Chapter 0007

Fiona’s POV

I hang up the phone, leaving the cozy café behind me as I stroll through the narrow alley. The alley is empty, the silence only disturbed by the distant hum of city life. I have a feeling of unease, like a shadow looming over my shoulder.

Something doesn't feel right.

As I turn to walk away, a sudden sound in the distance stops me dead in my tracks. I whirl around and see a sinister scene unfolding before me. Two men, their faces concealed in darkness, are shoving a struggling Rowena into the back of a van. My heart lurches, and I hesitate, unable to move.

"Rowena?" The question unconsciously escapes my lips, and my voice wavers with shock. The kidnappers, startled by my presence, briefly divert their attention from her. It's the distraction she needs, and with a burst of determination, Rowena wrestles herself free from their grasp and rushes towards me, grabbing my arm in a vice-like grip.

"What is happening here?" I gasp, my arm throbbing in her fierce hold. I can see the fear in her eyes. It almost feels like she knows the kidnappers and is terrified for her life.

The threatening men turn to us. One of them points towards Rowena.

"The boss wants that one."

Rowena's voice is laced with venom as she retorts, "I'm not going anywhere with you."

Then, in a shocking movement, she shoves me in front of her. I am too stunned to react, barely registering the turn of events.

"Well, it seems like we’ll just have to take them both," one of the burly men growls, as they advance upon us, their harsh grips closing in.

"Take your hands off me!" I finally find my voice and attempt to push the man in front of me away, but I'm painfully aware that my strength is no match for his wolf. My own wolf stays dormant and still. The man's yellow eyes gleam in the darkness, promising retribution.

"Enough," he growls, and before I can react, I feel a searing pain at my neck. My vision blurs, and everything goes black.

____________________

I'm jolted awake by the incessant ringing of a cell phone, disoriented and frightened. My surroundings come into focus. It seems to be already the next morning, and I find myself in an abandoned warehouse, my hands and feet bound tightly. Before me stand two masked men, their identities concealed, and even their scents masked to perfection.

The warehouse is dimly lit, with dust motes dancing in the air. My surroundings feel stale and damp, and my heart races as I take in the dire situation. There is a low swishing sound that can be heard from somewhere far away. Almost like we are near a water body.

Beside me, Rowena is also tied up, stirring as she regains consciousness.

"Oh God, this bitch's phone won't stop ringing," one of the kidnappers mutters in irritation. "I mean, she wasn't even our target, and now we have to hear her phone ring like a stupid alarm clock."

I hold my breath, trying not to make a sound that might draw their attention.

“Maybe, we should just let her answer the call and put us out of our misery.” The other one responds.

Immediately, the words bring a rush of hope inside of me.

"Yeah, we don't want her folks getting worried and asking the police to investigate. Boss said this should be done with as little noise as possible."

With that, they approach us, and my heart pounds louder. Rowena stirs, and I silently pray she doesn't do anything to worsen our situation.

One of the kidnappers grabs me, his blade cold against my neck as he yanks my hair back. He thrusts the phone in my direction and my gaze moves to the screen. Micah’s name flashes across it.

"Answer the phone, bitch, and tell them you're safe. If you utter a word, I'll kill you and throw your body in the river. Understood?" he threatens, his voice menacing.

Throw my body in the river...

Immediately, I am alert. There is only one river in Alastair. It flows across the territory and one of the slum areas is located near the bank. There are many deserted locations there and it looks like we might be in one of them.

On Micah’s last birthday, he brought me here. He hadn’t wanted to celebrate, instead he brought me to the slums and we stood there observing the desolate area for a long time.

“If I have my way, all of this will be gone and the people here will be happy.” He had said then and for a moment there, Micah had sounded like what a future Lycan King would be.

I could never forget that moment and I could only hope that Micah didn’t forget it either.

My mind in over drive, I nod slightly at the kidnappers, tears welling in my eyes.

I need to somehow get a message across to Micah.

The kidnapper answers the call and puts it to my ear.

"Well Fiona, you chose not to come to the law firm today, and you're well aware of my busy schedule. I regret to inform you that it appears I won't have the time to proceed with this divorce anytime soon now."

As soon as I hear his voice, my heart leaps, and I'm on the verge of screaming his name. I resist, though, and speak, trying to sound calm.

"I'm sorry," I say, my voice thick with fear. "I got late trying the new peanut butter I got the other day. You know how much I love that."

There's silence on the other end, and I pray that Micah understands the hidden message. He knows I'm allergic to peanut butter. With my dormant wolf, I'm vulnerable to allergies like any other human. So, he knows I would never willingly put it anywhere near my mouth.

"Peanut butter, you say?" he asks slowly, his voice now laced with a dangerous edge. "Where exactly did you get this new peanut butter from, Fiona?"

Immediately, I know he’s caught on to my hidden message. My heart hammers in my chest, and I gulp, trying not to arouse suspicion in front of my captors.

"Well, you know, from the shop you took me to on your birthday last year. The one where I—" I'm about to give him a clue about our location when Rowena's scream pierces the fragile moment.

"Help!" Her words shatter the brief connection between Micah and me, and the kidnappers snatch the phone away from me, plunging us back into chaos.