Chapter 47

Emily.

I didn't even hear Dylon's next words he spoke to Raina. I was too busy forcing myself not to fall apart in front of him. Blood rushed through my head, drowning out any noise and making my vision sway. I felt like I was going to be sick.

*Gotta hold it together.*

As soon as he shifted and was out of sight, I let out all go. First came my lunch and breakfast - all of it spewed out on the ground in front of me. There was no stopping it. I heaved until there was nothing left.

Then the shuddering tears came. My whole body convulsed from the sobs. I used what little strength I had left to inch away from the vomit and lay down, letting the terror and sadness and anger flow in heavy, hot tears. They ran down my face and watered the ground. I didn't even bother to think about Raina watching me. All I could think about was Dylon and his awful plan. I couldn't see how Eric was going to win this one - Dylon had thought this out too well, and had worn him down for too long. And here I was, the damsel in distress yet again. I wouldn't blame him if he left me for dead. But I knew he wouldn't - we were mates after all. I hadn't known it for sure, but it made sense - that's why I was so inexplicably drawn to him, and why he was able to make a connection with me.

***

Eric.

I stopped dead in my tracks. Emotions overwhelmed my senses and I felt sick to my stomach. My heart ached as the sensations washed over me, and my eyes teared up despite my best efforts to stop them.

*What the fu–*

Then it dawned on me. I must be feeling Emily's emotions. I guess once the connection was made, it was always open. What had happened to make her feel so terrified and alone? A howl escaped my mouth, letting out all the feelings and my regret. A tingle spread through my body, and I sensed Emily had heard me, but the sadness doubled. It was as if she had lost all hope, as if knowing I was out here searching for her was the last thing she wanted. But why?

I cursed myself for not being there for her. But her scent was impossible to track. Tyler and I had been trying all night to find and follow her scent, but we simply couldn't.

As dawn approached, the two of us met up again, tired and breathing hard.

“It's no use,” Tyler barked at me. “Let's go home and try again after some sleep.”

I shook my head. She was out there, sad and afraid. I couldn't just give up.

“Eric, be reasonable.”

“No! She's out there and she's terrified. I can feel it. I'm not going to stop until she's safe in my arms again.”

“We've been searching all night. We haven't gotten any trace of her. A few hours of rest won't do anything but good. At least then you'll have the energy you need to bring her back.”

I growled, not wanting to admit he was right. *I'm sorry, Emily.* I sent another forlorn howl into the air before turning back with Tyler and heading to the Pack House.

*I'll be back for you. I promise.*

***

Emily.

When the last tear fell to the ground and I had no more energy to move, Raina came over and knelt by me.

“You done? We gotta get a move on.”

All I could muster was blowing a raspberry. What could she do that was worse than I've already endured? Or what Dylon already had planned? Nothing. So I laid there, completely ignoring her.

She huffed, and I imagine she placed her hands on her hips as she stared down at my pitiful body.

“You're going to make me do this the hard way, aren't you?”

She grumbled and growled a little as she paced. She then dialed a number on her phone and I heard Raina speak quickly into it. I was surprised she even called for help - she seemed like the sort of person who refused help, and trusted few people. I wondered who she possibly called. It couldn't have been Dylon - he wouldn't do the dirty work of dragging me to my destination. It must have been another from his pack.

I didn't have to wait long. I could hear a figure coming through the trees, not even trying to be quiet. The figure came closer and Raina told them to lift my feet while she grabbed my torso.

“One, two, three,” Raina counted and lifted me up, turning me so my belly faced the sky.

My eyes widened as I saw who was carrying my feet. “Mama?” I asked, confusion written all over my face. My voice was small and I felt like a confused child.

She wouldn't look at me, but the two of them carried me away, faster than I expected. Her neutral face stared at the ground in front of her, no remorse at all, completely void of any hint of love or nurture. Instinctively, I tried to sit up, to get closer to her, and Raina growled. “Quit moving unless you want me to drop you!”

“Mom,” I tried again. “What are you doing here? I thought you were safe back home with Dad in Ravensworth.”

She continued to ignore me, focusing on her feet as they carried me through the forest. *What was she doing here? Eric had guards at the house, keeping them safe. That was the condition of coming with him - that he would protect them.*

My mind played through scenario after scenario, trying to think what could have led my mother to this place, doing this to me.

My thoughts were interrupted as I smelled a sharp distinct new scent - it was a combination of woody and dusty. The pair led me up a few steps and into what looked like a wooden shack. My butt was placed on a hard surface, and my cuffed arms were spread slightly to let the back of the chair through. I grit my teeth in pain until I was finally able to relax, my arms through.

My mom came back into sight with a length of rope. Raina grabbed it and got to work tying my ankles to the leg of the chair. I tried to catch my mom's eye as Raina tied me up.

“Why are you helping him?” I asked accusingly. “You were protected. Eric made sure of it.”

“Is that what he told you?” My mother whispered harshly. “I did not feel protected. I felt like a prisoner in my own house.”

“At least you weren't dead, or worse, at Dylon's hand.”

I couldn't understand. She had been safe. Why leave that?

“Dylon? He's the reason I'm here right now. He promised he'd reunite Daniel with us and we could go back to our home and live life like normal when this was over. All I had to do was be a part of luring that thug Enforcer to this shack. And of course, since you decided to be difficult, I had to help lug you here. But after this, I'll finally have my son, my little boy, back.”

I looked at her like she was crazy. Little boy? Did she not remember the years he abused the both of us?

“What are you talking about? Daniel hasn't been your little boy in years! He's done nothing but abuse you.”

She shook her head. “It was because of you. I didn't give him enough attention because I had you. But now I can make it right. We can be a happy family.”

My heart shattered into a million pieces, as if the last thing tethering it together had snapped. I couldn't believe my mother would betray me so brutally.

“And what about me? You're just going to leave me with that monster? With Dylon?” I couldn't stop the tears flooding to my eyes.

“Stop being so dramatic. He has money. He has power. What more do you need?”

*What the actual fuck?* How could she think that?

“That's enough talking,” she said, grabbing the rag Raina had used before and tied it around my head, gagging me once again.

“Now to trick that stupid Alpha to get his butt down here.”

And she left, letting the door bang shut behind her as Raina finished tying rope around my torso, pinning me to the chair. My mother had been the one person I thought might understand me, but she had just verified my worst fear - I was nothing.