“How are you feeling? ” Ryan asked as soon as his eyelids fluttered open.

Daniel looked around, he was currently in his room. He abruptly sat up ripping off the drip attached to his body.

“Easy ” Ryan cautioned softly “You might have super regenerative ability but you’re still half human ”

His lips tilted to the side, a mocking smirk present ” I don’t need this crap, it’ll take more than a d*mn cursed week to take me down ” He said tossing the IV stand to a side

Ryan lit up, seeing this side of him only meant he was hale and hearty.

” Welcome back , Alpha ” He draped his arm casually around his neck.

Daniel rolled his eyes and sighed

“Before I was an alpha, you were my best friend so can you stop with the title. It gives me the creeps”

Daniel rebuked Ryan who smiled mischeviously and before he could predict what he was up-to, Ryan threw himself at him, wrapping himself around his body like some d*mn octopus

“Thanks my baby ” Ryan cooed hugging him tightly almost crushing his sternum. Flabbergasted at his sudden clingy attitude, Daniel tried to peel off from him to no avail.

“Fine ” he sighed, throwing his hands up in surrender “I give up ”

Satiated with his effort, Ryan pulled away when he saw the sincere plea on Daniel’s face but he suddenly tilted to the side swiftly avoiding an unexpected blow that flew by .

” Tsk Tsk ” Ryan disapproved ” You’re too predictable and crafty ”

Daniel sassed back ” And you’re totally shameless ”

Ryan grinned.

” I can’t help who I am ”

He reasoned shamelessly while Daniel was roused with the urge to slap that stupid grin off his face.

Daniel suddenly frowned recollecting something, he asked ” For how long was I out?”

Taken aback by the sudden question, he scratched his head awkwardly. Ryan pursed his lips , stared at his wristwatch and started his calculations.

“Twenty- six or Twenty seven hours ago,I think so. I’m not exactly sure . ”

Daniel’s frown deepened, it was a day or more away from his mate. He needed to find her so they could mark and bond before the next cursed week in three months time.

Just finding a mate wasn’t enough to stop the cursed week rather it’ll diminish the cursed days and weeks but the bond will need to be completed before the next cursed week else the pain will be tripled.

” Ah ” Ryan said, an excited twinkle in his eyes ” it’s true, You’ve found your mate . When do I get to meet her? ” He asked rubbing his hands together in gleeful anticipation.

Daniel raised a brow at his attitude, why did it seem he was more eager to meet his mate than he was?

“So, I should expect some baby pups running around in a few months time, Do I need to add more rooms to the pack house? How many pups do you intend having. Oh God! , I’ll be an uncle soon ”

Ryan chattered completely unaware that his hastily spoken words came out as little more than a gabble to Daniel’s ear.

Daniel sighed at the thought of Ryan , his sigh a mixture of pity and amusement. He hasn’t even found his mate yet and the guy was thinking of pups already.

But it was refreshing though, atlest he didn’t have to worry about his mate being accepted by his pack. Ryan’s acceptance overrules their’s already.

Suddenly he inhaled sharply when he felt a stabbing pain in his heart. He groaned and slumped down unto his bed.

” Hey, what’s wrong ? ” Ryan asked concerned over the sudden change in attitude.

But Ryan was too muddle-headed to reply, the pain was very intense. It felt like someone pierced his heart with a sharp knife, twisted, and twisted it until his heart was a mushy mess.

Sweat beaded his forehead as he clutched his heart, it was aching so painfully.

“Hey, buddy. Talk to me ” Ryan slapped his cheek trying to make him sober up.

Daniel’s expression was dazed at the moment which Ryan knew wasn’t a good sign, something was definitely wrong. Immediately his eyes widened fearfully, was it his mate? The only time a werewolf suffers this kind of pain is during the loss of a mate….

Ryan swallowed hard, God ! this wasn’t happening.

A tear slipped down Daniel’s cheeks, he couldn’t understand why he was experiencing this agonizing pain unless…..

Fear crept his heart as he suddenly tapped into the bond but felt nothing, it was empty and cold. He gasped, the only time a mate bond feels that way is during the loss of a mate…

“No! ” Daniel howled . He rose to his feet and ran out of the packhouse so fastly that Ryan couldn’t comprehend him.

Sprinting towards the forest, he transformed into his wolf form already burning with rage. He needed to get away from the pack, from everyone before he destroys his own pack with his hands . The forest would be strong enough to vent his anger.

Yes, it should .

———

” Where the hell is Lia? ” Jenny asked rhetorically. It’s being an hour since she started searching for her. Maybe it was a bad idea leaving her to go look for the others. Jenny thought as the matured of them all, she would be able to feud for herself but it was totally clear she overestimated her.

” My legs are aching mom ” Rex complained drawing Jenny’s attention.

She suddenly realized how tired the boy must be, she had being dragging him along during the search for Trevor and now for Lia, the boy must be totally exhausted.

” Just a little bit more alright? ” She coaxed patting him tenderly on the hair.

She knew the kind of kids she has, there was no guarantee Rex won’t run off on his own the moment she drops him somewhere.

” Little while? ” Trevor who had being surprisingly quiet all this while scoffed in disbelief

“How are we going to find Lia in this crowd of obviously wasted people? Moreover she’s an adult Mom, even if she doesn’t know the way home she could always ask for directions ”

“By this time of the night in a new Town ?” She asked raising her cellphone for Trevor to read the time.

“Besides you don’t have the right to raise your voice since this is partly your fault, if you hadn’t snuck out after your initiation , we wouldn’t be looking for anyone right now! ” She scolded furiously while Trevor gulped hard, clueless on how to defend himself.

“So get your ass moving, we ain’t leaving without your sister ” She commanded and stride off in a huff.

Thanks to the momentarily distraction, Jenny didn’t watch where she was going and bumped into someone.

“Hey, I’m sorry for….. “Jenny tried apologizing but the words died off her lips when she met the eyes of the victim. For some unknown reasons she couldn’t take her eyes off her and just kept staring at her as if under some spell.

The victim started murmuring some words which she smiled and nodded positively to.

“Mom? ” Trevor called , creeped out by what was going on. He suddenly stared at the woman they bumped into, she was wearing a long red robe that hid her feet, her face covered with a large cloak and her eyes….

Trevor gasped, then instinctively stepped back preparing to flee with Rex but she enthralled him too.

Trevor couldn’t look away but kept responding positively to whatever command she was issuing.

Rex too wasn’t spared out.

Done with her mission, a smile formed on her lips and she stepped away just as cassie arrived.

“Hey ” Cassie called breathing heavily, it was obvious she has being running all this while.

“Yes?” The trio answered simultaneously spooking Cassie .

” Wow, that was intense and scary ” She laughed awkwardly but it seemed as a dry joke cause nor of them were amused by it.

Crestfallen, she cleared her throat before asking “Have you found Lia? ”

At the mention of Lia , a creepy smile which Cassie didn’t fail to notice appeared on Jenny’s face

“Oh, don’t worry about my daughter. She just called moments ago to tell me she had arrived home ahead of us cause of a running stomach apparently as a result of something she had eaten at the party ”

“A blueberry orange muffin, I think ” Rex added clearing whatever doubt was in Cassie’s mind.

“Ahh, True! ” Cassie exclaimed but something clicked in her head.

“No offense but Lia’s new here,she just arrived like yesterday. How then did she know the way home? ” She asked suspiciously. She couldn’t help but feel something weird was going on.

” She made some good friends whom clearly drove her home ” Trevor answered rigidly emphasizing on the ‘good friends’

“Then can I atlest call her to make….. ”

“No!! “Jenny roared stunning Cassie. Realizing she was a little hard on the poor girl, she apologized.

“Sorry for my unreasonable outburst but I wouldn’t want anyone disturbing her beauty sleep considering what she’s gone through tonight ”

“OK? ” Cassie answered unsure of what to make of this situation.

“Then we’ll be taking our leave then. See you later Cassie ” Jenny greeted and walked away followed by Trevor whom didn’t even spare her a look.

“Goodnight Cassie ” Rex said to her and then tagged along with his family.

Cassie stared at them suspiciously, Rex who was obsessed with her all night didn’t call her by the nickname he gave her.

Weird.