Braxton tripped forward trying to keep up to Colten, of course, it didn't help that he had him by the back of his shirt.
They stopped in front of Alpha House and Braxton reached out to punch in the code. Aaron was somewhere, he hadn't kept track of him though but he felt he should have. As soon as he'd surrendered over Crest, he knew his place as Alpha had been questioned. Even the guards looked at him in dubious fashion and he wasn't prepared to explain to his mother what was going on at all.
He paused his finger over enter but Colten noticed and shoved him forward.
“Open the door.”
Braxton shook his shoulder in slight defiance and pressed enter. The locking mechanics slid back and released the door. Colten took the liberty of advancing them into the house.
“My mother is inside, she might not know what's going on--”
“She'll find out soon.” Colten said in a cut throat tone that left him feeling even more stripped. “I'll take the time to inform her-”
“She might not be too understanding.”
“Like we're afraid of a female.” Mike snarked from behind.
“We can handle ourselves.” Colten corrected the comment.
Braxton led them to the kitchen, where his mother was at the dinning room table with a glass of wine, she looked anything but relaxed.
“Our invaders.” She announced to the room.
“Not so much.” Colten let go of the back of Braxton shirt, “I'm Colten Turner.”
Azalea swooped to her feet and shook his hand. “You're niece looks like you.”
Colten paused for only a second before introducing the rest of the group he'd brought with him. “This is my beta; Peter.”
Azalea gave him a tight smile before sipping her wine. “And who are you?” She hadn't let Colten get very far, eyeing up Grayson who hadn't completely walked into the kitchen just yet.
Colten cleared throat. “Grayson Holtz, Ella's other uncle.”
Azalea didn't look impressed. “Well, you make quite the entrance, I'll give you that.”
Mike stepped into the kitchen with a whistle, looking up and down the granite counters and wood cupboards. “Jeez, now that we've invaded, do we have to give it back?” He chuckled and came to a stop beside Grayson.
Braxton growled and Colten took the opportunity to shove him in his place by swatting the back of his head.
Azalea stiffened, her eyes narrowing on the facetious Beta who's smirk has dissolved from his face upon her disgusted look at him. “And he is?”
“My beta.” Grayson gave her a short answer.
Mike stared at her, not saying a word.
Azalea's nostrils flared. “Excuse me, I prefer not to be part of your little take-over.” She walked from the room, wine in hand and disappeared from view.
Colten didn't waste time. “Do you a have a map?”
“I've searched everywhere--”
“If you had, you would have found her.” Peter snapped, “Where did your little side-kick get off to?”
Braxton didn't reply.
“Get a map, boy.” Colten's voice held enough edge, he didn't have to raise his voice and Braxton grabbed the map from the other side of the kitchen.
“Here.”
Grayson snapped it away from him, giving it a glance. “What have you found?”
“Some tracks.” Braxton offered the trifling information to them.
“And?” Peter almost shouted.
“Nothing.” Braxton's eyes narrowed in annoyance.
“Obviously.” Grayson concluded, dropping the map to the counters. “We should just start the searches. Get our numbers out there. The snow makes it hard but not impossible.”
Colten nodded, “Grayson and Mike deal with snow all the time, they'll be the ones to lead the parties.”
Braxton nodded, fine with the discussion.
“Then we should break up into groups and now.” Grayson turned to Mike, but the Beta was staring across the room, not paying much attention. “Start formations, territory marks, everything... Mike?”
His eyes moved to his alpha. “What?”
Grayson's nose wrinkled. “Were you listening?”
The beta swallowed and repeated, “Groups - yeah, on it, boss.”
Grayson gave him a questionable look. “Then do it.”
Mike nodded quickly and went to turn.
“Oh,” Grayson stopped him, “Find Griffin, tell him he's with us.”
The beta almost rolled his eyes. “Sure, I'll attempt to track down your cocksure son.”
“Appreciate it.” Grayson looked back down to the map.
“Pete, go with him.” Colten said with an assertive nod.
Peter started off first and Mike turned on the ball of his foot to follow, lagging behind.
“And you-” Colten grabbed Braxton by the shoulder, startling him. “You're with us, hot-shot.”
#
The light of the torch cast flickering shadows of her perpetrator across her face. It took all her courage to form the next sentence from her mouth. “What have my uncles done?”
His mouth curved downwards in a hardline. “Everything!”
She winced away as his salvia dusted her skin.
“Everything.” He moved away from her, pacing. “What have they not done!”
“You're a coward.” Gale uttered from the darkness and the man flew at him, grabbing him by his throat and pinning him to the wall.
“Don't you speak again, or I'll kill you!”
“Killing me chained up, also makes you a coward.” Gale was struggling to breathe but he still did.
He then took Gale from the floor and smashed his head to his knee, sending her mate's father into an unconscious state.
Ella gasped, staring at the slumped figure of Gale. There was no one to protect her now.
He walked over to her with heavy steps. “I should kill him.”
Perhaps it's what Gale wanted but she didn't want it.
The heavy breathing above her made her thoughts disintegrate from her mind.
“Daniella.” He leaned over, grabbing her chin and forcing her eyes to him. “You have to die.”
She sucked in a quick breath, thrashing away from him.
He didn't let her go though, only came down in front of her. “But first, we need to make sure they come looking for you and I believe, that's already happening.”
Ella bit her lip as her tears took her cheeks. “Please, don't kill me.”
He stalked away from her into the darkness. “I just wanted my pack!” He shouted at the wall. “And your – your holy uncle got in my business over and over again!”
She was trying to listen but her ears were beginning to ring.
“And then I had a harder and harder time sabotaging my brother!”
Ella bit her bottom lip so hard, she felt it begin to bleed.
“I didn't want to kill her,” He turned toward her with the darkest of eyes, “but I didn't want you and Colten's need to look after her was incessant.”
“W-what are you talking about?” Ella gasped for air.
“I'm talking about your mother.” He looked through her, sending chills down her spine.
“M-my mother?” She stammered.
His crooked grin faded as he grabbed a fist full of her hair and ripped it out of her head.
She screamed, buckling to her knees and forgetting all about the conversation.
“You stay quiet.” He warned, “If I hear you outside this cave, I'll make sure your mate finds you dead in his bed.”
She whimpered as he left with the handful of her hair in his fist and knocked the torch to the ground to be snuffed out, the space around her fading to cold and black.
#
How old are you? The brazen grey wolf that had been trailing Braxton's side struck up conversation after almost two hours of silence. His name was Griffin and he was the son of Ella's uncle Grayson and that's as much as Braxton had picked up.
Braxton almost didn't hear him as he tripped down rock and ice. He could hear Colten and Grayson ahead of them and had been careful to keep track of their whereabouts, not wanting to lose their lead.
Twenty. Braxton finally answered.
Pretty young to run a pack, not that I'd turn it down but still--
I didn't really... Braxton slid down some ice and caught himself. -have a choice.
Yeah, right, cause you're dad went missing and now your mate.
Braxton growled. Did they have a briefing before they invaded my pack or something?
Colten and my dad don't like to waste time.
Got that. Not that he cared much, every minute his mate stayed missing, felt like she was further and further away from coming home. How old are you?
Sixteen. Griffin answered proudly.
Uh-huh. Braxton grumbled.
You have no brothers then?
No. Braxton didn't want to talk anymore, the young wolf was pushy and nosey, he wished he'd just go back to silent.
I don't either but that's okay, less competition, right? There was laugh to his voice and it irked Braxton. I just have four annoying sisters.
Braxton didn't reply but he did quicken his step, catching up to Colten and Grayson. The two alphas had stopped at the forrest break of a small valley.
I think she's been removed from any available tracking area. Grayson didn't sound happy and he snapped around to Braxton. This is your fault.
Braxton didn't speak, accepting that statement.
The biggest problem is, we have no leads. Colten paced in the snow.
Welcome to my world. Braxton slipped out, producing a growl from both the alphas.
So, think about leads! Grayson snapped.
I have no idea and I have no idea who would want to mess with Crest, it's not like we're a weak pack.
Colten snorted with frustration and then through the silence came the yelps and thundering steps of Peter and Mike. They came to a breaking halt once through the thick brush, panting.
What? Colten waited.
We found something. Mike huffed, shaking his coat of snow.
Grayson's ear perked forward.
Hair- Peter finished. A fistful and didn't just have Ella's scent on it, there was another male wolf and we don't have alpha-senses but it sure smells like another alpha.
I need to smell it! Braxton lunged forward and Peter took the opportunity to throw him against a near tree.
Braxton slipped into the snow, but only briefly before running at Peter with daring spirit. Colten took the liberty of intercepting the attack and pinning Braxton to the snow beneath him.
Don't attack my beta again!
Braxton snorted and raged, baring his teeth. Your beta has no--
I would shut my mouth if I were you. Grayson warned from the side.
Colten growled at him. You're wasting our time and Ella's. Now get up and stop acting like a juvenile wolf.
Braxton got to his feet once Colten removed himself from the hold he had on him. Peter was snickering and it made it more humiliating for him. Griffin held back with him once Mike and Peter led the group to the new evidence.
You okay? Griffin asked. You're ballsy.
I heard you're no better. Braxton's pride was more than broken at that point and Colten and Grayson must have know it.
Yeah, well, I might test my dad from time to time but he would actually kick my ass any day of the week and I know it. Griffin chuckled to himself, So, hair...
Braxton let out a testy gnarl and that was the end of the conversation. They were led up a step cliff where in a frozen bush was a definite clump of Ella's hair and it made Braxton insane. Whoever it was, it had became a serious game for them.
This was placed here. Colten said.
Grayson agreed with him, taking a scent of the brush and pausing. I know this scent.
Duh, dad, it's Ella.
Mike took the opportunity to swat the young wolf in the head. Shut up, duh-fest. Griffin had mostly evaded the blow though, showing off his quick reflexes and alpha senses.
I meant the other scent, smart-ass. It's familiar.
Colten tried to smell it again, wrinkling his nose.
I can't pin point it but I know it. Grayson looked around them. There must be tracks...
Unless they threw it in the air and knew it would eventually land somewhere for us. Peter had already clearly thought out a number of circumstances.
Whatever it is, it's a game. Colten concluded. Bring in everyone to this point and until we find tracks, no one sleeps.
#
Ella could hear the storm, the wind and snow blowing from the far entrance of the cave. Gale hadn't woke yet but he made her feel safe. So she stayed near him by a few feet, listening to him breath and hoping he'd wake.
She wondered if they were still searching and if so, if they'd ever find her. It was hard to accept death and she didn't believe she ever would but Gale, had he'd given up?
She reached out toward the man on the floor, her palm meeting the flat of his shoulder and she squeezed, hoping he'd wake this time.
“Please, wake up.” She shivered back against the wall as his shallow breathing halted to a sputter.
He coughed, the chains on his legs clanking together as he sat up in the darkness, Ella making out his faint figure.
“Gale?”
He let out a deep exhale and turned toward her. “Oh good, you're still alive.”
Ella's stomach knotted. “I don't think he likes you.”
“Yeah, well, not many like me.”
“You don't seem that bad.” She gave him a soft smile, even though he wouldn't see it.
Gale snorted out a laugh and leaned over his knees in a tight breath. “You need out of here.”
Ella tensed. “You mean, we need to get out of here.”
“You come before me. I know it's coming, he'll want to take you out of here and that's when you need to escape...”
“At this point, that may be easier said than done--”
“A Luna is always worth a chance of failure.” His said with fortitude. “However it goes down, you follow my lead and if I tell you to run, you don't hesitate.”
She didn't know what to say back to him so just sat in silence with him. There were things she wanted to ask him at times, but she didn't. Didn't know if she should or had the right too. He reminded her of Colten or maybe it was just that she missed home that much.
She'd bit her lip down to sore with all her thinking. Just as her eyes closed and her head tilted back to the wall to send her into a sleep, he returned – angry.
“Time for a change of pace!” The rough man grabbed her from the floor and dragged her across the cave to the light of his torch. “Come.”
She fell to the floor, the shackles were too short and tight to walk. “I can't--”
He grabbed her from the floor again, standing her up.
“I can't walk...” She teared up.
He gave her look over and then shoved her to the floor. “Well, Gale, it's been a pleasure.”
“No!” She screamed as he approached Braxton's father with a menacing step.
Gale had shimmied himself to a sitting position against the cave wall, preparing himself for a blow and he got one. A gruesome kick in the head that left him bloody and lying on the floor.
Ella gasped for air. “No! You sick freak!” Her eyes went wide as the leather boot was lined up just to the back of Gale's neck and she knew what was coming next. “No!” She flew forward with all the strength she had, shifting herself from her human form to her alpha female wolf, who broke through the silver chains on her ankles and left her mid flight in the air. Her body slammed him against the wall, momentarily halting his actions.
Ella wasted little time, grabbing the chains on Gale's feet even though they seared her mouth.
“Run!” Gale shouted at her, trying to kick her off. She wasn't about to leave him behind though. “Run! Now!”
The man set his sites on Ella and took her down to the ground. His strength was immense and even in her wolf, she couldn't shake herself free and then Gale was on top of him, a strong and relentless hold on the man that made him flip off Ella backward.
“RUN!” Gale wasn't messing around anymore and though it broke her heart to do so, she ran. So fast that when she came in contact with the outside world and a cliff, she had no way to stop, so she fell to the icy snow banks below.
Gasping for air, she squinted her eyes into the darkness of the night and propelled herself forward into her blind escape.
Everything was dark and she had no sense of direction, but she just kept running and running, till the pain in her left front leg was too much to bare and she slumped against the side of a near tree.
She tried to lift her paw, her fall had done something to it but she wouldn't let Gale's sacrifice be in vain so she continued on the fastest she could. Limping between brush and fallen trees and that's when she heard them.
Wolves! Her senses came alive and she swung around, trying to pinpoint a location. Their scent floated in the frigid breeze and she charged forward upon his aura. Braxton! Her legs could hardly keep up to her run but she found them, not stopping once she'd done so and body checking her weak self into the side of her sizable mate.
She shifted involuntary, perhaps because her wolf was satisfied with the contact or that her feeble state had caught up to her. Either one didn't matter and she wrapped herself around him, his wolf giving up too.
His arms encased around her and he whispered her name in disbelief, “Daniella...”