Vega Brothers And Their Mates

"Fuck!"

Marcus Vega, the eldest of the Vega's brothers cursed under his breath as he stood with a deep frown cresting his rather handsome face as he stared at the damage done to the young calf that lay mutilated on the ground.

It went missing from the farm the previous night and he had set out during the early hours of that morning only to find it in that horrible state.

His anger was evident as he bend over the dead animal at his feet. Its limp was ripped apart and fed on. He could see marks on its flesh as he continued to inspect the damage that has been caused to its young body.

Marcus knew it was no mere incident as tales of Vampires returning to town was resurfacing again pretty quickly.

What seems to bother him more was the fact that, they could dare make his livestock a target for their blood tasty fangs. Marcus needed to warn his brothers. They needs to know, it's no longer safe out there or anywhere for that matter as long as those blood suckers were out there. It was best to stay in and keep safe.

He searched for dry leaves and covered the horrid sight before stepping away. A deep sigh escaping his mouth as he did so.

It was already mid morning when Marcus returned back to the farm again in his horse. He sighed in deeply when he noticed a familiar pick up van waiting by the front lawn of their house.

Nobody visited Marcus and his brothers aside from, Edwin Roland. He was their family friend and also the only one who knew about their secret and if he was there then it must be because he has some news about the recent killing in town and has probably come to warn them about it.

Edwin Roland is a human but a very reliable one too. Aside from being their friends, he is also part of the people keeping the peace in the town and so far, he and his brothers have been living as normal as normal can be.

Climbing down from his horse back, Marcus began to stride towards him.

"Good morning, Eddy. What brings you to our side of the world, let me guess, it's too cold up north?" Marcus had asked with a chuckle.

The older man only tipped his earthy colored cow skin rancher cap at Marcus with a smile of his own before replying.

"You bet it is Marcus and I have come to see what we can do to salvage the situation. Let talk inside"

Marcus responded with a nod and gestured for him to follow him inside so they could talk further. From the tone of his voice, Marcus knew there was trouble and he was indeed, in need of their help.

His instinct has never been wrong especially when it comes to the people he cares about.

The two men walked into the living room and up the stairs leading to the patio without saying a single word to each other.

Edwin Roland walked in and leaned against the dull wooden railing, his brown hazel eyes casting a long gaze towards the vast piece of land with cattle's grazing at a distance. From the look in his face, Marcus knew it was exactly as he had feared even without being told.

Edwin was afraid of something and with how much his brows were kneaded then it must be something bad.

Humbery Town has a history of fighting off living death many centuries ago and even though their existence is now hidden to the outside world, only a few are aware they still walk among them and Edwin was one of those few people.

Only the living death can make Edwin this worried and helpless. Marcus was almost certain about it.

"Where are the rest?" Edwin had asked, shortly after waiting for a while.

"On their way up, I already called them" Marcus said and Edwin didn't bother to ask him how. He already knew the three brothers can talk to themselves through their mind links without actually saying a word, part of the reason why he felt coming to them was actually a good idea even though their existence is just as disturbing as their other counterpart, but then again, they were still the lesser evil and more reliable.

They waited another moment before they were joined by Marcus two other brothers, Jackson and Lucien who showed up alert as though they were already in the knowing.

Jackson was next to Marcus and Lucien was the last and the most lay back of the three brothers.

"Eddy " Lucien nodded at their friend before walking further to settled down beside his bother at the railing while Jackson did same as well.

"What's the big news Ed, we heard you have something important to share with us" Jack had asked shortly.

"Is it Money? Because I could use some cash right now" Lucien joined in with a chuckle and Marcus growled under his breath putting an end to the laughter.

Lucien grumbled under his breath at his eldest brother reaction but said nothing further and Jackson simply scoffed under his breath.

The older man among the three brothers stood straighter and sighed in deeply before looking all three in the face.

"I need your assistance boys." He told them simply.

"Whatever you want, Eddy. Tell us what happened and if we can help you then why not?" Marcus said firmly and Edwin nodded before continuing.

"One of the council member daughter has gone missing. She went out and never returned"

"Then go report to the right authority. We are not the police" Jackson expressed and Lucien agreed with a nod before adding.

"The council members have connection and can get the whole of this area swimming with cops within a blink of an eye so why wait"

" Come on boys. This is bigger than the police. She practically disappeared without a trace and you and I know that's impossible"

Marcus gave a shrug, "If truly she disappeared without a trace then you and I knows she is already gone for good, Eddy and there is nothing we can do to help"

"That's if we wanted to help of course" Jackson quickly added just for emphasis.

"Look, I know you boys don't see eyes to eye with the council but this girl is worth saving"

Lucien scoffed. "What's so special about her. I mean, so many people have gotten missing before and no one moved mountain for them. Why her?"

Edwin lip parted slightly but hesitation took the best of him. Marcus saw the look in his eyes and knew he was either lying or not telling the whole truth.

"I can see this girl mean something to you so the sooner you tell us the whole truth, the better for her" Marcus said and watched his shoulders tensed even more.

All three brothers watched as Edwin Roland shifted his weight from one foot to the next before looking up at Marcus.

"She is special because she is my daughter"

"She is your daughter?" Jackson had expressed in shock while Marcus only arched a brow.

"Come on, Eddy. Last time we checked, you only have two sons. Where did this one come from?"

"Look, her birth is a long story. Right now, what's more important is finding her and finding her fast"

Edwin sounded desperate and Marcus could see it in his demeanor.

"How old?" Marcus had asked with a sigh.

"Twenty. Her name is Laura. She is a pre school teacher. Here is a photo of her" He gave Jackson a little photo which he stared at briefly before passing it to his brother Marcus who held it a little longer.

A slight frown spreading across his face pretty quickly as he continued to stare at the steel blue eyes, blonde lady with short curly bangs smiling so brightly in his hand.

She looked younger than twenty and very beautiful too but Marcus didn't comment on it out loud. But at the back of his mind, he knew right there and then, that, there was something peculiar about just looking at her that excited his wolf and that fact alone was enough to get him to ask more question about Laura.

"How long has she been missing for?"

"Since forty eight hours"

Fucking hell.

Forty eight hours is already a lot of time. That's enough time for her to get killed and even buried without a fucking trace. The weather itself has been extremely cold lately and the previous day wasn't any better. It was just as bad.

Marcus could only imagine how Laura was surviving out there under that harsh weather if give or take, she wandered and got missing without thick warm coats and some dry logs to burn some fires to keep warm but if not, she'd be death one way or the other.

The chance of finding her alive is really slim but he hate to voice out his opinion right now, Edwin was counting on them and he hates to crush his hope without even trying first.

"I hope she was dressed for the weather?". Lucien had blurted out from the other end.

For a moment there, he totally forgot he is not the only one thinking about all the pros and con at the moment. His brothers are also weird to think the same way as him.

"Those who saw her last, mentioned she was putting on a red coat. Let hope for it to be thick enough to keep her warm"

Marcus released a breath he didn't know he was holding in at Edwin's word. He doesn't know why but his wolf was becoming extremely restless from the very moment he laid eyes on her picture.

It further annoys him to think that, someone as frail looking as the one in the picture could actually wander out in the cold without a back up plan unless on a suicide mission.

Was she on a suicide mission? He wanted to ask but decided against it.

It's not like its any of his business what she choose to do with her life and time but a little precaution during this time could save everyone a great deal of trouble.

It's just happened that, things turned out this way and now it's up to he and his brothers to help save her if at all she is even alive.

Edwin Roland has a look in his eyes that suggested he knew something else that, they were not aware of.

"What is it Eddy?" Jack had beaten him to ask before he could.

"There is more to this missing thing isn't it?" he pushed even further.

"Lin is back."

Fuck.

That name is an abomination.

The last thing they needed at that point was the sound of that damn name. Lin MacArthur.

That damn vampire has caused the people of that town more death than they can actually count and the only people strong enough to chase him out was Marcus and his brothers but it came at a great lost.

They lost half of their packs including their parent and most of their warrior wolves went rogue in search of their own peace, leaving them down to a pack of just three men and ever since, they have been on the low, tending to their cattle in the farm and blending in with the humans but looks like the absolute bane of their lives is back and it's worst than they thought.

Lin MacArthur is more vicious than a snake. He kills at will and no single living breathing thing with blood has ever being spared once it's unfortunate to get caught in his fangs.

Lin MacArthur was the biggest menace the whole of Humbery Town has been cursed with. He hasn't been seen since five years ago and now he is back to cause more havoc.

Jackson and Lucien groaned almost at the same time before turning to look back at their brother who had the same look of worry plastered on his face.

"This isn't good" Luc complained and Jack simply nodded.

"You just spoke my mind mate" Jack even went ahead to add.

Marcus on the other hand hasn't said a word since.

His body might be there with everyone else but his mind was already out tracking down the missing girl because he was certain beyond doubt at that point that, if Lin was to get the news of her missing then he won't hesitate to track her down and have her kill before they find her.

Edwin continued, "Lin coming back to town is already an issue and that's why i would rather we track her down now before he get a wind of any of these. I and some of the men already selected by the council would be out searching too but we all know we are not as half good as any of you so we have to move fast if we want to find her alive and even more, before Lin does"

"That fucking piece of sucker" Jackson growled under his breath, the sound deep into his throat.

"I have a piece of her clothes in the van. It will help track her faster"

Marcus was the first to spring back on his feet, his eyes narrowing in on his brothers.

"I'm going with Eddy to cover the Western region, you two cover the North. That way, we can cover enough ground before it get dark and hopes to find her soon enough"

He shut his eyes for a couple of moments. "Let hope to God she is still alive and safe"

"We will get her scent and get rolling." Jackson said with the nod of the head and began to walk out with Lucien trailing him from behind.

"I'll be right out. I just need to grab my things" Marcus quickly called after them before going out the back door and into the workshop to get his bag pack ready to head out.

Marcus came out of the house a moment later with his bag pack in one hand and dressed in his working boots and coat.

Jackson and Lucien were already waiting by Jack pick up truck in the front lawn, dressed in similar warm outfits and waiting for their brother's signal so they could all head out.

Marcus gave them a single nod as he walked by them and settled into the passenger seat of Edwin's van. He quickly strapped himself with the seatbelt before looking up to face him.

"Let go Eddy"

Edwin tipped his hat at him in acknowledgement before turning on the ignition of the car and horned at Jack a few times before they went on their way.

Marcus relaxed against the head rest before allowing his eyes clenched shut for a moment and took in a deep breath to calm his racing heart.

He couldn't understand any of it but his mind hasn't stop reeling over the thought of Laura ever since he set his eyes on her picture. There was something about Laura Shane that he just can't seem to shake off even if he tried.

The thought of something bad happening to her even though she is but a total stranger frighten him to absolutely no end. So much so that he could feel some beads of sweat gathered across his forehead.

Something tells him Laura Shane isn't just an ordinary stranger as he would love to believe at that point. She was his mate and even worst, she is a fucking human with a high percentage of also being in danger.

Unstrapping his seat belt, he quickly reach over and took hold of Laura piece of clothing lying at the back seat and held it to his nose and took a long deep sniff of it and almost moaned out loud at the sweetness of her scent.

It was so sweet and alluring that, it made his cock twitched hungrily in his pant at the very thought of his mate. At that moment, Marcus could more than understand all he has been told about having a mate and often times, he had always laughed about it but now, he knows exactly what it feels like and nothing could have prepared him for this moment.

His heart was pounding in his ears and it was not from fear but one of excitement. Something thrilling surging through his veins, igniting feelings he thought he had buried when he lost his family.

The feeling in his heart was beyond intoxicating. It was causing every single gene in his body to hum in excitement at the discovery not to mention the constant whimpering of his wolf in his head that was purring in excitement.

Absolutely nothing would have prepared him for this very moment in his life. Just absolutely nothing.

Marcus realized he has to pull his shit together before Edwin would realize he was going crazy in his pant and start to wonder what could be going on with him. Even the older man wouldn't understand any of it even if he told him Laura was his bonded mate.

Especially not in this case where he was yet to make any physical contact with the said mate. Only her picture has gotten his pant all reeled up.

Only his brothers would have believed him but he is not ready to break the news to them just yet, He still has a lot to do but first thing first, he has to at least ensure the safety of his mate before revealing the truth to his brothers.

Marcus quickly place the piece of clothing right back where he took it but not before making up his mind to get Laura back, safe and secure even if it was the last thing he do. He was going to get her back home alive and unharmed.

They continued to drive in silent the rest of the way before they stopped at the foot at the path where she was last seem and it's crazy to realize the path was leading into the woods.

"This is where she was seen last before she disappeared far" Edwin had told Marcus who readily agreed with a nod.

"I will take it up from here on, or have you forgotten who I am?" Marcus had asked Edwin with a raised brow and he replied with a chuckle.

"How can I forget my boy" The older man had replied with a chuckle of his own.

"Good, now hand me the map and I will take it from here"

Even though the weather was not very favorable at the moment, with mountain of snows covering the whole place and making it hard to see a couple of distance up ahead, Marcus knew he could still sniff her out in no time as long as she is well and very much alive.

"Best of luck. Oh, I just want you to know, you and your brothers are very much appreciated for everything you do for me and the council. Even though, you boys don't get the kind of recognition you deserve, just know, i appreciate you from the bottom of my heart" Edwin told Marcus with a tap to his shoulder.

Even without him saying anything, he and his brothers knew Edwin was a good man and has always had their back and that's more than enough for them.

Marcus gave a curt nod and said , "we know Eddy, it's no big deal. We are glad to help anytime"

"Thank you"

"I'll track her down. So relax. I'm pretty certain she only strayed from the path a little and ended up missing her way back" Marcus assured him before grabbing his back pack and got down from the van, one foot at a time.

He paused then turned around and added, "I'll reach out to you as soon as i have a lead."

Edwin gave a single nod in understanding and Marcus turned and followed in the path that lies ahead of him.

Marcus wolf instinct was on full alert at the point as he began to follow the trail she left behind, her intoxicating scent still fresh in his memory.

Marcus continued further into the harsh cold weather, his hands were coiled into a fist by his side in a bit to keep the cold out and listen to any heartbeat from the nearby distance.

Other than the reality of his mate being lost in these freezing mountains, Lin MacArthur is also back which was worst.

That damn vampire had been the most frustrating part of him and his brothers reality for a really really long time now and no matter how many times they have tried to track him down and beat him at his own game, he always seem to get out unharmed and leaving them right where they started.

And now that he is back, Marcus only hopes his sudden appearance also has absolutely nothing to do with the disappearance of his mate Laura Shane.

He really hopes not because that would be the beginning of the end, not for him but for Lin MacArthur even if it's the last thing he does.

He'd track his ass down even in hell and drive a silver stalk through his heart.