I began to feel more anxious but I brushed the feeling aside. I didn’t want to overreact every time I felt a negative feeling come from Keri. She was in charge of a large pack and there would be times she would feel fearful or anxious over a decision she needed to make.
It was harder said than done and as I began to tell Cade about my decision, it was hard not to keep my hand wrapped around my phone in my pocket. I was itching to phone her to make sure everything was okay.
“Wow,” Cade said after I told him I was giving up my pack to join Keri’s. “I never expected that, but I understand why you need to do it.”
He had his mate so he would understand why I was doing it.
“Anyone who wants to come with me has that option but the ones that don’t want to will have to integrate with your pack,” I explained to him and he nodded in agreement.
“Whatever you feel is right,” he said. I could see he was already starting to formulate a way to integrate both the packs permanently.
The door opened and Scarlett walked in. She smiled at me and I rose up to embrace her.
“It’s good to see you,” she said as I released her.
“You miss me?” I asked in a teasing tone, and she laughed at me.
“Unbelievably. I’ve missed your annoying personality,” she bit back and I laughed.
I felt another strong emotion of fear and I stopped smiling and clutched my chest.
“What’s wrong?” Cade asked as his eyes fixed on my hand on my chest.
“I think it’s Keri,” I said, pulling my phone out of my pocket and starting to dial her number.
Scarlett and Cade watched me anxiously while I began to pace as her phone started to ring. My fear began to increase when her phone went to voicemail. The next person I called was Curtis. He was her beta and he would be able to tell me if anything was wrong.
I was becoming frantic when Curtis didn’t pick up. There was only one more person I could call but I was already striding out of the study, leaving Cade and Scarlett behind, as I hurried out of the house and to my car. I could feel it in my gut—something was very wrong.
Kyle’s phone just rang and went to voicemail. I needed to get back to Keri.
What happened?Cade asked through the mind-link as I started up the car.
I don’t know. No one is answering the phones, I said before I started to drive out of the property. I put my foot down on the accelerator, speeding up to get back as quickly as I could.
We’ll be right behind you, Cade assured through the mind-link.
I’d felt her initial fear and anxiousness, but I’d brushed it off. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something bad happened to her. Panic and fear intermingled as I thought of every scenario that might be playing out. My emotions mingled with hers and I felt her horror.
It suddenly became so hard to breathe, but I couldn’t stop. I had to get to her. I tried my best to keep calm enough to drive. When her emotions just stopped, I feared the worst.
She’s okay, I kept repeating to myself inside my head. I couldn’t believe anything else because I couldn’t imagine living on without her.
In my car mirror, I saw Cade’s SUV and knew they were following me. But it didn’t matter. Whatever had happened to Keri, I could already feel we were going to be too late.
I drove like a madman, trying to get back to Keri. When I finally got into the territory, I tried to mind-link with her but I couldn’t get through. My fear and panic had numbed me. When I got to Keri’s compound, I stopped the car and sprang out. I stopped the first pack member I could find.
“Where’s Keri?” I asked him frantically.
“She’s in medical,” he answered, but I could see the look in his eyes. It was like he was already mourning her loss.
I wanted to break down but something pushed me on.
“Where is she?” Cade asked when he appeared by my side.
I didn’t answer. There was only one thing on my mind and that was getting to Keri. As soon as I entered the medical center, I began to shout at the staff.
“Where is she?” I yelled, searching the area for Kyle or Curtis.
