DARIUS' P.O.V.
From the moment I woke up in the morning, I felt a nagging in my chest. It was pulling and tugging at me but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what it was. I thought it had something to do with Jared so I had some men stationed outside his house to make sure he didn't leave and to tell me the moment he did but it still didn't feel enough so I put more men in front of my house.
I wanted to stay home with Leindra but I couldn't. It took everything in me to step out of bed and leave her there. I didn't know if it was because of the hunters or something else but I didn't want to step away from her.
Despite that feeling, I knew I had to because there was so much work to be done especially with the hunters and their plan. I knew that whatever they were planning could not be good so I reached out to my allies in nearby packs to see if they knew anything and if they were willing to offer help if things went south. I had a meeting with the Alpha in the next town and that was why I couldn't stay.
I was distracted the entire time and it was painfully obvious. Halfway into the meeting, Ian had to nudge me and I turned to me. He jerked his head in the direction of the Alpha- Keene- and I realized that I had been asked a question.
"I didn't quite catch that," I told him and his brows scrunched as he analyzed me.
"Is something happening?" he asked and I shook my head.
"Not at all, I was just lost in thought. We can continue right now if you wish."
"You seem very distracted and I know that look anywhere because I have been on the giving end of it one too many times. Does this have anything to do with your mate?"
I stayed silent because ally or not, Leindra was not a topic I liked to discuss with other people.
"I have been mated for twelve years, Darius, I know a thing or two about being worried for your mate," he stood to his feet. "There is no need to prolong this meeting any further. Should you require my aid, I will be more than willing to supply it. You should be with your mate. One thing I learned the hard way is to always trust your gut- it is never wrong. If it tells you to be with her, then be with her."
I wanted to believe that but my gut told me to trust Jared and he had betrayed us. My gut told me that Faye was redeemable over and over again but she was not. My gut Macriécrlustintrumniecessary wars afiorasiát Ìası 'khrew; itwas totitride-itasıécrur
listened to.
"Should I ask Amy to check on Leindra?" Ian asked and I nodded. I knew she hated having Amy shadow her all the time but it was for the best. It was the only way I could sleep well knowing that she was safe.
After a few minutes, Ian assured me that she was fine and eating breakfast. I let out a sigh of relief and went back to my work. I needed to go to the bar to talk to some of the other soldiers. My phone buzzed with texts but I ignored it. I did not want to be bothered which was why I kept the wall in my mind securely in place. If it was important, they would talk to Ian who would then relay it to me.
I was in my office in the bar when Ian rushed in. "We have a problem."
"What's wrong?" I was instantly alert and I sat up straight. For Ian to have rushed in the way he did then it was obvious that he thought it was big.
"The guards outside of Jared's house noticed that there was no movement so they went in and they realized that he had snuck out through a back window. His car was still there but they found tire tracks leading from the back of the house towards yours."
"How long has he been gone?" I was instantly out of my chair.
"They don't know but they only found out he was missing a few seconds ago."
I muttered a curse under my breath and rushed out of the building. I mentally chided myself for taking a car instead of my bike which I know would have been faster. I got into the driver's seat and I waited for Ian to get in before I hit the gas.
For the first time in the day, I put down my wall so I could mind-link Amaris.
"Where are you?" I asked the moment I felt the bond connect.
"I'm in my room, why? Is everything okay?'
If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Where is Leindra?"
"She is locked up in her room. Darius if something is wrong then you can tell me."
"Find her and make sure she is where you said she is. Jared is missing and I know he is coming for her."
She cursed. "I'll find her."
She broke off the mind link and I muttered a prayer to the moon goddess that Leindra was safe. If anything happened to her again under my watch, I wouldn't be able to take it. I knew I should never have agreed to that plan in the first place. I knew I should have kept her out of harm's way but I was too busy trying to take her feelings into account, I wanted her to feel helpful and I put her right in the firing zone.
The car was moving too slowly and I was too anxious. I tried to mind-link Amaris again but her wall was up and I wasn't getting through to her. I cursed and slammed my hand on the steering wheel. I was driving as fast as I could but it was not fast enough. By the time I finally got to the house, I didn't even bother turning off the car before I rushed inside.
The house was quiet and I immediately knew she wasn't here. It wasn't even the quiet that let me know, there was always a feeling I got when Leindra was around and that feeling was missing. I felt empty but I still ran up the stairs to see if she was there. Her room door was ajar and I could smell Jared all over the place. The windows were open and I made a mental note to put bars on them once everything was over.
"Darius!" Ian yelled my name from downstairs and I rushed in that direction hoping and praying he had found Leindra.
I got to him and I saw Amy slumped on the floor. I immediately knew it was Jared who was responsible for it all. I picked her up and placed her on the couch then turned to Ian.
"Have the men scour the woods, hopefully they haven't gone far."
He nodded and he started to move when he froze. I knew immediately that he was being mind-linked but I didn't know who by. He was stoic for a full minute before he snapped out of it and when he turned to me, there was something in his eyes that terrified me.
If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "That was Jared," he began slowly. "They were on their way to you but they were run off the trail. He's going through the woods and he is trying to get her to safety but-"
I didn't wait for him to finish before I was out of the house and back into the car. Ian at least had the common sense to follow me because I had zero intentions of waiting for him. He had barely gotten into the car when I floored the gas and took off in the direction of the woods. I knew the woods better than anyone and I hoped I would find them before the hunters did.
The car was in complete silence but the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I drove for a few minutes before I noticed there were other cars following me. Ian must have mind-linked the guards. It took a few minutes before I found the car. It had been rammed from the side and the window was broken but they were nowhere to be found.
"Spread out," I ordered. "They cannot have gotten far."
We spread out in different directions but Ian stayed close to me. We didn't walk far before I smelled the blood. I knew it wasn't Leindra but I took off in that direction and I found Jared lying on his stomach with blood pooling out of his back but there was no sign of Leindra. Her scent was all over the place and I knew she had been there at some point but it disappeared at a certain spot in the woods and I knew they must have used something to hide it so we couldn't track them.
I let out a roar of frustration and was about to turn away when I saw Jared twitch. I rushed over to him and crouched down. I knew he wasn't going to make it but it was clear that he was trying to speak.
"Where is she?" I asked and he opened his mouth but no words came out. "Come on, Jared, you're a strong mother fucker, I just need one word. Where the fuck is she?" "They have her," he managed out despite the blood dripping from his mouth. "My house, them, please."
He let out his last ragged breath and I shut my eyes to push away the pain. I had thought Jared betrayed us but he was bringing her to me. He knew she would be safe with me. Even Keene warned me. Everyone but me knew that and it was my fault that Leindra was missing.
I stood to my feet and then turned to see Ian standing behind me. "What are we going to do?'
"We are going to Jared's house and then we will find my wife and bring her home."