Cilla.
The witches had started pulling me away and the alpha was walking away while Sasha was begging him to spare me when we all heard an explosion. Smoke rose up in the yard and I looked around to see what was happening. In the chaos, someone grabbed me and held me close to him. I didn’t have to turn to know it was my husband. My body was already warming up in reaction to his. The smoke dissipated to reveal five of Blackmoon’s best warriors standing around the yard. They were all in different positions, their big bodies acting as weapons.
Ten warriors from Crystal pack had also appeared out of nowhere, taking positions around the yard. Ridian moved so that we were standing side by side.
“Look, what we have here,” the alpha of crystal pack said, stepping forward. “Ridian Jamison himself.”
“I’m taking my wife home,” he said.
I wanted to say something contrary but I remembered how Ridian had felt when I went against him in public. I decided to be good this time.
“Where is my truck?” the alphas asked.
“Is that what this is all about? Your truck is at moonshine pack. I’ll have it delivered to you as soon as we get back. Thank you for lending to us and for trying to treat my wife. Without your help, I don’t think she would have made it.”
The other alpha’s face seemed to soften. Gratitude really warms up even the hardest of hearts. He nodded. “Alright. You can take her home. Make sure to deliver my track and also take this whiny woman back to her pack,” he said, referring to Sasha.
“Actually, I’d like to talk to beta Adam,” Sasha said.
“Whatever,” the alpha said and started walking away from the yard.
“Let’s go,” Ridian said, coldly. It made me feel sad seeing him so unhappy.
“Thank you for saving me,” I said and hugged him tight, as if my life depended on it. He didn’t let go of me until I let him go.
We left crystal pack and went to moonshine. The pack house was buzzing with activity. I left Ridian in the company of warriors from both packs and went to Beata’s room. She was chatting with a guy and they were laughing about some things. When I entered, he left and I didn’t ask about him. I was exhausted so I narrated everything to Beata before going to take a nap in her bedroom.
Sometime later, I was awoken by Beata who told me that Sasha had something to say to me. I freshened up before going to the other room.
Sasha did not look very happy.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her.
“I’ve got bad news,” she said. “Please sit down.”
I sat down, preparing myself for the worst. “Are they dead?”
She shook her head. I sighed in relief.
“They’re gone.”
“Where?”
“Jane willow took them to the human world.”
That did not make me feel better. Most of the world was occupied by humans. Most of the towns and cities in the country were run by them. How would I know where they were? “Where exactly.”
“No one knows. She didn’t tell anyone. She didn’t even tell beta Adam who had been helping her this whole time. They say she just asked for some assistance in form of warriors before leaving. Beta Adam did not know she was going to involve kids or he wouldn’t have given her what she wanted.”
“So she has been this close all this time?”
Sasha nodded. “She was living in crystal pack. She seduced beta Adam and he fell for her antics. He was so in love with her that he accepted to help Jane to…” Sasha looked around and moved closer. “Do you promise not to tell Ridian what I’m about to reveal? He has not always been a bad guy. He was manipulated and influenced by an evil woman. I don’t want him to be the one to take the fall for her bad deeds.”
“I will not say anything to Ridian. I know he will kill to defend me if he has to.”
Sasha leaned closer and whispered. “He participated in the plan to kill you. He gave Jane funds to bribe one of Aragon’s warriors to poison you.”
I was not surprised that it was Jane willow who had tried to kill me. What I didn’t understand was why she hated me so much when I had never done anything to her. It was Ridian who rejected her and chose to be with me, his destined mate. How was that my fault?
“Where the hell am I going to start searching for them?” I asked, feeling defeated.
“I don’t know.”
Suddenly, the door burst open and Kenny stood there. “My dear luna, I’ve been given orders to pick you up. We have to return home. Some of the warriors will continue searching but you need to rest.”
“How can I rest when my siblings are missing?” I asked. “Would you rest peacefully if your siblings had been kidnapped by a deranged psycho?”
“I’m sorry, but we shall have to use force if you resist.”
“Fine, I’ll come.” I said, standing up. There was no use of fighting anymore.
We returned to Blackmoon pack immediately. I was seated next to Ridian in the backseat of the car but none of us felt like speaking to the other. I was lost in my thoughts while he was busy scrolling through his phone. When we got to the pack house, I went upstairs while he remained down to talk to some of the pack members. I had dinner alone. When he came to our suite, I heard him going to the guestroom and felt my heart tearing into pieces. I listened as he showered and prepared to get to bed. When he had settled in, I tried to sleep but I couldn’t. I kept turning and tossing on the bed.
Eventually, I got tired of it all. I stood up and marched to the guest room and threw the door open. I closed it softly, thinking he was asleep before going towards the bed. I could hear his soft breathing. I pulled the comforter and bed sheet aside before getting in. As soon as I got in, I felt a hand on my body. I smiled.