34

Dominic’s P. O. V.
Leaving Katarina that morning was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in a long time. Every fiber of my being, and Hunter’s too, yearned to stay by her side. The bond between us had grown stronger since completing the mate bond, making the separation almost unbearable. Work was a distant priority, and focusing on anything other than her was nearly impossible. Her angelic face constantly flashed in my mind, tempting me to abandon everything and go to her. The events of last night played on a loop, stirring the deep-seated urge to protect her. I never imagined I would be blessed with a mate as extraordinary as Katarina.
She was a rare blend of strength, compassion, and innocence, with an endearing quirkiness that only made me love her more. So, when Seraphina poked her head into my office to let me know she was taking Katarina and Leona shopping, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. Katarina needed the distraction, especially with the heavy news I had to break to her soon.
After days and nights of relentless torture, Gabriel finally cracked. It was no surprise; I had kept him teetering on the brink of death, conscious enough to feel every ounce of pain I inflicted. The information he divulged was unsettling, setting my nerves on edge. Only my Beta and I knew what Gabriel had confessed-I wasn’t ready to share it with the rest of the pack until I had more details. There was no need to cause unnecessary panic.
Hours slipped away as I buried myself in the mountain of paperwork scattered across my desk. I was so engrossed that I didn’t even look up when someone barged into my office. Annoyance flared up within me at the interruption.
“Dominic!” Seraphina burst through the door, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath.
I eyed my sister warily. Something was wrong. Her eyes were wide with panic, her body drenched in sweat. Hunter, my wolf, began pacing in my mind, his instincts screaming that something terrible had happened. My stomach twisted into knots as Katarina’s image flashed in my mind. I clenched my fists, silently praying it had nothing to do with her.
“Dominic,” she panted, her voice trembling, “Someone took Katarina!” Her words came out in a desperate screech.
Time seemed to freeze as her words sunk in. My blood ran cold, and I found myself struggling to process what she had just said. Hunter’s anguished howl echoed in my mind, propelling me into action. Fear, an emotion I hadn’t felt since childhood, flooded my veins like icy shards.
I closed my eyes and reached out through the mind-link, connecting with every member of my pack. Across countless towns, I could feel the presence of each and every one of them, thousands under my command, waiting for me to speak.
“Attention,” I commanded, my Alpha voice booming through the link, barely restraining the rage and fear threatening to consume me. “My mate-your Luna-has been taken. I want every warrior, every guard, on high alert. I want a search in every city, every town. We will not stop until she is found.”
Turning to my sister, who stood trembling before me, I growled, “Explain. Now.”
Seraphina’s explanation was rushed, and my fury only grew. The computer on my desk shattered against the wall as a growl tore through my chest.
“Did you see anyone? Anything useful?” I snapped. It wasn’t her fault, I knew that, but the overwhelming fear and anger left me teetering on the edge of losing control. Deep down, I blamed myself, but that didn’t stop me from lashing out.
Seraphina shook her head, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. “I didn’t see anyone. Just a black van, speeding away. It didn’t have any license plates.”
In an instant, I was out of my chair, barreling through the door and out of the house. I knew exactly where I needed to go. Impatience gnawed at me as I shifted into my wolf form, racing towards the dungeons at a speed no human could match.
Gabriel hung limply against the wall, his face a bloody, unrecognizable mess. Shifting back into human form, I gave a curt nod to my Beta, who handed me a pair of sweatpants.
“Everyone is on high alert, Alpha,” my Beta reported, his voice steady. “The warriors in each town are searching as we speak.”
His words offered little comfort. My gaze snapped back to Gabriel, who was nothing more than a canvas for my rage. “Where is she?” I snarled, lunging at him. My hand gripped his broken jaw, and I could see the pain flash in his eyes, though he refused to acknowledge it.
A twisted smirk curled Gabriel’s lips, “Your little mutt is missing, huh? If only I knew how to help.”
My vision went red. I couldn’t hold back as I pummeled Gabriel’s battered body with blow after blow. It was only when my Beta pulled me away that I stopped.
“Enough, Alpha!” he shouted, pulling me out of the violent trance. “Killing him won’t bring back our Luna. If the hunters are involved, he’s our best shot.”
I stormed out of the dungeons and back to the pack house, my mind reeling. Without thinking, I headed straight for the bedroom Katarina and I shared. Grabbing the t-shirt she had last worn, I inhaled deeply, letting her scent-creamy vanilla and honey-calm my racing mind. With the shirt clenched in my hand, I returned to my office, shoving aside the paperwork. Nothing mattered now except finding her.
I sat down in my chair, closing my eyes as I reached out into the darkness, searching desperately for any sign of our bond. But there was nothing-just emptiness. My stomach twisted, but I knew she was still alive. She had to be.
Days passed, each one fueling my anger and desperation. The longer Katarina was gone, the more the agony tore me apart. I contemplated a life without her and realized it was no life at all. If she were to take her last breath, I would take mine too.
Every day, I visited Gabriel’s cell, inflicting more pain, more torment. Torture was an art I had perfected, and Gabriel was my canvas. Each day, his smug remarks grew weaker, and I knew I was wearing him down. The pack doctor would tend to his wounds each afternoon, just to ensure he was ready for the next round.
I vowed that once Katarina was safe, I would end Gabriel’s miserable existence.
My office had turned into a warzone over the past few days. The bookshelf was in pieces, the side table destroyed, and every picture on the walls shattered. The only thing left standing was my desk and chair. But as I sat there, Hunter, who had been silent for days, stirred in the back of my mind.
Then, as if out of nowhere, her voice-soft, frantic, and angelic-filled my head.
“Dominic?” she called, her voice distant but clear. “Dominic!”
Hunter sprang to life, clawing and growling in desperation. “Katarina? Fuck, where are you!” I shouted, my heart pounding in my chest.
A hazy image flickered in my mind-damp earth, the scent of rust, a dim orange light flickering nearby. Her voice trembled as she spoke, “Some men took me! You need to find me! I’m underground, in some kind of cell.”
The thought of my mate locked away like an animal made my blood boil. “Have you seen anyone? Anything that can help me find you?” My voice was urgent, desperate for details.
Two men appeared in the hazy image-one scrawny and dirty, the other bald and muscular. I burned their faces into my memory, vowing to end their lives myself.
“You need to talk to Gabriel. These men are human. They injected me with wolfsbane!” Her voice quivered with pain, and I could feel Hunter’s fury as if it were my own.
Wolfsbane was a torment like no other, but Katarina had found the strength to reach out to me through it. Her resilience left me in awe.
“I’ll find you, Katarina,” I promised, my voice rough with emotion. “I swear I’ll find you.”
But as the connection faded, I knew she had lost consciousness. A growl of pure rage ripped from my throat as I flipped the oak desk in front of me, sending it crashing to the ground.
Fueled by a new wave of anger and determination, I stormed out of my office. It was time for another visit to Gabriel, and this time, I would get the answers I needed.