Kidnapped

"What have you got?"

Kael demanded with a low, steely voice.

Maps, surveillance photos, and intercepted communications littered the table, illuminated by the light overhead.

“ They have been tracking movements for weeks. ” Leo pointed at the men accompanying him, “You were right about the conspiracies.

We found movements.

There have been several secret meetings between rogues from the Western borders and traitors in our pack. Looks like they're planning something big.”

Kael glared at the evidence, his jaw tightening.

"Damn it, Leo. Who are they?What are they after? "

Leo leaned over, pointing to a map. "Best we can figure, they're eyeing our territory. Planning an attack during the next full moon.

One of them is definitely Selena…Selena Voss."

Kael clenched his fists under the table.Leo knew he wasn't just worried about his territories.

"They'll regret crossing us. Who's the other traitor?”

Leo hesitated for a moment.The name he was going to take wasn't an ordinary pack member.Besides,he didn't even have enough proof.

“ Don't hold back. I trust you. ”

Kael could see the confusion in his eyes.

"It's most probably Luka, Alpha. Been feeding intel to Selena for months."

Luka was Kael's cousin. But rumors had it that he was not his uncle’s but his father's bastard son.

There was never a confirmation. The old Alpha died and so did his mother.

But he always believed those rumors.

Kael and Luka never saw each other in the eye.

"Son of a bitch.” Kael swore under his breath.

“Round up a team. We hit them before they make a move.” He added after a pause, “How soon?"

"Full moon's in three days. Looks like they're gearing up for an all-out assault while the guests are still in our pack. And there's more…”

Kael turned to face Leo, raising an eyebrow,"More? Spit it out."

“They might be going after Elena. Bringing her back might not have been the best idea! ”

***

Elena stood outside Lila's house, disappointment clouding her features as she found the door locked and no sign of her friend inside.

She had thought chatting with Lila might make her butterflies go away.

She was frustrated but going back to the pack house with everyone staring at her for no reason, wasn't exactly what she wanted. Besides,Leo wasn't yet back.

She decided to take a stroll down memory lane, revisiting her childhood home nearby.

It was difficult stepping inside knowing that she would never have what she once had.

The laughter of her father, the warmth of her mother… all gone.

Memories stirred as she gazed at old photographs and traced her fingers over cherished mementos.

Kael had been her rock when she lost her family.

Perhaps that was another reason why she had hung onto him so dearly.

There was a subtle peace in that memory.

But the tranquility shattered when shadows slithered across the floor behind her.

"Who's there?" Elena immediately turned, absolutely startled.

But before she could react, rough hands seized her, clamping over her mouth and dragging her back with brutal force. Elena fought back instinctively, kicking and screaming as they wrestled her into submission.

"Let me go, you bastards!”

Elena screamed as she struggled.

"Shut up, bitch! You're coming with us."

Elena was repeatedly hit at the back of her head as they forced a chloroform smeared handkerchief over her mouth.

It definitely wasn't enough to subdue someone like Elena.

She hit one of them at the balls, sending him reeling.

"Stop fighting or we'll make it worse for you.”

This time, they used wolfsbane instead of chloroform and it clearly did the job.

Elena's heart pounded with terror as they forced her into a waiting van parked outside, its engine rumbling as they shoved her ribs.

They bound her wrists and ankles tightly with coarse ropes dipped in wolfsbane,completely ignoring her pleas and cries for help.

Something told Elena that her kidnappers might not be wolves. Humans?

She tried to push her luck some more.

“Please, you don't have to do this! Let me…"

"Shut your mouth, or I'll shut it for you.”

The man next to her pulled out a gun, his fingers on the trigger, aiming at Elena at point blank.

Elena struggled against her bonds, panic rising in her chest as she realized the gravity of her situation.The kidnappers exchanged grim looks in the dimly lit vehicle, their faces obscured by shadows in the moonlight.

"She's feisty, this one. We'll have fun teaching her a lesson." Leered one.

"Oh, we will. Boss will be pleased.”

Elena tried to listen to their conversation silently, pretending to be unconscious while fighting to be awake.

Suddenly, the van slowed and turned off the main road onto a narrow dirt path, leading deeper into the dense forest.

"Where are you taking me?"

Elena mumbled as she realized their destination wasn't far from her home.

"Somewhere you won't be found, sweetheart.”

They chuckled before slapping her hard.

They came to a stop in a secluded clearing.

Fear gripping Elena's heart like a vice. The kidnappers dragged her out roughly, throwing her onto the ground.Kicking her at the stomach and laughing cruelly as she bled.

Her eyes widened when she realized that they were pulling out knives and machetes.

They weren't playing.

Elena scrambled to her feet, eyes wide with terror, searching for any chance of escape.

"Please, let me go. I won't tell anyone, I swear.I know you are not werewolves! We have no rivalry.

Are you mercenaries? Are you doing this for money?

I can ask my Alpha to pay your price. Just let me go… please. ”

Elena pleaded with the last ounce of her strength.