Chapter 64

*****Ashtons POV*****

The train pulled into Six Ridge Pack, and the crisp night air greeted us as we disembarked from the steel compartment.

The station, though familiar, now bore the weight of urgency as we stepped onto the territory that I had only visited a handful of times throughout my life.

A man stood alert, immediately waving us over as we stepped on to the platform and I assumed that he was Arthur - the third in command at Six Ridge Pack.

He approached us with an air of confidence - as my eyes scanned the surroundings in search of Lydia - finding no trace of her as of just yet...

Where is she?

Maybe they wanted to keep her out of the cold?

The man's eyes held a mix of concern and determination as he greeted us warmly. "Alpha Ashton? We've been awaiting your arrival! I'm Arthur, the third in command that you spoke with earlier on the phone. Lydia is safe, back at our pack house waiting for you!" He confirms my suspicions, introducing himself, before gesturing over towards a carpark in the distance.

"Excellent. Lead the way. We are eager to see Lydia after everything that's happened." I state, as he nods and turns on his heels - gesturing for us to follow his lead.

We followed Arthur out of the makeshift station and across the winding path towards the gravel parking lot - revealing a couple of blacked out vehicles prepared to take us all back to their pack house.

On our drive, Six Ridge offered a strong scent of pine and florals - flooding our senses and informing us that we were now on new terrain.

It didn't take long either before the pack house loomed up ahead, a sanctuary in which we had hoped would provide some respite in the midst of all of the recent chaos.

"Our Alpha and Luna arrived not long before you did! They are happy to welcome you and provide you with a  room for rest if you want it?" Arthur explains, turning in his seat as we pull in to the entrance.

"I appreciate it... but there is still much to be done. My own mate is still missing so I won't be resting until she is back by my side." I reply curtly, trying to be polite despite feeling on edge at the thought of Rose.

"They thought you might say that... but the room is available if you change your mind at any point!" Arthur, smiles and nods as I nod once with him - thankful for the warm welcome so far.

We pull up to a complete stop, before guards instantly approach the vehicle to open the doors for us - allowing myself and Hunt to exit immediately.

I scan the surroundings, as Hunt does so too - and still no sign of Lydia.

We were overly anxious about seeing her, after everything that had happened. I also knew that this could be our best shot at finding Rose - and fast!

"Lydia? Where is she?" I turn to Arthur, who approaches us from around the car - as he motions with his hand towards the pack house entrance.

We remain silent, following him inside to the warm den - as I glance around at the view. It always did intrigue me to see how each pack decorated their pack house - this one being decorated in mostly grey, white and silver giving it an icy feel - a contrast to the inviting heat in which the home displayed.

Staff rushed around - probably preparing for the breakfast rush - as we turned a corner to find a staircase.

We climbed the staircase, the anticipation building with each step before Arthur led us down a corridor adorned with paintings depicting the history of Six Ridge Pack.

The scent of pine lingered in the air, a comforting undertone in contrast to the weight of our current mission - as I checked my watch briefly - seeing that it was just passing 6am.

It had been around seven whole hours now since Rose was taken - which was seven hours too long!

As we approached a door at the end of the hall, Arthur paused, turning to face us - hand hovering just above the handle...

"Ok Alpha... Lydia is in here... but I must warn you, it hasn't been easy for her since we found her. She's really shaken up and wouldn't let the nurses help to wash or change her..." He said, his tone a mix of empathy and caution.

I nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation - releasing a sigh. "We appreciate your help Arthur, just show us in." I conclude, knowing that I wouldn't quite believe that Lydia was ok until I had laid eyes on her for myself.

With that, he pushed down on the handle to open the door, revealing a dimly lit room with soft hues of blue and silver... and there she was!

Lydia sat still on the edge of the small single bed, looking up as we entered - eyes widening and mouth opening in what looked like relief.

"You came!" She cries out instantly, standing and rushing towards us - seeming to hiss and limp a little as her bandaged feet pressed on to the floor.

Surprisingly, she wastes no time before falling in to Hunts open arms - face tucked away in to his side as she begins to sob...

Hunt holds her to him, eyes wide as he glances at me as though unsure of how to help her in this situation. We remain silent, as Arthur excuses himself to give us some privacy - with our own guards waiting just outside the door for added security.

After a little while, Lydia finally steps back from Hunt, before turning to show me her weary, yet resilient, eyes as they met mine.

"Alpha Ashton... we have to find her!" Lydia sniffles, her eyes blinking back more tears as they threaten to spill.

Her voice was a fragile echo of the strength she tried to convey... however she revealed the broken and terrified girl hiding on the inside...

I approached her, my hands falling to land on her shoulders - giving them a gentle squeeze. "Lydia, it's all going to be ok - we're here now. You're safe. We will find Rose, I can promise you that!" I reassure her, as she nods frantically and sniffles.

Hunt stood nearby, a silent pillar of support.

"How are you holding up? Why wouldn't you let the nurses wash you?" Hunt asks, his concern evident in his tone as Lydia's gaze falls down to her bandaged feet.

"I let them clean the wounds..." Lydia shrugs, currently dressed in an oversized dress shirt with the sleeves hanging down past her hands.

"You need to wash properly... you'll feel better..." Hunt pushes, as Lydia sighs heavily - reaching up to wipe at her eyes.

"I wasn't comfortable having them help me... I don't know anybody here... I don't want to put my trust in strangers..." Lydia mumbles her reasoning, hobbling from foot to foot a little to relieve the pain.

Watching her, a sudden thought comes to mind...

"Lydia? Why don't you let Hunt help you? You trust him don't you? We had a maid pack you some stuff to change in to as well - figured you would need it." I suggest, as Lydia's gaze reaches mine - her brows scrunching slightly.

"Uhh... I don't know..." Lydia mumbles, chewing her lip before glancing at Hunt for a mere second.

"No funny business! I'll be there just to help and I'll look away when you want me to?" Hunt adds, as a short silence falls upon the room - Lydia seeming to ponder the idea.

"O-Ok sure... but I'll have to get my bandages re-done." Lydia states, glancing at her padded feet.

"That won't be a problem... wash properly and after that, we can talk about what happened... if you're ready to that is?" I state, hoping that she wouldn't opt to wait to have that discussion.

We desperately needed as much information from her as we possible could get... the situation was dire, and time was of the essence!

Every minute wasted is a minute Rose could be tortured or worse... taken from us!

Lydia's eyes flickered with a glimmer of gratitude as Hunt left the room briefly to retrieve the bag we had brought for Lydia.

"Alpha Ashton, you have to find Rose. They shot her, and I heard her scream... We need to act fast before anything terrible happens!" Lydia spoke out, causing my heart to crack at the thought.

"We will find her before it's too late!" I state, forcing myself to be strong for those crumbling around me.

Despite my stomach churning every five seconds and my wolf howling in the back of my mind in sheer agony - I had to put all emotion beside in order to focus.

Without focus, mistakes will be made - mistakes which we can't afford to make since they could very much cost us this fight!

Lydia nodded, a mixture of fear and determination settling in her eyes. "I'll tell you everything that I can remember, Alpha. I'm not sure how useful it will be... but I just want Rose back with us - safe." Lydia mumbles, before Hunt re-enters the room, gaining our attention once again.

Hunt returned with the back pack, setting it down on a nearby chair.

"Let's get you cleaned up, Lydia. We'll be here with you every step of the way from now - we won't let you out of our sight!" Hunt assured her, his tone gentle as he impressed even me with his change in demeanour.

Hunt, from the time I had known him (which was since we were around five) had never been the soppy or soft type. He was as strong and as stubborn as they come...

However with Lydia, it was as though something in him had clicked...

If I would have had to guess, I would even say that Lydia was destined to be his mate - and I was surprised that they weren't actually made for one another!

But from my own experience, sometimes unforeseen match ups can turn up great!

As Lydia began to gather her things, I left the room for a breather, instructing the guards to maintain vigilance.

I knew we were in a race against time...

The need for information was paramount, and Lydia potentially now held the key to unlocking the whereabouts of Rose.

A loud ring sounds out from my pocket, as I retrieve it quickly - to be met with Sawyers name on the screen. I click the green button to answer it immediately - placing it to my ear in preparation.

Maybe it's an update...

"Ash? How's Lydia?" Sawyer questions, as I pace over towards a window - glancing out at the surrounding grounds - seeing the sun now shining over the variety of colourful flowers.

Rose liked flowers... I thought to myself, before shaking off the thought in order to respond to him.

"She's alive. Shaken up, but Hunt is helping her. I'm going to ask her questions soon to see if we can find any new leads." I inform him, as he drinks in my own update.

"That's good to hear! The troops are all rallied up and ready to fight... we have two of our neighbouring packs already here with their warriors too... our numbers are unmatched. Are you sure this is what you want?" Sawyer tests, silently telling me that we were about to create a slaughter house of all who had defied us.

Perhaps it was a little extreme to invade Derricks pack, however I wouldn't settle for less until they give me back what is rightfully mine.

"The children will be taken to safety along with any other pack members who wish to surrender and flee. Anybody who stands up to fight back, dies. Give them all a fair chance, before unleashing total fucking hell on them Sawyer!" I command, my tone firm and thoughts final.

"Yes, sir! Those fuckers should've known what they would be getting themselves in to the minute they took your mate!" Sawyer agrees, as I rub roughly at my jaw.

"Set out now and call me with an update once you are there!" I tell him, before we give our final goodbyes and end the call.

There's about to be a whole lot of blood on my hands...

But so be it!