Chapter 34 The Hunt Begins
Long after it subsided, Rever could still hear the distant wailing. Sharon's respiration was steady yet shallow as she lay limp in his arms. His mind racing with ideas, he carried her back to the packhouse. Her partial shift was just the start, and the timing couldn't have been worse given Pier's impending threat.
He gestured for the pack doctor and placed her on the main hall couch. His beta, Aaron, came over as they started to care for her, his face glum.
Aaron replied softly, "We've got a problem, Rever." "Pier hit once more."
Rever's mouth clenched. "What took place?"
Aaron paused before responding. Jenny is the person he has abducted. She was patrolling close to the southern boundary. We discovered evidence of conflict and... this. He gave Rever a cloth smeared with blood. It had a subtle hint of Sharon's smell.
The hands of the Rever clenched into fists. He's baiting Sharon with her. He wishes to compel her to fall into his trap.
"What are we going to do?" Aaron enquired.
Rever looked at Sharon, her pallid features making him feel both angry and protective. "We don't interfere with his strategy. However, we also won't abandon Jenny. Increase the number of patrols by twofold. Nobody moves without my consent.
An hour later, Sharon's eyelids fluttered open and she saw Rever sitting next to her. His expression was strained, showing the weight of everything bearing down on him.
"What took place?" Weakly, she asked.
Rever's tone was deliberately casual as he said, "You shifted partially." You were worn down by it. How do you feel?
Her body continued to ache as she slowly sat up. As if a truck had struck me. But I'm all right. What's the matter? You appear tense.
Rever paused, but he understood that concealing it would be useless. "Jenny was taken by Pier."
Sharon felt her heart sink. "What? When?
While on patrol. He left a message. Rever's mouth tightened. It's intended for you. He's trying to take your hand.
Sharon felt a wave of remorse that made her hands shake. I am to blame for this. Unless it were for me.
With a forceful voice that pierced through her mental whirlpool, Rever commanded, "Stop." "You are not to blame for this. Pier does what he does. Don't allow him to control you.
Her eyes were full of tears as she shook her head. He is acting in this way as a result of me. Had I not arrived here, if I hadn't…
"Enough, Sharon!" As he reached for her hand, Rever's eyes softened despite his piercing voice. "We'll retrieve Jenny. But you can't blame yourself for what we're doing. Recognize?
Reluctantly, she wiped away her tears and nodded. "What is the strategy?"
Tension was high as the pack assembled in the war room. The table was covered with a map of the area, with markers showing possible spots where Pier might be holding Jenny.
Aaron pointed to an abandoned mill close to the river and remarked, "This area here." It is easily defended and secluded. It may serve as a hiding place for Pier's soldiers.
"It's a trap, too," Rever stated. "Pier requests that we attend. He'll be anticipating it.
"So, what should we do?" Despite her trepidation, Sharon asked in a firm voice.
Rever looked over the map, calculating the options. "We'll divide into two groups. At the mill's entrance, one will set up a distraction. To find Jenny, the other will enter through the back.
"I will accompany you," Sharon declared right away.
Rever gave a headshake. "No. It's too risky.
Sharon countered, "She's my friend." "You risk your life for her, and I won't sit here and watch."
Rever retorted, "And I'm not going to risk losing you." "You're still getting better. You might pass out once more.
"I don't give a damn!" Desperation and rage boiled up in Sharon's voice. "Rever, I'm no helpless damsel. I am capable of fighting.
Rever's jaw clenched as he gazed at her. Her determination mirrored his own, and he could see the fire in her eyes. "All right. However, you remain near me. No heroism. Do you understand?
"You got it," she answered firmly.
As night fell, they were at the forest's edge, with the deserted mill towering over them. With their senses sharpened, the crew moved in silence. As they got closer to the mill, Sharon remained beside Rever, her heart racing.
The diversion team moved first, using loud screams and smashing sounds to entice Pier's men to the front entrance. Rever motioned for Sharon and the others to go quickly and quietly behind him around the rear.
The mill was cold and gloomy inside, and the air was heavy with the smell of terror. As they slipped through the hallways, Sharon's stomach rumbled and she looked around for Jenny.
She froze when she heard a muffled wail. "Have you heard that?" she said in a whisper.
Leading the way toward the sound, Rever nodded. In a poorly lit room, they discovered Jenny strapped on a chair, her gaze unyielding despite the bruises on her face.
"Jenny!" Rever and the others waited watch while Sharon hurried to her side and untied the cords.
Jenny remarked feignedly, "You shouldn't have traveled." "It's a trap."
"We are aware," Rever stated. That's the reason we're leaving. Right now.
However, the sound of footsteps reverberated through the hallways as they turned to depart. Rever's eyes narrowed and his body stiffened. "They're present."
With their weapons out, the group surrounded Sharon and Jenny in a protective circle. Pier's men showed up and blocked their way. Pier himself was in the middle of the gathering, grinning smugly.
"How predictable," Pier remarked in a mocking tone. "Alpha, I knew you couldn't help yourself."
Rever took a protective stance and moved forward. "Pier, let us leave. Bloodshed is not necessary for this to cease.
Pier gave a gloomy laugh. "Yeah, but what fun is that? In addition, I have everything I require.
When his gaze shifted to Sharon, she felt a chill. With a low growl in his throat, Rever moved to stand between her and Pier.
Rever responded, "You'll have to go through me," in a lethal tone.
Pier grinned broadly. "With pleasure."