Alexanderâs POV
I was staring at my parents, trying so fucking hard not to scream at them.
Were they fucking insane?! As if I would have let them lock my sister up! As if I would have let them treat her like a prisoner!
They were insane and it wasnât fucking happening!
âWe may not have a choice,â my aunt said, her voice breaking. âShe might try to hurt us.â
I was just about to tell her that we would find another way when I heard a voice that I missed almost as much as Sophieâs.
Alex? Stellaâs quiet voice made me freeze.
I wasnât sure if I was imagining it. I missed Sophia so fucking much that I wouldnât be surprised if I imagined it. But why not imagine Sophiaâs voice then? Why did I imagine Stellaâs?
Alex? She called me again. Can you hear me?
âYou arenât imagining it, Alex!â Axel screamed at me. âTalk to her!â
âStella!â I exclaimed, making everyone in the room look at me.
Alex! She breathed out in relief. Oh, Alex, I miss you!
My heart clenched painfully. I was so focused on Stella that I didnât even realize that I was sitting down. When did I walk to the armchair?
I miss you too, Stella. I mumbled. I miss you so much. I miss both of you. Where are you, Stella? Where is Fia? Is she okay?
I donât know where we are, Alex. Stella said. Sophia fainted when they took us.
My heart felt like someone stepped on it.
âWhat the hell is going on?!â Masonâs voice made me look up at him.
âShut the fuck up,â I mumbled. âI am talking to Stella.â
I heard gasps and whispers around me, but I ignored them. I focused back on Stella.
Is Sophia okay? I asked, holding my breath.
No. Stella said, making my heart stop beating. The darkness took over her, Alex. She isnât the Sophia we know anymore.
I clenched my fists and tightened my jaw. I felt the tears burning my eyes.
But is she alive? I asked, remembering my dadâs words.
All that mattered was that she was alive. I would find her and I would save her. I could always chase the darkness away and I would find a way to do it once again.
She is alive. Stella said, making me close my eyes.
The tears fell on my cheeks and I felt a hand grab my upper arm. I opened my eyes and looked to my right. Hunter was staring down at me with a panicked look on his face.
âShe is alive,â I mumbled, making him gulp.
Who has her, Stella? I asked.
Alpha Nathanâs father. Stella confirmed what we already knew. He is trying to use her as a weapon for revenge against our and Hunterâs family.
We know that. I told her. What did he do to her? Did he hurt her?
Stella was silent for a few moments. My nervousness and fear grew.
You donât have to know that, Alex. Stella said quietly. You donât want to knowâ¦
Yes, I do. I interrupted her. I need to know if he hurt her! I need to know what he did!
The witches tortured her. Stella said, making me groan and put my head into my hands. She is tied to a table with chains. He kept telling her that he would make her kill you all. He kept telling her that he would make sure that she was left alone in this world.
I saw fucking red. I tangled my fingers into my hair and pulled. I imagined her chained and the power inside me exploded. I could feel my muscles growing. I could feel my head pulsating.
Hunter moved his hand from my arm and flinched back.
âHe is burning up!â Hunter exclaimed.
He was right. My skin was on fire. I was going to burst into flames.
âAlex!â my mom shouted as she approached me and placed her hands on the top of my head. âTake a deep breath, honey. You need to try and calm down.â
She kept mumbling words I couldnât understand, but a few moments later I felt the burning sensation on my skin disappear.
âCome on, honey,â my mom mumbled as she placed a kiss on the top of my head. âTake a deep breath.â
I listened to my mom. It was hard, though. It felt like there was an obstacle in my lungs and I couldnât get the air in.
Alex? Stellaâs worried voice reached me.
I am okay, Stella. I managed to mumble. Nothing like that will ever happen, okay? Please tell her that.
I canât. Stella whined. She blocked me completely. I canât reach her.
What? I asked, trying to make sense of her words. You are her wolf. How could she do that?
I donât know, Alex. She said. I am not even sure how I managed to talk to you. I used the light magic that she left behind with me.
An idea came to me.
Can you hear what is going on around Sophia? I asked as I lifted my head abruptly. I know that you canât talk to her, but can you hear or see what is going on around her?
I donât know. Stella mumbled. I could try.
Try, Stella, please. I said. We need to know what they are planning. We need to find her and bring her home so we could help her.
Stella was silent for a few moments.
You need to be careful, Alex. Stella said quietly. She isnât the Sophia you know anymore.
I clenched my fists and closed my eyes. She would always be my twin and I would always love her. No matter what.
Alex? Stella called me, making me open my eyes. Can you please tell Hunter that I miss him and Holden a lot? I tried mind-linking him, but our connection isnât strong enough since we didnât mark each other yet.
I glanced up at him.
I will tell him. I mind-linked her.
Okay. Stella said. I will try to focus on Sophia. I will let you know if I succeed.
I love you, Stella. I told her softly.
I love you too, Alex. Stella said, making my heart skip a beat. We both love you so much.
Stella ended our mind-link and suddenly I felt very cold.
I took a deep breath and looked up at my family. They were staring at me with worry in their eyes.
âDid you really talk to Stella?â my mom asked, her voice breaking.
âI did,â I mumbled quietly.
âWhat did she say?â Hunter asked. âIs Sophia okay?â
I looked at him and gulped. She wasnât okay. She was tortured and chained. She was engulfed by darkness and she wasnât the Sophia we knew anymore.