A Missing Mark

Jackson

" Y ou alright there?" I ask Nick as I raise my fists again as my Beta and best friend pinches his bloody nose.

"Michelle is going to be so pissed. She hates when I bleed all over my whites." He looks down at his white shorts and I smile.

"Then maybe stop wearing them. You sure it's not your ego that is hurting?" I ask, trying not to tease him but failing.

"Yeah, I'm bloody sure, asshole," he growls. I smirk at that.

"Good to know it's just the wifey's anger you're afraid of."

It's good to get to just be myself without everyone watching my every move. The image and the front that are expected of an alpha can get tiresome. Sometimes I like to just be with my best friend as we train, and he doesn't address me as Alpha.

"You sound hurt. Now suck it up, be a man. Come on, Nicky, hit me." I taunt.

He lunges at me, and I block him, chuckling. "You're getting rusty."

"So are you, old man. So tell me, when are you handing Elijah the title?" Nick asks me as we continue to exchange blows.

My smile fades, and I frown. "I don't know. He is reasonable, smart, strong, and I know that he will make a good alpha."

"But?"

I frown slightly as I dodge a punch. "But I feel there's something missing. I think he needs grounding – some sense of responsibility that is missing. I do hope he finds his mate on the coming Blood Moon. I think that-"

"That a mate can complete him. I do wholeheartedly agree, but don't punish him by keeping that title from him just because he hasn't found his mate. We live in peaceful times, for the most part. It doesn't really matter if he hasn't found his mate. I think he's responsible, maybe not when it comes to women, but otherwise, he is," Nick reasons as I knock his legs from under him. He grunts as he rolls onto his side, and I offer him a hand up, but instead of allowing me to help him up, he yanks me down, kicking my shoulder as he pins me to the ground.

"I don't know. Maybe I'll think it over." I grunt as I manage to kick him off and jump to my feet.

"Well, please do."

"I might just have to make him Alpha just so your son can replace you. I mean, you're getting weak," I mock him, making his eyes flash as he lunges at me. I'm about to duck when I suddenly feel a pack-link snap. My face pales just as Nick's fist connects with my jaw,

"Fuck, Jackson!" he shouts, not expecting me not to duck and I'm thrown into the ropes of the boxing ring.

"We've lost someone!" I say, standing up, my heart racing.

Account for every pack member immediately, Delta Adam, now. Code Blue, I repeat, we have a Code Blue situation, I say through the pack-link so all warriors and pack security members can hear me.

"A pack-link breaking during the day. I'll check with patrol first!" Nick says, jumping out of the ring.

"Yeah, good idea," I answer, leaving the ring too.

Beta Nick will check and account for all patrol members. Warrior Liam, check all warriors on site. I'll check those who are not on pack territory… I trail off.

My stomach twists with unease as I think of Scarlett and Elijah. No. I'm just worrying for no reason. But I can't help but panic. Everyone get on it!

There's a slew of replies as everyone follows orders. Yes, Alpha!

Jessica! Call Scarlett or Elijah now.

On it, she replies quickly.

I want someone to check on all unshifted pups. For all those who can hear me, I need everyone to check in on the pack database and check if your pups are all safe too, I say, opening up the link to all my pack members. We have systems in place to account for everyone quickly, but it will still take us a few hours as not everyone is always available instantly or able to be contacted.

I quickly jog home, ringing Indigo.

"Hey, Dad."

I let out a sigh of relief. "You're safe. Good. I just felt a pack-link break."

Her breath hitches. "Dad, has anyone called Scarlett or Elijah?" Her voice is suddenly shaky, and I frown, trying to calm my own turmoil.

"We're on it," I say gently. "Is Daniel with you?"

"Yeah, he is. I'm coming home," she answers.

"Sure. I'll see you soon, dear."

I see it in both her and Jessica, and I see them revert back to the fearful shells they were when they first came to this pack. The trauma of their past is embedded deep within them, and although I know Jessica told me she was certain her mate didn't hurt Scarlett as much, assuming it was because she looked like him, I wasn't so sure. Trauma is dealt with differently. And Scarlett, in many ways, is closed up. Who knows what she is hiding behind those walls?

Jackson, they're not answering. I'm panicking. Where are you? There's something I need to show you. Jessica's voice makes me speed up and I break into a run, rushing through the door to our mansion to see Jessica standing there pale.

"What is it?" I ask, pulling her into my arms. Her heart is beating violently. "Is it the kids?"

"N-no, they haven't answered," she whispers. "But look." She pulls away and tugs her shirt collar down, showing her neck. The dark tattoo that was an attempt at covering the mark of her abusive mate sits across her neck. But it never was able to hide the blackest mate mark I have ever seen.

My heart skips a beat as I stare at it.

"It's gone." I breathe. She looks at me with tears in her eyes. "I don't know how, but he must have marked someone else."

I nod, as I pull her into my arms, realising what this meant for us. I kiss her forehead. "This is a good thing. I'm going to try to get a hold of our pups and then I'll be right back."

She nods just as Indigo rushes through the door. "Did you get through to Scarlett? Neither is answering my calls!" she says, her eyes glittering with unshed tears, frustration clear in her tone.

"Hey, it's going to be alright. They're ok," Jessica tries to reassure her as we part, and she pulls Indigo into her arms. Indigo nods.

"Then speak to them. What if something happened to them? I argued with Scarlett. What if I wished bad on her and something has happened to her?"

"Aww no hun, that's not true, Scarlett will be fine," Jessica answers gently as I take my phone out to try to call both of them.

Indigo pulls away, looking at Jessica accusingly. "How can you be so sure? Have you talked to her?"

"Indy, she's a capable, strong woman, and she has Elijah-"

"I don't care if she's capable! She's still human! She can still get hurt! Why do you always have to undermine her feelings?"

I look at her sharply as she wipes her tears furiously as Jessica stares at her in surprise. "Indigo, what is going on? It's not like you to behave like this. You always argue with Scar-"

"I can! Because she's my sister! We can argue! You should treat us the same! If that was me out there, even if I was with Elijah, you wouldn't be so calm!" she screams before she pushes past Jessica and rushes up the stairs.

Jessica looks worried and upset, but I can't help but smile gently at Indigo's words.

"I wish I could show this moment to Scarlett when we do get through to her, and we will. But I also know Indigo will never forgive me if I do," I chuckle.

Jessica smiles sadly. "Yeah, I just- I just know Scarlett's stronger. Of course, I'm worried. She is my child," she says, hugging herself.

I walk over to her and cup her face. "She is, and I know you love her. Don't let her words get to you. I think all Indigo means is maybe show that a little more. Even if Scarlett doesn't like that ‘mushy' stuff as she puts it."

Jessica nods. "We need to get in touch with them now."

"I've messaged IT Control to track their phones to see if we can pick up a location."

"So, then we wait?" she asks worriedly.

"I'm afraid so," I answer.

It was definitely going to be a long night.

I hang up the phone, having just managed to get through to Elijah's friend, Alpha Rafael Rossi, who then passed the phone to the kids.

"Thank the Goddess," Jessica says, as Indigo stands up and rolls her eyes.

"Now that just wasted my time," she grumbles, stomping out of the room. I smile as I watch her leave. The look of relief when she heard her siblings' voices was proof enough of what she had been feeling.

Jessica sits down on our bed and places her head in her hands. "Thank the Goddess they're alright, but whose pack-link was broken then?" she asks.

I frown, "I don't know." Everyone was accounted for…

"Do you think it's just a coincidence that my mark vanishes the same day we feel a pack-link break?" she whispers.

"No, and this Rossi's pack is close to your old pack, but they're both safe…" It doesn't make sense.

Jessica nods. "Yes… I was just… I don't know. For a moment, I wondered if Scarlett joined that pack again."

"And why would she do that?"

"I don't know," she rubs her face and I frown.

If it was Elijah in Scarlett's place, I can picture him wanting to overthrow his tyrant of a father, but this is Scarlett. She wouldn't. I mean, that's not possible.

"Well, I don't think us worrying about it is going to help in any way, so how about I help you relax?" I suggest as I walk over to the door and lock it. Jessica looks up at me, her cheeks flushing as I stride towards her and she reaches up, grabbing me by the shirt and pulling me on top of her. Our lips collide and my eyes flash. It hits me at that moment as pleasure courses through me that tonight I can make her mine. Completely.

I begin undressing her, showering her with passionate kisses. "Tonight, I am going to mark you, baby."

Her heart races as she looks up at me, her eyes flickering to Ella's mark on my neck. "But… are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I've waited long enough," I whisper, kissing her again as I pull her against me.

I will always love Ella, but it is Jessica who is the woman in my life now. I love her and I want to mark her as my own, something I always thought would never be possible.

But now it is.