Chapter 12

There was a constant ringing in Vita’s head when she woke up the following day. She was having difficulty opening her eyes, and her head pounded. She sighed in relief when the ringing stopped but then started up again. What was making that annoying sound? “Vita, please answer your phone,” Deak groaned. Vita’s eyes popped open, and she reached over to grab her phone from the nightstand. Her eyes widened, and felt a shot of guilt hit her when she saw the caller ID. “Hey, Amanda,” she said when she answered the phone. She wanted to slap her forehead but would soon regret it with the splitting headache she was dealing with. What happened last night? “At least now I know you are alive,” Amanda yelled into her ear. Vita winced at the noise and decided to put her on speaker. “I’m sorry, we meant to call you yesterday, but the day got away from us.” “I bet it did,” Amanda huffed. “So, did you do anything fun last night?” Vita had a hard time remembering parts of last night; she looked over at Deak, who was lost in his own thoughts, trying to recollect what had happened. “It was definitely unexpected. The council treat visitors like VIP and show them a good time,” Vita answered. “How are things back at home?” “Things are fine,” Amanda said vaguely. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing is wrong, but just curious, has Gretchen said anything to you or Madeline?” Vita sat up. “No, was she supposed to?” “Well, I had her check something out before she left, and I just assumed she would tell you what had happened,” Amanda explained. “What happened? Are you okay?” Vita asked, her voice filled with concern. “Yes, I’m fine.” “Amanda, stop beating around the bush and tell me what’s happening?” Amanda was quiet momentarily before she sighed and said, “Tristan’s body disappeared.” Vita’s heart quickened when she heard that name. Her anxiety was growing. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths to calm herself down. Vita felt the phone being taken out of her hand. “Small girl, it’s Deak.” He smirked when he heard a heavy sigh from Amanda for his nickname that he still called her. “Good morning, Deak.” “Speak for yourself. What is this about Tristan’s body disappearing?” “After you left, some warriors came up to Hudson and told us that Tristan’s body had disappeared before the mating ceremony. They didn’t want anything to stop us from being mated, so they waited to tell us until the next day. I had Gretchen check things out before she left. Gretchen said she could sense something but couldn’t get a signature on it. We checked the camera footage, but all there was, was a grey smoke that filled the room, and then Tristan was gone.” Amanda explained. “Are you saying some kind of smoke took Tristan’s body?” Deak questioned. “I don’t know if that is what I am saying, but all the camera showed is smoke,” Amanda confirmed. Deak rubbed the temples on the side of his head. He couldn’t remember the last time he had a hangover like this one. He couldn’t remember how they returned to the hotel last night or really anything after they left the party. “We’ll update Gretchen and fill Madeline in on the smoke and the disappearance. We’ll let you know what they come up with.” Deak told her. “Okay, thanks.” Vita pulled the phone back in her direction. “Amanda, you shouldn’t be worrying about this stuff right now; you’re supposed to be spending time with your mate. How is Hudson doing?” “He’s fine. He’s happy being back home with the pack,” Amanda said with happiness in her voice. “Deak, I plan to head over to your house and go through the coven grimoires.” “Small girl, all that can wait. Spend some time with your mate,” Deak told her. “You know, Amanda, Esha was saying that Silver City is a great place for a couple to spend time together. Maybe you and Hudson should come and join us?” Vita suggested. Amanda giggled. “As tempting as that sounds, I think Hudson would prefer us staying back with the pack. I need to learn my position as Luna. Alpha Benjamin and Luna Cynthia are thinking about retiring next year. We have to prepare and be ready to step up and fill their places. I appreciate the offer.” “Of course, we just miss you,” Vita told her. “I miss you all too. Keep me posted on the trip; I want to hear all about it.” “We will. Tell Hudson we say hi. Talk to you later,” Vita told her and then hung up, then lay back in the bed and curled into Deak. “Deak?” “Igen, my love.” “Do you remember how we got home last night?” Deak stayed quiet as he pulled Vita in closer to him. “It’s all a bit foggy for me. Maybe Tabitha or Marco can fill in the blanks.” “Do we have to get up in order to do that? My head is killing me. I don’t think I’ve experienced such a thing.” Deak leaned over and kissed Vita on the forehead before he got out of bed. He went over and picked up the remote, and turned the TV on. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Ordering you some breakfast. We need to feed you and get you hydrated. Here have some water.” He offered as he pulled out a bottled water from the mini fridge in the room. “Thank you.” “You just relax, and I will call around to put all the puzzle pieces together of what happened last night.” Vita smiled at her mate. “What?” “How did I get so lucky to be picked as your mate?” she said.. Deak’s eyes darken with desire. He walked over to her by the bed and raised his hand to rub her cheek. “It is I who am the lucky one, my Vita.” *** Amanda hung up the phone just as Hudson walked back into their room. Hudson was covered in sweat with no shirt and a pair of sweatpants on. “Good morning, my beautiful mate,” Hudson said. Amanda shivered as she watched him walk around their room as he grabbed things from their closet. “Morning, did you train with your warriors already?” Hudson wiped his face with a towel. “Yeah, just finished. Did you get ahold of Vita?” “I did. They’re going to get back to me after they’ve talked with Madeline. When are you going to train with me again?” Hudson looked at her with heat in his eyes. “You want to train with me?” Hudson asked with a brow lifted. Amanda bit her lower lip as she nodded her head. Hudson growled as he threw his towel down, quickly leaped onto the bed, and pinned Amanda down. Amanda squealed as she tried to wiggle and squirm out of Hudson’s grip. “Careful, you are only making Artemis get more excited,” Hudson cautioned. “I’m sure Willow can handle your wolf,” Amanda challenged. “We’ll just see about that.”