Heart Of Stone. [Book 1]

Chapter 3 The Mate Sense

~48 hours earlier~

Blake Dorn sat at his computer checking over his packs accounts. Sending out the staff's weekly pay checks. He hated doing the accounts. But with his Beta off on assignment he had to ensure everyone was taken care of. As Alpha he ran a large pack just outside of the Colorado National park. The Rocky Mountains give his pack a natural barrier against rogues or unsuspecting humans. Finally sending out the last of the checks, Blake sat back rubbing his hands over his face. Feeling the growing beard scrapping across his hand reminded him it was time for a shave soon. Glancing out the windows of his office he saw that night had fallen long ago without his notice. He had probably missed dinner. Sighing in frustration he shut down his computer and left his office. Making his way through the pack house toward the kitchen, he greeted the few pack members still roaming around. Noticing Miley his Betas mate pacing the rec room nervously, her hands balled up at her sides, he began to worry.

"Miley, are you okay? What's wrong?"

Stopping her pacing she ran up to him.

"Have you heard from Ethan? I've been trying to contact him all day but his block has been up. He always contacts me before dinner when he's away. But I've heard nothing." Miley usually level headed and not prone to worry had Blake wondering if something had gone wrong on Ethan's assignment. Ethan was only supposed to escort their house Elder to the council hall in London. Then return home. Miley opened her mouth again to speak but Blake held up his hand asking her to wait. Blake sent a mind link out to Ethan. Block or not the pack Alpha could always reach out as long as they were awake. "Ethan?" "Blake hey man, everything okay?" "Yeah, just Miley is in a full panic wondering if your okay. Shes upset you didn't contact her and your block is up". "Damn, sorry i forgot to take it down when i left the council hall. Elder Cain and i made it with no problems. Im on my way back now. Taking the first flight back tonight. Ill reach out to Miley. Sorry she panicked on you." "Its okay, safe travels brother see you soon". Cutting off the link i reassured Miley that Ethan was okay and he would be in contact soon. The relief in her eyes was immediate. "Thank you Ethan, im sorry i freaked i was just so worried." "No problem at all i know you miss him. Thankfully he will be home soon." Smiling she walked off and Blake's heart cracked a bit. How he longed for a mate. Someone who would love him and worry if he so much as missed a mind link. At the age of 23 he was losing hope. The mate sense can go off as soon as your 18th birthday if your lucky, and he had hoped he would be one of the lucky ones. But so far no sign of his mate anywhere. Taking over his parents pack at 18 with no luna had been difficult. Over the years it grew obvious the pack needed a luna. A strong woman to lead by his side becoming the heart and soul of his pack. The females of his pack have definitely noticed his unmated status. Constantly strutting around him trying to catch his eye. He had dated a few females but none could fill the missing piece of his heart.

Shaking himself from his depression he continued his walk to the kitchen, hopefully there were leftovers from dinner. Knowing an Omega would be in the kitchen he walked through the door way and noticed Kim wiping down the countertops. Kim is one of the newest omegas to join his pack. She was young just barely 18. Her small frame of 5'2" swallowed up by the oversize clothes she had come with. Her mousey brown hair had come loose from her high ponytail. Her silver eyes tired but focused on her job. When Kim noticed him she stood at attention, avoiding eye contact. She always looked terrified when any of the males of the pack came by. Blake suspected she had been abused harshly at her old pack. But anytime he had asked about her past she would clam up terrified of sharing anything. So he was giving her time to settle in and grow comfortable within his pack. Abuse of a pack member was illegal and it was one law he believed in whole heartedly.

"Hello Kim, any chance there are left overs from dinner?" Nodding her head she scurried to the fridge pulling out a few containers, she was starting to make him a plate when he stopped her.

"No its okay i can do that. Why don't you clock off and head home."

"Yes sir" she gave a small bow still avoiding looking at him and turned to leave.

"Kim, you know you don't need to bow to me like that. I want this pack to be like a family to you." nodding she rushed out. Shaking his head he really hoped she would be happy here. That she will find peace for whatever happened to her at her old pack. Maybe he should speak with Elder Cain when he returned from London. Get some information on her and her old pack.

Setting himself to make his dinner he thought about the upcoming contracts and assignments he needed to go over for work.

He and his family owned one of the largest security firms in the US. Dorn Enterprise handled the security contracts for most of the Government and Military branches world wide. Everything from personal security to mercenaries request. His packs fighters were top notch trained from tracking, snipers, even a few assassins. They didn't want for anything. Well anything but their mates. Blake felt too many of his males in the pack were unmated. Unsure why many haven't gotten the mate sense he worried something was going on. Even some of the neighboring Alphas had mentioned that less and less males are getting the sense over the years. Within his own pack only about 20% are mated out of 70k. Something is definitely off but he had no idea what could cause such a wide spread problem. Sighing again Blake finished his dinner and took his plate to the sink. As he crossed the kitchen the old clock on the wall struck midnight. Blake's vision blurred suddenly, his body going numb causing him to drop his plate shattering it on the tile floor. Dropping to his knees he gripped his head as pressure built. It felt like something was pressing in on his skull, trying to break in. Groaning in pain Blake leaned forward placing his forehead against the cold tiles of the floor wishing it would ease the pain.. What the hell is happening? His vision started to grow darker. Something is wrong. Panicked Blake sent a massive mind link out to his pack then felt something tear from his body before falling over and passing out.

Waking up in nothing but darkness had Blake's senses snapping to attention. Standing up he looked around trying to see anything at all to tell him where he was.

But there was nothing there. He tried to reach out to his wolf but all he felt was an empty hole. His wolf was gone. How was that possible? He hadn't been without him since his 18th birthday. Trying not to panic he picked a random direction and began walking. Hoping to maybe get to the end of where ever he was. But as he felt the hours pass he began to realize it just kept going. A never ending void of darkness. Getting irritated he stopped and yelled out. "Hello? Is anyone there?" his voice seemed to echo on into the void but no reply came. Annoyed he sat down and waited. Surely whatever reason he was here would show eventually. As he waited he placed his hand on the darkness below him. It was gritty and coarse almost like sand. Digging his hand in deeper it sent a cold chill up his arm. Snapping his hand back in surprise he looked at his hand and noticed small traces of black powder fading from his hand. Curious he placed his hand back down feeling the chill run up his arm again. Not exactly painful but unnerving. Looking at his hand again more of the black powder was there fading slowly. Noticing that his legs and butt seemed fine while he was seated he figured the powder only reacted to bare skin. His pants must be protecting him. Either way Blake stood up trying to avoid touching the black powder again.

Looking around again Blake finally noticed something. Someone off in the distance was approaching fast. Blake stood his ground ready to take on who ever had put him here. As the figure got closer he saw that it was a wolf, his wolf. "Jaxx? what are you doing here?" Blake called out. Realizing immediately Jaxx didn't reply back . Jaxx reached him coming to an abrupt stop. His black and blue fur stood at attention. Growls deep from his chest vibrated the air. Eyes focused on something behind Blake. Turning around Blake saw a small white orb floating a few inches from his face. Stepping back mirroring Jaxx's stance. Blake prepared to defend himself. The orb glowed brighter almost pulsing in place. Then it began to elongate, stretching long then widening out. Till it took the shape of a woman. Confused but alert Blake watched as long silver hair appeared glowing like the light of the moon. Eyes the color of sapphires looked at him. Once she fully formed Blake was in awe. She stood regal and beautiful in a long silver gown sprinkled here and there with shining blue stars and crescent moons. Ivory skin dusted with flakes of silver. A crown of moons laid over her hair. Jaxx immediately whimpered and laid low and submissive. "Forgive me mother" he spoke quietly. She gently placed her hand on Jaxx's head and smiled. Registering what Jaxx said, Blake realized exactly who he was looking at. The Moon Goddess. Bowing low Blake submitted as well. "Forgive me Goddess, i meant no disrespect." Smiling again she placed her hand under Blake's chin lifting his gaze to meet hers.

"No apologies needed. I know you are confused and lost, but it seems this is my only way to contact my children."

"Im sorry i don't understand" Blake was always told she should be able to reach any of them when ever she wanted. A sad look crossed her face and she stepped back. Blake stood and watched as she seemed to flicker in place. "Normally i can reach my children easily on the earthly plain. But something dark has been building over the years. It has begun to cut off my connection to you all." Shocked that something powerful enough to cut off the Goddesses connection was possible. It made his thoughts from earlier return. Is that why so many of us are mateless? . "The mate sense?" he asked. Again her face showed a deep sadness as she nodded her head. "Unfortunately yes, with my connection to my children growing weak. Sending out the mate sense has become difficult and at times impossible. Whatever dark force is behind this, is leaving all my children isolated and vulnerable. Even some are not getting their wolf." Dread flooded Blake system as he realized just how bad this could be. If someone didn't get their wolf on their 18th birthday. Their soul would begin to die. Without the other half of ones soul the mind and body would begin to break down. Leading first to insanity then death. His people wouldn't survive. "What happened to me? Is this why you called me here? What can i do?". "I'm sorry for the pain you went through getting here but i had no other options. I had to use much of my power to rip your soul and that of your wolf out to bring you here. The pain can be intense but it was necessary." "What is this place?" Looking around she raised her hands and small wisps of color appeared, varying colors of blue, green, yellow and so many more. They were faint and slow, moving almost like they were injured. "These are the souls of lost wolves. Ones that were kept from their counterparts because of this mess. They are faded and weak because their counterparts are dying." Looking around he realized there were hundreds of them if not more. Reaching out a small green wisp pressed against Blake's hand and he could feel its pain and torment. He could also feel that this wolf's soul was an Alpha. Tears welled in Blake's eyes as the soul faded more, shuddered then turned to black dust and fell. Looking at the Goddess Blake attempted to speak, "Did he...?" nodding her head a tear fell from her eyes. "Yes" she replied seeing he couldn't even ask. Heart broken knowing a pack lost their Alpha before they even got to meet him, Blake shook his head. Realizing now what the black powder he had touched earlier was. It was all that's left of a wolf's soul when it died. This is wrong, all wolfs souls are meant to rejoin the Goddess till they are rebound to another soul. "I see your thoughts and your right. But with my connection almost broken I can't call them home. They are trapped here by whoever is doing this. Unable to merge with their counterparts and unable to come home they fade here till all that's left is dust." As he watched her form flickered in and out a few times before remaining solid again. Leaning down she seemed to caress her hand over the black dust mornfully.

"What do we do?" "Blake i brought you here because your mate is in danger. Time is running out, and i sense she will be the key to stop all of this." She gestured around to the lost souls. His mate? So he does have a mate. "You must get to her and save her before she is given to another. It will be difficult, she has been through more than you can imagine. She just got her wolf and unfortunately i had to do to her what i did to you so she could bond to her wolf. It drained me doing this twice but its critical the two of you find each other quickly. I can't give you your sense, you will have to track her down without it. But i can show you where she is. From here it will be up to you. Once you return to your body i cant reach you again my connection is almost gone and until this ends all my children will be on their own." Giving him a stern look to be sure he understands. Blake nodded unable to speak. This was all on him. Him and his mate. He wanted to be excited knowing he would be going to finally find his mate. But the weight of his peoples survival was heavy, glancing around once more at the lost souls of his brothers and sisters he was scared. He had to fix this quickly or more would be lost.

The Goddess turned to Jaxx and watched as he whimpered and lay next to another soul, watching it fade into nothing. "Jaxx, im so proud of you. Remain strong and everything will be okay. Now go bond your souls again and return. Time is short." Jaxx nodded his massive head and immediately stood in front of Blake. Blake smiled and opened his arms wide. Jaxx didn't hesitate and merged into him. Feeling whole again Blake turned to the Goddess and nodded. She came forward placed her hand over his eyes and images flashed in his mind. A large stone building, old and falling apart. It almost looked abandoned. Flashes of forest, dense and long. A small motel nestled at the edge of the forest. He knew that motel. He had been there before for business with another pack. His mate was in Washington. The images stopped and she removed her hand. Smiling she spoke "Find her Blake and keep her safe. Good luck" with that he felt the floor give and he fell.