"Cayden! Our conversation is still not over. There is more," Ruben shouted into the phone. \
Cayden looked away from Selena towards his phone and realised he was still on call with Ruben. He quickly took the phone back to his ear, curious to know what else Ruben had to say. Cayden hoped it wouldn't take too long, as he was eager to look for Jennifer.
"We met the Oracle, Nicholas, and he said that it's a very rare phenomenon." He believes their bond has been severed.
"That means I can kill Hawk without harming Jennifer, right?" Cayden asked.
Ruben paused for a moment before responding, "Yes, according to Nicholas, severing their bond means that Hawk's life force is no longer connected to Jennifer's."
Cayden felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that he could protect Jennifer without putting her in danger.
"Thanks Ruben. I believe Hawk has taken Jennifer and Dr. Colin."
Ruben agreed solemnly, his voice filled with concern. "If that's the case, we need to shoot. We must find them before Hawk can cause any harm."
Cayden's concern was obvious, engraved deep into the furrows of his brows, and the air was thick with tension. He strode back and forth; his eyes glowed with an uncomfortable mixture of rage and dread. Jennifer and Dr. Colin had been gone for far too long.
Cayden nodded; his jaw set in determination. "I know what to do. Ruben, please alert the others. Meanwhile, I am going to reach for my contacts in the FBI."
Selena watched nervously, fearing the worst, as Cayden called his contacts at the FBI.
"Damien, Elara, I need you to trace Dr. Colin's car and their phones. Find out where they've gone. And be discreet about it," Cayden ordered, his voice firm.
Selena offered a weak but grateful smile. "Do you think this will work?"
Cayden's eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope as he replied, "I have faith in Damien and Elara's skills. If anyone can find them, it's them." He paused for a moment before adding, "We just have to trust that one of them still has their phone with them."
"There is nothing left to do here except wait. Why don't you get some rest?"
Cayden suggested, concern clear in his voice. "You've been on your feet for hours." Selena nodded, appreciating his concern. "You're right, I could use some rest. But please wake me up immediately if there's any news."
Cayden nodded reassuringly. "Of course, I'll keep a close eye on everything and wake you up as soon as we hear anything." Selena smiled gratefully, feeling a sense of relief knowing that Cayden would watch over the situation.
************
"You're awake," Hawk said.
Jennifer looked out the car window. She didn't respond. She knew he was going to come after her. As long as he was alive, he would never leave her and Selena safe. Too bad she couldn't connect with her wolf; otherwise, she would have sliced his head off right away.
"I never thought I'd be able to speak with you again. I must admit, seeing you with that man in the mall was like a kick in my guts."
Jennifer's heart raced as she realised Hawk had been watching her.
"Where is Dr. Colin?" Jennifer asked. "I need to know if he's safe," Jennifer added, her voice filled with urgency. She couldn't shake off the worry that Hawk might have already killed him.
Hawk chuckled.
I immediately found another man, Jennifer." Hawk teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Don't worry, Dr. Colin is perfectly safe... for now," he added with a sinister smile. Jennifer's heart sank at the implication.
"Where is he? Tell me, Connard!" Jennifer demanded, her voice trembling with fear. She couldn't bear the thought of Dr. Colin being in danger because of her.
"He is in the boot. I can't let another man sit with you," Hawk replied, his voice dripping with sadistic amusement. "You're mine, Jennifer. And Dr. Colin will remain my insurance policy as long as you cooperate."
"What do you want?" Jennifer asked, her voice filled with desperation. She knew she had to do whatever it took to keep Dr. Colin safe and get out of this terrifying situation.
"Revenge!" Hawk exclaimed; his eyes gleaming with malice. "I want to make everyone suffer."
"Just like you made me suffer for all those years?" Jennifer asked.
Her voice trembled with a mix of fear and anger. She couldn't believe that Hawk was still holding onto his twisted grudge. But she knew she had to stay strong and outsmart him, for her own survival and for the sake of everyone else involved.
"Connard, you've done worse; I regret ever meeting you. I wish I hadn't bought into your deceit. You turned me into a sinner like you." Jennifer suppressed her whimper. She refused to let Hawk witness her tears.
"If you want to cry, you can," Hawk added. "I will not pass judgement."
They were driving fast. Jennifer was in the passenger's seat. Her seatbelt was buckled. She moved her hand, ready to pop it off and throw herself from the car. The impact might kill her, but it would be worth the chance.
"I wouldn't do that," Hawk said.
He reached over her and tugged on the handle of her door. It didn't open.
"Child safety locks," Hawk said. "It only opens from the outside. Besides, I can only decide when you are going to die."
Jennifer looked at Hawk, her eyes filled with fear and desperation. She realised that escape was not an option, and that she was completely at his mercy.
"I won't let you hurt Selena!" Jennifer pleaded, her voice trembling with determination. "If you have any ounce of humanity left in you, please spare her life. She is your daughter! How can you be so cruel?"
"Cruel? What about you, Jennifer? You betrayed me years ago. Then your daughter did the same. She even convinced Sierra and David to go against me. I wonder if any of you truly understand the consequences of your actions. But don't worry, I have a plan to ensure that you all learn the hard way." His voice dripped with a sinister tone as he revealed his twisted intentions.
"Can't you just kill me?" Jennifer asked in desperation. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded, her voice filled with anguish.
"In all fairness, I would kill you, but not now," he replied with a chilling smirk. The darkness in his eyes revealed a deeper, more twisted plan that left her trembling with fear.
Why did Luna choose him as her mate? Jennifer thought.
"He is not our mate anymore." Her wolf's voice rang in Jennifer's head. She had spoken to her after many years. She could sense her wolf slithering under her skin. The connection with her wolf had been severed for so long, but now it seemed stronger than ever, urging her to take action against the dangerous man before her.
Maybe she could shift and attack Hawk? But that would crash the car and endanger Dr. Colin. She needed to bide her time. She looked out the window and frowned at the familiar landscape.
Hawk caught her looking at him and smirked.
Do you recognise this place, Jennifer, after all these years?" His voice dripped with sarcasm as he taunted her.
Jennifer's heart raced as she looked at the trees and the small creek, which originated as a waterfall in the middle of the dense forest. Memories flooded back into her, reminding her of the countless adventures she had experienced in this very place. The familiarity of it all made her feel both comforted and trapped, realising that Hawk had brought her back to the very place where everything began. She fell in love with him when she discovered he was her mate. Where they had spent countless days planning for their future and later on where they would meet away from Sierra's eyes.
"You are in the Silver River's territory? How?"
Jennifer's mind raced, trying to piece together how Hawk had brought her back to the Silver River's territory without their knowledge.
"I am the Alpha; I know every nook and corner of this place. David is stupid. He thinks he has outsmarted me, but little does he know that I have been watching his every move. I will get back my pack or destroy it."
"You will kill your own pack?" Jennifer asked, shocked by Hawk's ruthless determination.
"They are no longer my pack," Hawk replied coldly. "They betrayed me, and now they will pay for their disloyalty."
"You have no remorse or feeling for your son?" Jennifer asked, her voice filled with disbelief and sadness.
"NO! If I could kill my daughter, I could get rid of my son as well. I never forgive betrayal."
"What do you mean? What did you do to Selena?" Jennifer's heart sank as she realised the extent of Hawk's ruthlessness. She couldn't fathom how a father could turn against his own children so mercilessly.
"Frankly, I was there to get Selena because she is the key to Cayden. But when I saw you, I was at the mall. I changed my plan. I said nothing to Selena. Just loosen the brakes on the car."
Jennifer's mind raced as she tried to process Hawk's chilling confession.
"You monster! How could you do something so heinous to your own daughter?"
She grabbed his steering wheel and tried to force the car to a stop. Hawk was unprepared; the car wavered dangerously and almost veered off the road. He quickly regained control and glared at Jennifer, his eyes filled with anger and frustration. "Get your hands off me!" he growled, pushing her away forcefully. Jennifer stumbled back, hitting her head.
"If you try your antics again, I will kill Dr. Colin." Hawk's threat hung in the air, causing Jennifer's heart to race with fear.
She nodded, thinking of a plan.