Chapter 19: Stand By Me.

E M B E R

It's dark.

I flinch. "Mmm..."

I slowly open my eyes and raise my head to look up. "Where am I—?" I murmur, but then I feel restrained.

Still, in a trance, I deeply frown and wonder.

Why am I tied up?

I try to shake and wiggle when I freeze.

Oh, that's right!

My eyes widen in realization as my brain lets me recall the most recent memory before I blacked out or passed out: I was abducted, and I don't remember anything after that.

I pout and slump as I turn around to scan this small dingy room I am kept in. Questions keep rising in my head. What time is it now? Why kidnap me? And who could have done this—?!

That's when something rattles outside, and the leaves lightly rustle as I flinch.

The door creaks open ajar.

Warily, I stare at the silhouette of a male figure and frown. Is that the person who kidnapped me? It's a hooded man with only the lower side of his face uncovered. What was his name? Despite being tough and courageous, I feel shaky and trembly when a voice haughtily declares, "Oh, so you're finally awake."

A hooded man steps closer, and I cower as I snap, "Don't come closer, loser."

"Ha, you don't have to be prudent. I'm not going to do anything to you."

I glare at him and scoff, "What a load of bullshit! I'd rather die than trust the words of a fucking kidnapper!"

He says nothing but then sighs in response before kneeling and grabbing my chin. I restlessly try to jerk my face away and growl when he pulls his hood and smirks, "I promise I won't hurt you. After all, we know each other."

I gasp and gape at the familiar face.

Graham?

His eyes, his smile, and his whole aura make me shiver.

It's evil.

Something very evil.

Ugh, who cares!

A deadpan expression replaces the surprise on my face, and I glare at him, "You have got to be kidding me?!"

His smirk makes me so annoyed that I shout at the top of my lungs, "Listen! I know you hate me, but this has gone too far and is too childish. And did I mention cliche? What are you? A freaking idiotic villain?"

Peeved, Graham huffs, "Shut up! Who are you calling childish and idiotic?!"

"Wait!" I raise my tied-up hands in the front to poke a finger into his face. "You don't get to tell me to shut up, you stupid villain! Were you reading some fantasy novel with a B-grade kidnapping plot?"

I shake my head and shrug, "Seriously? You can't even be a better villain. What's the point of having you here?"

"Ugh!" Graham groans and rolls his eyes as he stands back.

I sigh, "I know we got off the wrong foot, but you still crossed the line by kidnapping your Alpha's mate. I don't think Sebastian is going forgive—"

Graham flinches and stares at me. "What?"

"That's right. You hated me, and you got your revenge, so how about let's go back, and I will make sure Sebastian doesn't go overboard with your punishment. However, I don't know what I might do to you—" that's when he startles me by slamming his arm on the side of my head and leaning closer, "I don't think you understand the position you're in."

He scoffs, "What revenge? And do you think I give a damn about that pack or the people in it? You think I kidnap you for flimsy reasons?" his expression changes from amused to furious in a second as he throws daggers with his eyes, "I came here to get you."

My eyes widen, and I gape at him speechlessly.

He lets out a humourless sinister chuckle and then grabs a strand of my hair as he murmurs, "I'm grateful for you because you made it easier for me to get to you. I didn't have to do much and just watch you chase every person connected to me to find me."

He lets go of me and stares down at me as I look down at my clenched fists and bite my lip.

What does he mean? Does he have connections with the man who murdered my parents? Or is he Damien?

I hear Graham sigh and turn around as he says, "I suggest you stop looking down at me and be compliant like the hostage that you are—" "Is that you? Damien?" I can't help quizzically blurting out and notice him halt right away.

With a determined gaze, I challenge him not to avoid me but to answer me.

Graham takes a deep breath and shrugs, "What do you want me to say?"

"I want to know the truth. The whole truth. Damien's body wasn't even found six years ago. How did you manage to escape? I don't understand—" he tilts his head and slyly smiles. "I could be."

Huh? I frown.

He clears his throat, "I mean, why would I listen to some nutjob when I can be the boss and order people around? A being that can easily rip a fucking mutt's heart out of its body, right?"

I narrow my eyes and growl.

"So, you are indeed Damien. You attacked Clayton and Flora, didn't you? And that guy I was chasing almost two weeks ago, right?"

Graham rolls his eyes and shrugs, calmly answering, "They were trivial casualties that you must learn to ignore when you want to achieve your goal."

"And what is it? Making hybrids? How are you going to do that? Abducting every female wolf and raping them?" I snap at him.

He lets out a chuckle. "Why do I need every female wolf when I have the most powerful one right here?"

I gape at him and scowl. "When the hell freezes over."

He throws his head and laughs delusionally before he states, "I'll see you later, okay? Till then, enjoy stewing alone in here." then he walks out of the room and bangs the door behind him, making me flinch.

"Guard her well."

I hear him giving an order, and then the guard says, "Yes, my lord."

I can still hear them talk, or is it their version of whispering to each other?

"Are you going to leave her alone?" the guard hushes.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that since you went through the trouble of kidnapping her, and she is hot, you might as well have some fun—" the guard helplessly yelps and probably drops dead a second later.

Graham wickedly chuckles, "True, keeping myself entertained is important. So does anyone else wants to help me have fun?" It's not like I can see his presence, but I can feel how chilly it feels.

"Get rid of that fucking body and guard my guest well if none of you wants to lose your precious life."

The footsteps begin to be distant.

I bring my knees to my chest and sigh. What the fucking hell is going on, for real?!

S E B A S T I A N

(Five Hours Ago: At Dawn.)

"She is not in her room."

"Or anywhere, for that matter."

"We searched the entire place."

I slam my fist on my desk and glare down at it.

My jaw tightens, and I grit, "Dammit!"

It's been five hours since Ember went missing. Duke, my wolf, is enraged at Ember being kidnapped. I have been trying to hold off his urge to kill, but he is determined to get her back in his arms. But we must be calm down and search the perimeters because that hooded bastard could keep her hidden anywhere.

I'm going to rip his heart when I meet him.

I remember the last time I saw her, she was asleep and in my arms before I went down to stroll in the backyard to think about everything that had been going on all of a sudden. The person I have been living with, I have been destined to be with, is not only a werewolf but an Alpha, like me. I thought I was betrayed but didn't I get what I wanted: a strong, powerful mate to stay and lead the community like equals?

If you truly love or like someone, even if there are a million reasons to leave, you will still look for the one reason to stay. I decided that no matter what, I couldn't just let her go. With that, I returned to my room to reassure and hold her in my arms, but Ember wasn't in bed, which prompted me to look for her in the entire house before I woke everyone to order them to find their Luna, and with Clayton still recovering, Dexter temporarily took his place.

"Hey!" his voice brings me back to reality, and my smile fades as Dexter continues, "After interrogating the staff, we found a witness." I look at him as he continues, "Your head housekeeper, Fiona. She woke up to get a glass of water when she saw Ember enter the woods through the window."

I tighten my jaw and snap, "She didn't care to tell anyone then?"

"She thought Ember was going to meet you."

"But I was in the backyard instead of the woods," I argue back and clench my fist. I then clear my throat and ask, "Did you pass on the order to close the borders?"

"Yes, and I even let everybody in the neighbouring territories know. Ivory helped since I am not entirely authorized." Dexter replies with all seriousness, "We have ordered everyone to report anyone suspicious immediately and compiled the names of people to put on the pursuit team."

"Alright. Remember, I am leading them."

"You sure? I bet the team can safely bring Ember back."

I glare at him and snap, "Isn't she Alpha to you? And, of course, I am sure. She is my mate, and I am supposed to keep her safe and not get abducted by a crazy psychotic stalker asshole."

"I mostly call her Ember since she is my best friend. She even insisted I call her by her name or nickname." that smug face on his face annoys me, but I try to control my anger by clenching my fist.

"Ugh!" I straighten up and scoff, "Fine, now leave me be."

I need to wallow in guilt right now and break something. It's all my fault, or else this wouldn't have happened to Ember.

Dexter nods and turns to leave, but then he looks at me. "Sebastian?"

"What?" I snap.

"It isn't your fault."

My eyes flutter, and I look up, "Huh?"

Dexter shrugs and nods, "Don't worry about Ember. She is stronger than anyone of us here."

I bite my lips and sigh, "No matter how powerful she is, she shouldn't be enduring alone—" the door opens, and a guard barges in, "Alpha! Someone reported seeing a suspicious group in the Western territory!"

In all alertness, I straighten up and click my tongue, "Alright, I'm departing immediately."

After sharing one last look with Dexter, I walk past him and out of the room.

E M B E R

It's morning!

I can hear the birds chirping and then the guards loudly talking to each other.

Ugh!

Still tied up, I stay still.

I seriously need to get out of here.

I roll my eyes and groan as I bury my head into my lap.

"Woah, you're quiet for a change."

I look up as Graham approaches me and chuckles, "It looks like you have accepted your fate. Did you have a change of heart?"

I scowl. "I will never. I'm just tied up—" "Oh, please!" he approaches me as he kneels at me and snickers, "You are strong enough to untie yourself and escape, yet you haven't. If it isn't the change of heart, then what is it?"

I glare at him and scoff, "I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself, Grah—Dami—or whoever you are."

He laughs.

"It's Damien II. I'm the son."

"What?" I raise my eyebrow with budding curiosity.

He shrugs, "Yeah, and I think you are still confused." he leans closer and whispers, "I must clarify that it was my father involved with your mother and your mate's mother. You see, I'm Midnight Hunters' former Luna's son. Yup, that's right, I'm Sebastian's half-brother."

I gape at him wide-eyed and speechless before I blurt out, "Why? Why are you doing this?"

Graham's evil black eyes lock with mine as he takes his time to answer and smirks, "Hybrids, just like you said earlier. It was my father's mission, and I am his legacy. So, I have to do it."

"You're sick. Do you know that?" I taunt sarcastically.

Graham responds with an unrepentant laugh. "Deny it all you want. You're going to be with me." he leans over to wipe the sweat on my face as he grins, "So, forget all about going back to that fucking asshole and the pack that doesn't truly want you."

His smug face and tone irk me. I tremble and glare down at my clenched tied-up fists.

"Whether I am wanted or not, it doesn't matter."

I can feel his quizzical gaze and look up smugly, "Even if no one wants me, don't expect I'll choose to be with you. I'm not that desperate."

That's when he slams his fist on the ground before me and then menacingly grits, "What's your fucking problem? Do you not want to be with me? I'm a fucking hybrid, way deadlier and stronger than your mate."

I don't respond to him when he screams, "Just be by my side, and you will be happier than you would have ever with him." his sudden outburst and blazing eyes make me flinch. He seems to epitomize everything wicked when someone knocks on the door.

He looks over and snaps, "What?"

"The Alpha of Midnight Hunters' has left the packhouse!"

Sebastian?

Suddenly teary-eyed, my heart flutters.

I'll be able to see Sebastian soon!

I can't help but let out a sob.

Graham happens to glare at me before he grits, "Okay. I will be going soon."

He stands back up and turns around to leave, but not before he says to me, "You better accept your fate, Ember." This fucking coward! He wouldn't be able to say bullshit if he hadn't tied and locked me up.

I grit and watch him walk out once again.

***

Tired and hungry, I rattle the chains and wiggle the ropes as I sigh. I don't know what to do, and Rayne has gone because she isn't replying.

There might be a battle, and Sebastian is in danger, but I can do nothing. I feel teary-eyed again, and they drip down from my eyes as I tighten my jaw and dig my nails into my fists. I can see blood in my nails, but who cares.

If only Rayne would come back.

The door creaks, and I straighten up.

Wait, when have I been helpless and waiting for someone to rescue me? I glance at the chains and growl. I need to pull myself together. As I said, I need to get out of here if nothing else— with a deadpan expression, I sigh and then shout, "Oh, my! I need help! I need help now!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you, woman?"

"What do you need help with?"

Those fucking assholes are outside guarding this cottage, and I smirk as I cough up, "I need to go now."

"You can't."

"What? Why not? I need to relieve myself. I can't control it anymore. My bladder's going to burst."

One of them enters right away, and I hide my smugness as I eagerly call out, "Hurry up! Untie me, will you? It's urgent!!!"

"Alright, alright! Stop screaming, woman!" he groans.

I almost roll my eyes at his gullibility, and he unlocks the chains immediately.

Perfect.

A faint smirk reappears on my face.

My legs are free.

"Follow me, now!" The man says as he grabs my elbow and forces me to stand up.

"Fine, fine—" I roll my eyes at the back of his head when I suddenly feel a surge of energy. I smirk because Rayne has woken up finally, and with that, I strike him instantly. Startled, he stumbles, but I give him no chance to recover and thrash him until I see him tremble enough to fall unconscious.

"Hey! What's going on?!" Another voice butts in.

I take that as a cue to bolt and run away.

"Ya, that woman fucking escaped. Get her! Or the lord is going to kill us."

"On it!"

I still have my arms tied, and the wind is in my hair as I run, huffing and panting breathlessly. Not before I shift and let Rayne take over immediately. They might be a part of Graham's hybrid army and are faster, but I'm the quickest and will not get caught again.

I sprint into the woods with all my might, leaving the guards behind. However, I briefly slow down later when I sense a familiar presence and a faint pinewood scent blows past my nose.

Sebastian?

But before I can have myself distracted, I hear the voices of the men chasing me.

"Hey, there she is!"

"Stop right there!"

Oh, fine! If that's what you want.

I grunt and growl as I turn back to face them.

They smirk at me and lunge toward me, but I have no choice except to rip their hearts out and tear their bodies piece by piece.

S E B A S T I A N

After a brief run through the woods, I halt on my track when I inhale a familiar sweet scent in my nose. Then, as I look around the tall trees and bushy shrubs, Duke howls in recognition and urges me to follow it.

I sprint right away when a loud shot is made in my direction.

What the hell! I manage to dodge and look up as a hooded silhouette appears in front of my eyes.

I frown.

Who the fuck is this now? I step up and growl when the person comes closer and pulls off the hood—what the fucking hell is this! What is he doing here? I remember punishing him and Jenna for causing a scene and letting the captured rogues in a dungeon out to attack Ember.

Graham notices my surprise and confusion as he smirks, "Ha, what a shame!"

I blink back to reality as he exclaims, "That was your last chance for a painless death."

Where is she? Where is my mate?

I demand through the mind link, but I receive no response.

I narrow my eyes and loudly growl.

Answer me NOW!

Is Ember safe?

Graham amusedly scoffs, "I don't need to tell you that when you're going to die here."

If you don't answer me, I'll make you answer. I'll fucking kill you for such a thing as abducting my mate, Graham. I will take your life—

He fakes a pout, throws his head back, and lets out a menacing laugh, "Hell no!" Or he believes he is threatening.

Fucking asshole!

His expression changes sour, and he scowls, "Your fucking lineage ends with you, Sebastian." He glowers and lunges toward me with a punch with something shiny flickering in his fist, catching me off guard, but I manage to dodge and snarl at him.

What do you think you are doing?

"Ending you—" he states as a matter of factly and tries to lunge again at me. Not a chance. I grab his arm in my jaw and twist it, satisfied at the scream he presents me with immediately after. He slumps down on his fours, clearly in pain, as blood pours down his arm enough to make a puddle.

I let him go and hover over him.

It's over already. You know you are no match for me, so surrender, Graham and pay for your crimes.

Beats of silence pass as I hear the sound of the wind rustling the leaves and through my fur, the birds chirp, and I feel the sun rays peek through the tall trees. It relaxes me for a brief moment until there is a loud groan.

I look back and frown as I watch Graham stand up. What is this? Rage. Madness. Fury. I can feel his surge of energy, almost blinding me there. I squint and try to look away but catch a glimpse of him glaring at me with no remorse in his dark eyes, and then he steps toward me, screaming, "You're never stealing anything from me again, you bastard!!!"

He swings his leg upward and aims for my face below the jaw. I am about to recover my balance and attack him when he plunges a dagger deep into my foreleg.

I stop and hiss as it burns painfully, and I realize the dagger in my leg is laced with a poison: Wolfsbane.

You... you...

I suddenly feel dizzy, and my heart races as the pain tighten my chest. I stagger backwards, my mind swirls, my vision gets blurry, and my breaths shallow until my big wolf body drops to the ground. It's hard to make out the details, but I hear faint footsteps coming nearer. I feel him kneeling before he plunges another dagger into my stomach. I painfully grunt when his fingers caress my fur before they grab them in a tight fist.

I whimper in pain but hear him evilly chuckle, "I have finally got you, Sebastian, my little half-brother."

Wait, what?

Then nausea creeps from my abdomen to my head, and the world goes black.

E M B E R

"Sebastian!" I scream as I jolt up to reality and notice a familiar ceiling before my eyes.

"Ember!?"

"Luna?"

I murmur, "Where am I?"

"Ember, are you okay?"

I frown and look sideways,  "Clayton?"

"Yeah."

"Clayton? Are you okay? How did you find me? I don't remember. anything."

"I am okay. I gained consciousness when Dexter and Ivory brought you here." he answers, and I blurt out, "How did they find me?"

He shrugs, "You managed to run back to the packhouse."

Oh.

I purse my lips and nod before I suddenly jolt up and blurt out, "Sebastian."

"What?" he frowns.

I look back at him and say, "I saw a dream. Sebastian met Graham—" when Clayton interrupts, "But Graham was banished to the Northern Territory."

I take a deep breath and sigh as I shake my head. "Apparently, not. He didn't go. In fact, he isn't even Graham."

"What do you mean? He has been with us since childhood."

I nod and continue, "It turns out that Graham is a hybrid, half werewolf and half v—"

"Vampire," Clayton mutters.

"Yeah. He goes by Lord Damien II. He is the son of that murderer I have been looking for so long." I explain.

"So, Graham is following his father's footsteps." he snarls.

I click my tongue, "Exactly!"

Clayton looks even more confused, but his eyes flicker, betrayal and hurt. "I can't believe it."

"Neither did I, but he told me himself." I clear my throat and continue, "He was the one who kidnapped me and has an army with him. I think he is going to attack—" my dream briefly flashes into my mind.

It was so vivid.

That dream.

I anxiously bite my lip.

I can't stop feeling like something bad's going to happen.

"I need to go."

I hastily jump out of bed but stagger and groan due to lightheadedness.

"But you need rest," he says.

"No!" I snap and huff, "Sebastian is my mate and in danger." I look at Clayton and murmur, "I can't leave him to endure it alone. I must stand by him and do anything to help him."

A beat of silence passes, and Clayton surprises me with a faint smile.

"What?" I blurt out, frowning.

His smile becomes prominent and wider. "Nothing, you both are so similar."

I take that as a compliment and grin. "I know." then I glaringly mutter, "But I need to go and save Sebastian."

Clayton understandingly nods when there is a knock on the door.

Dexter enters with another person who clears his throat and states, "We received an urgent message that Dexter thinks should be repeated to you."

I throw my best friend a curious look, and without wasting time, I ask, "What is it?"

"It's from Damien II." my heart races negatively, hearing that name and scowl, but let the messenger continue, "Alpha Sebastian is taken captive, and if you wish to get him back, you must visit alone."

"What?" I roar and startle the three people in the room before I move toward the door, "Now, it's serious. I need to go."

"I'll go with you."

It doesn't register in my brain, nor do their footsteps as they follow me out. I rush to the hallway and find everyone looking at me. They prominently whisper and murmur among themselves. Jenna gives me a stink eye, but Ivory pulls me into a warm embrace and fills me with everything. I nod and make my way to the stairs.

I feel anxiety creeping up in me as I can feel all their gazes piercing my back, but I shake it down and confidently turn to face them.

Ivory encouragingly thumbs up, Clayton smiles, and Dexter proudly nods when I gulp inaudibly and then clear my throat as I address the Midnight Hunters', "I know it's a state of turbulence with your Alpha not here. There is every reason to panic, but still, we must calmly work together to get him back."

I bite my lip to control my anger and say, "Sebastian is taken instead of me by Graham, now known as Damien II." I awkwardly clap and huff, "I know not all like me or the idea of being your Luna, but right now, this is about your Alpha, so I am asking you to support me and work with me to bring him back home safely."

Slightly teary-eyed, I quickly wipe it off my cheek and then embarrassingly chuckle, "Because as much as you love your Alpha, I might not know him better than you all, but I want my mate back."

I don't know if I made a difference or my so-called speech, but they look determined.

Even Jenna.