Chapter 2:

~Jane~

                                                                ~Present Day~

Over the past two years, I've tried to be brave. I've tried to hold onto the strength Sara told me I had- the strength she believed in, even when I didn't.

But tonight, as I sit on my bed with my parents in front of me and see the fear in their eyes... that strength feels like it's slipping away.

"Dad," I whispered, trying to keep my voice from shaking, "Please... What's going on?"

He hesitated, holding my hand a little tighter before taking my other one. "Jane... Something's happening."

The weight in my chest tightened.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

He glanced at mom before continuing. "Earlier today, your mother and I got a visit from Beta Oliver. He came to warn us."

"Warn you about what?" I asked, heart pounding.

"It's Zander," Dad said, his voice strained. "He's chosen his next mate." 

Dad's voice broke. 

"It's you." 

My world froze. "What?" I breathed. "Me? No- no, I don't understand. I'm only sixteen! I'm not even of age yet. He can't- he can't do this."

Fear crept in fast. It was like that night all over again. The night Sara was taken. The night everything changed.

"I can't be his," I whispered, shaking my head. "He's a monster."

"We know, sweetheart," Dad said gently. "We're not going to let that happen."

I looked up at him, my throat tight.

"We talked to Oliver," he continued. "He's doing everything he can to protect you. Zander is planning to come here- tomorrow morning."

"What?" I gasped, panic surging in my chest.

"He's already put a plan in place," Dad said. "He's reached out to someone he trust- an ally from the Moonlight Pack who can help keep you safe."

"The Moonlight Pack?" I blinked. "They're supposed to be our enemies."

"They really aren't Jane, they stand against Zander."

"But... how will I know who this person is?" I asked. "How can I trust someone I've never even met?"

"Oliver's supposed to return tonight with more details," Dad said. "We don't know exactly who it is yet-but this is the only chance we've got. Once you come to the border the person is supposed to be meeting you there. To be sure you're safe and protect you from Zander."

My chest tightening again. "I can't just leave... What if Zander finds out? What will he do to you? To mom?"

He reached out, brushing a tear from my cheek. "We're willing to take that risk if it means you're safe. We couldn't save Sara. But we can save you Jane."

I wanted to argue, to scream, to tell him this wasn't fair- but the words died on my lips. He was trying to protect me. I saw it in his eyes- the guilt of not being able to save Sara still lived there. 

BANG.

A fist pounded on the front door downstairs.

"Open this door!" Zander's voice. The sound of it sent ice through my veins.

Dad stood, squeezing my hand. "No matter what happens... you stay here." He walked to the bedroom door, paused, and looked back at me and mom as we continued to sit here in my bed together.

"Everything's going to be okay, Jane." He then left the room. Shutting the door behind him.

And just like that, it was me and Mom. Sitting in silence. Listening to the sounds of the man who destroyed our lives.. now demanding to take me too. I could feel it again- that familiar numbness. Like my body was trying to protect me from what was coming.

"I'm scared, Mom," I whispered. "What's going to happen?"

She scooted closer and took my hands. "It's going to be okay, sweetheart. Your father and I love you so much. We're doing everything we can to protect you. You have so much strength inside you. Jane. More than you know."

"I don't feel strong," I said tears falling. "I'm terrified. I can't do this."

"Yes, you can," she said gently, brushing the tears from my cheeks. "Sara saw it in you. So have we. Even when you were a child, there was something special inside you."

"She said that too..." I murmured. "The night she left. She told me I was special. That I needed to wait and listen. That one day, it would show itself."

Mom nodded. "Sara believed in you, Jane. And so do we. Your father and I... we've always known. The day you were born, I felt in my heart- you were different. Stronger than even you realize."

She placed a hand gently over my heart. "You have everything you need right here."

The banging downstairs grew louder- more furious.

"Open this door, Foster!" His voice bellowed again, each word dripping with power and rage.

I could hear the front door rattle under his fist. The sound shook me to my bones.

Mom stood and moved towards the door, her hand brushing my arm. "Stay here, Jane. No matter what you hear. Don't come out."

"But-" my voice cracked.

"No matter what," She repeated, her eyes locked on mine. "You stay here."

She stepped into the hallway, closing my door softly behind her. 

Alone. 

My heart pounded like it wanted out of my chest. I curled into myself, arms tight around my legs, breath shallow and shaking.

I sat there frozen, barely breathing, listening to the muffle sounds below.

Then- CRACK

The front door slammed open, the force echoing through the house like a thunderclap.

"Where is she?" That familiar, commanding growl...

I could hear my father speaking calmly- too calmly. "Zander, you can't be here. Jane isn't of age. You know that."

"I'm the Alpha of this pack," Zander snapped. "I decide when a girl becomes my next mate. And I've decided it's to be Jane."

"No," Mom's voice trembled. "You will not take our daughter, not again Zander."

"I wasn't asking permission," he growled. "She is to my mate. That is final."

I sat frozen in place... listening to my mother cry out below- her voice full of fear and desperation. His threats echoed through the house like thunder, crashing into me, shaking every part of who I was.

But something inside me snapped, and before I knew it I was out of my bed and walked over to my bedroom door. With my hand on the doorknob, about to turn it and step out of my room. But an invisible force kept me rooted to the floor.