01 week later

My whole body was numb, and sore, aching all around as it waited impatiently for the fire that was once burning my every bone and organ, including all my skin, mercilessly.

My eyes begging me to open them, to use some energy and push them open, to look at some light and get out of the darkness which claimed and hurt my body.

"Celine? Can you wake up for me?" A familiar male voice said making me stir, I quickly came to regret it once my aching hand slid against the comforter and got a slight burn, almost like a rug burn, I hissed and brought it closer to my chest, hugging it while staying put, trying to ease the slight burning sensation, not wanting to anger the fire and get thrown back in.

A rough and large hand made way onto my cheek, turning my head to the side, I groaned lowly, my neck was also aching from the bad position I was probably laying in.

"Open your eyes." He whispered, I whimpered and shook my head, I can't open them, I don't have the strength to open them and reveal what's before me, I'm scared that darkness will once again be revealed from the opening of darkness.

Lia?
...

Lia was still in pain, aching all around just like me, she was still crying, her eyes glossed up with tears making my heart ache.

"Please?" He begged once again, pleading me to cooperate and listen to him, but I am too scared.

Could it be that he was Dustin, and that, he's the reason I am scared? I tried thinking back to when I saw those icy blue eyes, could that have only been a vision? My mind playing tricks on me.

I nodded my head slowly, biting my bottom lip as I gathered the strength and confidence to open my eyes and see Dustin.

But what threw me off was the scent, it wasn't like his, that warm mist of cologne, slight touch of wood and my all time favorite saltwater, it was the greatest recipe to disaster but somewhere deep inside of me I loved it.

This scent was more of Vanilla, and I just took it as an affect of the heat that I was in, it was probably messing with my senses.

Slowly my eyes began opening, revealing a blur making me blink a couple of times to adjust to my bedroom, which was lit up with that bright light.

When I adjusted I felt my stomach drop, Dustin wasn't with me at all, it was the man who played many helpful roles in my life, but also someone I didn't think I would see, ever again.

It was Dusk.

My heart skipped a beat as he gazed at me with concern filling his dark eyes, his large hand stayed put on my cheek, the tip of his fingers moving to graze my skin, it felt wrong.

"W-what-" I wanted to continue my question, but my dry throat was preventing any more words, my voice came out hoarse and deep, I coughed and cleared it, trying to get back to normal and speak, Dusk chuckled and shook his head knowingly, his messy blonde hair swaying with his movements.

"Don't talk, just reply to all the question's that you're asked by nodding, the heat you were in was very bad, and if you don't complete the marking by the next full moon, you will be in pain, burning in a fire that will bring you close to death and it will only worsen." He explained, his voice soft, and his eyes watching me intensely, as if I was so frail that being delicate is the only way to act towards me, I sighed and slowly nodded, trying not to press or hurt any wounded skin.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked me, his light green eyes watching me intensely as he waiting for an answer, his hand never leaving my cheek making my insides churn, I bit my bottom lip, not knowing how to answer.

Am I feeling better?

I kind of feel disappointed, and I don't know if its because my mate wasn't by my side at all.

I huffed out and nodded, lying, he licked his lips and the corner of his lips tugged downwards, as if he knew my words weren't the truth that he was looking for.

I lowered my gaze, not wanting to be connected with his own and feel the need to speak truthfully with him, when I don't even know the truth.

Am I feeling better? Will I ever feel better? What is better?

"Okay, Celine, now, can you wake up for me?" He asked me, my eyes widened while my brows furrowed, he nodded, I shook my head because I am awake, aren't I?

"Wake up Celine." He whispered, his suddenly warm hand, rubbing my cheek softly, coaxing me to do as he says, my heart hammered against my chest, I am awake.

I wanted to scream out that I am, that I really am, but instead I tightly shut my eyes, my bottom lip trembled anxiously, am I awake?

Suddenly, my head started pounding and the hand that was warmly grazing my cheek, was no longer felt, I gasped and slowly started opening my eyes, a newly found pain surged on my eyelids making me groan.

The bottom of my stomach tingled, a warm feeling laid splattered inside it, it was cool compared to the fire that was burning previously.

I took in a deep breath before opening my eyes, I was expecting to see Dusk but I was in an empty room instead and it wasn't my own.

My stomach dropped while my heart clenched inside me, the room wasn't as bright as my own, all the windows covered by dark purple curtains, blocking out any light, only allowing the small light to the side of me to illuminate the room.

I groaned when I turned to my other side, the pain of shifting spread through my whole sore body, but once I faced the other side my whole face fell and probably paled at the sight before me.

"Hello my sweet, how do you feel?"

•
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•

Axel's POV

I sighed while walking to Celine's room, something deep inside me didn't feel right.

Celine's son was with my mother right now, as my father remained locked in his office, going through files and talking to one of his friends who could help Celine and some problem she was dealing with, about some kind of spirit.

The halls were empty, Marina and her mate, were both in the dining room, joining some of the pack members for breakfast, Dustin however, is probably still in the room with Celine.

He's isn't the best person for her.
I know but, he is her mate.
So?
And their Moon Written, so there is no going against that.

I blocked my wolf out, not wanting to get angered over the fact that my sister has the worst mate, who only stayed with her by force, even though he knew the affect's of heat on unmated wolves who aren't family.

Once I reached Celine's familiar door, my stomach dropped, while the bad feeling consumed me, it was really weird, making my heartbeat pick up it's pace.

Something forced me to quickly open the door and see for myself if anything bad was happening, once the door opened, the room revealed an angry Dustin who was glaring at Celine's empty bed.

Her scent in the room was faint, barely there making my stomach drop once again, I looked side to side and listened in for another heartbeat, but she wasn't hiding, she wasn't here.

"She just disappeared, right before my eyes, in thick white smoke." He whispered, I listened to his heartbeat and it was steady, he was telling the truth.

I gasped and rubbed the bottom of my chin, what the hell?!

I growled out loudly, signaling the pack that we need to meet up because once again, their princess is gone.

"Let's go!" I spat out, looking at Dustin in both anger and confusion, he nodded curtly and with one glance at Celine's empty bed, he followed behind me and we walked to the living room.