CHAPTER 7: ASSIMILATED.

LOUISA.

The moment I burst through the clinic doors, my voice tears through the air like a jagged blade, echoing with the slam of the door.

"Leo! Lia!" I shout, my heart pounding in my chest.

My breath is ragged and I can barely breathe, my eyes are wide as they scan every corner of the sterile hall for my children and panic grips me like a vice, every second without seeing them tightening it further.

“Where are my children?!” I roar into the space, making the receptionist's head snap up, startled.

Why are they here?!

That question reminds silent un my mind

A few workers in the waiting area glance my way, their expressions shifting from concern to alarm as they take in my wild demeanor and some of them back away in fear.

But I don’t care.

All I can think about is my children.

They are not supposed to be here.

They should be with me, away from here, safe and sound.

“Where are my kids?” I demand again, my voice cracking with fear and nearly controlled rage.

“Ma’am, please calm down,” the receptionist tries to placate me, her hands raised in a calming gesture, but it only pisses me off.

Totally wrong move.

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” I snap, moving toward her with a threatening step. “Leo and Lia. Rogue kids. They were brought here. I can smell them! Where are they?!”

Before the receptionist can respond, a few men- probably warriors from the looks of them - step out from the back rooms, their expressions hardening as they approach. One of them, tall with broad shoulders and an authoritative air, holds up a hand.

“Listen here, rogue, this is a clinic. You need to calm down. You are disturbing the patients and the Alpha won't be pleased,” he says firmly, his tone attempting to soothe but failing miserably.

“Fuck your Alpha!” I snarl as I whip around to face him, my eyes blazing. “Calm down?” I bark. “My children are missing, and you want me to calm down? Where are they? Tell me now, or I will—”

“Enough,” another man interrupts, stepping forward. “We will help you find them, but you need to stop yelling.”

In theory, his words make sense.

In theory.

But I am way beyond theories or reasoning.

Ever since I woke up two days ago and discovered my children missing, my world has been spinning out of control, and the only thing grounding me is the need to see my children, to hold them and know that they are safe.

Why can't they understand that?!

Instead all I hear is calm down.

This is a pack

Obey.

I am done with all that shit.

If I wanted someone to dictate my actions I would have stayed in the blood Moon pack!

The rage and fear rise, creating a storm within me and without thinking, I lash out.

My fist connectswith the man’s jaw and he stumbles back, shock evident on his face before the others move in on me

“Don’t touch me! Don’t come near me!” I scream, fists clenched, ready for the next attack.

The other men rush to subdue me, but I am quicker, dodging and striking, controlled by the primal instinct to protect my kids.

I land a kick to one of their knees, sending him crumpling to the floor while another tries to grab my arm, but I twist free, punching him in the gut.

They don’t understand.

They can’t understand the depth of my fear, the lengths I am willing to go for my children. They think I am just a crazed rogue, but I am so much more.

I am a rogue, who has spent thirteen years dodging packs and seeing their cruelty first hand.

I can't calm down.

Not until my kids are with me

Suddenly, a familiar scent hits me, sharp and intoxicating, cutting through the chaos.

My body freezes for a split second before I feel strong arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me against a solid chest.

“Louisa, stop!” Travis’s voice -my mate- rumbles in my ear, his tone authoritative but laced with something else I can't name. “You are making a scene and making things worse for yourself.”

The instant his touch registers, a shiver runs down my spine causing my wolf to stir up in me giving a low growl of pleasure vibrating in my mind.

My body betrays me for a moment, leaning into his strength before my mind catches up, and I thrash against him.

“Let me go, Travis!” I yell, struggling against his hold. “Where are my children? Where are Leo and Lia?”

He tightens his grip, pinning my arms to my sides, and for a second, the fight leaves me, my body hyper-aware of every point of contact.

The mate bond flares between us, raw and undeniable, but I shove it down, focusing on my anger, my desperation.

I can't give in.

Not now

“Louisa, listen to me,” ge says, his voice softer now, but still firm. “They are fine. They are having a checkup.”

Check… up?

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I go still in his arms, my mind racing.

“A checkup?” I echo, incredulous. “For what?”

Travis sighs, his breath warm against my ear. “They need to be checked if they are going to be assimilated into the pack.”

Assimilated into the pack.

Pack?

Assimilated?

The words echo in my mind, each one heavier than the last. I don’t respond, the weight of his statement sinking in, leaving me stunned, torn between fury and disbelief. My children, my precious babies, are being drawn into a world I tried to shield them from.

To be assimilated… like what? Like normal pack wolves?

This absolute fucker!

I rip myself out of his arms and while to face him, my chest heaving with rage as I stalk closer to him while he backs away a bit, probably realizing he fucked up.

“Who gave you the fucking right?”