Alexander's POVThe rain was pouring down, each droplet feeling like a tiny dagger against my skin as I pushed through the relentless storm. My wolf form carried me swiftly toward the store, but when I burst through the door, there was nothing—no Olivia, no Liam, just the bodies of the guards who had given their lives trying to protect them and overturned shelves. Anger flared inside me, hot and consuming. They were gone, and I had failed.I tried to gather my thoughts, forcing down the rage that threatened to cloud my judgement. My extensive scouting experience kicked in as I scanned the ground for anything—any sign that could lead me to them. Olivia's scent filled my nostrils, and with my nose to the ground, I followed it until I came to a trap door in the back of the store that led down into tunnels.Ethan had his hands full, protecting Allen and Sarah. I had to face this alone. Olivia needed me, and no one was going to stop me from getting to her and bringing her back safely. My mi
Olivia's POV "We're going to be okay," I murmured, even though my own heart didn't believe it. His small fingers curled desperately around mine, his trembling body showing his fear.After what felt like hours, we came into a cavern. Looking up, I noticed the small opening. The leader looked at me. “Climb.”Before I had time to do anything, someone grabbed Liam, ripping him from my arms. I wanted to tell them no, but I knew that I didn’t have a choice here; I had to do as they told me. Climbing seemed an impossible task with the weight of fear pressing down on me, but I had to hold it together and keep reminding myself that I was stronger than I knew.The climb was hard. As I reached the top, dirt caked under my nails, I was met with more rogues. I turned back towards where I had come from, waiting for Liam to emerge from the hole in the ground. I held my breath. Every passing second felt like hours. Liam emerged from the hole. The Leader right behind him threw Liam back into my arms.
Olivia's POVWhen the darkness finally lifted, I found myself in a damp, suffocating cave. Chains wrapped around my ankles held me in place. My head throbbed, and my muscles ached, but my immediate concern wasn't my pain—it was Liam.To my relief, he lay beside me, his small chest rising and falling steadily. Feeling the coarse texture of the cold stone floor beneath, I marvelled that even here, under such dire circumstances, he could find asemblance of peace in sleep."Liam," I whispered, shaking him gently. He didn’t stir. Panic surged through me, setting my heart into a frenzied rhythm. I placed my hand on his forehead, and my fear magnified—his skin was scorching. Liam had a fever.The cold storm weather and the fear of being kidnapped knocked him down. I should act to be stronger and give my child more hope. Tears filled in my eyes."No, no, no," I muttered, fighting the tears that threatened to break loose. The rogues had to have some medicine, anything to bring his fever down.
Alexander's POVThe forest was a maze, an ever-changing place of shadows and sounds that kept me on edge. My wolf senses picked up every scent, every rustle of the leaves as I pushed through the dense underbrush. Despite the rain, my instincts screamed that I was on the right path. The forest canopy overhead provided sporadic shelter, but it also cast deceptive patterns on the ground, making it hard to distinguish tracks from shadows.I paused, sniffing the air again. The scent of Olivia was still faint but discernible. Adrenaline surged through my veins as I quickened my pace, my paws slipping in the mud but finding a grip on the rocks.Finally, I caught sight of the rocky base of a looming mountain. This had to be it. The rogues had chosen to hide here, thinking the weather and terrain would stop anyone from following them and give them the chance to spot anyone coming. They underestimated the lengths I would go to for Olivia. I shifted back to human form, my heightened senses not di
Olivia's POV I watched as Liam's breathing began to steady, the fever ebbing away thanks to the medication. Relief washed over me, though it was short-lived. I still needed to work out a way to get out of here. I looked around, praying for something—anything—that could help me escape. A familiar tingle coursed through my veins—Aura, my wolf, was stirring, albeit with a nervous energy that was hard to ignore. "What's happening, Aura?" I asked internally, straining to keep my voice even. "Olivia," she responded, her tone filled with an odd mixture of alarm and excitement, "Alexander is here. I can sense his wolf." I froze, my heart pounding with disbelief. "Impossible. Alexander is gone. Long gone. He left to go home, and he wouldn't be anywhere near here." Yet, that flicker of hope buried deep within me began to grow. Could it really be? "He is still far, but he's getting closer. We might be able to link with him once he's nearer," Aura reassured me. The idea of Alexander's prese
Alexander's POV"We found her," my wolf said excitedly, nearly making me lose my stealthy composure. My heart leapt, but I quickly reined in my emotions. Charging in without a plan would get us all killed—Olivia, Liam, and me. I scanned the area once more, counting heads and noting patrol routes. There were too many of them to fight head-on.I slipped away back the way I had come, retracing my steps silently. Every leaf and twig seemed an enemy ready to betray my presence. Returning to the small house where I had taken refuge, I closed the door behind me and linked to Olivia. “Olivia, can you hear me?”“Yes,” her voice was a lifeline, fragile but consistent.“I know where you are, but I need to know everything you know,” I urged.“We're in a cave, chained to a wall. I don’t know how we got here. They knocked me out, and I woke up in here.”Rage surged through me, but I pushed it down deep where it wouldn't cloud my judgement. “I'll get you out of there, Olivia, I promise. Just hold on
Alexander's POVI stood in the cottage rubbing my temples, anxiety gnawing at my every thought. Time was slipping away, and I needed a plan—a clever one. Picking them off one by one seemed like my only option to make it out alive, but there were too many of them, and every second counted. My eyes darted to the rogue I had just killed, his clothes a perfect match to the ones I wore. An idea sprouted. I could blend in.“You need to wait for Victor and the others. You will never make it out of here alive,” my wolf cautioned, his voice a low rumble in my mind. For once, he tried to be the voice of reason, but I shoved him aside. Waiting meant risking Olivia's life.I ripped the dead rogue's cloak from him, putting it on, disguising myself as one of them. With the hood pulled low over my eyes, I slipped out of the cottage. The rogue camp sprawled ahead of me, guarded by scattered patrols. Keeping my head low, not wanting to draw attention to myself.I looked around, trying to see where they
Olivia’s POVI grabbed a nearby rock, clutching it in my hand. Alexander was coming, and I needed to protect us until he got here. The cave was quiet except for the occasional dripping of water from the ceiling. Liam lay beside me, his breathing steady but shallow. Every second felt like a countdown to salvation—or doom."Olivia!" Aura's voice rang in my mind again, more urgent now. "Something's wrong. I can't reach Alexander anymore."Fear gripped me again. "What do you mean? You said he was close!"Aura hesitated. "He's close, but something is blocking our link. Be on guard."I closed my eyes tight, trying my hardest to link with Alexander, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t. My heart started to ache. He was our only hope.A cacophony erupted from outside the cave—shouts, the clang of metal, and an eerie howl that chilled my blood. I pressed my back against the cave wall, the rock hard and cold under my fingers. The noise grew louder, and the unmistakable sound of footsteps e