Chapter 149 Chapter One Hundred and Forty Nine

Chapter 149 Chapter One Hundred and Forty Nine
The sun bore heavily on me as I walked through the bushes. The pack had faded into the distance behind me the further I walked. 

Each time a flicker of doubt about my decision crossed my mind, I hastened my steps.

It wouldn't take much time for Xander to realize I'd disappeared and he'll come after me. I couldn't afford to ruin this and put the children in trouble. 

The empty border line came into view, and my bros furrowed their brows. I'd expected some guards to be at the border. I paused for a moment as I inspected the empty border line.

"Anna" a sharp voice called and a guard appeared in front of me.

"This is for you," he said, holding out a paper. I stared him down, eyeing the uniform specially crafted for our pack with distaste.

"You're working for them" I mumbled.

"Take it" he growled at me, ignoring the question.

"We gave you a job. A home"

"Take the damn paper" he snarled at me and I flinched. 

I stretched out my hand and took the paper.

'To the clearing after the river' the note read, scribbled in the same writing just like the other two.

"It's down that path. Keep walking straight. It's hard to miss" he mumbled and turned away. 

My brain spun as I tried to think of my next move. I couldn't turn back now, it wouldn't go so well. An idea flashed in my mind and then I moved, tripping over a fallen branch and crashing into the ground. The guard was unprepared as he landed right underneath me.

"What the hell?" He pushed me off, and an angry look on his face.

"I tripped...sorry"

"Stay on your damn feet" he muttered as he moved away from me.

"Go" he snapped when I'd still not taken a step forward and I finally moved. A feeling of satisfaction settled within me.

I'd touched him. Left my scent on him. If he came across Xander which I know would happen, Xander would smell me on him. They would know he was the traitor.

I walked the path as he had told me. It seemed unending but I didn't stop moving until the sound of water reached my ears.

When I arrived at the bank, I stared at the vast river and the clearing that stared at me on the other side. How could I get to the other side with no boat in sight?

I tested the waters, dipping my legs and pulling back.

A sudden Movement behind me startled me. I turned around just as a heavy object made an impact on my head and everything turned black. 

My eyes flew open and I was greeted by a strange environment. The throbbing in my head was the least of my worries as I scrambled to sit up 

My eyes travelled around the room and I spotted the two figures lumped in a corner.

"Freya? Salem?" I called, half excited and almost crying. 

"Mama?" Salem sat up first, rubbing her eyes.

"Salem? Baby where's Freya?"

"Freya" she judged gently.

"Mamas here" Freya sat up, eyes shining with delight as she ran towards me and threw herself into my arms.

"Baby"

"I missed you" she cried, burying her face into my neck.

"Mama missed you too. I'm sorry for letting them take you. I'll get you out of here soon" I looked over at Salem who stood watching us, her eyes taking us in.

"Come here Salem" I said as I held them tightly in my arms, relief coursing through me that neither of them had been hurt. 

"The woman...she brought us here" Salem spoke.

"She's not nice" Freya added, her lips upturned.

"She's made us walk for a really long time and she shoved Freya all the time"

"Did you get hurt?" I asked in panic as I inspected both their bodies. 

"No. We're fine. You're crying" Freya brushed her thumb under my eyes.

"Mamas fine. I'm just relieved to see both of you safe"

"Did you come alone?"

I nodded. "But Papa will be here soon. He'll get all of us out of here and..."

The sound of clapping drew my attention. I looked up and Val stood in front of me. She didn't bother with a disguise anymore and the look in her eyes made me uneasy.

Pure hatred reflected in her orbs as she glared at me. I pulled the children closer, my arms tightening around them as I hid their faces.

"You're not getting out of here" she said, sounding so sure it'd be as she thought.

"My mate will come after the children and me"

"Of course he will but he'll never find you. Not the real you at least" she laughed.

"What do you mean? What do you plan to do with me"

"What I should have done a long time ago. But there's no rush. I'll take my time with you" her smile widened.

"And your stupid mate will be none the wiser, he'll believe that you're dead and he won't bother coming after you"

"Why? Why are you doing this?"

"You have the nerve to ask me that fucking question? You ruined my life" she screamed and the children shivered, burying themselves into my side.

"You took everything that would have belonged to me"

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"Of course you don't fucking remember. You get to forget everything while I remember it all. It haunts me every fucking day. Look at my face" she pointed to her burned face, her body shaking in rage.

"This should have never happened to me if it wasn't for you. You ruined everything. I thought you were my fucking friend"

My hold tightened even more around them. I wanted to say something but the words failed me. I had no memory to defend myself against her accusations.

"You're going to pay dearly for your actions Nana..." My head buzzed at the sound of the name.

A distant memory. 

A girl calling that name and I responded. My hold around the girls loosened and I clutched my head tightly, groaning from the pain.

"Are you okay mama?" Freya nudged me. I wanted to speak but a scream came out instead.

"Mama?" The girls called at the same time, both of them panicking. I wanted to assure them I was fine but nothing came out.

"Mama" they were both screaming now.

"Shut the fuck up" Val screamed as she marched over, yanking one of the girls off me. That snapped me back to reality. Ignoring the budding pain in my head, I wrapped my arms around Salem and pulled her back to me. 

"They're not a part of this" I growled and her eyes darkened.

"I'll determine who is part of it or not. Now let the girl go or I'll take the other one" she threatened with a malicious look.

I quickly wrapped my arms around Freya, keeping both of them close. I won't let her take any of them.

"You're being such a stubborn...." She was cut off by the sound of the door banging against the wall.

My eyes flew up at the same time she turned around. 

A shocked gasp left my throat as I recognized the figure at the door.

"Farron?"