Max and Kylie ran back to Cayden's Alpha office as fast as they could, their hearts racing. As they walked into the office, Cayden was on the phone with his allies, and he had a serious look on his face.
Cayden looked at Max and Kylie and nodded to let them know they were there without stopping what he was saying. He spoke quickly and with a lot of determination in his voice. "I need everyone to pay close attention. Magnus and his followers have made their way into the werewolf council. This means Hawk is now on his own. Thalia and Ruben can't be reached right now, so we are at war."
Max's heart sank at the news. The situation had escalated to a full-blown conflict, and they had no time to waste. He looked at Cayden, his voice laced with determination. "What's our next step, Cayden?"
Cayden's gaze hardened as he met Max's eyes. "I am certain that Magnus has taken Selena. She's in grave danger, and we cannot let him hold her captive. Our priority now is to launch an attack on Magnus and rescue Selena. But we need a plan."
Kylie interjected. "My brothers are on it. They will find out which group took her and where. I will soon have information about her."
Cayden nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Kylie. Information is crucial. We need to reach out to our contacts and gather intelligence. Only then can we launch a targeted and precise assault."
**********************
Selena moaned softly, reaching out a hand to her throbbing head, only to flinch back as lightning pain shot through her skull. As she lay there, sweat beaded on her brow as she waited for the pain and dizziness to go away. She jerked up, squeezing her eyes shut against the pain before slowly opening them again.
She looked down, her fingers clutching at her chest. She was dressed in a deep blue chiffon gown that looked almost violet. Long sleeves swung from her elbows, and a deep bodice clung to her ample breasts. The crowning garland pinned over her loose, flowing hair was discovered by trembling fingers. Selena swallowed hard as the realisation set in.
A noise startled her, and her head turned, the sudden movement causing the world to spin before righting itself. Her heart thudded as she gazed upon the large man leaning against the doorway to the sparse chamber, his arms crossed lazily over his chest.
Selena took a deep, shuddering breath. "Dad!"
His lips twitched, yet the humour never reached the cold brown eyes moving intently over her.
"It's about time you woke up."
It took a moment before comprehension dawned. She was her dad's captive again.
"Had you done your duty, all this would be unnecessary," he said. "Yet your stubbornness has left me with no choice."
Her wide blue eyes locked with his. "Why are you here?"
"You are no longer the meek, obedient girl," he told her, his eyes narrowing. "Cayden has made a woman of you, Selena. Something for which you will both pay."
"W-what?" Selena stammered, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. What was going on?
"Anyway, at least your pretty face makes you an excellent bargaining chip. Magnus likes you. So, I am giving you to him. As a mate, of course."
Selena's breath caught in her throat as she tried to process the words. Magnus? Mate? She couldn't comprehend the sudden turn of events. Fear and confusion washed over her, making it difficult to find her voice.
"What? Dad, you can't!" Selena's voice trembled as she pleaded with her father, desperately trying to make him see reason. "I won't let you do this to me. I refuse to be treated like some object to be traded." The fear in her eyes was quickly replaced by a fierce determination.
"And get my grandchild to be labelled a bastard?"
Selena's eyes widened with disbelief. She couldn't believe her father's callousness and disregard for the sacred mating rules.
Hawk smiled. "Yes, I know. And I am going to kill that bitch Sierra for keeping this a secret." He grumbled.
"Cayden is my mate, and I am pregnant with his child. You cannot simply give me to anyone. Magnus will refuse to agree."
Hawk rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"You are right! That is why I am going to get you mated with him as soon as possible. That bugger would never know that it wasn't his baby. And you will keep quiet because you know he would kill you and the baby if he found out the truth."
"You can't be serious. Manipulating Magnus like that is not only deceitful but also goes against the sacred mating rules." Selena shook her head helplessly and thought maybe, for once, her dad might listen to her reasons. "And I'm not sure why you're rooting for Magnus. He kidnapped me so I wouldn't be able to testify against Cayden and get you arrested. He simply desires a war. He is not on your side. Dad,"
Her father's face hardened, his eyes narrowing with determination.
"You don't understand any of it. That was always on the cards. He would take over the council, and we would eliminate all the weaker packs and take them as slaves. Your Cayden will be hunted and killed like a dog," Hawk said smugly.
"Dad NO! Please listen to me," Selena protested.
"Enough now!" Hawk snarled.
"Take her to the basement room,” Hawk said to his guards, who had turned up.
They manhandled Selena, leaving red marks that would bruise later as they dragged her down the stairs. Selena struggled, trying to break their grip but not having the strength. Both were big, muscular men who, like her father, didn't think twice about abusing someone smaller than them. They shoved her into a room as her father stood at the door.
"Two days, then you'll be Magnus's problem," Hawk said, the satisfaction in his voice plain to hear.
Selena stumbled over to the small bed and collapsed. Tears fell as she struggled to stop what her father planned.
"No! Let go of me!" Selena yelled, fighting every step of the way. "Get your hands off me!"
Hawk stepped up to her and slapped her hard across the face. "I should toss your worthless ass out into the street with nothing but the clothes on your back, but I won't. At least you will be helpful in satisfying Magnus. He will be thrilled to have an heir finally," he chuckled.
Selena dropped her head, defeating every line of his body as she was pushed towards the bed. Magnus was a turned wolf, and historically, turned wolves could only breed with their true mate.
"Tie her to the bed until I return," Hawk said. "And if any of you touch her, I'll kill you."
"Please, dad, don't do this," Selena begged quietly as she was held down. "Don't make me do this. Doesn't my happiness mean anything to you?"
"Your happiness?" Hawk sneered, then leant in and whispered. "I don't give a damn about your happiness, girl. You slept with Cayden and are now carrying his bra. Magnus wanted you, so I held off on killing you. Now if you want to live. Stay with Magnus. Keep him happy and give him your bastard.”
Selena watched in horror as her father smirked at her and then exited the room, leaving her alone with those sinister-looking men. Her father's words had taken her by surprise. Selena didn't fight as they tied her arms and then her feet to the bed. She slowly emerged from the haze, and fear rose quickly, leaving an unpleasant taste in her mouth as she realised how helpless she was now.
"A bastard, you say?" The man closest to Selena's tired body said, "Perhaps we could..."
"Don't touch her," the leader said. "Her father is a deranged son of a bitch. We'll stay here and keep his daughter under lock and key until he gives her to Magnus. Then we get our money and get the hell out of here."
Selena lay tied to the bed, eyes closed, as she listened to everyone moving around upstairs. She was trapped.