Alert

Alert

Raven’s POV

My head stays outside the window as my body sways with every bump.
He might be out here on the road. What if he's gotten lost and can't find his way back home? What if we are heading the wrong way? What if…

“Stop, let's do a quick search.” Saviour says.
I glance at him, wondering if he feels the same way… like we could be moving past our son.

It's a terrible feeling… torn between rushing to the possible place he could be and searching around so you don't miss him… so you don't end up chasing shadows.

The wheels slow to a stop and we all step down. Guards immediately surround us, alert.

“Okay, we'll spread out.” Saviour orders and everyone nods but we all immediately spin around when we hear a sharp voice call out.

“Alpha king Saviour!”
Our eyes grow wide once we see Jace looking up at us. A guard holds his arm firmly.

Jace doesn't struggle. He stands still with cautious eyes, his face hard in defence as he watches us, slender fingers subtly catching the hem of his shirt.

“JACE!” Victor yells, storming up to his son.
Only then does the boy take a step back, though his eyes shine with determination.

“Jace?!” Throne roars as though just finding his voice. His face twists as he marches behind Victor. “We told you to stay in the pack house!”

Jace flinches but raises his voice, his hands tightening into fists. “I’m not going back! I’m staying. You can’t send me away!”

“How did he sneak into the ride?” Saviour whispers, running a hand down his face.
I release a sigh just before heading towards the terrified boy.

“Do you have any idea how terribly this could have gone?!” Victor scolds, his cracked voice betraying his fear.

“I couldn't stay back!” Jace shouts.

“You should have listened. You should obey when given an order. You don't get to put yourself in danger!” Victor towers over him, his back tight with tension.

“I don’t care!” Jace yells back, tears filling his eyes. “Solan is my best friend. If he’s out there, I’m not hiding at home while you fight for him! I’m here… with you. And,” Jace adds, cutting Victor off. “...t..that’s final.” He finishes with his chest heaving, holding Victor's glare with an even sharper one.

Throne grabs his shoulders. “Jace, you don’t understand. We have no idea what we are up against.”

The reminder causes my chest to tighten. We don't know who has taken Solan but I know one thing… I won't stop until I find him.

“I'll never forgive myself Papa, please. I…I had a n..nightmare. I never saw him again. I don't want to sit in the pack house.” Jace’s voice cracks as tears run down his face.

“I’m not weak, I can fight if I have to. But even if I can’t, I won’t abandon Solan. I regret listening to him. I hate myself for leaving him.”

Victor’s hands shake as he grips his son’s arms. “You are our life, Jace. If anything happens…”

“Then you protect me,” Jace cuts in, stubbornly wiping off his tears. “That’s what fathers do. But don’t ask me to turn back because I won’t.”

“And Alpha Kaelen, does he know you are here?” I ask calmly, drawing Jace’s attention.
He nods. “I left a note… and Nala saw me. I got in with the weapons quite a while before you left…”

Saviour glares at the guard who we placed in charge of the weapons.
I exhale as the man drops his head in guilt. Facing Victor and Throne I open my mouth. “We could send him back with two guards but… he's already here. Might as well continue the journey with him.” I shrug, waiting for them to decide.

Jace looks at his parents with hopeful eyes. “Please, please let me stay. Papa please. D…Dad?”

Throne's arms twitch when Jace hugs him tightly and I'm not sure which emotion causes him to breathe out heavily… Fear or fury?
Still Jace doesn't pull away.
Victor runs a hand through his hair. “Goddess help us.” he mutters shakily.

Throne pulls away from the hug, his hands resting on Jace’s shoulders, his voice deep. “You will obey me. Every order…”

The boy nods hastily.

“Every word,” Throne continues while Victor looks like he's about to object. “You will not run. You will not fight except I command it. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Jace breathes, his eyes bright with the hint of a smile. “I swear.”

“Good,” Throne says. “Because if you break that promise, I will personally drag you home myself.”


A few hours later and we're standing in front of the largest water across the region.
Seeing how large it is, my fear multiplies. The thought of my son struggling all alone in this large space gives me chills. I blink back tears while Saviour slides an arm over my shoulders, pulling me closer.

Far ahead, smoke rises from a small village, one inhabited mostly by humans. It's a place where you hardly find werewolves. I remember coming here in the past but I must have been too young to grasp the fullness of it all.

I glance at everyone, receiving nods… positive feedback that everything is in order. Most especially our hidden weapons.

Whoever has kidnapped my son will not live to see another day. I'll make sure of it.

“We will move in the next twenty minutes.” Saviour mutters, sauntering up to us. His tired eyes squint against the sun, his hands carefully folding a sheet of paper.

I nod, taking the time to look at him. Gods, I have been so worried about Solan I didn't even notice how worn-out my mate looks.

There's this silent fear sitting in his gaze, his shoulders are slumped but it's such a subtle shift that someone else wouldn't notice.

I reach out to him, startling him for a brief moment when I wrap my arms around his waist, resting my cheek on his strong back.
Saviour glances over his shoulder, peeking at me. “Hey, not out here,” he murmurs shyly, quickly pulling away and changing our position.

When I'd first noticed he liked being hugged from behind, I was stunned too. But it only adds to his charm.

“Why? Are you shy?” I whisper, closing my eyes when his fingers sneak through the back of my head, into my hair, before proceeding to gently massage my scalp.
It doesn't take more than that for me to melt in his arms.

“We'll find him, Raven. I promise.” Saviour whispers, gently kissing my head.