A vampire's Choice
Chapter 32

The run had been incredible; each time, it gets better and better. The house peeked out from between the thick trees as Vanessa trotted, Mark at her heels, playfully nipping. But the best part of these nights comes after. The images of their entwined bodies send heat to her groin.

I love the scent of your arousal, Mark mind linked, but I don't particularly appreciate when the others can smell it too.

You drive me crazy; what can I say? Vanessa spoke back.

The growl behind her edge her forward, and the trot turned into a run. Mark was fast and kept up. The faint lights from the house illuminated the path as they jumped over broken trees and zipped through bushes. Dashing past the last of the trees, the house loomed before her, and Vanessa slowed down, shifted back at the same time. In her human, naked state, she turned to the place she just came from, waiting for Mark. Instead, his wolf burst out without stopping, sprinting past her and directly to the house. Confusion racked her as she watched him run into the house, the closed door not an obstacle as he threw his body against it. Spotting clothes nearby, Vanessa ran and got dressed, planning on following her mate when a mind link came through.

Stay away from the house, Roland demanded to the whole pack. Soldiers shift and prepare for an attack.

Before Vanessa reached the patio, a loud growl vibrated over her body, so powerful it shook the wooden stairs beneath her feet. Then, spinning around, she was just in time to see Roland shift to his human form, followed by Ruby and a few other wolves.

"Don't go inside." Roland order, moving around to put on clothes, followed by the rest.

Fear gripped Vanessa as she realized whatever was in the house scared Roland. "Mark is inside."

Ruby moved quickly up the stairs and grabbed her hand, pulling her into her body. "I know. He informed us, but we don't know what is inside. You can’t blindly go in." She tried to comfort Vanessa but to no avail.

Roland skipped steps as he rushed up with the soldiers following suit. Then, reaching out, Roland stopped Vanessa as she broke Ruby's hold. "We have to go first."

Vanessa swung towards him, about to pull from his hold, but the look he gave stopped her. "But Mark..." she whined.

"Mark is fine. Your link would inform you if he is hurt, but you can't go in." Pushing Vanessa back to Ruby, Roland gave a silent nod, returned by Ruby before going inside. The house was cast in darkness, his eyes adjusting quickly. Unfamiliar scents slammed into his nose, making his back straight and hands fisted, ready for anything.

Be alert and follow me, Roland linked the soldiers behind him.

With their confirmation, he moved with the others following in unison. Letting the scent guide him, they moved silently through the rooms and up the stairs, the faint light at the end of the room an indicator of where to go. A chill slid down his back as he realized the room belonged to Roger, but his scent was not fresh anymore; none were, except one.

Is the intruder secured? Roland linked Mark.

Yes, he linked back. But you have to see this.

With the confirmation of subdued, the group burst into the room, freezing from the scene before them. Roland's eyes shot between Mark standing over an unfamiliar wolf. Stepping closer, Roland used the time to take a deep breath, letting the smells wash over him. Two scents were strange; the one a powerful creature, something he could not put his finger on, and the other of the creature laying at Mark's feet. A scent he had buried deep in his consciousness and promised himself he would never forget—the smell of the wolf that had slaughtered his pack.

A familiar pair of brown eyes shifted to him, and as they connected, fury exploded from Roland. Then, Roland jumped, his claws extended and ready to tear the monster to pieces with no thought.

"Wait..." Mark shouted, jumping into action.

Roland crashed into Mark's solid body, the slight force making him stumble but only for a split second as he pushed back at his Beta. As an Alpha, Roland was stronger, more so than his second in charge. Mark dug into his shirt, trying with all his might, but with each step, Roland got closer.

"Don't do this. We need information." Mark huffed, out of breath from trying to stop his Alpha.

Ignoring the sane words from his friend, Roland grabbed the arm holding onto his shirt and ripped it off, shoving him away.

The action stun Mark but he quickly recovered. "Stop him."

The soldiers were conflicted. Stand back and let the Alpha decide or follow the orders of the Beta. Seconds before Roland could pounce on the frozen wolf, hands wrapped around his flailing limbs, pulling back.

Roland roared as his kill moved further from his grasps, the hold on him too strong. "I demand you let me go." Fighting his soldiers by twisting, a few hands dropped, and he surged forward, but Mark jumped in front of him, grabbing his face to force him to look away from his kill.

"Move, Mark.” The Alpa demand lessened Mark's strength, and as he involuntarily stepped to the side, softer hands rested on his chest.

"You need to calm down, baby." The sweet voice of his mate confused Roland. Jumping between the wolf and his mate slowed him down, allowing the soldiers to get a better grip on him.

"He has to die." Roland objected but allowed his men to move him, making his feet drag over the floor as they pulled him away.

Mark sprang into action by taking the chains another offered and set about securing their target. Luke remained silent as he watched the Alpha try to attach him and his pack to stop him. If he could laugh, this scene would make him tear up. Being caught by this bunch was ridiculous, and he was not scared, only wishing the bitch's spell or whatever it was disappeared so he could finish what he started: slaughtering this entire house.

The tension lay thick in the room with Luke tied to a chair as soldiers gathered around the wolf: Roland before him and Mark just to his right.

The only light cast the room in shadows, emphasizing the captured wolf's wounds. Blood dripped from his mouth as a dark color covered his swollen shut left eye. Looking up at the wolves before him, Luke snarled, followed by a coy smile.

"Where are they?" demanded Roland, his hands turning white from fisting by his side.

Taking his time gazing at each member before settling on the Alpha, Luke spoke. "I am not telling you."

A fist swung out, hitting its mark on the wolf's stomach as he tumbled forward, the chair beneath him scraping the floor from the rough punch.

"You will tell me either way." Roland spat. "It is up to you if you die a painful death or a quick one."

Mark watched in silence as his friend and Alpha spared no expense. Punch after punch, the man beat the prisoner, a smile on his lips as he endured the pain. Sweat gathered at Roland's bow as Mark realized the Alpha is faltering. "Give me a turn with this scum." Stepping forward, he placed a hand on Roland's shoulder, the Alpha looking at him with surprise, completely forgetting about the others.

Sparing a glance at Luke, Roland nodded to his Beta before stepping back. "Fine, but the rest of you leave."

The rest of the men departed the room with no response, leaving the Beta and Alpha with Luke.

"Do what you need to do. All I want is answers." Grabbing a second chair and pulling it up, Roland dropped down, resting against the side as he watched.

Rolling up his sleeves slowly, Mark took his time prolonging the punishment. Luke smiled in amusement as he silently observed the two wolves. They think he will break easily, but even the dark forces that had controlled him couldn't make a tend in his armor. Yet, these two assumed they could.

Sucking hard, Luke gathered the iron-tasting blood in his mouth, swirling the liquid around, marveling in the texture as it coated his teeth. Zoning on Mark's gaze as he stepped closer, Luke spat at the Beta before smirking at him, revealing his red teeth. "Let's see what you got."

Mark dodged the spit the wolf aimed at him, keeping his face clear of emotion. This man loved to toy with his victims, and if he sensed weakness, he would pounce. "Would you like some mouthwash?" Mark asked sarcastically.

"Only your blood on my hands would suffice," Luke answered.

"Too bad that it is not going to happen." Moving to the table against the wall, Mark scanned the selection of torture devices, picturing their effects. A scalpel glistened in the limited light, choosing for Mark as he reached for it, wrapping his fingers around the cool metal. Turning around slowly while playing with the sharp tip, he smirked at the wolf, stepping closer. "Let's begin."

Roughly grasping the dirty blond mane of Luke, Mark yanked his head back, pressing the scale to his exposed neck. "Where are Lisa and Roger?"

The blade pierced Luke's skin as a trickle of blood bloomed before rolling down. "I do not know who you are talking about." Luke rasped.

"Is it your final answer?"

"Always."

With a quick jab, more blood seeped from the wound, Luke barely flinching from pain. Mark noticed the wolf's aversion to pain, realizing it will not aid their mission. Trailing the man's features, Mark figured out a way to get him to talk. Pain might not be the trick, but losing a body part would surely get them the answers they needed, and soon.

Clasping his eyes to Luke's, Mark smirked. Lifting the pressure from the cut, he kept the blade against his skin as he slowly trailed it against his face, stopping beneath his eyes as he spoke. "You know why I am the Beta? It is not because I beat the last one. No, it is because I have a hidden talent. You want to know what that is?"

Luke stared him straight in the eyes as he answered. "If it is talking to torture someone, it is too late, I already know."

Mark yanked his head back further, leaning closer with the blade hovering over his eye. "You are funny for a dead guy, but that is not it. My talent is I can spot weaknesses. And yours is clear as day."

"Get on with it." Ordered Roland as his leg tapped the floor. Time is running out with no new clues to their friends' whereabouts. The same scent in Roger's room clung to the beast, meaning he knew where they could be.

Peeking sideways and nodding at Roland, Mark looked back towards Luke, preparing to cut the answers from him. "You are a strong creature, able to withstand great pain, but there is one thing you cannot do," the scalpel drifted across his face as Mark spoke, the movement drawing Luke's gaze as he followed the slow teasing. "And that is regrowing body parts. Am I right?"

Lowering the blade again, Mark softly pressed the cold metal against Luke's swollen eye, only pressing slightly down. The words had their desired effect as Luke's swallowed back the spit in his mouth, not eager to test the truth in the Beta's comments. "How do you know?" Luke said, trying to hide his body's reaction to the latest threat.

"As my Alpha said, we are out of time.” Mark smirked, pressing the sharp blade into the side of Luke's eye. "So let us find out.” With a louder voice to curb the screams from Luke, Mark began to cut. Blood pooled in the socket before streaming down his face. Biting back the vile rising inside and instead focusing on his task, Mark leaned further into a fighting Luke as his voice rose from the pain. The thick red liquid covered his hands and the eye, blocking the view of his work. Cutting blindly around, Mark stopped when a soft thud sounded, and the eye covered in skin and blood dropped to the floor, a soft and wet plop indicating its release.

Luke's screams lowered with the release of his eye, leaving a hole in the side of his face. As the pain receded, a wave of new anger flourished in him. Coupled with revenge, it made him twice as strong. The need to tear their heads crashed over him, but a whisper in his mind stopped him. The heavy weight of Mark lifted away, and Luke leaned forward as blood poured from his wound, pooling around his feet.

"Now, are you ready to answer me, or should we try the other eye?" asked Mark while wiping his hands on a towel. After cleaning the scalpel and dropping the blood-coated towel, he moved in front of Luke, waiting for his response. Seconds passed with no peep, and Mark kicked his leg, jousting Luke to look back up at him.

"Yes, I know where they are," Luke muttered, a plan forming as he spoke. "But I need something in return."

Roland snorted, finding his demands hilarious. "You are in no position to bargain."

Luke's only eye shot to Roland, the side of his mouth tilting in a smile, blood from his wound flowing into his mouth. "True, but how long can I keep this up? Hours? But how long do you have? Can you really wait until I am a pile of blood and skin? No, for they might already be dead."

"You monster." Mark punched Luke's face, spraying drops of blood over his pants and shoes.

Roland jumped up, grabbing Mark's arm mid-air as he aimed for the wolf again. "Stop, we need to talk this through. He is right. They could be dead, for all we know."

"We need to kill him now. Especially after what he did to your parents."

"Parents?" Luke looks confused but also intrigued by their words. Maybe he knew them already?

Pulling Mark back, Roland moved in front of Luke, bending down slightly as he gripped his chin and forcing him to look up. "What do you want?"

"I want to come with you so that I can slay the devil myself."

"You must be..." Mark stopped as Roland held up a fist.

"You can't be serious?"

Luke budged forward, leaving only inches between his and Roland's nose. "Deadly. He molded me into the beast I am today, and with our strength combined, he will die tonight."

Roland pushed Luke's face away, straightening up. A decision had to be made, and soon. On the one hand, the hunger for revenge filled his being, but saving his friends was also important.

The rasp of a knock came on the steel door. Without waiting for an invite, the door opened, revealing Vanessa. Mark and Roland turned towards her as Mark shifted his body to hide their acts from his mate.

"I am sorry to bother, Alpha. But we have news," spoke Vanessa.

"Can it wait? We have more important things to do?"

Vanessa stepped inside, hands on her hips, a look of seriousness on her face. "This is more important. We know where they are, but it is also dangerous news. If we do not stop them, the end of the world is upon us."

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