Mated To An Enemy

"You felt it through your bond?" he asked with concern. "That something happened to him?"

Myka had only been marked for just over a day. Nevertheless, the connection between him and Peter was stronger than ever. The mark allowed him to feel some of what Peter felt physically, and to a lesser degree, emotionally.

So far, he had only experienced the shared pleasure they felt together during the marking and the short hours that followed. Not long after, they were called to clear the houses.

But as they were clearing the houses, before he found Peter and Sadie, he felt a panic inside of him. He assumed that it was just the situation making him feel uneasy. But now he wondered if it was Peter's fear he had felt.

"Not exactly," Alice said. "A few hours ago, something definitely happened to Axel. I could feel his injury. Bell was afraid of the stress it would cause me to keep the connection open. So, I took a suppressant."

Myka furrowed his brows, unsure what she meant.

"It suppresses the bond," Alice answered his unasked question. "Keeps him from feeling me, or vice versa."

"Why would anyone want that?" Myka asked.

Alice sighed.

"It's not about wanting to do it," she said. "I needed to, in order to protect the babies from the possible effects of feeling Axel's pain."

Myka pulled Alice in for a hug.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I know you're scared. But it's probably best you stay here. Even Axel wanted you to stay safe. Didn't he make you promise not to put yourself in danger?"

"Yes…" she said. "But, it's not like I am planning to pick a fight with one of the hybrids… I just need to find him. He needs me."

Myka took a deep breath and let her go. He understood how much she wanted to see with her own eyes that Axel was safe. How afraid she was. It was the same way Peter had felt when Myka went to Spring. The way that Myka had felt when he saw the monster hunched over Peter.

"Alice, I—"

He wanted to argue. To convince her to go back to the hospital no matter what. But something shifted in the melody of the mountain. He turned and looked up in the direction of the portal. He felt a discordant note through his bones.

The Dark Queen.

He swallowed, feeling a cold sweat falling over him as he recognized the notes of her song. She was in the ley line. He could feel her there.

"Myka?" Alice called to him, seeing the concern on his face.

"I need to go," he said, turning to leave.

"Wait," she said, grabbing his arm. "Before you go, help me distract them and the Valkyrie outside."

Myka looked over at the Summer wolves that Alice indicated. He looked back toward the mountain. Then, taking a deep breath, he shook his head.

"Alice…"

"You owe me," she whispered with a gentleness he didn't expect.

He looked back at her. Seeing the plea in her eyes. It wasn't like the other times they had bartered favors from each other. This wasn't a game or a trick. It wasn't business as usual. Alice was begging him to help her, showing her vulnerability.

"I still think you should return to the hospital," he sighed. "But I might need their help at the portal anyway."

Alice smiled appreciatively and stepped back out of sight as Myka left and headed toward the guards. She wasn't sure what he had told them, but they immediately went with him.

She hurried to the gate, knowing that even if they all went with Myka, they would send someone to take their place at the entrance.

Alice slipped through and closed the gate behind her.

"You're not supposed to be here."

Alice clenched her jaw, knowing it was the Valkyrie. Just her luck that she would be standing so close to the gate. She turned with a smile.

"I just came to pass on a message," Alice began. "I'm sure you know about the portal on the mountainside. How it is open and brought the Summer wolves here?"

The Valkyrie nodded.

"Luna Fiona and her wolves arrived just in time to secure the gate and take Luna Corrine back for aid."

"Exactly!" Alice replied with a bright smile. "Well, now there is trouble at the portal, and they could use your help."

The Valkyrie momentarily turned her eyes up to the mountain and then looked back at Alice with suspicion.

"Luna Corrine and Alpha Axel both assigned the Valkyrie to guard the Safe Zone," she replied.

Alice nodded.

"The portal is within the Safe Zone," she said. "And if I remember correctly if something happens to it, it does pose a direct risk to everyone inside."

The Valkyrie narrowed her eyes.

"Alpha Axel specifically ordered us to keep you safe inside the Safe Zone," she said, emphasizing the 'inside' of it all.

Alice swallowed.

"And Luna Corrine almost died to do so…" the Valkyrie growled.

Alice knew the Valkyrie was not angry at her. Instead, she was worried for Corrine. She was trying her best to do her duty while someone she cared about was already hurt and still at risk.

Alice took a moment and then took a deep breath.

"It has been a long time, too long, since anyone has heard from Axel," she said gently.

The Valkyrie looked away, but Alice could see that she agreed.

"I cannot leave my post," she replied in a low voice. "Luna Corrine would not approve."

"Corrine would want to make sure that her children are safe," Alice replied. "Axel is out there, somewhere, but Ashleigh… is inside that portal."

The Valkyrie lifted her eyes to Alice.

"Whatever is happening there," Alice continued, "Corrine would be there herself if she could."

The Valkyrie took a deep breath and closed her eyes, letting out a low growl. She moved her hand to her waist and grabbed the attached radio, bringing it to her lips.

"Unit Two, send a replacement to the gate. I am needed at the portal," she said, opening her eyes again.

"On the way," replied another voice through the radio a moment later.

The Valkyrie gently pushed the radio to Alice's chest, looking her in the eyes.

"Use it when you find him," she said.

Alice nodded as she took the radio into her hands.

"Hurry, it won't take long for my replacement to arrive, and you can't be here when she does."

Alice nodded her thanks and ran as fast as she could into the forest.