Penelope’s POVI pushed through the dense underbrush, following what I hoped was my daughter’s trail, when a soft voice drifted through the trees.“Mommy?”My heart stopped. “Debbie?”“We’re here, Mommy!”The voice came from a small clearing ahead. I broke into a run, branches tearing at my clothes as I crashed toward the sound. Three small figures emerged from behind a fallen log—Debbie, Tommy, and Elara, all dirty and frightened but moving under their own power.“Oh my god,” I gasped, dropping to my knees as Debbie ran straight into my arms.She hit me like a small missile, her thin arms wrapping around my neck so tight I could barely breathe. “Mommy, I was so scared but I remembered everything you taught me about being brave.”“You’re safe now, baby. You’re safe.” I held her close, checking for injuries while Tommy and Elara pressed against my sides. All three children were filthy and shaken, but I couldn’t see any serious wounds.“Mommy, bad men took us to a dark place,” Debbie sai
Edward’s POVI moved deeper into the forest, away from Penelope’s searching calls, until my phone finally caught a signal. The device immediately flooded with notifications—seventeen missed messages from my operatives. My fingers flew across the screen as I opened the first urgent text.Target package compromised. All three subjects missing from containment. Repeat: children have escaped.My jaw clenched as I read the devastating news. Debbie had somehow broken free from the secured holding area, taking Tommy and Elara with her. The little bitch had completely destroyed months of planning.How? I typed back furiously.Enhanced abilities exceeded estimates. Subject used advanced combat techniques to disable guards and breach containment protocols. Tactical training more extensive than anticipated.I stared at the screen in disbelief. A five-year-old child had outmaneuvered my trained operatives. Debbie’s enhanced capabilities from her Moon Goddess bloodline, combined with whatever comba
Penelope’s POVI sat in Edward’s passenger seat, my unease growing stronger with each mile as we drove deeper into forest territory. Something fundamental felt wrong about our route, though I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was triggering my instincts.“Edward,” I said, studying the landscape visible through the windows, “I’m confused about our direction. This doesn’t look like we’re heading toward Darkwood.”“I’m taking a longer route for tactical reasons,” he explained, keeping his eyes focused on the increasingly narrow road ahead. “The direct path would be too predictable if the kidnappers have established surveillance around the meeting point.”“But we seem to be moving away from Dominic’s territory entirely,” I pressed, watching landmarks that looked increasingly familiar. “If his pack is responsible for the kidnapping, shouldn’t we be heading toward Darkwood lands?”“The forest system connects multiple territories,” Edward replied smoothly. “The meeting location is accessible fro
Edward’s POVI drove Penelope, my mind racing through the final phase of my plan while maintaining the facade of devotion. Every mile brought us closer to the culmination of days of planning.“How much further?” Penelope asked, staring at the phone displaying my fabricated message for what felt like the hundredth time.“We have a long way to go,” I replied, navigating another sharp curve in the increasingly narrow road. “The kidnappers chose this location specifically because it’s remote and difficult to access quickly.”The message I’d shown her was completely fabricated, crafted by Dr. Voss at my precise instructions. My operatives were currently moving Debbie and her friends Tommy and Elara to another location where they would be eliminated.The children had served their purpose as bait to lure Penelope away from her protective father and into my trap.The ritual chamber beneath my estate was prepared for the ceremony that would transfer her supernatural heritage to me.“Edward,” Pe
Dominic’s POVI finally broke through Nathan’s security line like a man possessed, shoving past guards who tried to block my path. Their shouts and weapon clicks meant nothing compared to the sight of Penelope crying into Edward’s chest.“Penelope!” I called, ignoring the rifles trained on my back.She lifted her head from where it rested on Edward, her face transforming from confusion to pure hatred when she saw me approaching.“Stay away from me,” she snarled, backing toward Edward who immediately stepped between us.“Alpha Dominic,” Rodolf warned, “this area is restricted—”“I need to talk to her,” I said desperately, my eyes locked on Penelope’s furious face. “There’s something she needs to know.”“I know everything I need to know,” Penelope spat. “Your pack symbols scattered where my daughter was taken. Your vehicles positioned for surveillance. You kidnapped Debbie!”“Those emblems were planted,” I insisted, taking another step closer despite Edward’s protective stance. “Someone’
Edward’s POVI held Penelope against my chest while she sobbed over the evidence that implicated Dominic in their daughter’s kidnapping. Her complete trust in my comfort and support represented the culmination of months of careful manipulation—every romantic gesture, every supportive conversation, every demonstration of reliability building toward this moment.“I can’t believe he would do this,” she whispered against my shirt, her tears soaking through the fabric. “I know he resented me for leaving, but to take my daughter…”“Shh,” I murmured, stroking her hair while internally celebrating my success. “We’ll find her, Penelope. We’ll bring Debbie home safely.”“People do terrible things when they feel powerless,” I continued softly. “Dominic’s pride was wounded when you chose me over him. Maybe this is his way of reasserting control.”“But she’s just a child,” Penelope said, pulling back to look at my face with red-rimmed eyes. “Whatever issues he has with me, how could he involve an i