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 CHAPTER SEVENTY SIX

ALEX DAVALO 

Death is the cure!

Sandro and I searched everywhere for Bethany, Lara, and their boyfriends, Tony and Fletcher. We had finally discovered that those bastards were responsible for Nadia's disappearance, and the realization hit us like a punch in the gut. They had likely kidnapped her, and now we were determined to haunt them until they had no place to hide anymore.

We gathered some of the guys and girls from our pack at an abandoned car park on the outskirts of town. The sun was starting to set, casting long shadows that seemed to echo our feelings of anger and urgency. I looked around at my friends, their faces tense with worry and determination.

“Listen up!” I yelled, trying to command attention. “We need to find Nadia. She is our mate, and we need to do it fast. Those idiots are not going to get away with this.” 

Sandro stood next to me, nodding in agreement. He was just as committed to this mission as I was. “We’re going to search everywhere,” I continued. “When you find Bethany and Lara, bring them back to me. I don’t care what happens to Tony and Fletcher. But if the girls refuse to surrender, do what you have to do. Also, do not forget that we need to get Nadia back at all costs.”

The group murmured in agreement, their resolve hardening. They looked ready for a hunt. “Alright, let’s split up into pairs! Each group will cover different areas. If you find anything, use the pack link to let us know. Understood?”

“Understood!” they all responded.

“Anything you have to say?” I asked Sandro.

It was as if he came alive the moment I asked him. Fixing his gaze on the guys, he said, “I'm sure you understand that our pack do not know how to lose. Go for the kill; show no mercy.”

After seeing our pack disperse in their cars, Sandro turned to me, looking a bit anxious. “What’s next?” he asked.

“We’ll hurt them where it hurts the most,” I replied, a dark smile creeping onto my face.

“How?” he probed, curious but cautious.

“Come with me,” I said, and we both hopped into my car. I turned the key in the ignition and we sped off, tires screeching against the asphalt.

We drove to Bethany's house in silence. The sun had almost vanished, and the shadows were growing longer. As we parked the car, Sandro furrowed his brow. “What are we doing here? Is it part of the plan, or am I missing something?,” he asked, looking around, unsure of my plan.

“The less you ask, the more you know,” I stated, trying to keep my own nerves in check. “Just keep your eyes on the ground. There might be enemies lurking around.”

We approached the front door. I knocked firmly, my heart pounding. Not long after, Bethany's mother opened the door, her expression curious. “Who are you?” she inquired, studying us closely.

Feigning a smile, I replied, “Hi, I’m Bethany’s boyfriend.” Sandro looked at me, surprise briefly etching his face. But he knew better.

“Are you Fletcher?”

“Yes, I’m Fletcher,” I tried to sound casual. I could feel the tension rising in the air.

Her eyes lit up with recognition. “Oh, she has told me about you, even though she wouldn’t let me meet you,” she appeared  pleased as she spoke.

“Well, I’m glad you can finally see me. She has also told me a couple of things about you,” I tried my best to keep my tone friendly. However, a small voice in my head told me to be cautious.

“Where is Bethany?” her curiosity deepened, and the moment felt heavy with expectation. She looked around, hoping to find her, probably, in the car.

“Bethany? Oh, that’s actually why I came,” I said, switching to a concerned tone. “She hasn’t shown up at school for a few days, and I’ve been trying to get in touch with her. But her phone seems to be off. I was worried and decided to come check on her. The last time we spoke, she told me she was sick” 

I could see the shock wash over her face. “Bethany, sick?” she questioned, as if the word was foreign to her. “She was never sick, at least, from what I know.”

“Do you have any idea where she might be?” I pressed. 

“No, she never tells me where she goes,” her voice was laced with confusion.

“Do you think she might have gone hiking, since she loves to?”

“Like I said, she never tells me where she goes. Most times, I get to find out  after she's gone.” I could sense that she was beginning to get uncomfortable with my questions, so I decided to stop before she began to suspect me.

“Thank you,” I said curtly, turning back toward Sandro. “Let's go.”. We walked toward the car, my mind racing. 

“Bethany’s mother lied to us,” Sandro said, anger bubbling beneath his calm demeanor. 

“I know,” I replied, my fists clenching tighter. 

“So, what’s the plan?” he asked as we reached the car. 

“I’ve got an idea where they are,” I said, resolve growing in my voice. “Let’s go.” 

We jumped into the car and drove off quickly. As we hit the main road, I could feel my heart racing with anticipation. Sandro called for backup from some of our pack members, and soon, several cars were following us, their headlights tearing through the growing darkness. 

Our wolves were excited and restless, sensing danger close by. Sandro and I could feel our bond deepening as we navigated through the winding roads, trying to track the scent of the people we were after. I felt charged with adrenaline, and I knew we would find them. 

After a while, we reached the abandoned woods, a place far away from the main road where not many people would venture. "They must be around here," I said, parking the car. We all jumped out, our senses on high alert.

Turning to the guys, I commanded, “Be careful. Watch the ground, and keep your senses alert.”

As we made our way deeper into the woods, the night air felt heavy with tension. It wasn’t long before we spotted movement among the trees. We hid behind a thick tree trunk, peering through the underbrush. That was when we saw them, Fletcher and Tony, standing over Nadia. 

She was tied to a tree, looking weak and frightened. I felt a surge of anger flood through me like a wildfire; I had to keep my wolf in check.

“Motherfuckers!” Sandro said. I could see that he too was having a hard time trying to suppress his wolf.

They were trying to take her rare wolf powers! I could see the desperation in their eyes and the malicious intent behind their grins. 

“Now’s our chance,” I whispered to Sandro. “We have to move fast.”

“Do you want to attack now?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

“Yes, we’ll surprise them!” 

At that moment, our pack members moved in close, ready for battle. A low growl escaped my throat as I felt the wolf inside of me begging to come out. We all transformed, shifting into our wolf forms in an instant. The sounds of cracking bones and stretching fur filled the air as we became the beasts we were born to be.

The transformation was intoxicating, and I felt power surge through me. Sandro stood beside me, his dark fur glistening under the moonlight. 

Fletcher and Tony looked up, shocked at our sudden appearance. “What the hell! How did they find us?” Fletcher yelled in panic.

Before they could react, we lunged forward, crashing into them with a fury that sent them sprawling. The fight was brutal. Our pack moved as one, driven by anger and the need to protect our mate. 

I clashed with Tony, my teeth snapping at him as he tried to regain his composure. He swung a fist at me, but I was too quick, dodging it and sinking my teeth into his shoulder. He howled in pain, struggling to break free, but I held on fiercely. 

Meanwhile, Sandro tackled Fletcher. They rolled on the ground, snapping and growling, each trying to gain the upper hand. The sound of growls and snarls filled the air, our pack members fighting fiercely against Fletcher and Tony, who did not stand a chance against the combined strength of our wolves.

Nadia watched from her chains, fear and awe clouding her eyes. “Please… don’t hurt them!” she shouted weakly, her voice barely carrying over the chaos.

“There’s no escape for them!” I yelled back, my wolf instincts taking control. 

As the battle continued, I felt my muscles burn and tire, but rage kept me going, pushing me to fight harder. We were fighting for our mate, someone who meant the world to us. 

One by one, Fletcher and Tony fell beneath our assault. They fought dirty, clawing and biting, but our unity made us stronger. With one final growl, I took revenge for the pain they had caused, launching myself at Fletcher and clawing deep into his side. 

“Alex!” Sandro shouted, noticing Tony trying to sneak away. “Don’t let him get away!”

I turned just in time to see Sandro lunge at Tony, tackling him to the ground. Their battle was fierce, a whirlwind of fur and blood. With a powerful twist, Sandro sank his teeth into Tony’s neck, and the fight was over.

The forest fell silent. The only sound left was the low panting of our pack as we surveyed the scene of destruction. Fletcher lay lifeless on the ground…. Tony too. And in the corner, we still heard Nadia whimpering gently.

I rushed over to her, shifting back to my human form as I reached her. “Nadia!” I cried, my heart aching for her. I could see the fear and pain etched in her features. 

Sandro quickly began to free her from the chains that bound her. “Hold on, we’re here. You’re safe now,” he said soothingly, trying to comfort her as he worked to release her.

“Alex… Sandro…” she breathed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Don’t worry,” I told her, my hands trembling as I gently stroked her hair. “We’re here to take you home.”

Once her chains were finally off, she fell into our arms, shaking. “I thought I would never get out of here,” she whispered, tears of relief brimming in her eyes. 

“We’ll always come for you, Nadia,” I promised, my heart swelling with determination. “You mean too much to us.”

Just then, we heard the rustling of leaves nearby. Lara was trying to flee, and an instinct kicked in. With a swift glance, I spotted her disappearing into the woods. 

“Stop her!” I yelled, but it was too late; she was already sprinting away, her dark figure swallowed by the night. 

“Let her go,” Sandro said, shaking his head. “Right now, we focus on getting Nadia back home. There will be time for revenge later.” 

With a mix of relief and renewed fury coursing through me, we gathered around Nadia, ensuring she was safe. She leaned on us, and together we began the journey back, away from the horrors of the night.

As we walked back towards the road, Nadia clutched my arm tightly. “Thank you… thank you for coming for me,” she whispered, her voice still shaky but filled with gratitude.

I could feel my wolf purring inside me, still vigilant and protective. “Always,” I replied, glancing down at her and giving her a warm smile, determined to always keep her safe from harm. 

Tonight had changed everything, and it would not be the last time we stood together, fighting the battles thrown at us in this chaotic world. 

Together, we would face anything that tried to tear us apart…

Almost at once, Sandro turned to look at me, surprised. “What?” I asked, curious.

“Someone is missing,” he said.

“Who?”

“Bethany.”