Bonus Scene #4: Surprise Trip Gone Wrong

Bonus Scene #4: Surprise Trip Gone Wrong
Zak’s POV

~ 4 Years Later ~

Well, today’s the day. After 4 long grueling years of being here at Crimsoncrown Academy, we’re finally returning home. The academy having already done they’re graduation ceremony and it was now just a matter of us all packing up our belongings and finally returning home.

Ash super excited in finally seeing Tori. Tori and the pack completely oblivious to our return except our parents. Having wanted to surprise Tori with a swift return that we each refrained from telling him.

Jake currently on the phone. “Yes mom. We just finished the ceremony a half hour ago. We’re currently in the middle of packing everything up. No, I haven’t told Tori about it, we wanted to surprise him.”

My ears quick to perk upon hearing Tori’s name. Tori officially 12 while Jake, Alex and I were officially 18. The three of us official rulers in the eyes of the elders and it was now up to us in finding our mate. A mate we currently had waiting for us back home.

Meanwhile, the conversation between Jake and his mom was completely one-sided. And though wolves had exceptional hearing, I didn’t make it a habit of listening in on other people’s phone conversation, unless it pertained to something like Tori. Only then, did I make it a habit of listening in. Tori having been MIA the last few times we attempted to call home and each time we asked for him, it was always the same. Tori’s busy or Tori’s sleeping.

It’s another sole reason as to why neither of us could hardly wait to get home. ‘Something doesn’t sit well with me’ whispers Ash. Ash currently pacing within me. Even as we both finish our packing.

Alex already finished and was currently sitting upon his bed. His eyes on Jake. Jake still talking too his mother. And though I couldn’t exactly hear nor understand what it was they were actually saying, I did know, however, that it wasn’t exactly good either.

Jake soon hanging up before sighing. A hand quick in combing his hair. “Well.. that was super insightful.”

“What happened?” questions Alex.

“Well… according to mom, Tori’s been acting really weird lately. So weird, that his mom and dad are both worried as well and want to know if Tori had mentioned anything to us,” explains Jake, his eyes on Alex.

“And what did you tell her?” I ask, my own body now sitting upon the bed.

“Not much, as you both clearly heard. All I told her was that the ceremony had ended and we’re on our way back home. And no, we hadn’t told Tori about it either. Because we each thought we could surprise him, but now… with knowing this, I just want to hurry home and find Tori,” replies Jake who simply sighs again. Jake clearly worried about Tori.

“Well, it’s a good thing we’re all packed and ready to go then. All we have to do is load up and leave,” I say. A part of me hoping it would help calm him down, if only a little. Jake just silent before grabbing his bags.

“Then let’s go. Vox and I both want to see Tori.”

Nodding, Alex and I both move in grabbing our bags before turning and leaving the room. Each of us officially over this place and though the academy was hosting a fell well party, the only thing we wanted was Tori, thus, we decided to leave early.

~ Ambersky Pack ~

It’s now about late afternoon when we finally arrive back within Ambersky. The pack oblivious to our return so it’s kind of amusing when our vehicle pulls up towards the packhouse and everyone within the pack stops in what they’re doing in order to see.

Jake the first one out of the car, once the car comes to a complete stop. No words, just silence. His eyes soon scanning the crowd for the one person he wanted to see most yet couldn’t find as the crowd drew closer. Tori. Tori currently not present among those who came to greet us.

Jake’s gaze soon quick to spot mine before speaking. “I’m going over to Tori’s. If he’s anywhere within the pack, then he’s gotta be there. I’m sure of it.”

“Then go. We’ll meet you there once we unload the car.”

Nodding his head, Jake then dashes in the direction of Tori’s. Tori’s home the only one that’s stationed near the training grounds. My eyes quick to spot Alex. Alex also on edge. “I have a bad feeling about this. Volt isn’t too pleased about Tori not being present.”

“Neither is Ash,” I say, because the reality of it still stood, wherever Tori currently was, Jake, Alex and I would always have a way to find him no matter what.

\~~~~~~~~~~
Jake

Upon returning home did I automatically sense a disturbance among the pack. My eyes instantly scanning for Tori, and when I wasn’t able to see his warm amber eyes did my concern for him suddenly rise.

Where is he?

My thoughts now running wild as I continue to race in the direction of Tori’s. His parents clearly on patrol so finding Tori would be easy, providing he was home. Vox quick to speak. ‘Something feels wrong Jake… very, very wrong…’

‘I know, I feel it too. Let’s just hope Tori’s at home.’

The house soon coming into view, all in which, I then slow down my pace. My heart racing when pausing outside the front door. A piece of me hesitant in opening the door yet knew I had to in order to check on Tori. Thus, I quickly inhale deeply before opening the front door. My ears on high alert as I slowly enter the house. The house silent, or so I think, when the faint sound of movement reaches my ears and I instantly turn. A voice soon reaching my ears.

“Jake?”

My eyes soon spotting Tori’s, and the site that greets me instantly has me seeing red, even as Vox and I both march directly over to him. Tori currently within a doorway between the kitchen and hallway, all while holding an ice pack along his face.

“WHO?”

Tori quick to blink. “What?”

“THIS!” I bark and my hand then grips his wrist. My hand gently tugging, until he’s forced to remove the ice pack. My eyes soon spotting the bruise. A bruise that now covered his otherwise flawless face. “WHO. DID. THIS?”

And with that said, does genuine panic then rise within Tori’s gaze. A look that said he knew exactly who did it and debated on whether or not he should tattle. My tone quick to soften. “Tori… little one… who did this to you, tell me.”

Tears now rising and a sniffle then greets my ears. “Lily… Lilyanna…” and that’s all it takes for Tori to burst into tears as I gently pull Tori against me. Tori taking that time to cling as tears continued to fall. Rage now rising within me upon hearing that Lilyanna was the person behind Tori’s pain.

‘She’s going to pay for this,’ growls Vox.

‘Oh believe me pal, she will. Trust me on that.’

Meanwhile, as I continue to plot and plan my next course of action against Lilyanna herself, do I continue to just hold Tori within my arms and let him cry. Tori clearly in pain, but also very scared and very unsure of how to handle the situation at hand as would any other 12 year old child.

“Shh… easy little one.. I’m here, I’m back.”

“Jake…”

“Easy little one… nobodies going to hurt you again. I swear it on my position as Alpha that if anyone does this again, that I’ll make them pay dearly for it.” And those were words I fully stood by as Tori was mine and nobody was going to hurt ever, so long as I could help it.