All Chapters of Once Lost, Twice Found: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Ann’s POVI had never known fear could make the world feel so loud.Every sound followed me as Logan led me through the dark servant corridor. My shoes brushed the floor. My breathing echoed inside my ears. Somewhere beyond the stone walls, guards moved in steady patterns I had memorized over years of working here. Even the small bag clutched against my chest seemed determined to betray me.“Faster,” Logan whispered. “You can’t risk being caught. You’re going to need to move.”“I’m trying.” I said, looking at him.“Try harder.” He snapped.I glared at the back of his head, but another burst of panic swallowed the anger before it could form. It was nearly midnight. I had spent the last half hour stuffing whatever I thought I could need into the smallest bag I owned, two dresses, a heavier sweater, a blanket, some bread and dried meat from the tray Reginald had ordered for me earlier.I had almost taken the silver necklace. Not because I wanted it, but because it was valuable.Some desp

Ann’s POVThe car had been moving for what felt like hours.Maybe it had only been thirty minutes… it could be less. I had no way of knowing. Time felt different when I was curled into a cramped space between suitcases, holding my breath every time the vehicle slowed and wondering whether the next voice I heard would belong to one of Reginald’s guards.My knees were pulled tightly against my chest, one arm wrapped around my small bag while the other stayed pressed protectively over my stomach.I was out, I kept repeating the words inside my head like a prayer.I was out.My palm moved gently over my stomach. I had no idea where we were going. Logan had refused to tell me… then again, I doubted that he actually knew where I was going.Far enough.That was all he said. Far enough from Reginald. Far enough from Silverstone. For now, that needed to be enough.But freedom didn’t feel the way I imagined, it wasn’t peaceful, it wasn’t relief. It was terror, pure, suffocating terror that made

Logan’s POVI stared at Reginald for a few seconds, seeing the anger in his eyes I knew that it was not going to end well for anyone at this point. But I also knew that I needed to remain composed… it was necessary for the order to return…If I didn’t play this game well, then I was going to lose him, what we had built and everything I had fought for.“Then we find out who,” I said, showing him that I was on his side. “If someone dared to help her, we are going to find out who, and make sure that they are punished accordingly.”His eyes locked on mine. “Yes.” He turned to the gathered servants. “Everyone is to be interrogated.” A frightened murmur rippled through the hall. Reginald’s head snapped toward them and the sound died instantly. “Every servant. Every guard. Every cook. Every driver w

Ann’s POVI already knew the answer before he asked.Nothing could make me feel safe enough to follow another Alpha into another pack. Not after Reginald. Not after Logan. Not after learning how easily powerful men could smile while they broke you, and call it protection afterward.This man had stopped when I told him not to touch me. He had offered choices instead of commands. That didn’t erase what I’d learned the hard way: kindness could be a trap, and trust could be paid for with more than a broken heart.I tightened my fingers around the strap of my bag and stared past him at the road. Trees swallowed the darkness in both directions. I didn’t know where we were, how far we’d come, or which way would take me farther from Silverstone. It didn’t matter. Anywhere was better than another Alpha’s territory.“I don’t need anything from you,” I told him. “I can manage myself.”He watched me like he was trying to read the shape of my fear. “You need somewhere to go,” he said. “I believe t

Ann’s POVI woke to fingers pressed against my wrist.Panic flared before my eyes were fully open. I jerked my arm away so fast the woman sitting beside the bed startled and nearly dropped the small watch she held.“Easy,” she said, voice soft. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just needed to check on you and make sure that everything is alright.”I pressed myself back into the pillows, heart hammering, and took in the room in a single, disoriented sweep: white walls, large windows, the faint, clinical smell of antiseptic. Blackwood. The medical wing. Memory slammed into me, the road, the blood, Jack lifting me into the car, the three tiny heartbeats that had kept me moving.My hand flew to my stomach before I could stop it. The nurse noticed.“The pups are fine,” she said. “I’m only checking your pulse,” she kept her tone level as if letting me know that she understood my fear and pain. “Doctor Anderson asked me to make sure both you and the pups are doing well this mornin