Chapter 33 Finding Sara II
Derek and his wolves moved swiftly and silently through the dense forest, their senses alert as they tracked Sara’s scent through the dense underbrush. the scent of pine and damp earth sharpening their senses. He could feel Leo, his wolf, thrumming with restless energy, urging him forward.
He had barely taken a breath since discovering Ella’s abduction. Days of failed attempts to locate Ella had built a fury inside him that he was barely containing. He could feel her slipping further out of his reach with each passing moment—and Sara, the one person who could lead him to her is somewhere within the depths of this mountain.
The wind shifted, bringing a faint scent to Derek’s nose. It was her. The trace was weak but enough to reignite his
determination. He signaled his pack with a raised fist, and Alex, his Beta, nodded, gesturing for two wolves to fan out.
“She's near,” Derek murmured.
Alex, his loyal beta, matched his pace, scanning the surroundings with a sharp gaze. “The trail’s fresh, Alpha,” he murmured. “But she’s crafty. We’ve been close before.”
Derek’s eyes narrowed, every muscle in his body tensed. “Not close enough. This ends tonight.”
Alex glanced at him. “I’ll circle to the right. She might be on high alert and expecting us.”
Derek nodded, his face a mask of focused rage. “Do it. And let’s move fast.”
They stalked forward with precision, each wolf trained for silence. The faint glow of dawn was beginning to color the sky, casting shadows across the rugged mountainside. The wolves split into pairs, with Derek and Alex taking the lead. Moving quietly through the thick undergrowth, they advanced, their sharp senses zeroing in on every rustle of leaves and crack of branches underfoot.
As they followed her scent, they came across a clearing. There, tucked under a pine tree, were the remnants of a small, hastily abandoned campfire. Derek crouched, inspecting the area. Ashes were still warm—she had been here, and recently.
“She’s close,” Derek said, glancing back at Alex.
“Spread out. She’s setting up traps; keep your guard up. We’ll close in from all sides.” Derek instructed.
But just as they prepared to move, Derek felt the air tense. A snare snapped, triggered by one of the wolves just behind him. Instinctively, Derek ducked as a sharpened branch flew past his head, narrowly missing him. A second snare unleashed, and one of his wolves growled in pain as a trap bit into his leg. Sara had clearly prepared traps to cover her escape route.
“She’s clever,” Alex muttered, helping the wolf free his leg. “But not clever enough.”
Derek’s anger intensified. He clenched his fists, releasing a low growl that sent ripples of energy through his pack warriors. “She’s trying to delay us,” he said, smirking. “But she’s underestimating how fast we can work.”
Derek quickly moved to his beta’s side, taking note of the jagged rocks and hidden snares expertly camouflaged among the leaves and undergrowth
“These traps won’t slow us for long. Keep moving.”
They dismantled the traps with ease, their determination intensifying. As they continued forward, each wolf sidestepped the traps with growing awareness. The mountain was thick with trees, rocks, and shadows that played tricks on the eye. Derek’s every nerve was on edge as he scanned the surroundings, alert for the slightest hint of movement. After another few minutes of tracking, they picked up Sara’s scent again—this time stronger and more recent. Derek’s heart raced as the trail grew warmer. He gave a nod, and his wolves fanned out, closing in.
The trees thinned as they reached a rocky outcrop at the edge of a cliff. There, standing defiantly with her back to the abyss, was Sara. Her face was smeared with dirt and sweat, her eyes wide with the realization that she was cornered. Derek stepped forward, his eyes burning with rage as he held her gaze.
Derek’s eyes narrowed as he approached, his voice carrying a cold edge. “End of the line, Sara. Did you really think you could outrun me?” he asked, his voice cold as ice.”
Sara’s expression faltered only for a second before she lifted her chin defiantly. “I knew you’d come after me. But it won’t make a difference. You’ll never find her.”
Derek’s anger flared, but he kept it in check. “You seem pretty confident for someone cornered on a cliff. Where is Ella?”
Sara hesitated, a flicker of fear crossing her eyes before she steeled herself. “And what makes you think I’ll just tell you?”
Alex growled, stepping up beside Derek. “Because you know exactly what will happen if you don’t.”
She rolled her eyes but took a step back, nearly slipping on the rocks behind her. “Do you think I’m afraid of you? I’m more afraid of what they’ll do to me if I give her up.”
Derek took a step closer, his patience wearing thin. “You should be more worried about what I’ll do if you don’t tell me where she is. You’ve already betrayed her by helping the vampires.”
Sara’s face twisted, defiance mingling with a hint of fear. “Do what you want. I’m not saying anything.”
Derek’s expression darkened, his patience hanging by a thread. “Whoever they are, they won’t be able to protect you once I’m through.”
Sara laughed bitterly, her gaze shifting to the rocky cliffside. “That’s easy for you to say. You have no idea what you’re up against.”
Alex stepped forward, his tone sharp. “We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Either way, you’re coming with us.”
Sara’s eyes darted to the left, then to the right, desperately searching for an escape route. But with Derek’s pack soldiers surrounding her and nowhere else to run, she was trapped.
Derek’s gaze never wavered. “Last chance, Sara. Where is Ella?”
She crossed her arms, a defiant glint in her eyes. “Why would I tell you anything? You’ll kill me either way.”
Derek stepped closer, the fury in his eyes burning hotter. “You’re right about one thing. But the difference is, how much pain you feel is completely up to you.”
Sara faltered, glancing at Alex, who stood with his arms crossed, watching her like a predator waiting for the right moment to pounce. She swallowed, visibly shaken, but she maintained her defiance.
Sara hesitated, then smirked. “I’ll tell you where she is… but only if I get something in return.”
Alex let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “You’re not exactly in a position to negotiate.”
Sara’s gaze flickered with defiance. “Maybe not, but you need me alive if you ever want to find her in time.”
Derek’s hand twitched as his rage simmered just beneath the surface. “We can do this the hard way, then.” He gestured to Alex. “Take her. We’ll make her talk.”
Suddenly, as if struck by fear, Sara took a step back, her voice trembling slightly. “You’ll never find her without me! You’ll be wandering these mountains for days. Do you want that?”
For a moment, Derek considered her words, his gaze steady and unblinking. Then he spoke, each word laced with cold intensity. “Here’s my deal, Sara: You tell me where she is, and I’ll think about sparing you. But cross me again, and I swear you’ll wish you’d never heard of the vampires.”
“I already wish I never heard of them” Sara muttered under her breath barely audible.
“What did you say?”
Sara took a shaky breath as she looked up facing Derek. “She’s… she’s near the river.”
Derek’s eyes flashed. “Where?”
Sara hesitated again, but Derek’s piercing gaze left her no choice. She pointed to the east, toward a hidden section of the mountains where the river cut through.
“She’s at an old hideout by the river. But… getting in won’t be easy. They’re prepared, Derek. And they’ll know you’re coming.”
Derek’s voice was a low growl. “If you’re lying, you’ll pay with your life.”
Sara forced a shaky smirk. “Believe me, I know.”
Derek watched her for a moment longer, assessing the truth in her eyes. He turned to Alex, his voice a harsh whisper.
“Prepare the pack soldiers. We head east.”
“Yes, Alpha,” Alex responded, giving Sara a withering glare as he passed.
Before he could follow, Derek turned back to Sara. “You’re coming with us. You so much as make a wrong move, and you’ll regret it.”
Sara’s confidence waned, her face pale. “They don’t care what happens to me. They’ll know I’ve been caught, But if they get wind of your approach, they’ll move her before you even get close.”
Derek froze, his fury spilling over. He whipped around, pinning her with a look that made even Alex tense. “Then we don’t have a second to waste,” he said, his voice cold and determined.
In one swift motion, he turned to Alex and gave his orders. “Take her back to the packhouse. Get every word you can out of her. Meanwhile, I will take some of the soldiers and head straight for that river.”
Sara’s face fell as she realized the severity of his words. “Wait—”
But Derek had already shifted, his massive wolf form towering over her as he bared his teeth in warning. With a silent nod to Alex, he dashed into the forest, few selected pack soldiers following closely. Every muscle was taut, every sense focused solely on reaching Ella before it was too late.
The scent of the river grew stronger, and with it, Derek’s hope surged, mingling with an unrelenting rage. His heart hammered in his chest as he pushed himself harder, refusing to let any obstacle delay him. He would not fail Ella—not this time.