Ultimatum

Jade

I sank to my knees sobbing while Helena screamed at me, her face red.

"You did what? I can't believe you got a threat like that and didn't go to the police! What if you had been attacked? That's it, we're calling them right now." Helena grabbed her purse, rifling for her phone.

Just then the house phone rang, startling us both. Helena picked it up cautiously.

"Hello?"

A garbled, robotic voice came through the speakers. "Put it on speakerphone. Now."

With shaking hands, Helena hit the speaker button. "Who is this?" she demanded.

"You may call me Mr. N," the voice said. "And I'd advise against calling the police if you want the children to remain unharmed."

Helena and I exchanged horrified looks. This was the kidnapper!

"What do you want?" Helena cried. "We'll give you anything, just don't hurt the kids!"

The voice laughed coldly. "I'm not speaking to you. Put Jade on, now."

I felt sick. This creep knew both of us. How long had he been watching us?

"Please," I begged tearfully. "Just name your price. I'll pay anything to get my babies back."

"I don't want your money. I just want to...chat," Mr. N purred. "Come to 425 Oak Street. Alone. No police, no friends. If you tell anyone or try to bring backup, I'll know. And you won't like what happens next."

The line went dead. I met Helena's frightened gaze. She squeezed my hand. "We have to call the cops, Jade. This guy sounds dangerous—"

I cut her off with a sharp look, glancing meaningfully at the phone. We didn't know if he was still listening.

Grabbing a pen, I scrawled a quick note. 'I'm going. Look after yourself.'

Before she could protest, I shifted into my wolf form and bolted for the door. As an omega, I was small even in wolf form, but I was fast on four legs. And I could handle any human who tried to hurt me.

I raced through the dark streets, following the address to a sketchy warehouse. Creeping inside cautiously, I sniffed the air but smelled no one. No sound either. Just dusty old boxes and silence.

Suddenly, a dart hit my flank. Tranquilizer, I realized dizzily as my legs gave out. I had walked right into a trap. My vision blurred, shadows creeping in.

When I woke up, I was in a small, windowless room. I tensed, expecting restraints, but I was free. The space was clean, even comfortable, with a plush sofa and elegant table bearing fruit and pastries. Confused, I called out angrily.

"Enough games! Show yourself, coward!"

A hidden intercom crackled to life. "Nah, that's no way to speak to your host." It was the synthesized voice from the phone.

I glared at the camera in the corner. "Let me see my children. Now!"

"Of course. Take a look."

A section of the wall slid away, revealing a window into...a playroom? My triplets laughed and played with expansive toys. They seemed perfectly content. Relief flooded through me at the sight of their smiling faces.

"As you can see, no harm has come to them," the voice purred smugly. "And it will remain that way, as long as you cooperate."

My relief turned to anger. "You kidnapped my children, drugged me, locked me in a room, and you expect me to cooperate? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't rip your throat out!"

A dark chuckle came through the intercom. "Feisty. I like it. Now open the drawer."

Wary, I slid open the small drawer in the end table. Inside was a single photograph that made my blood turn to ice.

It was Brad. His handsome face just as I remembered it from six years ago. The photo slipped from my numb fingers.

"What is this? What does Brad have to do with anything?" I whispered.

"Everything," purred the voice. "Don't worry. The task I have for you is simple."

Dread settled like a stone in my gut. I didn't want anything to do with Brad ever again. "Just name your price," I pleaded. "I have money—"

"I don't want your money," Mr. N snapped. "You're going to finish what you started six years ago. Seduce Brad, make him fall in love with you again. Have him reject his mate. And then, once he confesses his love, you will publicly humiliate and reject him, just as he did to you."

I stared at the speaker in disbelief. "You...you want me to destroy him?"

"Yes," Mr. N hissed. "Make him feel the pain and humiliation you experienced."

I recoiled in disgust. "No! What you're asking is cruel."

"Do you want your children back or not?" he growled.

I pictured my sweet babies, scared and missing their mother. My heart shattered. I would do anything for them. Even this.

"How do I know I can trust you?" I asked faintly.

"You don't have a choice. But know this..." The voice turned ice cold. "If you deviate from the plan or try to warn him, you will never see your precious children again. I will be watching."

The speaker clicked off, leaving me in silence. I stared at Brad's photo, my stomach twisting. The boy who had toyed with my heart was now the key to getting my kids back, as much as I hated it. I had no choice but to play this twisted game.

But I swore to myself that I would find a way to win this and get my babies home safely. I wouldn't let Brad or anyone else hurt my family again. This time I was in control of the game board.

Squaring my shoulders, I turned to the camera. "I'll do it," I declared. "Now take me to Brad."

The war for my children's lives had begun. And I refused to lose. The kidnapper had no idea who he was dealing with. Jade Wolfe wasn't a naive girl anymore.

I would make Brad fall for my act. I'd have the whole Nightingale Pack wrapped around my little finger. And when Brad least expected it, I would turn the tables and destroy him.

Natasha, Nathan, Natalia...Mommy is coming for you. Be strong for just a little longer. I thought fiercely. We will be a family again.