Wildling

~~~Ember’s POV~~~

The cell door clanged open, thudding against the wall with force. Guess he’s angry. I was strung up, both arms chained to the walls as I stood in the center of the cell. My head hung low so I could only see the feet of my two visitors. I’m in blistering agony. Aoralia has been keeping our scent hidden, hiding our advantage, so naturally I couldn’t heal, or it would tip them off. I raise my head painfully to see Dimitri and Mark enter the cell.

“Aww little wolf. Did you like my surprise? Knowing your puny mate was watching on, feeling, witnessing, what I do to you? Maybe I’ll have a camera set up so he can watch as I fuck that little body of yours.” Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Mark subtly clench his fists.

Dimitri saw where my eyes drifted and started chucking. “Are you heartbroken? Betrayed seeing your friend standing here?” I scoffed and sneered at him.

“Please. I knew the minute you had captured me.” Dimitri tried to mask the surprise he felt, failing horribly. I smirked. “You really think I wouldn’t put two and two together? You knew right where I would be. The exact time I would be there. All on the same day Mark went to your territory.”

Growling, Dimitri stepped right up to my face, squeezing the sides of my cheeks together so my lips purse out. He placed a rough kiss to them, making my stomach want to revolt. The disgusting churning, bile rising at another man touching me.

I should be used to it after the year of hell I spent with him. But these past few months with Jaxson almost seem to erase the bad memories and I could only remember his touch. The way his lips felt against my skin. The burning desire every time he looked at me in a way that made us both shred our clothes quickly. I love his gentle embrace when he knows I need comfort, even before I know myself. He can read me like a book now.

I raise my eyes to Dimitri, glaring at him. The bile rose into my mouth, filling it with that gross sour spit that happens just before you vomit. I scowl at him and spit in his face. His, automatically twisting into fury as he backhands me. I refocus on his face, baring my teeth at him slightly. That wild wolf part of me never letting go.

“You better learn to behave. Or else I may just have to move up my timetable. I’ve been enjoying knowing I’m causing your mate pain. He’s desperate to get to you. But he will never see you again.” He growled.

My eyes snap to his. “This ends.” My eyes drift to Mark’s. “Tonight.” I growl out. Mark nods almost imperceptibly at my hidden meaning.

Dimitri laughs. “You want my dick that badly?” He continues chuckling. “So be it.” He turns and stalks out of the cell, Mark taking one last glance to me before following him.

I smile to myself. Soon, very soon. We would be free.

🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

~~~Jaxson’s POV~~~

My back was still killing me, and I realize it’s because Ember isn’t healing. I’m not sure why, they must have injected her with something to subdue her wolf. Which means they must know about her being back. I know she has not died, again.

Although we can’t speak with her, Ares has been feeling calming and serene emotions. My heart clenched as tears threatened to fall. She was still looking out for us, knowing he would be on the war path. She must be more powerful than I thought to be able to push down the link when we otherwise were too far to talk or feel one another’s emotions.

Jaxson come quick. We just got a message. My office. Sean’s urgent voice pushed into my head. I darted towards his office, Hope filling my body that maybe this would be help we needed.

I walk into the office to see Sean, Ash, and my father standing around the computer. An email, attached with a video file, stared back at us.

It begins and ends tonight. Meet at the southern border once the sun sets. The video will explain.

M.

“M? Mark?” I glance around the desk to look at my family. My father, oddly enough, refused to meet my gaze, staring instead at the email. I tilted my head in confusion at his behavior but couldn’t worry about it now.

“I’m not sure. It could be. The email is from a dummy account. If it is from him, does that mean he’s still on our side?” I shook my head.

“No way. How could he just sit there and watch Ember get whipped like that. He even handed that bastard the whip himself. He was her friend!” My dad flinched at my tone. Side eyeing me.

He took a deep breath before speaking. “I think you should watch the video.” His eyes glance around to ours. An apologetic and guilty look flickered in his as he glanced at me.

My suspicions raised. “Do you know something about this?!” My teeth clenched in anger towards my father. If he had anything to do with my mate being stolen so help me.

“Just watch the video Jaxson. Your questions will be answered. I know you won’t be happy but just listen.” Sean glances between us, tension thick in the air, and proceeds to open the video file.

Mismatched eyes, angelic face, rich ebony hair. My mate stared back at me. Her face a mixture of grief, apology, and love.

Hey guys. She takes a deep breath. By now, I’m most likely in Dimitri’s pack, chained in a cell. My heart begins beating faster at her words. Realization overcoming me at what I already knew I was about to hear. I’m going to kill her. I am going to kiss her, love on her, kill her, and then kiss her all over again. How could she do this.

I know you are angry Jaxson. You have every right to be. Her eyes glaze in sadness and determination. This had to end. Please do not put any blame on anyone other than me. My eyes drift to my father as he stands tensed in the background. After many meetings with your father, hashing out different strategies and plans, we settled on one. The one plan that would take Dimitri by surprise and hopefully, minimize bloodshed. I knew that just walking into the pack and starting war would not be a way to go about this. Her eyes teared up as one trickled slowly down her cheek. I desperately wanted to wipe it away and pull her into a hug.

I’m so sorry. I know this is a betrayal of your trust but know that I love you more than anything in this life. You are my light in dark times. You pulled me from my darkness and taught me how to live again. I gripped the back of Sean’s chair in a desperate bid to check my emotions. The tears began streaming down my face and I didn’t bother to hide them. God how I loved her, and I’m at a loss of how to cope with this.

Edward and I made a plan that would have backups in case things went sideways. Mark agreed, after much pleading and possible threatening on my part, to betray me. She looked embarrassed for a second, before quickly masking it. He would go to Dimitri and claim he wanted me gone. That his “sister” was supposed to be your mate and that was his excuse. Dimitri most likely bought this. He doesn’t tend to think people would dare go against him. I’m sure he will test him, and we have discussed that under no circumstances can he help me. No matter the pain or situation unless I gave him the ok. It kills me to do this to him, and you all.

Once inside the pack, he would learn the routes of the guards and then message you when I give him the signal. Then he will meet you and direct you in. Wait for me as long as you can before fighting. Stay hidden.

This was the only way I could think of getting inside with minimal suspicion and minimal death on our part. Ember closed her eyes tightly, swallowing her emotions. Her head bent down as she tried to regain composure. When she raised her head, she face was strained with despair. Tears welling up in her eyes as she stared, pleadingly. I love you all. You have given me a family again and for that I will always be grateful. I understand if you are angry and despise me right now. I hate myself too for making you take part in this fight. Jaxson, I will do everything in my power to get back to you. But if for some reason, this all goes to shit. Please take care of Alex and Accalia. Fight hard and stay safe and hopefully we can be back in each other’s arms soon, with all of this behind us. If not, always remember how much I love you and try and find happiness again.

I love you. The video switches off, leaving my heart shattered. She was saying goodbye. I know she had to just in case, but it almost felt like she was sure we wouldn’t be together again. Like she knew there was no possible way to have a happy outcome. To have our happily ever after.

“Errrgh!” I turned around and punched the wall. My furious gaze turned towards my father who watched with sorrow on his face. “When did she tape that?” Growls bubbling up in my chest.

He looked down for a second before meeting my gaze. “Right before her walk with Hope. The snatch wasn’t supposed to happen right then. She had arranged for someone to come get Hope from her and she would walk further into the woods. Dimitri must have been somewhat suspicious of Mark so had his men wait for her. She never would have put Hope in danger like that. She just wanted to spend one more walk with her.” He replied sadly.

Sean tensed at the mention of Hope. “When was it supposed to take place?”

“About two hours later. Dimitri must have thought it was a trap at first and sent his men in earlier to wait. No doubt he trusts Mark now. Ember, I’m sure, is beating herself up right now that Hope ever got involved. I had told her it wasn’t safe to bring Hope for a walk with this happening so close to it. But she had wanted one more moment of peace.”

“She was selfish enough to put my child in danger.” Sean’s growl emanated around the room. My eyes snap to his, narrowing in disbelief.

“She would never harm our baby. She had a lapse in judgement. She’s still a person and we all make mistakes. She protected her when it came down to it.” Ashton put a hand on his mate’s shoulder to calm him down before continuing. He knew Ember would have never done it had she honestly thought the ambush would be early. Yes, she had a stupid lapse in judgment but also protected Hope at all cost. “Babe, she took down twenty men to keep our daughter safe. That should count for something.” I nodded my appreciation at Ash’s words. I had been ready to deck my best friend when those stupid words left his mouth.

Sean’s guilty eyes flirted to mine, but I ignored them. I can understand where he was coming from. If I had a kid, I’d probably be the same. But he didn’t need to call her names, especially when I’m standing here not sure when I will ever see her again.

“This ends tonight. Ember’s right. We couldn’t just wait for the other shoe to drop. Let’s suit up and get her back. I’ll be damned if she really thinks she can just say goodbye over a goddamn video. I’ll have her in my arms again.” I snarled before marching out the door heading out to the armory.