door to our room, and I'm instantly met with everyone's eyes on me before I can even step into the room.

"Why do you smell like blood?" Rain asks me with her head slightly tilted sideways. How the hell did she smell that from the other side of the room?

"There's been an incident," I say. "Lady Ezmerelda is sending some of her witches, and Sam is sending warriors."

"How bad is it?" Orian asks me, and I get sick just thinking about the scene.

"It's a bloody massacre," I answer honestly, looking over to Rain to see her eyes widen in horror.

"What do you want us to do?" Nick asks me.

"Gather all the pups, elders, and anyone unable to fight and take them to the shelter as soon as the guards clear it. And stay with the Queen no matter what." I give my order. "There's no telling what will happen next, but I would rather be safe than sorry."

"Yes, my King." They say as Rain runs up to me, wrapping her arms around my waist, and I hold her tight.

"I know you won't like it, but I need to be sure you stay safe," I say, and feel her nod into my chest.

"Promise you will come back to me!" She orders as she pulls back to look me in the eyes.

"I promise my Queen," I say automatically, and I'm shocked that she just used an Alpha command on me and that I instantly submitted to it. "Was that necessary?"

"It's a precaution." She says with a little laugh, but I can tell she's trying to hide her fear.

"I'll always come back to you," I say as I pull her back into my chest and kiss her forehead before letting her go and walking out of the room.

"I can't believe she can give an order strong enough that even we have to submit to it," Ryker says.

"I can't either. Our mate seems to be getting stronger every day." I say with a smile on my face. "The Goddesses were right to entrust her with the task of saving all supernatural species."

"But what will it cost her in the end?" He asks.

"Nothing. We will be there to make sure she makes it through everything." I tell him as I make my way to the basement.

"The others have been ordered to get everyone unable to fight and get to the shelter as soon as it gets cleared by the guards," I say when I reach Christian and Eithan. Suddenly, my phone begins to ring. Noticing it's Sam, I answer quickly.

"The warriors and witches are on their way. They should be arriving in less than two hours. They are also bringing the armored busses in case y'all need to get out quickly." Sam says.

"How many are coming?" I ask him.

"Forty warriors and ten witches with twelve busses. It should be plenty of room to get the women, children, and elders out of there." He answers.

"That should be good, but hopefully, we won't need them. Keep an eye open around there for any trouble. They may attack the castle grounds knowing we are here." I say.

"Already got that handled. I have everyone making their way to the castle while all warriors and remaining witches that are able to fight are on guard as we speak." He responds, and I instantly feel relief flood through my body.

"Good job, Sam," I say. "How is Odett?"

"She's a little freaked out, but Lady Ezmerelda and Stephanie are with her and all the young pups and witches." He says sadly. "She is well protected."

"Thank you," I say.

"How is the Queen?" He asks.

"Pretty much the same. Alpha ordered me to return to her safely, and my body instantly submitted without a second thought." I say with a laugh.

"She's becoming quite strong." He says, and I can tell that he's smiling.

"That she is. Keep me posted on our backup's position." I tell him. "I need to help get this mess cleaned up."

"Yes, my King." He responds before I hang up.

"You're expecting the worst outcome?" Eithan asks me.

"Preparing for the worst but hoping for the best," I tell him.