Dominic’s POV
I didn’t spend much time torturing Gabriel. My goal was clear-I needed answers, and I needed them fast. The pack doctor waited just outside his cell, ready to provide immediate care once I was done.
As I peeled the skin from Gabriel’s abdomen, I leaned in close. His screams had finally subsided, and I waited for his next words. The scent of blood, sweat, and fear filled my nostrils, fueling my resolve.
“Tell me what you know, Gabriel,” I said calmly, masking the fury that coursed through me. “You’ve got plenty of skin left. I won’t stop here.”
Gabriel’s chest heaved, his skin appearing almost translucent.
“Underground bunker,” he rasped, struggling through the pain, “by Dakota.”
The mention of the small town, just fifteen minutes away, made Hunter’s ears perk up. This was the lead we needed.
“Where exactly is it, Gabriel?” I demanded, staring into his lifeless eyes. To emphasize my point, I jabbed my finger into the bloody wound on his abdomen.
He let out another agonized scream, and I pulled back, allowing him a moment to gather himself.
“Abandoned church,” he whispered, barely audible, before slipping into unconsciousness.
I stormed out of his cell, yelling for the pack doctor to keep him alive. I raced back to the house, alerting the warriors through the pack link.
“Attention everyone,” my voice thundered through the connection. “All available warriors, report to my house in fifteen minutes.”
I severed the link as I burst through the front door.
Seraphina was on the couch in the living room, with Leona and Tori, her childhood friend, by her side. Lucian had his arms wrapped around Seraphina, trying to comfort her as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Tori had been a part of our lives since we were kids. Raised alongside Seraphina and me, she was like another sister. While I had never been one for friendships, Tori had always been there, especially during these difficult past few days. She was a source of support for Seraphina and Leona, which they desperately needed.
“Dominic, did something happen?” Seraphina asked, jumping up from the couch at my sudden entrance.
Despite her disheveled state, I couldn’t allow myself to break down with her. I had to stay focused on finding Katarina.
“Gabriel talked. He told us where she is,” I said, my attention snapping to the window as I saw two vans pull up outside.
Seraphina wiped her tears angrily. “Let me come with you.”
“No,” I snapped. “Werewolf hunters took her, Seraphina.”
Her face paled, the memory of our parents’ deaths flooding back. The same fate had befallen our family. Werewolf hunters had captured our mother, and our father had been killed trying to save her.
But this was different. I told myself it was different because I loved Katarina. My father had never loved our mother; he had gone after her because he owned her. My fate would not be the same as his.
“We’re going to get her back, Seraphina,” I assured her before turning and rushing out the door.
I nodded to the eighteen warriors who had assembled to help. The rest were in other towns, too far away to respond in time.
My Beta arrived in his own vehicle, taking his place at my side.
“We’re going to get my mate back,” I barked at the warriors. “Be cautious. These are werewolf hunters. They know our weaknesses, and they know what we’re coming for.”
Years of training helped me maintain my composure, but inside, I was a wreck. I hadn’t realized just how attached I had become to Katarina. The thought of running the pack without her was unbearable. In the short time I had known her, she had become my reason for everything. I had always struggled to express any emotion other than anger, but Katarina had never been bothered by that. She was truly my other half.
My Beta and I jumped into my car, speeding down the driveway with the two vans following close behind. I paid no attention to speed limits, other cars, or anything that wasn’t Katarina.
The abandoned church was easy to find. Its light blue paint was cracked and peeling, and half of the roof had caved in.
We entered the church cautiously, eyes scanning for any signs of hunters. I struggled to keep myself in check. I could smell her.
She had definitely been here. The scent of creamy vanilla with hints of honeycomb lingered in the air like an expensive perfume.
“Alpha,” one of the warriors called out, standing in front of what looked like a basement entrance.
The twenty of us descended into the damp basement, the smell of wet earth filling my nose as my eyes locked onto a trapdoor.
The trapdoor lay flush against the concrete floor of the basement, and I could feel my heart thudding in my chest.
Hunter was frantic now. He didn’t care about the hunters. He didn’t care who he had to kill. All he wanted was Katarina.
My feet moved of their own accord as I ripped the door off its hinges, tossing it across the basement with a sharp clang.
I raced down the stairs, deeper into the earth, following the faint trail of her scent-warm vanilla with a whisper of cinnamon guiding me through the winding tunnels.
The heavy footsteps of the warriors echoed behind me. As I rounded another sharp corner, the first set of metal cages came into view, reeking of rust and grime. My heart pounded with familiarity.
Her scent grew stronger with each step, and my heart thundered in response.
I knew the cage at the end of the tunnel was hers. Her creamy scent clung to the bars, spilling through the cracks as if it recognized me.
“Katarina,” I whispered, standing in front of her cell, her name a desperate plea on my lips.