Chapter VI

ERIK

" Enough running around blathering! Form pairs and let me see some of the takedowns we practiced last time! " I growled impatiently, eyeing my soldiers. They all followed my orders in an instant and went silent, quickly grouping. With arms crossed on my chest, I walked between them, barking at their mistakes. Raw testosterone filled the air, while the fighters lunged at each other, muscles flexing, sweat dripping from the effort. Horst, one of the biggest bastards I've ever had on my crew, performed an Overhook on a recruit, taking him down like a puppet. I crouched and gave him a nasty look.

" What the fuck is this?! You would be dead already in a real battle! Again!". My warriors rawred, tackling one another with even more fire than before. I grinded my teeth, jaw clenched from the surge of power. Since I got up this morning, I felt angry, ready to break something at any moment. I had no idea why, but damn! It made my wolves fight like hell demons!

This was our daily routine, hard training from the crack of dawn till the men couldn't stand properly. It made my Lycans fierce and ripped. Today I went extra hard on them, because of the foul mood I was in. Our training arena was placed strategically near the forest, so we could change into beasts at any time and roam freely.

" Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed". Luke appeared beside me, shirtless, with a big grin on his face. He just Bear-hugged his opponent, leaving him breathless on the ground. My brother was a great fighter, as we trained together since we were pups. I let out a deep growl at his remark.

" I'm not in the mood, Luke" I said tightening my fists.

" Clearly. So, what's eating you?", he raised an eyebrow and laughed hard as Horst continued to sweep the floor with the newbie. I shook my head and closed my eyes.

" I don't know. I feel like shit ". My anger came along with a pounding ache like someone had just knocked me on the fucking head.

" Well, if breaking bones isn't enough, maybe you should go see Zayne. He surely has some hocus-pocus crap that will cheer you up! ". When my men started to drop from exhaustion, I considered that I tortured them enough.

" Alright, enough for today. Dismissed! " I shouted and regretted it immediately, as my temple throbbed painfully. The Lycans saluted and left one by one, all gasping for air. I wiped my sweat with a towel and decided to take up my brother's advice.

As I walked through the mansion, I tried to keep my thoughts away from the pain. Four big houses of Lycans ruled from the shadows in Germania - The Nurens, Adair, Methia and König, each having its sorceress or warlock at court. Zayne Nyx was the wizard of the latter. Always carrying himself with a smart mouth and look, he stood beside us since my uncle's reign began, which meant almost 70 years ago. His commitment was unwavering and my father always trusted his ideas and council. At first, the witches and wizards had one covenant, but in time they divided as they didn't share the same principles and views over the world anymore. As a result, " The Moonlight Circle " was created, the ones who vowed to serve the higher supernatural dynasties, like werewolves and vampires clans. Master Nyx was their leader.

The "Coven of the Enlightened " on the other hand dealt in all kinds of black magic, disgusting blood sacrifices that made your skin crawl. They served the highest bidder, so naturally, they sold themselves to the League of Hunters. Hard luck, I thought, as now they were the ones who became hunted.

Heading for the wizard's chambers in the northern tower, which he created separately from the rest of the house, I cursed and climbed an endless number of stairs. Finally, I saw the golden door of Zayne's laboratory, which had a mesmerizing, detailed engraving of his covenant sigil - all the phases of the moon in a circle, surrounding a sun. Reaching directly for the doorknob, I jumped in surprise as it suddenly glowed and changed shape, a little horn replacing it. From it, a calm and polite voice asked " Password?". I stared dumbfounded, with my mouth agape.

" What? Are you kidding? I don't know any fucking password! " I growled irritated.

" Wrong answer! Have a great day! " the little horn said in a final tone.

" Wait! Damn it..how about.. Moonlight Circle? " I blurted the first thing that came to mind, the headache making me wanna squeeze the life out of that talking mechanism.

" Wrong answer! Try ag..." but that was the last drop. Losing the little patience I had, I started banging on the door in full force.

" Zayne! Open the fucking door! ". In the middle of the sun, the peephole flap retracted and an eye regarded me. Slowly, the front got unlocked. Zayne's tall and slender figure appeared, looking rather amused. His hair was a hot purple today, the same color as his eyes, with shades of dark blue. The lengthy and complicated braided main on his head, which also had many golden jewels intertwined in it, would have made any female jealous. He wore his usual black leather cloak, full of belts. A shiny pierce in the lip completed his magical facial features perfectly. He was always so extra, but we were all used to it.

" What do you want? If you don't know the password, then it means we don't have an appointment, which is unfortunate, really. But as you can see I am terribly busy". Zayne's ironic voice made me snap. He always knew how to properly annoy me. I entered his laboratory without waiting for permission and looked around. I had no idea how he could fit so much crap in this place. Endless columns of books and scrolls were stacked at every corner. Hundreds of shelves full of weird colored jars. Some had creepy things floating inside. Magical runes covered the wall and all sorts of plants hung from the roof. I snorted and turned to face him, puffing my chest.

" I'm the future Alpha, warlock! So you would best make time for me! And why the hell do you need a password??" I barked, almost throwing a fit. Zayne seemed unfazed, sipping patiently his tea, all too used with our edgy temper.

" Well, you always stride in here like a ticking bomb and without knocking, so it seemed an appropriate measure. I do value my privacy and you also spoil my positive vibrations.. ". I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to calm myself. I usually got along with Nyx, our banters being smart and amusing. And I sounded like an arrogant ass.

" Alright, I'll make an exception this time, my lord. What can I do for you?" he said bowing elegantly. He was definitely pulling my leg, but I knew better than to take him seriously.

" I have this shit headache that kills me.." I spat, rubbing my temple hard. " I rarely feel ill ".

" Which makes you even more fucking grumpy than usual?" he added laughing.

" You got that right" I sighed, letting my shoulders fall in surrender. Zayne poured a glittery powder on his palms and rubbed his hands together.

" Let us see what's the matter with your head then" he said approaching me. I took a step back, eyeing suspiciously the glitter thing.

" What's that? You want to put makeup on me, turn me into a princess?"

" Ha ha, very funny, but no. This powder will let me see inside, so stay still". Then he lifted his arms and connected with both of my temples. A green light emerged from his fingertips. It felt like drinking Fire Whiskey, which made my brain boil. Gritting my teeth, I silently hated the idea of someone poking around in my skull.

" Hmm" Zayne mumbled with closed eyes. He continued to touch my head in different areas, as I watched the magical glow of his hands. " Strange " he added, at last, breaking the contact.

" What? What did you see?" I quickly asked anxiously.

" Well, nothing really. No brain damage, you seem to be in proper health". I snarled frustrated, my head still pounding like a bloody church bell.

" That can't be right then! I'm not imagining it, damn it !". Zayne went along the hallway, stopping in front of one of the many shelves. He regarded it for a bit, then took out a blue vial.

"Let's see if this works! Bottoms up, Alpha! " Zayne grinned, popping the cap and handing me the bubbling potion.

" Now, what's this? Are you experimenting on me Nyx?" I raised an eyebrow, taking the vial with precaution.

" Trust me, will you? Come on, chop-chop! ", he hurried me, leaning on his study.

" Just so you know, if I grow a second head it's your fault.." I sighed, gulping the substance in one go. The feeling was even nastier than the taste.

" Yack, what the hell did I just drink, warlock? " I grabbed my stomach, wanting to throw up.

" Just a medicine, an infusion of plants for soothing pain" he laughed, as my face turned green in disgust.

" Tasted more like something dead" I frowned, chugging on a glass full of water.

" So, any better?". Besides the ache, now I had the foulest taste in my mouth.

" Not really, thanks..Maybe I should just sleep it off."

" Interesting" he rubbed his chin, contemplating.

" What's so interesting? I came here to get better and instead I feel worse" I bitched, glaring at the wizard. Zayne kept on thinking, then looked at me.

" If this is not physical, then it means it's a psyhical problem." I stiffened my jaw, temper flaring.

" You mean to say I'm crazy?! How about I shove that conclusion up your...". Before I could properly curse him, a short strong knock on the door interrupted us. Nyx sighed, probably wondering who was bothering him again. From outside, the soft voice of Alexander, the family majordomo, spoke:

" Master König, are you still here? There is an important letter that just came for you. I was told to deliver it personally".

" Yes Alex, come in". The old man entered and bowed. I turned to Zayne, narrowing my eyes.

" Why wasn't he asked for any stupid password?". Nyx threw me a "Seriously?" look.

" Because he isn't you, my lord. And he also knocked". Just as I began to curse again, Alexander handed me a large, yellow envelope. I took it, flipping it on both sides. It had no seal, just an ugly handwritten line: " For Erik König ".

" The hell..". As I tore open the paper, the most heavenly scent filled my nose, a sweet, floral fragrance of fresh lavender and hints of citrus. I gasped and closed my eyes. Inhaling deeply, waves of pleasure shook my body from head to toe. My wolf howled in the back of my mind " Mate! Mate! " and a deep feeling of dominance overcame us. Needless to say that Alexander and Zayne both stared at my reaction, bewildered. I didn't waste any more time and searched inside for the source of the smell, my fingers trembling from the excitement. A letter was inside. I unfolded the sheet crazed and a thick, blonde lock of hair fell in my palm.

" Erik, what's wrong?", Nyx asked, but I stared at the strand like hypnotized, speechless, bringing it closer to my face. My mate's hair. It was fair, just like mine. My wolf purred in approval at the thought of us nuzzling in her smooth, long locks. Then, fear and anger took over, wondering why I received this and if my mate was in danger.

" Holy shit " I heard the warlock whisper, which woke me up from the trance. He was reading the letter, with a stunned expression. I snatched the paper out of his hands, not in the mood for asking permission. The message was short, written in a hurry.

" As you probably guessed, we have your pretty little mate. Come alone and surrender, in the West clearing of Habicht Forest, tomorrow at daybreak or the next thing you will receive will be her lovely head."

A ferocious rawr left my chest and the whole chamber trembled. Inside, my wolf became feral, wanting to destroy everything in his path at the thought of someone else touching or hurting my female. The majordomo stepped away, as I tore apart a piece of furniture into tiny bits.

" Erik, hold your shit together!", said Zayne, trying to stop me from breaking his things. But I snarled, with a vicious look in my eyes, pushing him aside.

" Someone kidnapped my mate and you want me to stay fucking calm? " I snapped at him, heart racing in anger.

"It's not helpful. We need a plan! ", he shook his head, as I punched the wall. Realization pierced me like a hot iron. The headache I felt today was hers. She was close by and in pain. Those bastards probably hit her unconscious or as a punishment and our connection tried to warn me.

" Oh, I have a plan! I'll catch them and rip their fucking hearts out! How does that sound?" I barked, grinding my teeth, fury oozing out of me in waves.

" Who would do such a thing?", whispered Alexander, with a sad expression and eyes on the floor.

" Must be the Hunters. Only they would pull something so reckless ", Zayne pointed out, stroking his chin.

" What I don't understand is how they bloody knew about her before I did?". Passing around, I ran my hands through my hair for the hundredth time, feeling the urge to rip it in frustration.

" I must go, save her " and started walking to the door. Nyx jumped in front of me quickly, putting his hands on my shoulders.

" Wait! You can't just surrender like that! You are the future of this pack! That's exactly what they want, can't you see ?", he argued, trying to persuade me.

" What would you have me do then?" I glared coldly in his eyes, gritting my fangs. " I won't let her spend another second in the hands of those fuckers! "

" I got an idea! We can use the hair they sent to find her. I'll perform a locating spell and track the exact place down, before the meeting. You can take them by surprise. Stupid assholes...they probably had no idea that they've sent us such a powerful hint! ", he beamed, starting to gather the right ingredients. I didn't realize that I was holding on to my mate's lock for dear life this whole time until the warlock asked for it. When I handed it to Zayne, my heart ached from parting with the proof of her existence. But if it helped us find her, it was worth it. He noticed and reassured me: " Don't worry, my lord. You'll have her in your arms safe and sound, I promise !".

I nodded, trying to focus. The ache in my head had an entirely new meaning now. I didn't want it gone anymore, as I felt it was a direct string to my other half, a way of reaching her. They will pay for hurting my mate!