Several days prior, someone had tossed Nate and Ed into that hole. There were nights when the rain and cold drove them to feel like killing each other. They plotted a route out of there as they progressively recovered."We would have been rescued by now if you hadn't thrown my cell phone on the road while we were traveling here," Nate objected. Ed realized that in less than twenty-four hours, he had probably stated that twenty times already, and it irritated him."And Caiden believes that the two of us are helpless wolves unfit to do a task?" As he finished putting the temporary ladder made of local old wood together, he complained.Nate said, "What Caiden thinks of me wouldn't matter to me. After all, I didn't come up with the brilliant plan to come here without the informant's help."Ed nearly lost control of his anger as he hurled the branches he was holding. It had been days since they had eaten. Though it didn't rain every day, they got their water from the rain."It's time to fi
Oscar didn't say anything for a while. Nate knew it could be hard for the young hunter to talk to two strangers who were planning an invasion about his own pack. However, Ed was still irritable and kept looking at Nate to indicate that it was time to end the silence."Look here, boy, we just want to know where the Mystic Moon is and how we can get there," Ed yelled in a wild interjection.Nate stopped Ed before he could say anything further, saying, "Ed, you'll frighten him and derail our chances of knowing anything whatsoever.""Nate, I was confined in that hole for several days, having to put up with your nice behavior," He moved back impatiently, his eyes widening, saying, "Don't tell me to hold on one more second; I can't take it any longer."Oscar got up at that point as well. His expression showed misery, as though something inside of him was burning so hot it was nearly killing him. He glanced upward at Nate. Sadness was present.Finally, he replied, "Tell me," which even Ed fo
It had not happened since the day they joined the mission, so the stillness between Nate and Ed was unusual. Ed was getting impatient while they waited for Oscar to return. He sighed in exasperation as he quickly stood up."Are we really that confident he'll return?" he questioned, glaring at Nate. "We could have saved a ton of time if we had followed that kid.""And tumble into yet another snare?" Nate got up too, considering his next move. "Let's hold off for an additional fifteen minutes. We're going to leave if he doesn't arrive."Oscar's voice came from just behind Nate, who spun around to make sure it was the young hunter. "You don't have to leave. I have returned."Oscar appeared as though he had just lost a soccer match. His deep, vacant gaze indicated that he had really seen Louis, proving that Ed and Nate had been correct in their inquiries. "You were correct," he said in a hushed voice, "I saw one of the boys with Louis," matching the dejected expression.Ed turned to face
The disappearance of Ed and Nate was the only thing that was bothering Caiden and taking up his thoughts. At times, he even entertained the possibility of the worst—that the two had failed in their objective and were dead.But a different emotion emerged in his chest when he realized that Jessie was now pregnant. He was unable to be happy. Conversely, that child was undoubtedly the thread that would bind them together indefinitely.Bruno's face wrinkled with concern as he entered the main room and cast a sidelong glance at Caiden.He didn't know and hadn't seen Bruno enter until he heard him say, ,"Alpha. I've assembled every hunter for this mission.""Fantastic!" He got to his feet and met Bruno's eyes, but the sadness was still there."Is there anything I can help with what has happened, sir?" Bruno offered, but Caiden was fully aware of his reasons."Bruno, you've already assisted me enough," he shot back. "assemble the hunters and invite them to the building."Bruno was about to c
An hour after Nate called, Caiden assembled the hunters, and they set off. He'd simply left Lisa a note, telling her to lead the pack while he was away because he didn't know when he would be back.It was a short ride, but when they got to the designated spot, Nate and Ed weren't there. They heard screaming as they were surveying the area, and then the woodland was silent after a wild uproar. Caiden recognized the small boy his hunters were holding when he raced to check what was going on.He pleaded, "Please, sir, I haven't done anything. I'm a hunter too."When the youngster turned to face Caiden, he recognized him almost instantly. "Let go of the boy," Caiden said.Oscar bowed before Caiden, "Alpha Caiden," and Caiden grabbed his shoulder and made him stand.After exchanging glances, Oscar gave him a hug.Oscar remarked, "It's great to see you again," as they started to move away. "I can tell you're doing well,"He grinned and said, "Thank you for saving my life. I'll always be appr
Oscar's departure earlier in the day had left Louis feeling as though he'd done something wrong. Kamara observed him warily from upstairs. Without him noticing, she walked gently down the stairs and then murmured,"Louis, are you okay?" He stopped at the sound of her query and shot her a scared look."I'm fine," he said, but she wasn't persuaded.Louis knew he was about to be found out. He realized everything was gone when Oscar knocked on his door that morning. Glancing at Kamara, he realized that her silence had gone on for too long and that he had to move quickly to lessen the impact of the major disclosure."Actually, Kamara, things are not okay at all. I want to apologize for letting Sterling speak with Caiden on the phone," he said, his expression distorted as though he were in excruciating pain. "The youngster was so depressed that I felt he should talk to his father, even though I shouldn't have disobeyed your advice as a mother." She smiled at his own words, "Speaking like t
The world seemed to have lost its worth. Louis realized with a sinking heart that he could never vanquish Caiden as he gazed into his eyes. Despite his best efforts to save Kamara and bring her some joy, Caiden would always show up to take her from him.Caiden said, "Louis keeps my children confined in his pack," and Alpha Stourin's expression shifted with each word. "He definitely told her a lie when he said he felt the same way about her. Kamara would never stay in a place or a pack where she is not welcome. She's way more intelligent."Louis realized there was nowhere to go when Alpha Stourin turned to face him."Louis, what is Alpha Caiden saying? Please explain." Stourin asked."What made you come after her?" Louis allowed his feelings to take control even though he was aware that refusing to answer a question from a superior constituted a serious offense. "Caiden, when are you going to leave Kamara alone?" Stourin cut him off abruptly and yelled, "Is what Alpha Caiden saying tr
That appeared to be a bad dream. All Kamara could hear were the children running, delighted to see Nate again, as fast as their little legs could carry them. She gazed into nothing, attempting to make sense of what was truly going on."Nate, did you come get us?" Nate could hardly stand as Noah leaped into his lap."Boy, what else do you think I came for?" If it weren't for Kamara's melancholy, the atmosphere was nearly entirely happy. "Also, your father is waiting for you to leave here; he is right at the gates."Kamara was shocked to hear the news. Maybe she hadn't given Caiden's declaration of happiness for the kids she'd given him enough weight. She had mistrusted the alpha's capacity to achieve his true goals and had seen how terribly she had failed.Nate told the boys, "Let's do this. Let's head outside, and I'll fill you in on our exciting adventure." Kamara was on the verge of shock. She didn't recognize him when she looked at him."Kamara, there was no other place I could tak