Declan hasn't texted back yet. It's been almost an hour. I hope that it isn't a bad sign.
Have you heard anything yet? Mitchell mind linked me yet again.
No. Have you been able to get ahold of Jackson yet? I responded. We have been linking each other every fifteen minutes or so, both of us just as desperate as the other for news.
No. I'll call him again soon. Mitchell replies and the link goes quiet.
It's only been an hour. He might still be travelling. I say to Duke, hoping he has some sort of pep talk that can help. He's good like that.
Yeah, maybe. Maybe he fell asleep? He did run a solid 24 hours. Duke was right. That would tire any wolf. Still, I hope he answers soon. It's not like he can't rest after he checks on Faith.
We should sleep. That way when Declan does finally reach out, we are well rested. We want to be ready at any time. I say ignoring the churning in my gut.
Let's eat and then rest. Duke agrees. I do admit, that I am starving, I have barely been eating or sleeping since Faith went missing. It felt wrong to rest and take care of myself when Faith was suffering. It was probably sick and deranged but it made me feel better knowing I was suffering, not as much as she was of course, but at least she wasn't totally alone in it. Not to mention it felt like time wasted. 8 hours sleeping was 8 hours I wasn't actively looking for Faith or who might have taken her. At least now, I knew who had taken her and soon I would know where to, and then finally, finally I could get her back. So I felt like I could myself a bit of rest, but only because I would be stronger for it. And if I was going into battle, I needed all the strength I could get.
Okay but only because we need to be at our strongest. I agree.
I stand, pocket my phone in case Declan messages me back and head off to the dining hall. They should be serving breakfast about now, and it would be good for my pack to see me. I haven't exactly been available lately and I could feel my wolves growing restless because of it.
Felicity is the first person I see when I walk in. She smiles at me nervously. She is a smart wolf and has probably made her own assumptions after yesterday. I thought about talking to her, In the short time Faith has been here they really seemed to hit it off, I have even heard Faith refer to her many times as a friend so I’m sure she would like to know what was happening but I wasn't up for it and besides this wasn't the place to have such a discussion.
I gave her a reassuring nod and a polite smile before turning away from her.
I know Mitchell has been asking regularly, and we're probably annoying you but have you heard anything yet? When are we going to rescue my baby? Heather links me. Honestly, I'm surprised she hadn't yet already.
You are not annoying me. I assure her. We were all worried about Faith, it would never upset me to see her family care for her.
But no I haven't. I promise I'll link all of you as soon as I do.
Just then my phone dings. I'm almost too scared to look at it. I want it to be Declan so bad that I'm afraid that I would lose control if it wasn't.
Then it dinged again. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel the blood thump thump thump in my ears.
I slipped my hand into to pocket unable to even breathe I was so nervous and pulled it out. The screen is blank.
Come on man. Duke urges me very impatiently.
Finally, I click it on and let out a sigh of relief. It's from Declan.
I forgot breakfast and hightail it straight to my room, where I can shut myself away from prying eyes.
Made it home.
The first text reads.
The place is quiet, I don't think anyone noticed me missing.
Just as I finished reading the second message a third one comes through.
I'm on my way to check on faith. I will message you soon.
I swallow a hard lump in my throat. He made it back. Ingrid was stuck here. Hopefully, if things keep going to plan I can have Faith back by sundown.
Where are you? I'll get my jet and my team together and leave now. Mitchell is trying to contact your dad still. But I'm sure he will send a few men of his own.
I stand and wait for more than ten minutes, and there's nothing.
??? How is she??? I text. If my heart rate didn't settle soon, it would probably just give out, but I couldn't help it. Adrenaline coursed rapidly through my veins. I wanted something to fight. Something to do. I needed hell I don't know what I needed, but I do know that I couldn't take just standing here and waiting.
I toss my phone to the bed. If it dings I’ll hear it.
Start packing. We may need to move at a moment's notice. We’re getting Faith back. I mind linked Mitchell, Amelio and my ten strongest warriors. I would like to go in with more men. I would like to take every man and every trained female into battle with me. But I could only fit so many warriors on the plane at once and taking a convoy, of cars would take far too long.
I get back a lot of questions really quickly from all my warriors which was to be expected, mostly about strategies, how I found her, what they should expect etc.
I can’t tell you how I found her just yes only that I have. Do not speak of this to anyone. I need it kept secret just get ready. I send it out as an Alpha order. I did not want to risk one of my men accidentally saying something to David as it would make its way back to Ingrid then.
I hated not being able to ask David for his help. He was an absolute weapon. He fought like hell but he was also a terrific strategist. However, I couldn't risk asking him, what he was doing was extremely important, even if it was just babysitting his mate.
I don't know how long ill need to be gone for. But I can't imagine that it will need to be for any more than a night or two.
I throw in a couple of spare changes of clothes for myself. I go to where I hide my silver chalice and knife and get the Knife, the chalice I left behind as it was unnecessary and threw the knife into my bag as well.
Pack as many weapons as you can, but keep in mind that we still need to travel light. I mind linking my warriors once again.
Weapons are a cowardly way out I know. But when you’re in the dark about exactly what you’re up against, it’s best to be prepared for everything.
Yes, alpha. I feel them all mind link me back.
Once I’m done with my bag, I decide to make one up for Faith as well. I imagine she could do with some fresh clothes.
I throw in anything that looks loose and comfortable into a bag for her. Then I put in her favourite soaps and perfume. Her hairbrush, toothbrush and paste and some spare hair ties for good measure.
From the limited information Declan gave me, I was aware that she was being kept in terrible conditions, so I mind linked an omega to pack me a few lunch boxes worth of food that would keep for travel. It wasn’t as good as a fresh meal, but I’m sure it was better than nothing. And I could feed her properly as soon as I got her back here.
I got ahold of Jackson. Mitchell links me.
Good. Good. What did he say? I asked. I hated Jackson but if he could send a few wolves I’d take them. I wouldn’t allow his men anywhere near Faith. I wasn’t going to be stupid enough to trust him, but if they were willing to kill anyone who stood between me and Faith, then I was happy to let them do just that.
He asked me to speak to Declan of course.
I couldn’t blame him. I would want to speak directly to the source as well. Unfortunately, Declan was being uncommunicative right now.
And what did you tell him? I asked.
Just that I couldn’t put him in contact with Declan but that if he’d like the chance to find out if what Declan says is true then he can come with us. Mitchell sighed.
Did you mention Ingrid? I was curious to see what Jackson's reaction would be to her name.
Yes, I did. You were right. Mitchell replies expressionless.
And? I hate that I have to prompt him for more.
He wouldn’t tell me. But as soon as I mentioned her, he was suddenly convinced that Declan was in fact telling the truth and requested to help.
It pissed me off that Jackson wouldn’t say why or how he was ever involved with Ingrid but at least he was helping.
Okay well, tell him that he has to be ready to go at any moment.
Three hours later and I still haven’t heard boo from Declan. I have been checking my phone every few seconds. My plane is loaded, my warriors are ready. All I need is a damned location.
Answer me. I send yet another text to Declan. I was starting to freak out, maybe he’d been caught. But David hasn’t linked me and I’m sure he would if Ingrid suddenly went missing so I was taking that as a good sign, at least I was trying to.
Then finally, Finally I got a message back.
It’s dangerous but I’m moving her. She can’t stay here. Get moving. Here is my location. I’ll keep you updated.
The text was immediately followed with a GPS link to his except location.
Don’t you get her killed. I sent back.
Alright everyone let’s move out. I link everyone who’s coming.
Then I quickly forward the GPS link to Mitchell so that he can pass it along to Jackson.
Once we are all loaded into the plane and I show my pilot the location we figure out it’s going to take us just over two hours to fly there. It was an awfully long time given the circumstances.
I settle into a seat next to Mitchell. I stare at Heather with a frown on my face. She shouldn’t have come.
“Oh stop glaring. She’s my baby. I wasn’t going to stay behind.” Heather snaps.
“I have enough on my plate. I don’t need to worry about you getting killed on top of everything else.” I snap back. Faith would kill me if I let anything happen to her mother.
“ she won’t be stepping foot of this plane,” Mitchell promises me again. I can tell Heather wants to argue, but surprisingly she doesn’t. This must have been the condition she agreed to when Mitchell let her come. I just hope she actually listens. I don’t need a she wolf undermining everything, and putting herself, which effectively puts everyone else in danger just because she feels she has something to prove.
Alpha. I get a rather alarmed mind link just over an hour into the flight from my Beta.
Yes. I mind link back. I could feel everything come crashing down around me. David would only be linking me if Ingrid went missing. And Ingrid would only be missing if she found out.
Ingrid. She’s gone missing. David informs me of literally my worst fear.
I can’t help it. I can see everyone staring at me in shock. But I let out a chorus of swear words.
“Listen up everyone. This just got a whole lot more dangerous.” That is all I say to my men.
Ingrid is the one who kidnapped Faith. That’s why iv had you watching her. I have gathered men and I am currently on my way to rescue her. She must have found out. There is no longer any reason to keep any of this from David. I am sorry to have kept this from you, but I wasn’t totally sure where your loyalties lay and I couldn’t risk exposing myself to Ingrid.
I can feel his anger surge through the bond. What I didn’t know tho was who it was directed at me, or Ingrid.
You are positive? He says.
Yes, 100 per cent. I say with confidence. I want David to understand that I have no doubts. It’s up to him to make his own choices based on the information he now has.
So she’s just been using me. He says. I don’t know if it’s a statement or a question.
Yes. I reply anyway. Poor dude.
Where are you? I feel his resolve and I don’t need to ask him why he was asking.
I send him the pin drop of the location that Declan sent me.
I’m on my way.
I’m glad that David has decided to help but I can’t rely on it. If Ingrid’s really missing then Faith could be dead or caught by now. David was going to be hours behind us at best and there was simply no time to waste.
Did you make it out? Ingrid’s coming for you? Message me back ASAP. I send Declan.