Chapter 58: Arrival

Luca

Watching Raine lay there and not know if she is ok or not is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I wanted to scream at her to wake up, but I also wanted to wrap her in my arms and never let her go. Levi got the call that Emma's car had crashed right outside the pack lands from dad. He said the border patrol had called him saying they heard a crash and screams. They had rushed to the sound but found no one but Raine. When Raine finally started to open her eyes, I could breathe. But, unfortunately, that was short-lived when she began screaming for Emma. I am standing here watching Levi try to console her. Her cries are breaking my heart.

"WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?" I hear being screamed from behind me and hear the scuffle of people. I look back to see Rod trying to get past some border guards. I head for him to calm him down before he hurts someone.

"Calm down, Rod, we are going to find her."

"What the hell happened? Where is she?" He asks, and I can see the fear, anger, and worry in his eyes. Then, before I can answer him, I see Dad and Ryan walking up.

"We all need to stay calm," Dad says as he walks past us toward Levi and Raine. Me and Rod both follow without saying a word. I watch as dad reaches Raine and leans down to check on her.

"Calm down, honey. We need to know what happened and what you can remember." He tells her as he strokes her hair back, comforting her.

"We went to the cafe and got milkshakes and fries. After you called, we left to hurry back to the packhouse." She says, but dad interrupts her.

"Who called you to come back to the packhouse?"

"You called me while we were eating," Raine says, and I can tell by the look on Dad's face that he did not call her.

"What exactly did I say, honey?"

"You asked where we were and said we needed to get back to the packhouse that you would explain when we got there."

"After you got the call and left, what happened?"

"We were headed back, and my vision started to go in and out and blurry. My head started pounding. I think the car got hit by something, and it was spinning. Then it just stopped. I heard Emma scream." She says she starts to cry again, and I can't keep standing here. I get beside her and wrap my arms around her to show her that it is ok and I am here. After a minute, she continues.

"After she screamed, I hit against something in the car, and it knocked me out." I hear the growl that leaves Rod, and I hear Raine mumble into my chest.

"I'm so sorry."

"Shhhh... It's ok this isn't your fault, baby." I tell her, trying to soothe her, but I don't think it helps. After a minute, she wipes her eyes and stands quickly.

"We have to find her," Raine says as I see the determination cover her face.

"That might be a little hard to do right now." We all hear and turn to see who it is, and growls leave the guards that are now ready to shift.

"Everyone, hold on and stand down," Dad says with his Alpha voice, and everyone stands down right away, giving him a slight bow of the head.

"Barrett, nice timing as always," Dad says as he walks to him with his hand out.

"Nice to see you to Bass," Barrett says with a shit-eating grin on his face as he takes Dad's hand and shakes it. I have never heard anyone call, dad anything other than Bastien or Alpha, so hearing him call him bass makes me almost laugh out loud.

"I think we should head back to the packhouse and continue this conversation. I don't think we are safe out here." Barrett tells dad as they shake hands.

"We can't leave yet. We have to find Emma." Raine says as she takes a step toward Barrett and dad.

"I think I know who might have her, and we need to talk elsewhere," Barrett says, and Rod growls. Dad clears his throat, and everyone looks at him.

"I think Barrett might have a point. Ryan, you, and a few others look over the area and see what you can find. Let me know right away if you find anything. Get the car back when you are done."

We all head out together, watching everything around us. I am walking on one side of Raine, and Levi is on the other. We have both offered to carry her, but she refused us. No one is making any sounds. We all walk in silence, watching our surroundings. We are almost at the packhouse when we hear a scream. We all take off together for the packhouse. When we make a break through the trees, I see a box on the steps and two women from the pack staring at it with their hands over their mouths. We all slow our pace as we get closer. One of the ladies starts pointing at the box and studdering. You can't understand anything she says. We all stop as dad approaches the box. He growls as he reaches it. Barrett walks up beside him and starts to shake his head.

"I think the war is starting now." He says as he looks at dad. I feel Raine start to sway, so I look over at her, and she begins to faint. I grab her by the waist to catch her. She wraps her arms around my neck.

"Please tell me that is not my Emma or any part of her." She says as she gasps into my chest. I look back to dad and Barrett.

"What is in the box, dad," I ask cause from here, I can't tell what it is. I hear a growl from my other side, and I know it is Rod. I can't imagine what he is feeling right now. That is his mate.

"Everyone, calm down. I am sure it is an animal. If it were Emma, then Rod would know." Dad says as he looks at Rod. I can tell he is trying to reassure him. "They are sending a message, but we can't lose our heads right now. That is what they want. We need to stay calm."

"There are some things we need to talk about, and the sooner, the better," Barrett speaks up and says. Dad nods his head in agreement.

"Ok, everyone, I want you to go get cleaned up, and let's meet in the hall in 15 minutes. Guards take this box and dispose of it." Dad says as he makes his way to the door with Barrett. I take Raine and lift her in my arms, bridal style. I don't ask this time, and she doesn't argue. Instead, she wraps her hands around my neck, clinging to me. I mindlink dad as I head up the stairs.

"Make it thirty minutes. Raine needs a shower after the accident."

"That works. We will be waiting. Try to make it as quick as possible, though." I don't say anything else as I get to her room, and Levi opens the door for me. He must know what I plan as he enters. He goes to the bathroom and cuts the water on in the tub.

"I don't have time to take a bath. We have to get to the meeting." Raine says as she looks in my eyes as I set her down.

"You need a hot shower. I mind linked dad, my love. We are meeting in a half-hour. So you have time for a shower. Then we will get the answers we have been looking for." She sighs as she turns and heads for the bathroom. I want to know what the hell is going on and who is after what is mine, but I have a feeling this is just the beginning.