Chapter 33

Stefan’s POV

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I hug my little boy so tight, this is everything I have ever wanted and my wolf is howling in delight to have our little pup in our arms.

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“Good morning!” Angie's voice rings through the kitchen and she smiles when she sees us.

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“Angie, I’m so glad you’re awake. I have a big favor to ask.” Sadia says and Angie can’t take the grin off her face as she looks at Ben and I.

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“Of course! Anything.” She says.

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“Would you mind taking Ben to the café downstairs and picking up some coffee and three orders of pancakes and sausage?”

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“Mommy, you can just make it! I like yours better.” Ben protests, but somehow Angie picks up on the fact that we need a moment alone and she scoops up Ben.

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“Let’s go little guy. An adventure, a quest for breakfast!” She says and suddenly Ben is all in and excited. Sadia quickly gets him changed while Angie gets ready and soon they are giggling and headed out of the apartment, but not before Angie gives me a sly wink.

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As soon as they are gone the mood turns serious.

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“Why is the girl here? What happened? Even after all these years, I know your face and that smile like it’s my own. Something is wrong or you wouldn’t be here.” She sits down beside me and grabs my hand. I don’t know how to tell her what I’ve done.

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“How much do you remember,” I say and she squeezes my hand gently. “Do you have any memories of Alpha Augusta and Luna Aria?”

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“My memories have been flooding in all morning. I think the reconnection of our bond has woken them up.” She says somewhat softly. “I remember them. I remember Eric ripping Augusta to pieces in front of all of us. Murdering him and forcing poor Luna Aria to be his new bride. He was a horrific man.” She pauses for a moment. “He was the last person I remember seeing before I woke up here.”

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“Eric doesn’t know about this place. He told me that he found you in the woods, ripped to pieces. He told me rogues had attacked you.” I’m confused as she continues.

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“No, no I remember seeing him. He came to the cottage and we got into an argument. He was angry that Aria couldn’t have his child.” Sadia lets go of my hand and walks to the other side of the room and then her eyes go wide.

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“I remember all of it. He didn’t know I was already pregnant with Ben. He said I would have to move into the pack house and that I was to have his child, the next heir to the south. He told me that I was to sever all ties with you and reject you.”

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Listening to her stirs rage within me that I have trouble containing.

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“I told him never, and he pinned me up against the wall, he told me that I didn’t have a choice, that he would show me what it would be like, and after being with him I would want more of it.”

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“What are you saying, Sadia? Did he touch you? Did he...” I’m afraid to even ask and I feel sick.

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“I tried to fight him off, I kicked and screamed for him to stop. I managed to push him off me and I ran out of the cottage and through the woods, but he caught me easily. He ... I ... I couldn’t stop him.”

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She cries harder now and my heart is tearing into pieces and Zion is howling mournfully in my mind. Quickly I get up and pull her into my arms and hold her, apologizing that I didn’t stop it. That I wasn’t there to protect her.

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“I told him he was too late, that I was already carrying a child, your child, and he went into a rage. I begged for our lives. That’s the last thing I remember. I woke up here and until yesterday had no memory of any of it.”

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“I’m going to fucking kill him.” I am beyond enraged. “Sadia, I have to go back. I have to make things right.”

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“NO! You need to stay here, we’re safe here! We can be a family! There is no need to get revenge. You already have it because you found us.” She gently wraps her hands around my face and looks into my eyes, but I’m so ashamed of what I’ve done that I can’t return her gaze.

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“I’ve done horrific things, Sadia. When I thought you were gone I didn’t care about anything. I just wanted to leave this world but Zion wouldn’t let me. So I just existed. I was numb. I didn’t know what I was doing. I should have stopped Eric but instead, I helped him.”

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“Helped him do what?” Her big beautiful eyes are fixed on me, desperate to know the truth.

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“Aria and Augusta have a son.”

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“How, when? She isn’t able to have children.” Sadia clearly is as confused as I was when I found out.

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“Aria was only a month pregnant when Eric murdered Augusta. She knew that if Eric found out he would kill the child, so she hid the pregnancy, and when she gave birth she turned him over to one of the coven’s and they hid him in the human world. I - I helped find him for Eric. It’s my fault that he knows where he is. I betrayed our Luna and I betrayed poor Augusta. He was my friend and I put his son in danger. If Eric gets his hands on him he’ll kill him and it will be my fault.”

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“What’s the child’s name?” she asks and I am ashamed to even speak it.

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“Leo. He’s soon to be eighteen. He’s found his mate, it’s Alpha Roman’s and Luna Anna’s daughter, Elise.” I look at Sadia and I nearly break down and I beg for her forgiveness. “Leo looks just like Augusta.” I choke out. “How could I just watch Eric do such horrible things.”

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“And the girl? How does she fit into this?” She asks with little emotion in her voice.

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“Eric likes to keep a girl with him, in his room and at his disposal. He has been raiding human territories taking the young girls from their homes and selling them to the highest bidder. But the ones he likes most he keeps for himself. Angie was visiting the southern territories, but she is from the north. I walked in on Eric with her and I just - I just couldn’t watch him do it again, so I made up a lie and hid her. When I found out that she, by some insane coincidence, is Leo’s only friend I knew she couldn’t be found. Eric would use her as bait and kill her. So, I brought her here.”

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There is a long silence between us before I speak again.

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“I have to find Leo. I need to protect him, I owe it to Augusta to save his boy, and once I do I am going to make Eric wish he was never born.” Rage again fuels me and Sadia comes to me and holds me tight.

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“Grief can be a catalyst for the decay of the human spirit if you allow it, but you knew in your heart all along that Eric is evil, and the fact that you risked your life to bring Angie here proves it. That is the Stefan that I know and the one standing before me now. But, you’re right. You need to find Leo, where might he be? My Goddess Stefan, if he is mated to Elise, that means the two of them will be King and Queen of all of the territories!”

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“The last I heard Roman and Anna had him within the Northern palace walls and were protecting him. But I know Eric, he was making a deal with the Umbre."

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Sadia gasps in disbelief.

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“I thought they were destroyed centuries ago? I thought they were just folklore now, stories of dark magic that take over the minds of men and make them go mad.”

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“I don’t know how he found them or how they survived. There are only a few remaining and Eric has made a deal with them. Sadia, there is no telling what they are capable of, and I need to get to Leo before they do and warn him.”

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“I’m going with you.” Sadia says as Angie comes back. “We can go to the north, to my sister.”

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“No. Sadia, it’s too dangerous! I already lost you once, I can’t risk losing you again!”

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“We are stronger together, and when this is all over we will come back!”

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“No. I can’t let you. I’m going to go and soon this will all be over. But you need to be here with our son.” I hug her tight to me and Ben hugs my leg. “I’ll come back, I promise.”

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“When do you leave?” she asks and I know that we I must leave immediately if I plan to make it to the north by morning.”

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Within the hour I’m packed and headed off the island, and its a torturous goodbye.

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Lucas’ POV

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“My friend, we’ve found him. He’s in Canberra. We need to leave.”

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I rush back to the pack house and people are pouring out of it, rushing in different directions as travel preparations are made. I find Roman speaking with Izzy and Yuki.

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“Can you create a portal for us to travel through?” Roman asks but Yuki shakes her head.

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“No, not without them knowing you’re there. Whoever created the portal that drew in Leo will notice the disturbance.”

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“Izzy, can you be ready to travel with us? We might need you to help pinpoint where he is.” She agrees and assures her sister that she is fine to travel, even though she’s been so sick.

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“Are you sure he’s there?” I ask and Odette answers before Roman can.

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“He’s near there, probably closer to the coast, but the flowers Izzy saw only grow in that area. I suggest we fly into Ouvéa. I have family there and they will provide us with a safe and discrete arrival so we are not detected. We can sail to Canberra from there”

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“Agreed.” Roman and I turn to leave as Elise comes in frantic with Jack and the other kids right behind her. Sammi is clutching her hand.

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“We’re going with. We can help.” Elise says confidently.

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“Absolutely not. You need to stay here, this is going to be extremely dangerous an-” Roman doesn’t get a chance to finish before Elise interrupts him.

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“He's my mate! I will NOT just sit back and do nothing. I’m going!!” Tears are sliding down her cheeks as she tries to stand up to her father, but Roman’s right. This is not a place for them.

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“Elise, you and the others are needed here. Stay with your mother, we may need you. But there is no way that I will risk losing you.” Roman pulls her into a tight hug and she breaks down and cries even harder.

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“What if he doesn’t come back? What if Eric kills him?” She sobs.

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“I won’t let that happen,” I say “I am going to bring Leo back.” Sammi wraps her arms around me and I know she’s scared for me to go.

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“Please, Daddy, please be careful,” she says and I assure her that all will be fine, but inside I admit I’m worried.

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We spend the next several hours packing and preparing what we need, it will take nearly a day to reach the island of Ouvéa. We board the private jet and Roman and I take the seats that are far in the back. There’s a bit of privacy there. Coming with us include Odette, Eli, Hunter, and Alpha Jonathan, who insisted he come and face Eric. I didn’t agree with it, but I need to respect his position even if he is just a kid. Izzy is with us and several Alpha’s from other packs. There is a second plane that has our strongest warriors. We all agree that this mission is not to defeat Eric but to get Leo back. Once he is back and safe within our walls, we will plan a full attack on Eric to take back the region and return it to Leo.

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Once everyone is settled and the plane has taken off my anxiety starts to build and I know Roman can sense my unease.

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“We’re going to get him back, Lucas, I promise.” Roman looks at me and tries to reassure me, but I can see a crack of doubt in his eyes.

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“You don’t know that. This is my fault, and now he’s trapped in some kind of memory lane hell because I brought that stupid toy back.” I can’t help but beat myself up over it.

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“He would have remembered eventually, and the magic that Eric has harnessed would have found him.” Roman fidgets with the seatbelt as he tries to get comfortable.

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The two of us stare out the windows of the plane as we soar over black waters.

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Alpha Eric’s POV

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“Where is he?” I can’t wait to see this kid. I’m ready to remove him from this earth and become the true Alpha I was born to be. This stupid kid has been so powerful all along and didn’t even know it. He’s a pathetic creature, and I’ve convinced myself that he will be meek, but when I lay my eyes on him what I see before me isn’t some weakling boy. He’s big and muscular, but he’s crouched in the corner of the cell like a scared pup.

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“What’s he doing?” I ask as get closer, I’m confused that he isn’t reacting to our presence.

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“I have the boy trapped in his own mind. Trapped and living in memories from the past. His darkest moments.” The witch replies and I find this very interesting.

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“Does he know where he is?”

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“No, his reality is embedded deep in his mind.”

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“Can I talk to him? Approach him? Who will he think I am?” I ask as I stare at an almost exact replica of my brother. I think this boy is actually bigger.

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“He thinks he’s with a couple who were his foster parents for a time. Very abusive, he will heel to whatever you ask him to do. He fears them, and better yet he fears himself, so he will obey.” The witch runs her long finger against the bars and she is clearly pleased with herself.

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I open the cell and walk towards the kid and he cowers deeper into the corner.

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“I swear, I promise I won’t do whatever it was I did wrong again. I swear it. Can I please come out?” He asks me, and I can see tears slowly slide down his cheeks.

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“This kid is terrified,” I walk around him and the witch simply smiles at me. I decide to address my dear nephew and see his reaction.

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“No, no you may not come out. You’ll stay in there until the punishment is complete.” I yell at him and he starts to cry and beg me to let him out of whatever it is he thinks he’s trapped in.

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I look at the witch once again and step back. “How old does he think he is?” I ask, curious about how far I can push the boy.

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“Eleven, maybe twelve, hard to say where he is in those memories.”

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“This is going to be fun, I think I’ll torture the boy before I kill him,” I whisper to the witch, and then I turn to my pathetic cowering nephew and I scream at him.

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“You’ll stay like that until you learn!” I shout and he is pounding against the wall and begging to be released. It brings me joy to see his twisted-up face and to hear his sad cries.

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“How long will he stay in this state? Are you sure his wolf has been subdued?” I ask. I’m not afraid of this kid, but his wolf is another story. My brother’s wolf was fierce and if it weren’t for the witch beside me I would never have defeated him.

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“It’s hard to say. When he turns eighteen he will shift no matter what. I highly recommend you get rid of him before that.” She says, but I have one big problem. Have no idea when his birthday is. But I do know someone who does.

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We turn to leave and I mind link Stefan.

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“Where the hell have you been? I need you to bring Aria to the house in Runnyford, I want her here by morning. Do you understand me? I have Leo, it’s time for a little family reunion.”

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Stefan's POV

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“Understood. I’m just taking care of some loose ends in the human territory where you took your last crop of girls.” I lie to him, and I can feel my chest start to tighten.

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“Change of plans,” I tell the pilot as we are heading out, Looks like I wont be going north at all.