Erick POV My morning has begun the same over the last six months. I wake up alone, and I look at the empty side of the bed where my wife should be; I forcefully pull myself together so I appear strong before my pack. I get dressed, and I go downstairs to help Cassie with Austin. Austin beams when he sees me every morning. It was hard the first month after his mother died. I took on the responsibility of Austin, my brother. He is just a child, and like me, he is alone in this world. After I make sure Austin eats and is ready for his nanny, I go to my office and deal with whatever pack business is on the agenda for the day. Then just like every day for the last six months, I begin my search for my wife, my love, my Kate. Lester’s pack joined my pack after his death. Overnight the Imperial pack and the Moon River pack become one pack. I took on a huge responsibility. Lester’s pack of Imperials is not as large as Macon’s pack, but the extra wolves help with protection and the search for
Erick POVAndrew and Shawn leave me to make arrangements; I have the responsibility of Austin and two packs now. I start making notes for Cassie. I try to think of every small detail that may come up while I am gone. What am I doing? Cassie is bright, and these notes make it look like I do not trust her. I throw the notes in the garbage.As I lean back in my chair, thinking when I should be running out the door to get my wife, Cassie knocks and enters my office. “Alpha Erick, Andrew said you needed to see me urgently,” Cassie says.I lean forward. “Yes, we are going to search for Kate. I have a lot of responsibility to throw in your lap on short notice, and I am sorry for this, but I need you to do this for me. You are the only wolf I trust to oversee the pack while I am away,” I say to her.“It is okay; I can handle it. Whatever you and the pack needs, I am willing to help,” Cassie says.“I can have someone come to help you with Austin in the mornings and at night. I know he has a na
Kate POVMacon and Angie took me six months ago. It has been the same thing every single day. I sleep in a locked room. Angie brings me a meal three times a day. Once a month, they take me to see a doctor in a town nearby. The city looks familiar, but my life was so sheltered growing up I have no idea where I am or how close I am to home.I lay my head down every night, and I dream of Erick. I miss his touch, his kiss, and his kind words. I would love to hear him say, I love you. I am afraid for him and the pack. Macon has hardly said anything to me since he brought me here. I refuse to speak to Angie. Her betrayal is one of the worst things another person could have ever done to me. I hate her.Angie tries to talk to me, but I refuse. I talk to my baby. I rub my prominent belly every night and carry on a conversation with the child growing inside me. I want out of here before my baby comes. I don’t know how but there has to be a way out.I have tried to communicate with the wolves. I
Alexander POVI wait anxiously for Erick and his wolves to arrive. We are ready for them. I have warned the others that he is hot-headed and pissed off at the world since Kate was taken. I hope he doesn’t come here starting anything with any of the younger vampires. They will not take too kindly to his attitude. The younger vampires do not understand the importance of having good relations with the wolves. The young vamps are like Erick, hot-headed and ready to fight for no reason.Erick needs to calm himself and let us help him. With or without him, we will raid the compound. If he wants Kate safely out, then he needs to listen to us. I have spent so much time trying to locate her and her miracle baby. The miracle baby, my grandchild, this child will be a powerful soul. Erick needs to understand that Kate will need the help of the vampires and the hybrids here to transition into her proper form. None of this will be easy for her or her child.Jacklyn and Desire wait with me. They bot
Erick POVI storm off of the porch. Alexander is a snide little fucker, and he pisses me off. The two vampire bitches with him pissed me the hell off too. I know I need to calm down. I keep telling myself that I need to calm myself. They do not realize where I am coming from or how I feel about Kate. My wife is missing. I have lived without her by my side for six months. Now I find out she is pregnant. I only want to bring her home. Don’t they get that?I do not want to storm into a wolf compound, killing innocent wolves, risking the life of my wife and unborn child. Killing another wolf for following the orders of their Alpha, how can I do that? I do not care about Macon and Angie; they can both die, but the wolves in Macon’s pack. They are only following his lead. They may not even agree with him and be stuck in the situation. I had seen firsthand wolves following their Alpha even when they knew it was wrong. The wolves in his pack may not have a choice in the matter, or they could
Kate POVI sit alone in my small room. Angie did not bring me dinner; someone else did, which is odd. This entire day has been off—first a strange dream, then Angie acting stranger than usual. On top of all the days’ oddities, I feel so tired today. I have felt tired for a while, but today I feel exhausted. I touch my growing belly and hum to my unborn child. I wonder what Erick would think about you, little one. I look out the window as the night approaches. I should lie down and rest.I turn the covers back on my bed when I hear a faint voice. Is it the wolves trying to help me finally? I listen, but I hear nothing but silence. I must be going crazy from the isolation. I get into bed and pull the small blanket over me. I snuggle down and try to get comfortable. The lights go out on cue the same as they do every night when I lie down. Are they watching me? Maybe that is why the wolves do not talk to me. Perhaps the wolves are afraid of Macon?I close my eyes and try to listen. “We ar
Erick POVShawn is unusually quiet. He seems distant and almost sleeping as we ride with the vampires to the compound. Alexander has twenty vampires going with us. The plan is to park our trucks and walk up to the compound from the north side. Alexander believes Macon is holding Kate close to the Alpha’s house. Shawn agreed with him. I trust Shawn but not Alexander.“Shawn, are you nervous or something?” I ask him. It is freaking me out, he is being too damn quiet.Shawn opens his eyes and looks at me with the strangest look on his face. “I have been trying to communicate with Kate. I have tried for months but today is the first time I think I might have gotten through to her,” Shawn says.“I hope she does not wig out like before. When the wolves tried to communicate with her before, she had a hard time coping with it,” I say to Shawn.“No, I have been doing a different type of mental link with her. It is very subtle. It should not frighten her, but it will make her sleepy,” Shawn say
Kate's POVI open my eyes and see Erick lying beside me. Am I dreaming? Did I really escape Macon? Where the hell am I? I reach out and touch Erick. I have missed him so much. I cannot believe I am away from Macon. My evil piece of shit brother and his sadistic wife, Angie."Hey you," Erick says softly as he opens his eyes. I snuggle closer to him. It feels good to be in his arms again. Erick smiles as I move closer to him."Hey, nice of you to get around to getting me out of the dungeon. I was starting to think you forgot about me," I say to him."I wish I could have found you sooner," Erick says, touching my face. He looks as if he is going to cry."I knew you would get to me eventually," I say to him.He touches my face so softly, going down my body and touching my visible baby bump. "I wish I would have been there when you found out," Erick says."Me too; it was a shocker for me," I say."I bet. Do you want to talk about anything that happened?" Erick asks me."Not right now, if t