Azalea

“I can’t feel anything,” I whispered, my mind reeling. Missy, Junior, Leo, Delilah, Lucas. Oh, Goddess. They are so young. Missy… I can’t even bear to think about what’s happening to my children.

Someone is leading me somewhere, but I can’t focus. Liam and Damien will find them; they must. Their wolves won’t let the kidnappers survive. But I can’t imagine their terror. Missy will protect them, but she’s only sixteen.

I was gently lowered into a chair, a blanket draped over my shoulders. Why my children? They did nothing to deserve this. I knew something felt wrong today, and yet I left them.

“Azalea, darling,” a soft voice said. I blinked, focusing on the woman kneeling before me. Emma’s face was distraught. “How are you feeling?”

“Um…” I whispered. How could I explain? Liam and my children are my world. I never fantasized about a mate or children, yet the Moon Goddess blessed me with both. Now, my children were in mortal danger. If Liam didn’t reach them in time… if he was hurt…

“Your mate will find them,” Emma said, trying to reassure me. She’s such a kind woman.

“We’ll have an escort ready to take you home soon,” Langston said. I turned, looking for Lily. She was just as distraught, huddled in a chair, a blanket around her shoulders, her face buried in her hands. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs.

Emma rubbed my shoulder. “Liam and Damien are capable. And you have amazing warriors, thanks to them. They will find the children; I’m sure of it.”

I managed a tight smile. She nodded. “I’ll check on the car,” she whispered, rising and leaving the sitting room.

I needed to compose myself before returning to the pack. We’d been attacked, and my pack needs their Alpha and Luna to be strong. Even though my heart felt like it was being ripped apart, I needed to show our pack that we wouldn't tolerate this. I shrugged off the blanket and stood, trying to regain control.

“Lily,” I said, moving towards her.

“Lea, they’re so little. Missy can’t protect all four of them. Who knows what they’ll do to her?” she sobbed.

“Lily, we need to get home. We need to ensure no one else is hurt at the packhouse. The guys are already tracking the kids. They’ll find them, so we need to be ready when our mates bring them home,” I said, striving for confidence. Lily was usually strong in crises, but this was different. Our children were in real danger, and if the rogues knew they were the Alpha and Beta’s children, things could get far worse.

Lily rubbed her face and nodded. “Yes, we need to get back,” she croaked, standing. Without words, we hugged.

“They will find them,” I whispered. “They have to.”

“I know,” she agreed.

Langston and Emma returned. “We have warriors to escort you back, Luna, Mrs. Hale.”

Lily and I separated. “Thank you, Alpha,” I said. He nodded. Emma approached us.

“No more crying, ladies. Those pups will want their fearless mommas when they come home. Be strong for them, okay?” she said softly. We nodded, offering tight smiles. Sadly, Emma couldn’t fully understand our pain. She and Langston couldn’t have children, but her concern was genuine.

Lily and I sat in the back of the car, holding hands, while two of Langston’s warriors drove. Six wolves ran alongside the road, out of sight. Langston wanted to ensure no rogues were waiting, thinking Liam and I had left the territory. We stopped just past our pack border so Langston’s warriors could be replaced by our own. Sean climbed into the driver’s seat, giving Lily and me a sad look.

“My deepest apologies, Luna, Mrs. Hale,” he said formally.

“We know you all did your best,” I said, unwilling to let my pack members bear the blame. If I’d just brought the children…

“Alpha and Beta dispatched a team about half an hour ago,” he said, starting the car. The rest of the journey was silent.

Marci and Jacob waited outside the packhouse. Jacob rushed to the car as I opened the door. Surprisingly, he offered his arm, his face solemn. I looked at him, but he avoided my gaze.

“Luna, Miss Lily,” Marci greeted us.

“Marci, are you alright?” I asked.

“Yes, dear. Everyone inside made it to the safe room. I don’t believe the rogues got inside,” she said softly. Jacob nodded.

“What about the warriors? Was anyone hurt?” I asked.

“Only one severe injury, Luna,” Sean said. “He’s at the clinic with Doctor Ronald.”

I nodded. “Good. I’ll visit him soon. Marci,” I said, turning back to her, “Can we get something hearty for everyone? Comfort food seems necessary.”

She smiled warmly. “Of course, Luna. Something’s already being prepared.”

“That’s great,” I said, grateful.

“Luna, would you like to see your daughter now?” Sean asked.

Lily and I both stared at him. “Missy is here?” I asked incredulously. We thought the rogues had taken all the children. A pang of guilt hit me; I hadn’t even thought of Maddox.

“Yes, she’s upstairs in her room,” he said.

“I thought all the children were taken,” Lily said.

“The younger ones were outside when it started. Missy and Maddox were in the kitchen. Vlad was with them, too,” Sean explained.

“I want to see her now!” I said, fighting back tears.

Missy

After Liam left, I stood in the doorway, staring at the spot where he’d been. ‘Please, let them be okay,’ I prayed. Maddox joined me after a few minutes of silence.

“I should go,” he said quietly, defeat in his voice.

“Please, don’t,” I said, turning to face him. His head was down, shoulders slumped.

“Missy, Alpha’s handling it. You’re safe. I should go…”

“I don’t want to be alone,” I said.

“I don’t deserve to keep you company right now.”

My lip quivered. I reached for his arm. “Please?” I whispered. He gently took my hand, removing my fingers from his arm.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered, leaving. I stared at the doorway, shocked. Why would he leave if he cared? I hugged myself.

For the first time in a long time, I wanted my birth mother. I felt a nagging guilt that I was safe. Liam might be angry.

I don’t know how long I stood there, lost in thought, but V cleared his throat. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his face angry.

“V,” I said. Had he been in the safe room? Where had he been when I was with Maddox? Everything after Maddox told me the kids were taken was fuzzy.

“Just friends?” he sneered.

“What?” I asked.

“You expect me to believe you and that rogue are just friends after all that?”

“V, I—”

“Save it. You can be upset your siblings were taken. But clinging to another guy? Maybe think before ‘slut’ gets added to the rumor mill. At least that one would have some truth,” he spat. My jaw dropped. He looked me up and down before leaving.

I felt numb. I’d been so distraught about the kids that I’d forgotten about him. Maddox had gotten me to safety. Where had V been?

Tears silently streamed down my face. Everything was falling apart. My siblings were gone. Lea was probably devastated. Liam was searching for them. Maddox blamed himself. V was angry at me.

“Missy, come downstairs,” Jacob said.

“Why?” I replied. What good was I?

“Because the Luna wants to see you, and we don’t want her to walk upstairs,” he said. That made me nervous. Lea shouldn’t want to see me; she should be upset I was safe.

“Are you sure? She wants to see me?”

“Yes, please hurry.” Jacob and Lea don’t get along. He respects her, but he doesn’t like that she doesn’t have a wolf. He isn’t mean, but they avoid each other. He must be with her since Felix and Austin are gone.

“Missy, sweetheart. Please come down. Your mom really needs you,” Lily said. Her request added to my worry.

I wiped my tears and left my room. I descended the stairs slowly. I followed my nose. Many wolves were in the packhouse, mostly near the dining room. They looked like warriors, dirty and partially clothed. I went to the kitchen, thinking she might be there.

When I opened the door, I heard a gasp and sob. Azalea stood near the island, talking with Sean, Jacob, Lily, and Marci. She pushed Jacob aside and rushed to me, wrapping me in a hug.

“Oh, Missy. I’m so happy you’re safe,” she cried.

Azalea

When Missy opened the kitchen door, my heart leaped. She was okay. I pushed Jacob aside to reach her, ignoring his grunt. I hugged her tightly, never wanting to let go.

“Oh, Missy. I’m so happy you’re safe!” I exclaimed.

“Yeah…” she said softly. She hugged back, but I sensed something was bothering her. I released her briefly, cupping her face in my hands.

“Your father will find them. He’ll bring them home,” I said, trying to reassure her. She nodded cautiously. “Are you okay? You weren’t hurt?” I asked. Everyone had fussed about me not going upstairs, and I hadn’t been able to ask what happened to her.

“No, I’m not hurt. Maddox got me to the safe room,” she said quietly.

“Thank Goddess,” I said. Missy still looked sad. I hugged her again. “Liam will find them, and they’ll be back soon,” I reassured her.