There was a ringing in my ears, and my lungs burned as I held my breath to keep from screaming for her. What the hell was happening?
No. No. I could still find her. I would know if she were dead. I’d feel that. She told me that I could find her—that I had to find her—so I would. Panicking now wouldn’t help her, so I shoved it down and closed my eyes.
Pack magic surrounded me. Ropes of different shapes, colors, materials bound all the werewolves together. But hers and mine was a golden rope that shone with her magic. It was always there. A beacon to her soul. She didn’t know how often I closed my eyes to see it. To know that it was there. To feel that she was real and mine.
But it wasn’t there.
It wasn’t there.
I couldn’t find her without it.
She was gone. Like she’d never existed. Like our bond never existed.
The ringing in my ears came back, and the burning from the silver bullets grew worse. The silver was festering in my shoulder and arm, but the shot to my stomach was worse. My blood-wet shirt was stuck to my skin, and the pain cut through my panic. I knew I needed help.
But I had to get Tessa first.
I was moving. I knew it’d be faster to chase her in the car, but my wolf wouldn’t hear my reason. He started running—staying in human form because of the silver—but we were screaming along every bond I had, searching for Tessa.
Within seconds, everyone would know she was gone and to hunt for her or face my wrath.
Dastien! Come back! Now! Claudia felt the magic that took her. We will find her. I promise you. Lucas screamed through the bond that tied the thirteen of us together. But we need the car or Axel will die. He’s lost too much blood, and he’s turning now. Trust what Tessa said. She’ll fight. But you and I are both shot, and so is Axel. We’ll die without help!”
I stumbled to a stop.
Mon Dieu. She was gone. I was going to throw up. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t—
Power ran down the pack bond. Lucas’s power. A command for me to move.
And so I took it. I took his power. I took his command.
I was empty inside. Everything was gone, but I would do what Tessa said.
I would save her brother.
And then I would find her.
Lucas’s power had me moving before I could shift. Before I lost control and my wolf took over. Before I went feral.
So I focused on saving Axel.
Because Tessa had to be okay.
She was okay. I’d find her. No matter how long it took. And when I found her, I’d find who took her.
And when I did, I would slaughter them all.
Chapter Four
Dastien
Lucas’s command got my legs moving, but the battle between me and my wolf raged under the surface as I got back into the car. It was usually easier to control my wolf. We’d come to terms, like any other alpha werewolf. It was either that or get killed by the Seven. Werewolves with too much power and not enough control were too dangerous to let alive.
I knew I shouldn’t give in to my wolf, but I couldn’t seem to make myself care.
My bond was gone.
My mate was gone.