Chapter 100

[James’ POV]

James was at a loss for words. Impossible. Completely impossible.

He couldn’t believe what the screen was showing them all.

“Edward,” he snarled.

“That can’t be true,” Kristen hissed. “He’s supposed to be dead!”

“Mm, perhaps not,” Lana said. “Remember, he didn’t take the Moon Tear directly. At the Annual Dinner, the poison was mixed in with wine. At the very best, he could be ill, and presently dying from it.”

Unfortunately, Lana made a good point. The way the poison worked wasn't simultaneous as long as it was mixed with something else. As his sister said, the Moon Tear was currently taking its time to work through Edward’s system.

It appeared as though it had severely weakened him, but not enough to render him immobile.

“Son of a bitch,” James growled. “Bastard didn’t even have the decency to stay away.”

“Wait, I think I see something in his hand,” Kristen noted. “Oh my God, he’s holding a gun!”

Both Chris and James broke out into feral snarls and tore themselves away from the group. They needed a plan—a way to get to Mia and the baby before Edward could do anything harmful.

“What’s going on?” Michael asked from the side. He must have sensed the unnerving vibe that came from the group as he glanced around, hoping for answers.

“It’s Edward,” Kristen explained. “He’s kidnapped Mia and they’re heading toward the cliffs.”

All the blood left the man’s face. “What?!”

“Chris, bring the car around,” James instructed. “We have to get to them before Edward gets a chance to do something incredibly stupid.”

“I’m coming too,” Michael insisted. “I’ll inform David about what’s happened.”

The whole group sprung into action. It had become a race against the clock. With the help of Ben, they knew exactly where they needed to head.

Chris tried to console James as best as he could. “It’s going to be alright,” he said.

James was struggling to keep his sanity intact. “I’m going to tear that fucker in half when I get my hands on him.”

The closer they made it to the cliffs, the better they were able to make out the blurry figures in the distance. James’ patience was dwindling by the second.

“I see her!” he bit out. “Stop the car.”

“James—”

“Stop the car now!” he raged.

Before Chris managed to even shift the gears, James had flung open the door and made an immediate dash toward his mate. “Mia!”

Mia’s movement halted as she slowly turned around to see him. A gracious, hopeful smile broke out across her face. Her makeup was slightly smeared and her hair was a tousled mess from the wind.

“James,” she gasped.

She was shaking and her eyes were puffy from previous fallen tears. “You found me,” she said.

His chest was heaving from trying to catch his breath. “The credit goes to Ben,” James said. “If it wasn’t for his drones, we may never have found you.”

Edward rolled his bloodshot eyes and scoffed. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I still have her right where I want her.”

“And here I thought you were dead, how disappointing,” James snarled.

“You didn’t think I would allow you to have a happy ending, did you?”

“And you didn’t think we came here without backup did you?” David said smugly.

Mia’s jaw went slack when she saw the large group of men that came rushing to surround them. Each one carried a lethal weapon and aimed it precisely at Edward.

Edward sneered and pressed the end of his gun harshly into Mia’s side, causing her to wince.

“Go ahead and shoot me. This trigger my finger is resting against is so delicate, that she’ll be dead before you fire your first bullet. She’ll be easier to get rid of than Evelyn.” Edward informed them. James’ gaze became streaked with red. “Whether I die now or not, won’t matter. You see, I may be a sneaky bastard, but I’m not entirely unfeeling. Which is why I’m still going to give you a choice, James. What will it be? Your wife...or your child?”

Jesus Christ. What sort of choice was that? No, it wasn’t a thought he was going to entertain for a second.

At that moment, Mia and James shared a knowing look between them. It was an unspoken art the two of them had developed over the past several weeks. The two were able to communicate with one another with just a mere glance.

James knew Mia was going to try to break free from Edward’s hold and make a run for it. It was risky and he didn't like the fact that his son was caught in the middle of it all.

Suddenly, the area fell into an unsettling standstill. Neither David’s men nor Edward made a single move. Mia stole the chance by bending her head forward and instantly snapping it back to slam into Edward’s jaw.

The man howled and cursed at the pain and blood pouring from his nose. Mia made a frantic run to get away. For a brief second, she believed herself successful; however, Edward had snagged the corner of little Theo’s blanket he’d been wrapped in and snatched him right out of Mia’s hands. “NO!!”

With a nasty grin, he made his way toward the edge of the cliff. “Well, it seems your pathetic mate had made the choice for you.”

As Edward got ready to toss the baby over the edge, a horrible, inhuman scream ripped through the air. No one could believe that it came from Mia.

Another blood-chilling growl snapped around them, accompanied by several vicious snarls. Her wolf broke out of its inner cage and jumped at Edward with murderous intent. She got a hold of Theo and slashed a nasty gash over Edward’s chest.

They all watched in awe as Edward tumbled over the edge and fell out of their lives. Forever.

James rushed to Mia’s side and took her and the baby in his arms.

“Oh my God.” Mia’s wolf, Bella, remained visible and seen. “Mia, your wolf...” She smiled and glanced around the group.

“My name is Bella. I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you. My mate.”

There were no words to describe how astonishingly overjoyed James was. A few seconds later, her wolf faded back and Mia came through. She looked dazed and slightly shocked.

“What happened?”

She glanced down at her son to make sure he was alright. James pressed an endearing kiss to her cheek. “It was your wolf, love. She came through and saved Theo.”

Her eyes widened. “You—You mean, you met Bella? Is that why I feel so different?”

James nodded his head. “I think you’ve just come into your second nature.”

“It was magnificent, Mia,” Michael said. “It will take a little bit of time for you to get accustomed to the feeling.”

Her face flushed as she turned back to James. “Perhaps you can help me gain control of it during the honeymoon,” she suggested.

A devious, loving smile curved his lips. “It would be my pleasure, but first we do have a wedding we need to attend.”

The two shared a deep-hearted laugh and headed back toward the cars. James kept Mia and their child close. Never again would he allow such an evil to touch his family. And never before had James Derek ever felt so complete.

‘We have Mia to thank for that,’ his wolf said warmly.