Chapter 121
Aurora’s POV
Cold, maniacal laughter echoes through the dark cell. My heart stutters then jumps as the thin man steps out of the shadows. The syringe in his hand is familiar and sends a wave of panic through me.
“Be a good girl, and this won’t hurt as much.”
Liar.
I try to run, but suddenly, there’s a man there. He grabs me and drags me back toward the thin man.
I try to scream, but nothing comes out.
I try to fight, but they hold me down.
The thin man stabs the needle into my neck, making me cry out. Pain fills my neck as fear fills my body.
“Thorne!” I bolt up, looking around the bedroom.
A wave of nausea hits me like a truck, and I jump out of the bed and race to the bathroom. I barely make it in time. Just as I lean over the toilet, the bile that had been climbing up my throat forces its way out. I throw up, heaving as I bend over the toilet.
My heart races as I slump to the floor, and my vision blurs with tears.
“We are safe,” my wolf says, sending a slightly comforting feeling through me. However, all I can think about is that needle jabbing into my neck again. I rub at the spot, my fingers briefly touching the mate mark on my neck.
I take several deep breaths to calm myself, but it seems that the more I try, the worse my anxiety grows.
“Lean on our mate,” my wolf urges me, “He will protect us.”
Just as she says this, Thorne enters the bathroom. He falls to his knees beside me, pulls me into his arms, and smooths a hand over the back of my head. I lean into him, soaking in the warmth and safety he provides.
“Are you alright?”
“Nightmare,” I mutter, burying my face in his neck.
“The thin man got us again,” my wolf tells him through our bond.
Thorne pulls back, cups my cheeks gently in his hands, and studies my face. I can only imagine what he sees. I know I probably look a mess because I can feel his concern filtering into our bond.
“Let’s get you cleaned up and back to bed,” Thorne whispers, his voice softer than before. I don’t know how far our bond goes, but he mentioned before that we sometimes would be able to see into each other’s minds.
I don’t ask if he can see the flashes of nightmare images in my head, but I know he does. The rise in his heartrate as he helps me clean up, the way he holds me closer, and the faraway look in his eyes tells me he sees everything.
Forcing my mind to calm, I push the memories away and focus on me and Thorne. I don’t want the thin man or his Alpha to have anymore control over me.
Thorne saved me. I’m with him and not a captive anymore.
As I curl up to Thorne’s side in the bed, his arms circle me. Again, he pulls me close to his body and wraps himself around me as if he’s trying to form a shield around me.
“Sleep, little mate,” he rumbles. “We’ll keep you safe.”
The last thing I see before falling asleep is Thorne watching me with wolf eyes, and I realize it’s not Thorne watching me. It’s his wolf.
The Redwater Pack Alpha greets us with a warm welcome, smiling at me before he turns to Thorne, “It seems you and your mate have finally completed your mating…” he leans in and subtly sniffs the air, “And she is no longer human. Congratulations.”
My cheeks heat at his words, and I bite my bottom lip. He’s not the first person to know, and no matter how many times Thorne tells me it’s normal for people to comment on the mating, I still find it odd.
“Thank you, Alpha Sanders, but I’m afraid my visit is for much more serious matters,” Thorne says stiffly. I squeeze his hand, trying to relieve some of the tension he’s been feeling, and he squeezes back.
Alpha Sanders immediately becomes serious and motions to the pack house behind him. “We can talk in my office.”
We follow him inside and up to his office where we all stand in a tense silence until Thorne speaks again, “I am here to officially ask for the Redwater Pack’s assistance. Recently, Aurora was kidnapped by a pack that hates her father, Lycan King Grayson Ashford.”
Alpha Sanders’s head whips up, and he looks at me. “You’re an Ashford? I thought you were human.”
“We did to,” Thorne answers for me. “Just before she was kidnapped, we had suspicions about her family line. We were looking into her lineage when one of her father’s enemies found out. He kidnapped Aurora and…”
I can’t stop myself from squeezing Thorne’s hand as flashes of memory fill my mind. I try to shake them off, but it’s not that easy.
“It’s alright,” Thorne whispers, pulling me closer. I’m practically in his lap with my face shoved in his neck again as I breathe through the memories.
“You don’t have to go into detail if it’s too difficult. I can imagine it’s something you don’t want to talk about,” Alpha Sanders says. I look at the man to find a soft expression on his face, and I offer my most appreciative smile.
“Thank you,” Thorne says before continuing. “The Alpha of the Black Knight Pack holds a grudge against Aurora’s father, which led to her involvement. We weren’t able to take care of him when I rescued her, so he’s still out there somewhere.”
Alpha Sanders hums and nods like he understands, “Do you think he plans to attack?”
“I do. However, Lycan King Grayson and I want to make a preemptive strike and hit the Black Knight Pack before they can come for my mate again,” Thorne explains. “That’s where you come in, if you’re willing to help.”
Alpha Sanders grins, “I wouldn’t refuse even if you paid me.”
I smile at that. I knew Alpha Sanders was kind, and when Thorne told me his plan, I’d hoped the Alpha would agree.
“Good. We’ll hold a meeting soon between the three of us to plan,” Thorne says.
“And when are you planning your mating ceremony… or a wedding?” Alpha Sanders asks while standing.
Thorne chuckles and stands as well, bringing me with him. They shake hands, then hug as Thorne answers, “We have the date set for a month from now. I will send you a formal invitation when we get them.”
After exchanging a few more words, Thorne and I head back to our pack. I don’t say much, just watch the scenery pass by as we drive.
Thorne’s thumb brushes gently back and forth across my knuckles, and the car is so quiet that I start dozing off.
However, I don’t get to sleep because the loud ring of Thorne’s phone startles me awake.
“Sorry,” he mutters before answering. “This is Thorne.”
“Thorne, is Aurora with you?” I recognize Grayson’s voice, and I sit up straighter.
“I’m here.”
There’s a pause before he speaks again, “We found the witch your mother mentioned in her journal. I’ve contacted her and set up a time to meet in a few hours. Could the two of you meet me there?”
I glance at Thorne, wanting to know more about my mother and what happened. I don’t have to say anything, though, because he nods and says, “Just send me the location, and we’ll be there.”
