Chapter 322
Chapter 322
Bella
I'd spent hours perfecting my disguise—darker hair, different makeup, even contact lenses to change my eye color.
The first-class cabin of the flight was supposed to feel safe, but my wolf screamed that something was wrong.
I pressed my hand against my stomach, feeling the barely perceptible flutter of life within. "We're going to be okay," I whispered to my unborn pup. "Just a few more hours, and we'll be free."
The flight attendant passed, her gaze lingering on me longer than necessary. My wolf stirred uneasily.
I forced myself to lean back in the plush seat, closing my eyes and pretending to rest.
The same flight attendant appeared at my side with a practiced smile. "Hello, your reservation shows you're listed as a VIP passenger. The captain would like to personally welcome you and ensure your flight experience is exceptional. Would you mind stepping into the cockpit for a moment?"
Instantly, my wolf roared in warning, sensing danger beneath her polite tone. A VIP welcome? I hadn't requested any special treatment, and this seemed far too deliberate.
"Of course," I managed.
The narrow aisle stretched ahead like a death march. My instincts screamed that this was a trap, but I had no choice. Refusing would only draw more attention, and I couldn't risk causing a scene mid-flight.
The cockpit door swung open before I could knock, and instead of the pilots, I found myself face-to-face with three enforcers.
The largest one smiled coldly, revealing elongated canines.
"Frost sends his regards," he said, producing a silver syringe filled with amber liquid. "He's very disappointed in your betrayal."
I tried to run, but there was nowhere to go. The narrow confines of the aircraft became my prison. Strong hands grabbed my arms, and I felt the sharp bite of the needle piercing my skin.
"No!" I struggled against their grip, my wolf rising to the surface. My eyes flashed gold, but the sedative was already working its way through my system.
"The pup will be fine," the enforcer said with clinical detachment. "Frost has plans for both of you."
The sedative hit my system fast. As darkness closed in, my last coherent thought was of Freya—how I should have trusted her, should have let her protect me instead of trying to handle this alone.
---
I woke in a windowless stone room that reeked of dampness and despair. The silver chains around my wrists burned against my skin, suppressing my wolf.
Frost sat in a chair across from me.
"Welcome home, Bella," he said, his voice carrying that deceptively gentle tone that made my skin crawl.
"Let me go, Frost." I kept my voice level despite the terror clawing at my throat. "This is kidnapping."
"Is it?" He leaned forward, his presence somehow filling the entire room.
When he moved toward me, I pressed myself back against the chair. "Don't touch me. Liam will never forgive you for this"
Frost's laugh was cold as winter wind. "When Liam discovers you're missing, he will be so desperate to get you back, he'll do anything I ask. Including giving up his pathetic rebellion and taking his proper place in the family hierarchy."
My fingers found the nearly invisible button—a gift from Freya that I'd almost forgotten about.
"You're insane if you think this will work," I said, buying time.
The device activated with the slightest pressure. Somewhere out there, I prayed Freya would receive the signal and know I needed help.
---
Freya
The shrill alarm from my emergency tracking system cut through the quiet of my office like a blade. I shot to my feet, my heart hammering as I recognized the signal—Bella's distress beacon.
I jumped on it right away.
My fingers flew over the keyboard. A few minutes later, I tracked Bella to the basement of Wilson Estate.
My blood turned to ice. Wilson Manor meant Frost, and if he had Bella... I grabbed my phone and dialed Liam's number, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
"Freya?" Liam's voice was rough with fatigue.
"You've imprisoned Bella," I began without preamble. "Her signal originates from beneath the depths of Wilson Estate. What have you done?"
"I haven't seen Bella in days," he said sharply. "Are you certain she's there?"
"The tracker doesn't lie." My grip tightened on the phone. "If not you, then who?"
A pause. Then his voice dropped dangerously low. "Frost."
The single word sent dread spiraling through me. "Your psychotic brother?"
"I'm heading there now," Liam said urgently. "If Frost has her, she's in real danger."
Something in his tone made me pause. The raw concern, the immediate readiness to act—it didn't sound like deception.
"Fine," I said after a moment. "We meet there. But Liam, if this is some elaborate trap—"
"It's not. I give you my word."
---
Twenty minutes later, I stood outside Wilson Manor with my team, weapons checked and ready. Liam emerged from the shadows as we approached, his hands visible and empty.
"I know a service entrance," he said without preamble. "Leads directly to the basement levels."
I studied his face, searching for any sign of deception. His jaw was tight with controlled fury, and I could smell genuine rage and concern rolling off him.
I made my decision. "Lead the way. But Liam, if you betray me down there..."
"I won't." His golden eyes met mine steadily. "Whatever's between us, Bella doesn't deserve to pay for it."
We reached a heavy door, and beyond it, I could hear voices.
I signaled my team, meeting Liam's eyes one last time. "Ready?"
He nodded grimly.
The air in the basement was heavy and damp, with dim yellow light casting distorted shadows on the walls. My eyes locked onto Frost, his smile cold, his gaze filled with an unsettling madness. Beside him, Bella was tightly restrained, her face pale but her eyes blazing with defiance.
"Freya," Bella's voice trembled.
My heart clenched, but I forced myself to stay calm. Frost pressed the blade closer to Bella's throat, his grin widening. "Liam, relinquish control of Wilson, or else—"
Liam's expression darkened, his fists clenched tightly, his eyes darting between Bella and Frost.
"Frost, let her go," Liam's voice was low but threatening, "this is between us. She has nothing to do with it. I'll step down from leading Wilson."
Frost chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Bella is your weakness. Why would I let her go?"
At that moment, Bella moved. Her elbow struck Frost's abdomen with force, and she ducked away from the blade. Frost staggered, caught off guard, and Bella broke free from his grip.
"Freya!" Bella's voice was urgent as she ran toward me.
But Frost was quick to recover. With a roar, he slashed the knife toward Bella. My heart stopped as time seemed to freeze.
"Bella!" Liam's voice echoed through the basement. He lunged forward without hesitation, shoving Bella aside and taking the blow himself.
The blade sank into Liam's shoulder, blood instantly soaking his shirt. He grunted, collapsing to the ground, but his eyes remained locked on Frost.
"Liam!" Bella's voice was choked with tears as she dropped beside him, pressing her hands against his wound to stem the bleeding.
My rage ignited. I drew my weapon and barked, "Take him down!"
My guards moved swiftly, surrounding Frost. He struggled.
I turned to Bella and Liam. Bella knelt beside him, her hands pressed against his wound, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Liam, why did you do that?" her voice shook.
Liam managed a weak smile, his face pale from blood loss. "Bella, I will never let anything hurt you again."