The Queen Within

Chapter 15

Jonathan

I stood there, frozen, feeling my world fall apart around me. I watched as Natalie sobbed on the floor, repeating the same 'I'm sorry.'. I watched as Alandra, my Alandra, lose control completely and shift into Onyx. Onyx looked crazed and... broken. Onyx kept shifting her eyes around till my father tried to reason with her. That's when she bolted. She ran straight for the window and through it. Onyx was always so fast and graceful, but even now, it was more so. Something about her seemed... Changed.

I shook my head, not wanting to focus on that. There were other matters to worry about. My mother was in tears, afraid for Alandra and the baby as she pleaded with me to go after her. Of course, I'll go after her. Why wasn't I? Why wasn't I moving? Why was I frozen in this spot? My mate needed me and I was just standing here.

She abandoned us. She left us behind. Our mate left us!

'She didn't. She just... She's just overwhelmed. She needs us, we have to go after her!'

Mate left us behind...

'Would you shut up! Stop thinking of yourself and think of her! She needs us and we are going after her!'

Axel was silent for some time but he soon agreed knowing I was telling the truth. I went to my parents first knowing they would need the reassurance.

"I'll bring her back I promise. Stay here with Natalie."

"Make sure she is safe son. Her and the baby need you now more than ever." My father said as he held my mother close. I nodded to him and my mother and jumped out the same window Onyx did. I shifted mid-fall and Axel was quick to pick up Onyx's scent. I tried mind-linking Alandra but she had a barrier up. We ran after our mates, hoping to catch up to her soon. The issue was that Onyx was bigger than us, and faster. By the way her scent was already starting to fade, I could tell she was already a ways away. But there was no doubt in my mind that we would catch up to her.

For the moment, I just had to focus on finding her. My mind was racing a million miles a minute about everything that was happening. I just wanted one moment where Alandra can be happy. Where she can relax and enjoy this new chapter in our lives. But every moment the happiness starts to sink in, something happens. I just wanted to have this moment of happiness.

Axel ran as fast as he could trying to track her down, all the while I prayed to the Moon Goddess that Alandra and Onyx were safe. With the way the rogues have been attacking, I couldn't even be sure my own lands were safe.

I think she stopped, her scent is getting stronger.

'This gives us a chance to catch up!'

Axel dug his paws into the ground and ran with all his strength, our desperation fueling our run. She was still a ways away and it took us some time to actually get to her. When we finally spotted her, Onyx growled at us, warning us to stay away. Of course, we completely ignored her and slowly crawled closer to her. I wasn't going to give up when I finally had her in my reach.

Another low growl emitted from Onyx, and even though it had our tail tucked between our legs, we didn't stop approaching her, and laid beside her. She didn't look at us, just kept staring ahead. For a few moments, we laid next to our mate and occasionally lick her face or paw or try to nuzzle into her.

With each attempt though, she didn't move or respond to us. I tried mind linking Alandra but she still was behind a barrier. I felt like she was lost to me. I didn't know what to do. I know she was in pain and hurting in a way that I will never understand. That didn't mean that I didn't want to be there for her. So I did the only thing left I could think of. I shifted back.

I stood there next to Onyx, bare naked as I tied two of my locs back to hold the rest. I offered a small smile but still nothing. So, I laid my body on her. I had forgotten how soft Onyx's fur was. How beautiful it was. I stroked her fur as I buried my face in it, embracing her the best I could.

"I'm sorry my loves. I... I know I have no clue how you must feel right now, but I want to. I want to be here for you. For both of you. Whoever did this, I swear to you we will find them, and we will get revenge. This will be our top priority love. Just... Just don't shut me out. Don't leave me on the outskirts. You are my life. So, please... Let me in..."

Onyx howled a lonely, heartbreaking howl. I continued to stroke her fur and reassure her that I was still here for her and how sorry I was she was going through this. Onyx howled for a few minutes before she shifted back to my Alandra. I held her as close as possible as her sobs racked through her body. I held her as her body convulsed and she cursed at the sky. My heart was breaking for her. To lose the family she just got. The family she worked so hard to protect. She was the last one now.

We stood that way for a long while before her howling cries became quiet whimpers. She still didn't say anything. She only stared out into the distance. Once she was calm enough, I stood up and cradled her in my arms. There were a million things I wanted to do for her right now, but I just couldn't think of anything to bring her back to me. So I settled for just taking care of her. I knew the first thing I had to do was get her back to the packhouse and have her examined.

I made sure to walk carefully so I wouldn't jostle her too much and make the trip as comfortable as possible. The way back was long but after a long while, I was able to make it back. Members who were obviously looking for us were running around and shouting at each other. When they spotted us they came running and I had ordered for someone to mind link the pack doctor to come.

My parents came rushing out, my mother with a blanket in her arms. She draped the blanket over me and Alandra.

"Where is Natalie?" I knew Alandra would want to know she was ok.

"We have her set up in a guest room on our floor. She has been given a sedative to help her rest and heal."

I nodded and took Alandra up to our room, my parents close behind me. Once in the room, I laid Alandra down gently and she turned to her side, curling into herself. I placed the blanket over her and kissed her forehead. Before the Doctor came, I had already slipped on a pair of basketball shorts.

"Alpha Jonathan, a word." I turned and it was Ebonie. I looked back at the doctor as she was conducting her examination. I nodded and we stepped out of the room, not wanting to disturb Alandra. She had already been through enough. Once in the hallway, Ebonie handed me a phone. I c****d an eyebrow at her.

"It's Alpha Roy."

I nodded and put the phone to my ear. "Hello Roy."

"Jonathan, Ebonie told me what happened... Is Alandra ok?"

I sigh, "The doctor is looking at her now but... This is something that will take a while for her to... Come back from."

"I understand. Is there anything my pack can do? Anything I can do?"

Thinking on it for a moment, there was something he could do. "Roy, can I request a favor? Alpha to Alpha."

"Name it."

"Natalie, the one who was watching the Adairs, she said it was a rogue attack. The only thing is was that they only attacked those with Adair blood. All others were ignored. Something is telling me there's something bigger going on here. Is it possible we could hire a scout team and have this looked into?"

"No need to purchase. I offer our full services. I will round up a team and we will be there by tomorrow to discuss plans."

"Thank you my friend."

After confirming his travel details, I hung up the phone and handed it back to Ebonie. She looked worried and sad. I gave her a small smile and patted her head. "She will be ok. Our Queen is strong." Ebonie nodded and we both turned when we heard the door open. We saw the Doctor walk out and she shuffled to us.

"Alpha." Dr. Zale said as she bowed. I nodded for her to continue. "Her highness is perfectly fine physically. The pup is also strong and healthy. It's her spirit that's broken. Unfortunately, there isn't any medicine I could give that could heal that. We just have to give her time and pray to the Goddess that she comes back from this."

"Thank you, Doctor. I'll keep an eye on her."

She nodded and made her way down the hall, probably to check on Natalie. I went back into the room and Alandra was still turned to her side, facing the window. I carefully sat next to her and stroked her back. I was happy that her and our baby were ok physically, but how do I get her to be ok emotionally? I wasn't sure how to make it better.

I laid down beside her and pulled her into me, keeping her close. I didn't say anything. I only just kept her close and traced circles on her thigh with my finger. It was peaceful and quiet. Just the two of us. Though, the later it got, the more worried I was because she was not eating. Even when offered French fries.

I vowed at that moment, that I would find whoever did this, and I would make them pay. I would bring hellfire down on the person who is responsible for causing my mate this much pain.