Author POV
The tension in the pack house was palpable, an electric charge that crackled in the air as Liam and Greg gathered with their family.
Fear mingled with anger as they processed the abduction of Daryl, Leo, and Aria. Every moment felt like a ticking clock, with the fate of their loved ones hanging in the balance.
Liam paced the room, his hands clenched into fists, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.
“We need to act fast. Every second we waste gives those bastards an advantage.”
Macy, his beloved mate, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her eyes brimming with tears.
“They’re strong, Liam. We’ve trained them well. They’ll find a way to protect themselves. We have to trust in that.”
“Trust is not enough!” Liam snapped, shaking off her touch. “I should have foreseen this! The Star Crust Pack has always been a threat, and now they’ve made their move. We can’t afford to be blindsided again.”
“Liam, blaming yourself won’t help our children,” Greg interjected, his voice steady but filled with urgency. “We need to formulate a plan. We can’t rush in without knowing our enemy’s strength or location.”
Liam’s phone rang sharply, slicing through the tense silence that filled the room. Glancing at the caller ID, he knew it was Gordon, the acting Alpha of the Star Crust pack. He answered, his heart pounding as the memory of his kidnapped children surged to the forefront of his mind.
“Liam,” Gordon’s voice was taunting, dripping with arrogance. “I hope you’re sitting down. I have a little proposition for you.”
Liam clenched his fists, trying to rein in his fury. “What do you want, Gordon? And where are my children?”
“Relax, Alpha, relax,” Gordon chuckled darkly, “Your precious little lambs are safe… for now. But here’s the deal: you need to meet me by the mountains south of the Star Crust territory. Alone.”
“Why the hell would I do that?” Liam growled, his voice low and dangerous.
“Because if you don’t, you might just find out how brutal I can be. And trust me, you wouldn’t want to see your children suffer. This is your only chance.”
Liam’s heart raced. He could hear the underlying threat in Gordon’s voice. He glanced over at his family, all of whom had worry etched across their faces. They were all too aware of the consequences of Liam’s next move.
“I’ll be there,” Liam finally said, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him.
As he hung up, he felt the weight of the situation crashing down on him. “He wants to meet me,” Liam announced, facing his family. “And he’s threatening to kill the kids if I don’t comply.”
Gasps of shock filled the room. Elaine’s face paled, while Mara’s eyes glimmered with tears. “Dad, you can’t go alone! It’s too dangerous,” Leo insisted, his fists clenched in frustration.
“We can’t risk anything. If he thinks I’m bringing backup, he might execute them on the spot,” Liam countered, steeling his resolve. “I have to do this for them. I need to buy us time.”
Macy stepped forward, tears brimming in her eyes. “But Liam, what if-”
“Enough!” Liam’s voice cut through the rising panic. “I’m not losing any more time. Greg will accompany me.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Greg asked, concern etched across his features.
“I need you to keep me grounded. We can’t let him manipulate us,” Liam replied, determination in his voice. With a heavy heart, they prepared to face Gordon, knowing the danger that loomed ahead.
As they approached the designated meeting point, tension crackled in the air. The mountains stood like silent sentinels, ominous and imposing against the horizon.
Liam’s heart raced as they parked the car and stepped out, the cool wind biting at their skin. They waited for what felt like an eternity, the weight of their decision hanging heavily between them.
Finally, after hours of anxious anticipation, Gordon emerged from the shadows, a smug smile plastered on his face.
“Ah, Alpha Liam, how nice of you to join me. And Greg, I see you decided to tag along.” His eyes gleamed with mischief as he surveyed them.
“What the fuck do you want? And where are my children?” Liam growled, barely managing to keep his rage in check.
“Relax, Alpha, relax,” Gordon replied, a chuckle escaping his lips. “Your children are safe… for now.” The last part of his statement dripped with malicious satisfaction, sending a chill down Liam’s spine.
Liam’s hands balled into fists at his sides, fighting the urge to charge at Gordon. “You’re playing a dangerous game. You should know that a war with Waterfall is a battle you won’t win.”
“Oh, I doubt that,” Gordon sneered, confidence radiating from him as if he had a secret weapon hidden up his sleeve.
“The last thing you should want is to go to war. Now, I want you to sign Waterfall over to Star Crust. That is the price you will have to pay to get your children back.”
“Never!” Liam shouted, anger surging through him like wildfire.
“Then you’ll watch your children die when the council gets their hands on them!” Gordon’s laughter echoed in the stillness, a sound filled with malice.
Back at the dark room where Daryl, Leo, and Aria were held captive, the atmosphere was grim. Daryl’s heart sank further with each passing moment.
The cold air stung against their skin, and he could see the way Aria shivered, her body trembling from the chill.
“Damn it, they need to bring us some food or something,” Leo muttered, frustration etched across his face.
Aria huddled close, her eyes wide with fear. “What if they don’t? What if we’re here forever?”
“We won’t be. I promise,” Daryl replied, trying to instill some confidence into the situation, but deep down, anxiety gnawed at him. “We need to think of a way to escape.”
Just then, the door creaked open, and a familiar face stepped into the room-Gordon. The sight of him sent a jolt of fury through Daryl and Leo.
“Ah, the little prisoners! I see you’ve been keeping busy.” Gordon’s voice dripped with mockery.
“I can’t wait to see how this plays out. You see, your father has a tough choice to make. He can either save you or save his precious pack.”
“What the hell do you want from us?” Daryl demanded, clenching his fists in anger.
“I want to have a little fun before your dad makes his decision,” Gordon said, eyeing Aria with a predatory glint in his gaze.
“Get away from her!” Leo roared, his body straining against the restraints that held him.
Gordon simply laughed, seemed he found great joy in provoking the boys, stepping back as he relished their anger.
“I think I’ll let you boys stew in your helplessness a bit longer. I can’t wait to see how your father reacts when he realizes just how powerless he is to save you.”
As he turned to leave, Daryl felt a sense of dread wash over him.
This was just the beginning of a nightmare, and he had no idea how long they would be trapped in this hell.
Continuation