Alpha Taylor's POV

I had been stuck in my office the whole day busy with paperwork and recent rouge sightings around our pack border.

I had a really bad feeling since this morning and knew that my instincts were never wrong but I checked everything at least five times and everything was going smoothly except the rogue sightings that happened all the time.

I racked my brain and just couldn't figure out what was wrong. My head hurt too, sigh.

Pinching the bridge of my nose I closed my eyes.

Flashback

"Momma? Why is dad no longer spending time with us?" Asked my innocent 10-year-old self.

"Honey, you know he can get busy with pack duties all the time. He will be back soon, don't worry." She replied smiling at me gently.

I sighed but gave in and continued to do my homework......

*+=*+=*

"Taylor! Could you come down here for a second?" I heard my mom shout from the kitchen.

I sighed and stared at our territories' maps but got up to go see what was going on.

I went down the stairs towards the kitchen, upon reaching her I looked at her questioningly.

"Your dad and I need to talk." She started, looking serious.

I looked at her in confusion but nodded and went and sat down on the living room sofa while mom and dad come together and sat on the sofa in front of me.

"Sweetheart, as you know, you just turned 18 a few days ago." She started looking over at me nervously.

"Mom please don't tell me this is 'the talk'," I said exasperatedly with air quotations.

"No this is much more important," Replied dad looking saddened.

I sat up straight, knowing my dad's expression, I wasn't gonna like what they were about to say.

"Please listen to us fully and then do whatever you want but don't jump to conclusions until we finish talking."

I nodded slowly, looking at them in confusion and fear.

"You know how us werewolves find our mates at the age of 18. Well, the thing is, you won't be able to find yours." She looked at with sorrow.

"It's alright mom I can go-"

"No honey, you don't understand, what I mean to say is that your mate passed when you were just a few months old." Dad cut me off while holding his crying mate.

My eyes widened in horror as Athena howled in agony and so did I, shifting midway and started to run out of the house.

End of flashback

I stood up in frustration and growled feeling annoyed and exhausted.

"Tay we need to go on a run," Said Athena with concern and frustration.

"Okay let's—"

"Alpha send our best warriors to the small waterfall northeast of the packhouse immediately." Mind linked Mia out of nowhere.

My eyes widened and I decide against questioning her having heard the dread in her voice.

"Hayden get five of our best warriors to meet me in front of the packhouse. Now!" I mind-linked him with urgency.

"On it."

"Sel something is wrong with—" But I get cut off by her very own voice filled with panic. "Tay....Taylor something very....very vicious and.....and corrupt is on our pack grounds." She mind linked me with panic and dread in her voice.

"What the fuck is going on?!?" I screamed and slammed my door open to zip through hallways with my inhumane speed.

I felt other pack members come out of their rooms and try to mind link me most likely confused about the sudden onslaught of my full power.

I ignored them and put up a mental wall continuing to zip through until I reached the main door.

Pulling it open I rushed out and calm down a little seeing Sel and Hayd standing with the warriors.

I led them, following the fresh scent of Mia and Shadow which was headed towards the northeastern part of the woods.

We all start running at our full speeds and I knew that we were headed in the direction of the waterfalls.

I continued running, expertly avoiding all of the branches that came in my way, nothing was going to stop me from protecting my family.

I didn't bother to check if they had kept up with me or not and as I'm getting closer I smelled a very strange scent and soon realized with horror that I have smelt that scent before.

"Please tell me you smell that too." Mind linked, both Sel and Hayd at the same time.

"Yes I do," I replied with clenched jaws.

Just as I entered the clearing I gasped with horror as I saw a shadow beast headed straight for Shadow.

Time slowed down as I ran towards them knowing full well that I would be too late but to my shock and horror, Mia lunged towards Shadow and transformed into a bolt of lightning for less than a millisecond.

Just as she appeared in front of Shadow a bolt of lightning struck the monster which was soon followed by a very loud boom.

Not a second later a very loud and very familiar screech was heard followed by Mia's painful howl.

At the same time Shadow's screams, "NO MIA!!!" Was heard in the pack link.

Just as I reach them I came upon a sight I hoped to never see again.

There, on the floor was Shadow holding Mia's bloody wolf's head on her lap, whispering hysterically.

My eyes once again went wide with horror as I noticed the black smoke coming out of her forehead, I knew exactly what that meant yet I tried my best to deny it.

But I knew full well that she had been infected by that shadow beast.

Mia's body started to shake and I instantly knelt, I realized she was shifting back, I removed my jacket immediately to cover her up.

"Get to the infirmary and tell them to prepare their emergency operations room." Commanded Sel to Hayd.

"All of you scout the area and if you find anything remotely suspicious then immediately mind link me." She growled with anger, addressing the warriors.

"Yes, Beta." They replied in unison.

I sensed them dispersing in different directions behind me.

"Hey, hey Shadow look at me. She is going to be okay, alright? I'm here now. You know how strong our Mia is but we need to get her to the infirmary." I said with a gentle voice, trying my best to hide the quiver in my voice.

She looked up at me with bloodshot eyes and I nodded encouragingly. She got up, picking the limp and bloodied form of Mia.

I clenched my jaws as I saw a black and bloody cut going across her face from the right side of her forehead, through the bridge of her nose, and down to her left cheek.

I wanted to scream and cry my eyes out but I knew I had to be strong for them and the pack.

I touched Shadow's shoulder, making her flinch but immediately removed my hands as my magic wrapped around them both.

She looked towards me through the light blue barrier with gratefulness shining in her otherwise sorrowful-looking eyes.

If any more Shadow beasts were on our pack ground then they wouldn't be able to touch her.

Her eyes then glowed a bright green and she turned around to zip back in full speed towards the packhouse.

She wasn't as fast as me, hence I could easily follow her with my eyes which anyone lower in rank or power than the Hayd would have a hard time to do so because she was after all one of, if not the best warrior in our pack.

I locked eyes with Sel knowing what this incident meant.

Mia's POV

I opened my eyes but saw nothingness surrounding me.

I look around in utter confusion not knowing where I was.

"Rowena....?" I tried to reach out to her but got no response.

I started trembling as I realized I felt empty, void of the constant and beautiful presence of my beloved wolf.

"No....no...this isn't.....no—" I stood up and look around frantically with horror.

I started running in a panic all the while shouting the names of the people I trusted.

"SHADOW!"

"ROWENA"

"WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"ALPHA TAYLOR.....BETA...beta...."

I huffed, breathing heavily, My lungs were starting to burn but I kept running knowing if I stop something bad would happen.

"Am I having another nightmare?" I questioningly whispered to myself.

"No you aren't," A deep and sinister voice replied.

I once again looked around wildly in confusion and panic.

"Wh-who....are...you..?" I stuttered feeling scared, trying to find the owner of the voice.

"Oh my, seems like my Maze has forgotten me hmm?" Replied the same sinister voice with a fake sigh.

I tried my best to muster courage and push aside the confusion.

Summoning enough courage I screamed with frustration, "What is this place?!"

"Your worst nightmare." The voice replied but this time it had a sinister face, my eyes widen in horror as I looked into the eyes of a monster.

His eyes....they....they were black?! All except his irises, which glow a bright yellow color.

But before I could register his entire face I felt a gut-wrenching emotion of terror.

And soon after that, a hand reached out of the dark nothingness and towards the place where my heart was supposed to be. I tried to back away but it feels like I was stuck, not being able to move at all.

Suddenly his hand reached my trembling figure and it felt like my soul was being ripped apart. I let out a blood-curdling scream of agony.

The pain was so intense I kept screaming until my throat hurt, and soon enough I faded out of consciousness, or was this even considered as my conscious form?

Hello Shadowlinks!

*clears throat nervously*

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!🎆🎊

I know this year was a struggle for everyone and it was for me too but there is always light at the end of the tunnel!

Remember to always hold on to that tiny bit of hope ✨

Before you scream at me, don't worry Mia will be saved....or will she?