Blood Ties

15

Lycus spun around and faced Accalia, levelling her with a grave look. "Alexene is telling the truth. She just wanted to free Rexton and whatever he did with Cadence, it would've been his own doing."

Accalia fell into Tala with a defeated huff, glad the Beta was holding her up because she felt like falling to the ground.

"Why? Why would he do this?" Accalia croaked out.

"Guilt." Everyone rounded on Alexene and she pointed at Lycus with a face of certainty. "You know I'm right, Lycus. Rexton never fed on humans, he despised the act, he even tried making me feed on rabbits back then. He would feel remorseful about what he did."

"Then why take her? If none of you guys realised, Cadence has it out for him. This is another thing that will make her want to kill him. Rexton has just made matters worse." Accalia said thickly.

Cadence must feel so threatened right now, in the clutches of a person she wants to kill. This would tip her over the edge, Accalia knew that much and she didn't know if she would be able to make it in time to stop it. Cadence would take this as an advantage, even if she gets hurt, she would do whatever damage she could inflict.

Accalia thought the bridge was made, between Rexton and Cadence — neither would cross over it unless they were in each other's line of vision. Cadence, despite her rage and revenge, had put a stop to herself and left with Erisa. But the hybrid crossed over it, sought her out and added more fuel to the fire.

A gush of wind swept through the area and everyone turned to see Gabriel throwing a dark hoodie over him. He looked rugged, similar to Lycus, messy-haired and wild-eyed with every detail on his face on edge. He had been in his lycan form.

Coming up to his brother and in a commanding tone, Gabriel reported, "They're not in the Fenris lands. I checked where Franklin and Erisa Jaeger live, no scent of them. Whatever Rexton is doing, we have to find him fast. Lycus, he can't be out of sight for too long."

Lycus clenched his jaw and nodded at his brother, a message crossing between them.

"Tala watch over the pack, make sure wolves are watching the outskirts for Canus pack members and if they see Rexton, do not approach him. Contact me." Lycus commanded.

Tala gave a curt nod and firmly squeezed Accalia's arms, her lips shifting in a tight smile. "We'll catch up after, Luna."

Accalia returned the smile forcefully and watched as Tala crept away, her barks of orders emitting through the woods.

"Gabriel, travel to neighbouring towns and forests. Remember when he was little he liked hanging around caves." Lycus ordered.

Gabriel dashed back off into the darkness, his bones cracking and skin ripping all over again.

"And you?" Lycus sneered at Alexene. "Fuck off."

"Oh, come on, Lycus. Don't forget the main rule of being a vampire: once you have a taste of that one person, you might go back to them."

Accalia wanted to lunge at her, but her pitter-pattering heart stopped her. "You mean because Rexton has already fed from Cadence, he could do it again?"

It sounded like a drug, needing another hit after another and never being satisfied until you had it.

Alexene casted Accalia a demeaning glower, one that spoke of mischief and deceit. "The Rexton before the coffin? He would never dare himself. The one being locked up for over one hundred years? Well ..."

Accalia's teeth dug into her tongue, wondering if asking this would be a wise choice, but when it came to her cousin, could anything be derived from wisdom? "Do you know where Rexton could go? Seeing as you know him well."