Azalea

I rubbed my aching lower back as I paced the room slowly. This was the third night we had been here, and my concern was festering. I didn't know Missy had also been taken until she was yelling at someone that first morning. Hearing muffled voices from the small vent in the wall, I realized our rooms shared it. I moved closer to hear more clearly. I couldn't be entirely sure, but the voice sounded like Vlad.

After he left, I heard her crying. I finally got her attention and was relieved she wasn't hurt. Neither of us slept again. I tried to reassure her that Liam was coming, but the longer we stayed, the more frightened she became.

Twice a day, our doors opened, a tray with food and water was placed inside, and the door closed again. I couldn't attack our captors, and Missy couldn't handle them alone. Yesterday, she noticed only one person delivering food and suggested we escape, but I talked her out of it. Waiting for Liam and the others was safest.

Missy had been quiet for a while; I hoped she was sleeping. I paced the small room, trying to remain strong for both of us. I felt cold and weak, and wondered if I had a fever. My baby moved less than before, but I tried not to worry, trusting Liam would find us in time.

I carefully lowered myself against the wall, pulling the dirty blanket over me. My heart ached for my children and Liam. Leo and Junior were probably scared; their sister and I had been taken. They were safe with their grandparents, but still likely frightened and confused. Missy was trying to be brave, but I knew she was terrified and felt betrayed. Vlad had lied to her, even if he intended to keep her safe. And Liam he was probably frantic with worry and anger. His mate, daughter, and unborn pup had been taken. It had happened so quickly—a well-calculated attack, and we were on the losing side. Warwick knew exactly how to hurt him.

My body shivered as I tried to relax. If I had a fever, I'd wait until tomorrow to worry. I caressed my belly, imagining Liam's touch. We could hold on. We could wait for him.

We would get out of here.

Liam

Gavin had gone feral. His thoughts were incoherent, focused solely on Warwick, Azalea, and Missy. His constant, rage-filled rants made it impossible to concentrate. I couldn't eat or sleep. I needed a break to analyze the clues.

I stared at the maps spread across the conference room table, vaguely listening to Damien and Langston.

"During the previous war, Warwick directed his clan from this area," Langston said. "Getting someone in there took a long time."

"No pack currently claims this land," Damien pointed out.

"No pack wanted it after the war," Langston agreed. "It was under vampire control for so long."

"And we're seeing a surge in disappearances here," Damien added.

"Plus unexplained deaths and injuries," Langston said. "The local hospital reports increased emergency patients with inadequate blood supply and flesh wounds resembling bite marks." They were studying a map.

"If he's building an army, he's likely returned to his old stronghold," Damien said.

"We need to decide how to proceed," Langston said. "I've contacted surrounding packs, but we need Liam. His mate and pack are the targets." I felt their attention shift to me.

Damien's voice dropped. "I can't get him to focus. This isn't the first time she's been taken, but it's the first time she's been taken while pregnant."

"His bond is in turmoil, but he's Alpha," Langston said. "He must lead the pack against this threat. We can't get his mate back without him."

"It's not just his mate," Damien said. "His daughter and unborn pup are at risk. He's been incredibly protective during this pregnancy. It's a miracle he hasn't completely broken."

"Maybe it's time he temporarily relinquished the Alpha title," Langston suggested. "We can't go to war with an incapacitated leader."

"I won't force him," Damien said sharply. "The pack respects him! Who could replace him?"

"You," Langston said. "The pack respects you as Beta. Your father was a good man, but the pack didn't respect Robert and Declan's leadership as much. This wouldn't be permanent. Convince him to step aside until his mate is returned and he's focused."

"Fine," I said, meeting their surprised gazes. "I'll give you the Alpha title, on one condition."

Damien asked, "What's the condition?"

"Warwick is mine," I demanded. "I'll deal with him as I see fit. You find him, give me a location, then let me handle him." His death would be slow and agonizing.

"Liam, are you sure?" Damien asked hesitantly.

I nodded. "I want Warwick. I want my family back and to punish him." Damien nodded and looked at Langston.

"We can make Damien acting Alpha until you're ready," Langston said.

"Yes," I said, looking down. I didn't care about being Alpha or war. I wanted to tear Warwick apart.

"We should make this official," Langston said.

"How?" Damien asked.

"Witnesses: Gamma, Deltas, Azeron for Felix, and your mate," Langston explained. "Key pack leaders need to be present."

"Now," I ordered. They left, closing the door.

"Why are you giving up your right?" Gavin growled, coherent for the first time since yesterday.

"I'm not. I'm relinquishing responsibilities to focus on finding Azalea and Missy," I explained.

"What if your Beta doesn't return the title?"

"This isn't a formal ceremony. He'll act in my place. He'll handle pack matters while we find them."

"The connection is weak," he growled.

"I know. We only have guesses."

"Find something solid!"

"Let me think for five minutes!" Gavin growled. We hadn't been this at odds since before Azalea. "I need to know Greyback's involvement in the first war. My father wanted me to speak with him."

"He's not on the missing list?" Gavin asked, surprisingly helpful. I pulled the list towards me. Around fifty pack members were missing. I scanned it, actually reading the names this time.

"No, but I'm not sure he was checked on," I said. "Patrols around the Inn have been overwhelmed." My eyes stopped on a name.

"Why is his name here?" Gavin asked.

"I don't know. I haven't seen Abraham since that day," I said, frowning. Despite missing Azalea, Gavin finally seemed focused.

"That boy wasn't good for our pup, but she went to his cabin to meet him," Gavin said. Missy's phone lay on the table.

I picked up the phone and opened her messages. Damien had found it near the cabin; it was the only clue.

"Yes. He asked her to meet him, but neither of their scents were there."

"If he's missing, and she's missing, he's involved," Gavin said.

"Or they knew he was close to her and used him to get to her."

"Or he's working with them."

"We won't know until we find him."

"If the vampires took him, we may not find him until we find them."

"I have someone who will do anything to get my daughter back, just like I would."

Maddox

"You asked to see me, Alpha?" Maddox asked from the doorway. I gestured him in.

"Did you know Vlad is missing?" I asked. His face darkened; he looked pale and weary. He'd found his mate but couldn't connect with her. I understood, but my Alpha blood gave me resilience he lacked.

"No, sir. I wanted to find him, but Azeron and Sean kept me busy," he explained. They were preventing him from searching, just like they'd tried with me.

"Find him. The vampires may have taken him, but search every inch of pack land first."

He paused. "Alpha, I'll do anything to get my mate back, but why only Vlad? Many pack members are missing."

"Because he and his father are the only ones with known vampire connections," I said.

"What do you mean?"

"Vlad was bitten by a vampire before joining our pack. His father was a special investigator who lost his mate on a vampire case." Maddox gasped, connecting the dots.

"Is Vlad a vampire?" he asked.

"No. He's lost his wolf, but he's not a vampire," I said. He nodded. "Finding him might lead us to Warwick and Azalea."

"I'll do my best, sir."

"Report to me tomorrow night," I said, dismissing him. Gavin grunted. "And eat something. Missy won't be happy if you're not yourself when we find them."

"Respectfully, you too, sir," Maddox said, leaving.

Lacey

"I guess you can't tell me where you are," I said.

"No," he replied.

"I miss you," I said.

"Me too," he replied. "What's wrong?" So direct.

"How do you know?" I asked, deflecting. He was silent. I sighed. "Remember talking about pups?" I heard his breath catch.

"Are you?" he asked.

"I don't know. I haven't taken a test."

"Take it."

"Now?"

"Mmhmm."

"Okay. I wasn't sure if I should wait for you" He was silent. I got off the bed, went to the bathroom where the test sat. "Hold on; I'm going on mute."

After taking the test, I set the phone down. "Okay, three minutes," I told Felix.

We waited silently. I shivered. The screen changed. My breath hitched. "Felix, we're going to be parents."