It took only eight minutes for the twenty-eight of us to surround the area where we knew the children were. Once in position, we slowly closed in, carefully surveying our surroundings. As our perimeter tightened, we approached a group of makeshift huts constructed from old, rotten boards and logs. The crude dwellings clearly indicated rogue habitation. The sickening stench intensified as we moved closer, mixing with the children's scent.

When our circle had reduced to about half, I halted our advance. "Junior" I attempted a link. I waited, then almost howled with relief when I received a response.

"Dad! We need help!"

"I know, buddy. I'm not far, okay? Uncle D is here too," I replied. "But don't talk much."

"Dad, Leo's arm might be broken. I tried to protect him; I swear."

"That's alright. We'll get him fixed up. We need your help, though. Can you tell me where you are?"

"I'm not sure. There's a lot of dirt, and the walls look like wood, but really dirty."

"Are the four of you together?"

"Yeah, we're all together."

"Do you know how many rogues there were?"

"A lot. It took eight of them to push us in here. Delilah and I fought them, Dad, so they wouldn't hurt us. We tried."

"That's great, son. You did well. Is Leo the only one hurt?"

"Yeah. Delilah has a black eye, but she says she's okay." Damien would be pissed about that one.

"Alright. Are there any windows where you are?"

"No."

"Okay. I want you four to stay still. Cover your ears because it's going to get loud. I'll find you soon, okay?"

"Alright." Before I could link everyone else with the plan, Junior asked, "Dad, are you going to kill the rogues?"

I paused. Junior is only six. He's intelligent and brave, but he shouldn't know about death, shouldn't witness the violence inherent in our world. But lying to him would be insulting. "Yes, son. I'm going to kill every last one of them for taking you and harming your brother."

"There's a little girl. She tried to help us. They pushed her down. Don't hurt her, Dad. I think she needs our help." Pride swelled within me. That's my boy.

"Alright. Now close your ears and tell everyone to do the same. Count to 100, and we'll be there," I told him.

"There are numerous rogues in front of us. The children are being held in a windowless room—probably the best building in the group. You all have two minutes to kill them all. Spare the child—a little girl," I commanded.

"Yes, Alpha," came the unanimous reply.

"Let's get our pups," I told Gavin, stepping aside to release him.

Liam Jr.

I knew Dad had arrived because of the screaming. Everyone looked at me, and I covered my ears. They all followed suit, Leo leaning against me, able to use only one arm.

The noise was still audible, even with our ears covered. Everyone else was crying, but I remained brave; I knew Dad would arrive soon. There was much growling and yelling, along with breaking and squishing sounds. I tried not to imagine what was happening outside.

Leo trembled against me, and Delilah moved closer to my other side. "It's almost over, guys," I linked them. I will be Alpha one day, and this will be my job. Right now, I need to protect my brother and best friends. The sounds intensified, indicating their approach. I uncovered my ears to place my hands over Leo's.

After a couple of minutes, the sounds ceased. Muffled shouting came from outside. Our warriors are looking for us. "Dad! We're in here!" I yelled.

Delilah uncovered her ears and yelled, "Daddy!"

We all started yelling, and it must have worked. We heard people running around. We continued screaming. Someone pounded on something outside the door. Chains broke, and the door flew open.

"Dad!" we all screamed. Dad and Uncle D stood in the doorway, rushing forward. Dad scooped up Leo and me.

"It's okay now," he said softly. "I'm here. I found you." I clung to my dad, relieved.

After a few minutes, he released us and examined Leo's arm. Leo cried when his arm was moved. Uncle D stood, holding Delilah and Lucas. "We should leave. We can leave half the group here to burn everything," he said quietly to Dad. Dad nodded.

"Can you walk?" he asked me. I nodded. Dad picked up Leo, carrying him carefully. "Don't look around, okay? Just follow me and keep your eyes on me." I nodded. He told Leo to close his eyes tight.

Leaving the hut, the smell of metal—blood—was overwhelming. There must have been a lot of blood. I tried to focus on Dad, but my eyes kept wandering. I felt sick as I glanced around. Bodies lay everywhere—wolves and humans. Our warriors were collecting them. The metallic scent mixed with the rogue stench, making my stomach churn.

Dad and Uncle D moved quickly. I stumbled, trying to keep up. I swallowed the rising vomit as we walked. We reached eight warriors waiting in the trees. Dad gave them instructions before handing Leo to one. Uncle D set Delilah and Lucas down; they shifted into their wolf forms. Leo was placed on Dad's back, and I climbed behind him, while Delilah and Lucas climbed onto their dad's back. I held Leo tightly; he could only use one hand to hold onto Dad.

"We're going home, guys. It's over," I linked my brother, Delilah, and Lucas.

"Good job, son," Dad linked me.

The trip back to the packhouse was long. We had to stop because Leo was crying from the pain in his arm. I gave Dad my shirt to make a sling, which helped. He said Mom made him learn this so he could help injured people until we reached the doctor. Mom wasn't always around with her magic.

Long after the moon rose, I recognized the woods. I held Leo and Dad simultaneously as Leo fell asleep. Delilah did the same with her brother. Dad and Uncle D said we were strong, encouraging us to stay awake.

"Li, the packhouse is close," I linked Delilah. Relief flickered across her face. "Our moms are probably waiting for us with dinner," I said, trying to cheer her. My stomach rumbled, then ached at the thought of the dead rogues. I missed my mom and sister; Mom was probably crying.

We emerged from the trees behind the packhouse. Lights were on. The packhouse looked normal. Dad and Uncle D took us to the back patio, where Mom and Aunt Lily waited. They rushed toward us. Dad stopped, laying down so Mom could reach us. She hugged Leo and me; Leo moaned.

"Careful, Mom. Leo's arm is hurt," I said. She loosened her grip.

"My babies," she whispered tearfully.

"We're okay, Mommy," I said. Leo woke and smiled.

"Mommy," he cried happily. We slid off Dad's back, and he shifted back to human form. Then Dad hugged us all.

When he released us, I asked, "Where's Missy?"

"She's upstairs, sweetheart," Mom said. "She fell asleep waiting for Dad to bring you home."

"Can we go get her?" Leo asked, unconcerned about his arm.

"Let's get your arm fixed and get some food in your bellies. We can get Sissy first thing in the morning," Dad said. It’s not fair to not tell her we are safe.

Mom and Dad argued about Mom using her magic to heal Leo. Uncle D approached, holding Delilah, with Aunt Lily behind him, holding Lucas. I slipped away and ran inside. Sissy needed to know we were safe. She and Maddox were watching us. I was so scared when they grabbed us, I forgot to link her. She could have saved us with Maddox because he is so strong.

I ran upstairs to Sissy's room. I quietly opened the door and saw her lying on the bed, facing away.

I poked her back. She shifted slightly. "Sissy," I whispered. She sat up, turning to face me.

"Junior!" she exclaimed, surprised.

"We're okay. We just got back," I said.

"Are you okay?" she asked. I nodded. I climbed onto her bed and sat beside her. Her face was red and blotchy, like Mom's when she cries.

"Why are you sad?" I asked.

"I'm okay, kid," she said, pulling me into a hug. She didn't mind that I was dirty and smelly. When she released me, I asked, "Did Maddox keep you safe?"

She nodded. "Yes, he did," she said, smiling.

"Good," I said. Sissy needs someone to protect her until I am big enough to. Sissy ran her hand through my hair.

"Do you want a bath, kid? You're messy," she said. I shook my head. I was sleepy. She scooted over, opening her blanket for me. I lay down beside her.

"Let's get some sleep. We'll clean you up in the morning," she said.

Vlad

I saw the Alpha and Beta carrying their children back through the woods. I hid until I was sure they wouldn't hear me. I went to the cabin, knowing this wasn't good for me.

If the Alpha and Beta found their children, they killed everyone involved in the abduction. At least they didn't harm Missy.

At the cabin, I paced, waiting for him. My conversation with Missy replayed in my mind. I called her a slut; I shouldn't have done that. That Maddox kid makes me so mad. If I could shift, I'd rip him apart. I don't understand how she could cling to him instead of me. I was right there; she kept asking him for help.

The door burst open, and he entered. His dark eyes were fixed on me. I stopped pacing.

"Seems you aren't giving me reliable information," he said, his voice slimy.

"I told you everything I knew," I said defensively.

"You left out the part where the Alpha and Beta were nearby," he said.

"All I knew was that they left with their mates. The Luna's bodyguard and the Delta are gone. The Gamma was the only one here!"

"But they still got to their children before they were delivered to me," he pointed out. I bit my tongue.

"One child had a broken arm. You promised they wouldn't be hurt. You only wanted the Alpha," I tried changing tactics.

He waved dismissively. "Things happen when children don't cooperate," he said. He looked around. "It would be a shame if something happened to the girl." He smirked.

"That's not our deal. You harm her, and I'll—"

"You'll do what? You can't shift. You can't fight me. What will you do? Tell the Alpha? He'll execute you, and I'll do as I please to the girl anyway," he said, smiling sinisterly. I clenched my fists.

"Next time, the information better be good. You're close to outliving your usefulness," he sneered. "I'll be in touch." He left, disappearing into the night. I stood still for a moment before exploding. With a yell, I punched the cabin wall, splintering the wood.