Chapter 145

Alaric’s POV

I look at Noel in confusion. Of anyone I expected to give me this kind of advice, it wasn’t him. If anything, wouldn’t he want to run to the rescue?

I must be giving him a strange look, because he answers quickly.

“You are Alpha,” Noel says. “Your speed is superior to any of ours. If anyone can get there with fast enough to have a hope’s prayer at a rescue.”

He’s right, but I still hesitate, glancing at the trial we’ve been taking through the woods.

I feel like I have to make a choice here, between my mate and my pup. It’s an impossible choice, and I’m stuck in indecision.

“Go,” Colin says. “The rest of us will continue to follow the trail. Trust us to handle whatever we find.”

Noel nods at once. “If Mia is there, we will save her.”

If she is there.

We are likely all in agreement then. For this trap of Lilia’s to work, she would need Mia. By going after Cara, I might be saving both she and Mia. No choice needed. And even if Mia is still at the end of this trail, I can trust the brothers and Noel to keep her safe.

Noel might be my rival in love, and he might be trying to claim my family as his own. But I can at least trust that he wants them safe. I might not like him, but I recognize now his feelings for Cara and the kids are genuine.

I can trust him with this. And with the brothers there too, I really have no more reason to hesitate.

“Go,” Colin says once more. “Save my sister.”

I don’t need any more encouragement.

Shifting, I turn in the direction of home and start running.

Noel’s POV

With Alaric focusing on saving Cara, the Auburn brothers and I return to our hunt.

It hurt to have to admit my own failings to Alaric, but for Cara’s sake, I had to admit that he, as an Alpha King, was faster and stronger than the rest of us.

As much as I wanted to go after Cara myself, I know sending Alaric would give her the best chance of survival.

I could do my own part by going after the leads and potentially finding Mia. Cara would want her daughter found and protected more than she would value her own life. But splitting up is the best choice to attempt to ensure the best case for everyone.

The brothers and I focus fully on the present task, following our noses deeper and deeper into the forest.

Sometimes, in wolf form, it’s hard to keep track of time. The call of the wild is strong, and the wolf takes over. Hours and minutes seem to lose their meaning like this.

For this reason, by the time we finally arrive at a trailer in the middle of the woods, the end of the trial, I have no idea how long it has taken us to get here.

We circle the place, using all of our senses. When we don’t feel any danger outside, we start to head inwards.

Aidan stays outside, keeping watch, as Colin, Ryan, and I go up to the door. I shift into human form to open the handle. When I do, I pull the door wide, allowing the other two wolves to rush inside.

They’ll face any danger. But I already know there’s no one here.

This is the place where the trail ends, but whoever was here is already gone.

I won’t tell them how I know that. I keep it to myself.

In truth, I have a penchant for hearing heartbeats, the blood quickening through the vein. And I hear no such giveaways here, other than the pulses of those I am already acquainted with and accounted for, ie, the brothers.

After a moment, Colin, in human form, calls out, “It’s clear.”

I come inside, already knowing that, yet acting surprised.

Looking around, the trailer is a mess. Totally trashed, in fact, with uncleaned plates littered here and there, and magazines and some toys thrown about.

Scenting the air, I can sense Mia. She was definitely here.

“The windows are nailed shut,” Ryan says, standing near one of the windows. “Trying to keep someone out?”

“Or someone in,” Colin says, giving Ryan a look.

Perhaps the brothers can tell, perhaps not, but I can sense Mia’s fear in the air. It tastes sour and makes my heart sink. The poor little pup, she was absolutely terrified while she was here.

“We should preserve what evidence we can,” Colin says.

“I hardly see the point,” Ryan says. “When Alaric catches up to them, he’s going to kill them.”

“Even so,” Colin says.

“I want to start heading back,” I say.

“Take Aidan with you,” Colin replies.

Nodding, I head for the door.

Cara’s POV

The address leads me to a warehouse on the outskirts of town. It’s desolate for this time of day, and mostly cleared out. Opening the door and walking inside, it takes no time at all to spot Lilia and George, as well as Mia, who George is holding in place with a strong hand.

There’s another woman there too, someone I don’t recognize as well, though she does seem familiar somehow…

“Mom!” Mia calls and tries to struggle.

George grips her more forcefully, his fingers digging bruises into her tender skin, and she stills.

“It’s alright, Mia,” I say. “You’ll be safe soon. Mom’s here for you.”

I take in the sight of my daughter. Despite the rough handling by George at the moment, she seems relatively unharmed. Mia is fragile, only a doctor will be able to ensure she is truly unharmed, but for the moment it is a relief to see her breathing fine and standing on her own, with no obvious cuts or damage.

She’s clearly afraid. The mental scars will need time and help to heal.

But if she stayed alive, we could handle everything else together.

Tears well and fall from Mia’s eyes. “But it’s a trap, Mommy…”

“I know it is,” I say. “But it’s going to be alright.”

“You’ve always been annoyingly confident,” Lilia says. “One of your worst qualities, to be sure.”

There’s no time for relief yet. Not when Mia’s kidnappers are here, and with the trap sprung. Gathering my courage – I need to be fearless for my daughter – I start walking forward.

“Well. You called me here and I’m here,” I say. “What happens now?”

“You think you are so damn special,” Lilia spits. “Stealing my husband and my life. I was the lost princess to the Auburn family, not you! Alaric was my fiancé! These children should be mine! You took everything from me! My life. My future. My pack!”

“I didn’t make you lie about your past,” I say. “And did you even love Alaric? Or was it just the power you wanted? I did deny you that, and I would do it again. You have no idea what it means to rule a kingdom.”

Her upper lip curls into a vicious snarl.

“Give me the gun!” she shouts at George, who removes a gun from his waistband and hands it to her.

She waves it around too recklessly, but my breath doesn’t fully stop until the barrel of the gun is pointed right at me.

“No more mistakes,” she says. “This is the end for you, you bitch, once and for all.”