You Have No Idea, My Dear Alpha

•24•

•Mara's POV•

I'm sure he could feel my trembling lips under his hand, but he just smiles at me like nothing is wrong.

Another guy comes over and hands Cam what looks like duck tape.

Oh, hell no.

Before I can protest, Cam gives me a warning look and covers my mouth. I feel a tear escape my eye and he cups my face.

"I'm not going to hurt you Mara." Cam whispers.

"Ryder! Ryder?" I try to mind-link but I feel like I'm not getting through.

The other guy takes my arms and ties them around the tree.

"You're probably wondering what's happening right now?" Cam asks.

I nod my head slightly.

"This is a warning, a warning of what I can do Mara." He says.

I look around frantically, searching for anyone.

"And you're probably wondering why you can't get through to your precious mate?" He asks.

I look at him.

He holds up a cloth and brings it forward, slowly peeling off the duck tape with his other hand.

"Too bad you won't find out today." He finishes as he replaces the tape with the cloth.

I feel my eye drop and my vision blurring.

The last thing I see is Cam smirking before I drift into unconsciousness.

•Ryder's POV•

"Who are we missing?" Trent asks.

"Mara." I reply.

"Can't you smell her?" Dad asks.

"No." I reply.

"We put mud on our faces before, it probably masks her scent." Josh replies.

"Mara, where are you?" I mind-link her, but I don't think I'm getting to her for some reason.

"I can't hear her through mind-link." I say.

Mum frowns, "I'll take the boys inside."

"No mum. I want to stay." Finn replies.

"Finn, not now. Come on." Mum says sturnly.

He looks at me pleadingly.

I sigh, "He can stay with me the whole time."

Finn smiles.

"Ryder." Mum says.

"It's his birthday mum." I reply.

She sighs, "Fine, but the other boys come."

She takes them and looks back at me, giving me a nod.

"Stay by my side the whole time, Finn." I say.

He nods.

Mandy and Layla look scared, Cole and Trent rush to them to help.

"What if something's happened?" Mandy whispers.

"Nothing wrong, everything's going to be okay." Cole replies soothingly.

I start walking through the forest, everyone has torches now and has flicked on their werewolf instincts.

I'm sniffing contanstly, trying to pick up something like Mara.

I don't smell her, but I do smell something different.