Blair’s POVThe ride home felt endless, every bump in the road making me grip Kade’s hand tighter. My eyes stayed on his chest, silently counting each breath, terrified one might be his last.When the car finally stopped in front of Robert’s house, the doors swung open and my mother came running out. Relief and shock lit her face until she saw Kade.She froze mid-step, eyes widening. “Oh, Moon Goddess…” Her voice broke into a strangled cry before she screamed, “Help! Somebody help him!”Robert was already barking orders. “Get the medics here now!”Men rushed forward, pulling the door open and carefully lifting Kade out. I had to let go of his hand, and the sudden emptiness in mine made my chest ache.Robert stepped down and reached for me. His grip was steady as he helped me out, but the moment my feet touched the ground, my mother was there wrapping me in her arms so tightly I could barely breathe.“Blair… my baby,” she whispered into my hair, her voice shaking. I clung to her, too c
Blair’s POVWhen the door slowly creaked open, I lifted my head, even though my neck ached from hours of holding Kade against me. For a second, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. But then I saw Robert standing in the doorway, light spilling in behind him so bright it almost blinded me.I blinked again and again, trying to make sure he was real. He was. He rushed inside, dropped to his knees beside us, and reached for Kade, pressing two fingers against his neck to check for a pulse.“You’re really here,” I breathed, my voice breaking as tears filled my eyes.“He’s alive,” Robert said, still focused on Kade.When his gaze finally met mine, a wave of relief washed over me so strong it almost knocked the air from my lungs. “You found us,” I whispered, gripping his arm just to be sure he was real and not a dream.“You’re not leaving my sight,” Robert said firmly. That was all it took for my sobs to break free. I knew we were finally getting out of here.But then Carlton appeared i
THIRD POV Robert froze when a faint, trembling voice brushed against his mind.Blair?He didn’t move at first, his gaze fixed on the gates of Carlton’s estate as if the answer might be hiding there. His wolf stirred, ears pricking, alert.“Blair?” he called in his mind, hoping for any response.It came almost instantly.“It’s me.”His chest tightened. “Where are you?”“Inside Carlton’s estate. I don’t know how long we’ve been here, but we’re locked up. Kade’s hurt. Please, you have to help us.”Robert’s jaw flexed, and he started toward the gate, his steps slow and measured so the guards watching him wouldn’t catch on. “Kade is in there with you?”“Yes. He’s… Robert, he’s in bad shape. I think he’s dying.”The desperation in her voice shredded the little patience he had left. “How did this happen? I thought—” He cut himself off, swallowing the questions burning in his throat. There’d be time for that later. “Listen to me. Stay calm and keep talking to me. I’m going to get you out.”“
Blair’s POVThey dragged Kade back in not long after, and the moment I saw him, my stomach twisted. He could barely hold himself up, limping before being shoved down and chained again. With the cuts, swelling, and dried blood on his face, he looked almost unrecognizable.“Kade…” I whispered, shifting toward him until the chain around my ankle yanked me back.He didn’t look at me right away. His eyes were barely open, lips cracked and dry, and I could hear the faint growl of his stomach even from where I sat. Mine wasn’t much better, but I could push through the hunger. His… his hair was tangled with the exhaustion of someone beaten within an inch of their life.“Are you okay?” I asked, though the answer was obvious.“I’m fine,” he muttered, voice barely more than a breath.We sat in heavy silence, the ache of hunger and helplessness pressing down on us. Then the sound of boots echoed down the hall. My head turned toward the door just as it creaked open.“Bring her out,” a voice ordere
Blair’s POVAfter dinner with Carlton, the guards dragged me away, and I knew exactly where they were taking me. Back to my cell.My stomach growled, loud enough for them to hear. I hadn’t touched a thing Carlton offered. How could I? Letting my guard down wasn’t an option.Now I wished I’d eaten at least one of those berries for the sake of the child I was carrying.The cell door creaked open, and before I could brace myself, the guards shoved me inside. I stumbled forward, falling hard onto the floor. My ankle twisted awkwardly, and a sharp pain shot up my leg. I turned my face away from the gritty ground, wincing as one of them chained my ankles again. This time, I didn’t resist.The clang of the door echoed behind me as I slowly lifted my head, my eyes searching for Kade. He was still there, sitting in the shadows, wrists shackled to the wall. His shirt was torn, his skin bruised, and even in the dim light, I could see how bad he looked.“Kade,” I whispered, moving closer.His gaz
Third person POVBlair’s mother sat at the edge of the bed, staring down at the phone in her hand. All the preparations for her daughter’s return now felt meaningless. Blair and Kade hadn’t come home. They hadn’t been found.It was nearly ten pm, but sleep was impossible. She kept refreshing her messages, hoping that someone would text with any news about her daughter’s whereabouts. She was worried about Kade too. She wanted to believe he’d protect Blair, but that belief wavered. The men they’d sent had already declared them missing.Robert hadn’t slept either. He’d been making calls all day, chasing updates, trying to stay optimistic. Unlike his mate, he still believed Kade and Blair simply weren’t ready to be found.He set a steaming cup of tea on the bedside table, then quietly watched his mate, who was now staring at a photo of Blair on her phone.“You need to rest,” he said gently. “Staying up all night won’t change anything.”She didn’t look at him. “What if they try to call, a