Jem's P.O.V

Shit! Damn it! I can't trace her scent anymore!

I cursed mentally and just kept on running aimlessly, hoping that somehow at some point I would pick up her scent again.

It was quite sometime too that someone's been continuously trying to tap in my link which I purposely reject again and again; putting up my block. I don't trust myself to be rational and civilize at my state of condition. Till I find Ella, I don't plan on talking to anyone in my pack.

I had breached the borders of another pack as someone came to subdue me. I was not a rogue and I understood their reactions to me trespassing their borders. It's just that I really wasn't in the mood of talking and asking permission which is effectively wasting my time.

I growled loud and strong at them that even though I wasn't their alpha, they immediately submitted to my wolf. I passed by them and continued on straight.

What if Ella just wandered off again? What if she'll be back to the house soon and will be smiling again as she hands us our meals?

(The heck with 'wandered off'? She was kidnapped stink-brain! Our mate was abducted!)

My wolf argued with me angrily. He had every right though. After all, Ella was our mate and I was just as angry as he was feeling. I really just have the tendency to try and comfort myself in dire times.

I was too preoccupied with trying to find my mate's scent that I didn't register another who was gaining in on me till I was tackled to the ground as it caught me off guard. I growled and peeled my lips up, baring my canines as I pushed him off me and I got up to my four paws again. I snarled deadly and if he didn't cower back in fear and submission and shifted back to his human form, I would've ripped his throat out and leave his cold dead body there.

"Whoa! I didn't mean to! I was just trying to stop you for awhile." Levi defended as he raised both of his hands up in a surrendering manner. I opened my link and tapped into his mind. As I said, I didn't trust myself to be sane this moment. I might do something crazy.

*What do you want?* I bit out harshly.

"I just want you to calm down and use your head. Right now, I know finding her is your priority, so think straight and let's find her." He reasoned.

*I can find her just fine.* I answered. My pride stopping me from asking for anyone's help.

"Hell shit! You say just fine but you are as clueless as both of me and Jenny and twice as worried about her than us."

*A hundred times.* I corrected him.

"Okay, A hundred times. So use that unbeatable brain of yours to find her." Levi finished with a smirk.

I didn't respond nor moved. It was like I just froze as I thought about it. He did have a point. Running and searching for her aimlessly is useless if I can't track her scent. Right now, finding clues that could help me track her down is the best option. Even if I have to mobilize my whole pack members just to find her, I would.

I nodded my big wolf head once and trotted back to the way I've passed. Levi shifted back to his wolf and followed after me. I passed the borders of the other packs again both large and small packs alike and this time, the wolves did not bother to stop me and just lowered their heads in respect.

We arrived back to our pack lands and found my third enforcer, two pack fighters and my sister waiting for us on the borders I just disappeared to.

*Bro! Ella? Where is she? Did you find her?* Her panicked voice instantly infiltrated my mind. I was so out of it that I didn't notice I didn't place my block back up again and heard her gasp as she viewed and felt what I just did minutes and hours ago.

*Oh no..* her soft cracking voice said again and her wolf collapsed on the ground.

I glanced at her briefly then up to a sad Levi and three confused wolves.

*Don't worry Jen.. I'll definitely find her.*

I told her through our link and passed by her wolf as I walked straight towards the pack house. I needed all the help I could get right now, because if Ella would be gone forever, then this pack loses their alpha forever too.

*Levi, gather everyone in the pack house in 10 minutes. It's about time they know about Ella's existence.* I told him my order in a hard and cold tone. Once going back to how I was when I still didn't know Ella.

*And what?*

*They're gonna help me find my mate.* I stated proudly.

Maybe I really didn't go back to how I was, because asking for someone's help was a really shameful thing and terribly went against my ways but Ella really did change me. For her, I would endure any humiliation, pain, and guilt. Even her own problems, I'd gladly shoulder them for her.

We arrived at the pack house with the infrastructure surrounded with all the wolves; adults, teens and children all alike from my large pack.

They all bowed their heads in respect as I passed through them to a stage made in front of the large crowd. When I arrived at the stage and stood before them all, they all greeted me altogether.

"Good Evening Alpha." a chorus filled the field.

"Good Evening too. I am terribly sorry to summon you all here in such short notice.." I started and murmurs rose in the air. I heard some say 'The alpha just apologized.' 'That's rare.' and 'What changed him so much in less than a week?'

I cleared my throat to ask for their attention to which they gladly offered to me.

"I know most of you, heck maybe all of you, are wondering why I changed so much all of a sudden. Well, the reason is quite simple really. I found your Luna." I stated proudly with my booming voice.

Loud cheers then erupted mixed with wolf-whistles, laughs, bawls and whines. It pained me looking at them celebrate the existence of their Luna without knowing the current state of affairs.

"So where's the Luna now Alpha?" A voice overlapped the cheers and they all silenced at the question.

They snapped their heads to my direction as they waited for my answer with excited grins and happy faces. I closed my eyes for a brief second before I answered the question with a loud voice so everyone could hear.

"That is the main reason why I summoned you all here. Your Luna, my mate, was abducted." I stated loud and clear. "And I am here asking for your assistance to help me find her."

A series of gasps, murmurs and whispers broke out and I could hear some say 'Someone slipped through the Alpha?' 'How did that happen?' and 'Boy, how broken the Alpha must be?' Their faces morphing into one of sorrow, disappointment, and pity.

I closed my eyes as I endured the pain stabbing at my heart endlessly. It felt like a thousand silver knives were impaled in my body torturing me to death.

No, their words weren't what made me feel those- well maybe partially, but mainly it was because of my powerlessness to protect and guard my mate.

"Don't worry Alpha!" a voice shouted above the drones. "We'll help you for sure!" another voice overlapped. "Yeah, we can't reject a request from you after all, Alpha." another said.

"YEAH!" They all cheered and pumped their fists. Their cheers was so overwhelming that I couldn't help the grin that spread through my face.

The noise suddenly died down as they all stared at me, eyes wide and mouth agape. Even Levi and Jenny stared but with smiles on their faces.

"Thanks everyone. I will be forever in your debt." I said.

"Of course not Alpha!" a little girl, which seemed to be 10 years old, exclaimed.

I looked down at her, surprised and flabbergasted. She smiled brightly at me and gave a thumbs-up.

"Because Alpha always takes care of us that we are happy. So it is us that will be forever in your debt." after her words. A chorus of yes resounded and some nodded their heads at me.

"Thanks. Well then, let's start the hunting of those maggots." I said with a smirk and letting my wolf take over, my eyes flashing gold.

Howls filled the area as all of my pack fighters shifted to their wolves. The children, non-fighter she-wolves stayed behind after they bid farewell to their mates. The support they were giving me was overwhelming even though I wasn't really the best Alpha out there and I didn't really mingle that much with them. The list of things I should thank Ella for just went up again.

We dispersed to different directions as we kept our links open for news and updates.

Of course I went with Levi while the others teamed up into five-man-cell groups. Not to be boisterous or whatsoever but I deem my and Levi's strength just enough. We scoured the lands and combed through the forests. We never stopped searching for her- for a single trace or clue to her whereabouts.

We were on our third day of searching for her. My pack members were weary from continuous searching without sleep. I understood them, but I just can't stop. I let them rest while I went on ahead of them.

Levi said he was still fine and decided to accompany me. I expected no less from my beta. We were miles and miles away from our pack till we reached this water-less creek. A Strawberry scent lingered around it while mixed with the milk's scent and other foreign ones. I quickly glanced around to find traces and after days of being unlucky, I finally found one. A group of shoe-prints all heading to one direction.

*I found it! She's close.* I told to Levi and bolt towards the same direction the prints were heading to. *Hurry up Lev.*

We were running at full speed, the trees zooming past us. I didn't think about anything but saving Ella. I want her- no, needed her- in my arms right now.

We reached a wide open field and saw a castle in ruins at the distance. The prints had stopped on the exit of the forest and Ella's scent had vanished yet again. I was about to go back and retrace the prints to the other direction when I heard Ella's faint voice.

"Help me.." she called out weakly.

I whirled around and my eyes landed yet again to the castle in ruins. Something was telling me she could be there. It was so far yet I could hear her perfectly clear. It was weird but somehow helpful. I dashed towards the castle with Levi just following me.

Wait for me sweetie. I'm coming.

I thought to myself and sped up even more.

*Jem, where are you heading to? I thought you found her?*

Levi voiced for the first time after being quiet. We had stepped foot in the castle ruins and it was really creepy. Pieces of rocks that were once part of the walls, pillars and floor scattered across here and there.

A light and warm atmosphere lingered around the place. The place was creepy, yes, but that was because of how ruined it looked.

I trotted forward and smelled my surroundings. Mixed scents were present but one scent dominated them so much that it almost erased the other ones.

*She's here.* I whispered into my and Levi's link.

Levi's ears shot up as he placed his guard up and followed me walk deeper into the ruins. All the while, I was following my instinct and thus I ended up into this really dark hallway a floor below where we went in.

*Could she be here? Her scent's around the place.* Levi asked as he followed me while sniffing the air.

*I'm definitely sure, but the problem is.. It'll be hard to track her down like this. Her scent is scattered all around.* I answered him through grounded teeth.

We continued down the hallway till soft whispers reached my ears. They were speaking incoherently which sounded like a spell to me.

I don't know why but I had a really bad feeling as I listened to those voices. I willed my wolf to move fast and hurry to where the voices were. I found a light at the end of that long hallway we were in and the voices suddenly stopped. I walked carefully to the light, my instincts telling me it was really dangerous to go there.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew from the light, knocking me down as it took me off guard. A shrill scream accompanied the wind that immediately sent me on the run, because it was a voice I know so well. It was my mate's voice after all; Ella's.

*ELLA!* I screamed through the link.

My heart hammered wildly against my chest accompanied with my pumping adrenaline. I ran against the wind with all my might till I finally stepped through the opening and stumbled in when the wind suddenly ceased.

In a stone table, an non-moving figure of a girl lay with her hands dangling on her sides. I could feel we weren't the only entities there, it's just that my eyes couldn't see them as it was fixed on the body. My blood boiled a degree higher as I paced closer to it. I howled a loud and painful one upon confirming who lay there not moving.

I was flung to the side and I crashed in a wall. Four wolves were baring their fangs at me and snarled. I didn't care anymore. The half of my soul was there, without a life. What more reason do I have left to live for, if the only entity that has kept me going for years was snatched away from me by the Grim Reaper?

I stood up and walked closer to my mate's body. All I wanted was to be with her now. All I wished for was for her to be happy and safe, but I couldn't do it, I wasn't able to do it. The four wolves then blocked my way and my sight from my mate.

*Who are you?* A voice rang on my head.

Was that a link? or telepathy?

*Answer me!* The voice demanded.

I raised my big wolf head and stared at the wolf who seemed to be interrogating me. I saw my reflection in his eyes and I looked really horrible. My eyes dead of emotion and my figure slumped and lousy.

*Get out of my way.* I answered quietly.

*Stay away from her!* A feminine voice said this time.

I let out a fierce and angry growl and peeled my lips up, baring my sharp canines, telling them they were facing and provoking the wrong opponent.

A tiny whimper filled my ears and I went on full alert. I craned my head and looked at my mate tossing and turning on the table.

She's alive!

I cried in joy mentally and my tail unconsciously wagged. Why wouldn't I be happy? Hell, my mate was alive and well! That is my world's only happiness!

I swiftly passed through the four wolves that seemed to have their attention fixed on my mate too. I shifted midway and held my mate's hand in mine. Upon contact she immediately squeezed my hand strongly which ever so oddly felt too strong that it actually hurt me.

"Don't.." she murmured.

"Oh sweetie.. I'm here. Please wake up.." I whispered in her ear.

"Don't.. JEM!!!" She screamed and released a blinding pillar of light that easily filled the entire dome of a room.

"It worked!" the four other entity with us, most likely werewolves, cried happily.

What worked? What have they done to my mate?

I kept my eyes covered and closed as I waited for the light to disappear. As soon as it ceased, Ella opened her eyes. The golden hue that I saw as we sent her Mother away was there again only this time it was brighter and more permanent.

"Jem?" she asked and turned to me.

"Yes, it's me." I answered her and held her hands again.

"I had a scary dream Jem.. It was about you.. so please.. please don't leave me." she said as tears rolled down her cheeks and she clung to my buck-naked body, bawling her eyes out.

"Wear this. It's inappropriate if you face our princess like that." I heard the first voice that spoke to me as he tossed me a cloth to wear.

I caught it in my hands and put it on. Ella was still squeezing her eyes close as she continued to bawl. Levi comforted her in my stead as I wore the clothes.

"What did you do to my mate?" I asked, the venom and hostility clear in my voice. I let out a snarl to tell them that the fate of their heads depended on their answer.

"We lifted the seal placed on her." A man who seemed to be around Ella's age with the dark purplish eyes answered me and stepped forward.

"Seal?" I repeated the foreign word.

"Yes. The woman you claim as yours is our princess. An aesir who was sealed off a human." The girl, who screamed for me to back away, said.

"What ridiculousness are you spouting about? Ella is a human. What the hell is that aesir even?" I asked.

Suddenly, a strong breeze flew past me and in a blink of an eye, the purplish-eyed man had a dagger pointed at my neck, his eyes glowing brightly.

"I advise that you take caution of what you're saying. I'm rather impulsive and who knows what I might do to you." He threatened and pushed the tip of the dagger closer to my neck till it grazed a bit and blood started to roll down.

I clicked tongue and stared at him disapprovingly. I knew right then that we would not get along very well.

"Zyll, stop that." The first person, with the jet-black messy hair, who spoke to me told him and he lowered his dagger.

"Who are you all?" I asked, this time calmer.

"HAHA! We just infiltrated their territory, took his mate and he still don't know us?" The boy, who looked very much like the only girl in their group, laughed as he pointed at me.

I growled low as I took his laugh very insulting. His twin elbowed his stomach and he stopped laughing. He was about to protest when she glared and hissed lowly at him. "Stop. That." he nodded slowly in acquiesce.

"We are very sorry for infiltrating your territory and uhmm.. for practically abducting her, but you know, we had to do it. We'd been searching for her and we finally had a clue to her whereabouts. We were those wolves you captured." The girl of the twins kindly explained.

Wait. If those were them.. how did they escape their guards?

"How did you escape the guards that accompanied you then?" Levi, who as if read my mind, asked for me.

"We.. uhmm.. kinda--" she hesitated and was cut when the first speaker answered for her. "We took them out." he simply stated.

"What?!" both Levi and I burst.

"Ah! No! No! not take out like 'kill' just take out like 'put them to sleep'. Just that." the girl flustered. Somehow, she seems a bit like Ella.

"What are you to her?" I asked. Ella was just listening to our conversation since then, so I didn't expect for her to answer herself. "They're supposedly my 'familiars' or guardians."

"Whoa~ talk about VIPs. So what are you exactly, Ella?" Levi asked and turned to her. Ella wore a confused face as she shook her head softly.

"Can I.." she started as she climbed down the stone table she just occupied. "Can I go home now?" she asked and looked straight to the four people, who practically abducted her, as she held the hem of the shirt that was given to me.

They all looked at each other before they heaved a long sigh. "Yes, but we're coming." the jet-black haired man voiced out their answer.

"I think it's fine." I heard Ella say beside me. Both Levi and I turned to her; surprised and confused.

"Come on Jem, Lev. If they were my guardians then we may have been together all the time when we were young. Would you separate me from them?" Ella asked and turned to plead to me with her sure-kill 'puppy eyes'.

I groaned and ran a hand through my hair and heaved a sigh of my own before I planted my hand on my hips while the other pat Ella on the head.

"Man, I can't win over you. Okay then.." I agreed and turned to the four of them, the seriousness and my alpha voice returning. "But one wrong move from any of you and I'll send you straight to the dungeon. Are we clear?" I asked.

They all nodded their heads and chorused a 'Crystal'.

*Hey Jem, won't you tell them to call you alpha?* I heard Levi suggest into my link.

*I can't. Not when Ella's around. I'll try to get all of them alone with me first before I tell them. I can't risk everything with Ella after all.* I told Levi and he nodded understandingly.

"Let's get going then." I announced and I wrapped my arms around Ella's shoulder and dragged her with me.

As we exited the ruined place, Ella glanced back at it for a short while before she turned and walked beside me. "Hey Jem." she called.

"Hmm?" I hummed and turned to her while we walked.

"Thanks. I don't know how you found me but I really am thankful." she said and smiled sweetly. The golden tint on her eyes had vanished as soon as we left the place and now they were back to their usual warm chocolatey hue.

I smiled back at her and swept a tendril of her hair that obstructed her beautiful angelic face. "You're always welcome, sweetie."

She giggled and the rest of the walk was silent yet comfortable. I was finally able to relax now. Now that I was able to ensure her safety and happiness, everything's fine and good.

But still, her being an aesir bothered me a bit. Don't get me wrong! I accept her no matter what she is, it's just that, I've never heard of aesirs before. It was so weird, with all the sudden burst of light, strong gust of wind, ruined castle, golden eyes and those guardians. I just don't get it all.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I felt that itchy sensation. One I usually get when someone repeatedly tries to tap and bring down my block. I let whoever was tapping into my mind in and let down my block.

*Bro?! Any news? Were you able to track Ella?* The panicked voice of Jen reverberated in my mind.

*Yes. We already have Ella, Jen. So stop worrying already. You can relax now.* I reassured her and I heard her deep sigh.

*Thank the moon goddess. Please hurry home. I wanna see her immediately.*

*You will have to wait. You do know we can't shift since Ella is here.*

*Oh right. Well then, I pray for your safe return.. and Bro?*

*Yeah?*

*Prepare yourself for an annoying return.* was all she said before her presence vanished and her voice phased out.

What did she mean with that?