FIFTY
**-Indy’s POV-**
This can’t be, right? Why don’t I feel the change in my own aura then? Shouldn’t I feel the soul of the new pup, then? I’m getting anxious but excited at the same time. Do I want this? I chuckle, heck yes - I want this! A family of my own, I’m going to have blood-relatives! I love Fiona, I really do! But I’m going to be able to compare stuff, to see how the child is going to look like me. It’s another kind of bond...
“Do you have fun?” I hear a voice below me.
“No, no.. Sorry. I - I was thinking about my family, about Fiona.” I say softly, I’m not even lying.
“Well, good luck with that. You’re not going to see them soon..”
A shiver goes down my spine. He sounds….. real. It’s the first time I’m getting nervous, he truly has a plan! I’m not sure if I’m going to see my Alpha’s anymore now, it feels odd.
Jeff is talking to himself: “.. It should be around here, somewhere…”
What is he talking about? I try to look around, but it’s difficult from this point of view. I’m getting dizzy as well, with my head hanging down like this. “Where are you going to bring me?” I ask Beta Jef..
“Oh that’s not hard, I’m going home.”
“Home? You mean, we’re going to your pack?”
“No, I am. I am going home, you’re not.”
Jeff bows forward and I feel solid ground under my feet. Finally! It costs me a few seconds to adjust at being on two feet again and find my balance. I frown, “But what about me? Jeff, you’re not a bad person, I just know! You can’t kill me or just walk away! My mates will find you and I’m sorry to say, but they will kill you! They’re not going to act easy on you, I - “
Jeff interrupts me: “SHUT UP! They will not find you, don’t you understand? Do you see that hole over there, in the wall of rocks? You’re going to climb through that hole and on the other side waits somebody for you. He is going to give you a small bag. You walk back to the hole in the wall and pass the bag through it. When you’re done, you’ll be his. Or hers, I truly don’t know and I don’t care either.”
I stare in the face of Jeff, trying to digest what he is suggesting. “Are you going to sell me? Why? What happened with the ‘I want answers’-thing? You wanted revenge, you said. How is this revenge for you? I don’t understand…” I feel tears trying to come out, but I don’t want to act weak. I’m going to be a Luna soon, I need to be strong!
“Yup, I sold you. I got some time to overthink this all while I run South. After Hunter told me you’re a Royal, I mindlinked an old friend of mine. First, I didn’t believe it, but I wanted a plan. So I told my friend that I possibly had a Royal werewolf, but I needed proof first. You gave me the proof, by explaining your powers and all in our little talk in the Orangery - thanks for that, by the way. I know Royals are valuable, I know they’ve powers we, normal werewolves, can’t even imagine! But most of all: it’s revenge because you will feel the incredible pain when you’re on the other side of the world, away from your mates. It’s revenge, because I saw you marked your mates already which means they will still feel your pain, emotions and all that when you’re away. If Alpha Khal couldn’t have his mate, nobody can. And I will make sure of that… Yes, you were right, I could not hurt you more than I already did. I don’t believe I’m the one that is fitted to hurt you physically. But that doesn’t mean I can’t make sure of you being sent away. And the moment you’re far, far away and you’re *precious* mates are going to get weaker every day, it’s just a matter of time before I can take over his pack. I will find allies, I know there are. Vampires, werewolves, witches, humans, I don’t care. The moment they know power is involved, people will do anything...”
I listened to Jeff, feeling my legs weaken. He sold me? I’m going to be sent to the other side of the world? I need to stop this, win time! But how? I feel I’m still pretty weak, healing Raki took a lot of my powers. I’m not even sure if I can shift now, being pregnant. I’ve never asked anybody about it, I don’t know if it’s safe. I can’t risk that, I will not do anything that can possibly hurt the pup! No, I can’t shift. But what then?
“That was enough time for processing my golden idea. Now, chop-chop, hurry up and go through that wall!” Jeff pushes me into the right direction. I stare at the wall, feeling nauseous. I have to find a plan, but I’m not sure what I can do!
I take a few steps to the wall of rocks and the moment I’m there I look over my shoulder to stare at Jeff. He just nods and I take a deep breath before I walk into the darkness.
---
**-Ryan’s POV-**
My wolf is running through the woods. Why can’t I find her that easily? I know she’s somewhere, she’s pretty close. But I can’t find her. I smell her, I know she’s here, but the strawberry scent is fading away the moment I think I’ve got a new lead. It’s very frustrating!
I roar, and I watch my side, seeing an almost identical wolf running next to me. Scott’s wolf Max is pushing the limits too and I know they’re feeling the same.
*Scott, any news?*
*Not specifically. Storm told me that the borders are still closed, no sign of Beta Jeff or Indy yet..*
Fuck, this can’t be good. Beta Jeff can’t be this stupid, nobody will walk into a pack of our size and expect to just walk away easily. This isn’t right, he probably had some sort of plan before he kidnapped Indy. But what?
*This doesn’t feel right, Scott. Something doesn’t seem quite right. I mean: think about it! Nobody will kidnap a future Luna and expects to just walk away…*
*That’s right. I already thought about that too. But for as far I know we’re the only packs around, I can’t imagine who will help him. I could feel Beta Jeff is a pure Beta, he is strong. But he has a weak pack behind him. Who can be interested in him?*
Questions, a lot of questions. Scott has a fair point, I can’t think of any party that is interested in Jeff’s pack. Indy mentioned her old pack is small, maybe 50 adults or so. In terms of packs, that’s very small. I stand still for a moment and realize something is different.
I smell the air, but it isn’t the smell. *It’s Indy! I think she’s awake now!* I mindlink Scott. Damn it, I really wished I could mindlink her right now. But because I haven’t marked her yet, and she isn’t a pack member officially, we can’t.
*That means she’s still alive, brother. Have faith. Indy is strong, we just need to keep searching for her!*
I hear Scott’s voice in my head and I know he’s right. *Mick, try to focus. Please, I know our mate is close. She has been here. She can’t be far, she was only around 30 minutes away when we found out that she was gone! We must find her….*
Although I’m very certain of our capabilities as strong and pure Alpha’s, I’m not sure if we can find our mate on time. I can’t shake off the weird feeling that Beta Jeff must have some crazy plan. Nobody is that stupid, nobody will mess with such strong pack as ours and risk his life that much. I try not to think about it, but this is the first time in my life I’m not sure if being an Alpha is going to be enough to handle this situation.
Please, my dear Indy. Be strong! We’re coming for you…