Bailey, Alesha, and Kaida have done an amazing job but what I want is the guest of honor herself. Looking around I realize the party planners aren't here yet.
That wouldn't be odd considering they may all be getting dressed together and come out with Hope but not seeing Hopes parents here either seems strange.
"Something is wrong" Carter whispers to me having just walked into the ballroom. "What do you mean?" I question already striding out into the main area of the house.
"I saw Bailey looking upset running up the stairs that lead to Hopes bedroom" Carter follows along and we sprint up the steps.
A sense of panic starts to rise as I bring my wolf to the surface so I can heighten my senses further to seek out Hopes presence.
Her scent is fading and I can't find her at all. We run into Alesha and the usually composed Ale looks frazzled and just points us up.
I take two stairs at a time and barge into the bedroom where Hopes parents are standing with Charlotte on the phone speaking rapidly. Adam approaches me and his next words confirm my fear.
"Hope is missing. Last time we spoke to her was hours ago. Bailey, Daniel and Kaida are searching outside and we've covered the inside. All of her things are still here...We don't know what happened" the despair in his voice is tangible but I can't offer any comfort.
At this moment it is taking every ounce of self-restraint I have to keep my wolf in check. If I lose control the savage rage my wolf is emitting will make us a danger to anyone close by. Wordlessly I walk out and start stalking towards my office with Carter and now David on my heel.
Busting into my office breathing heavily, I pace up and down trying to rein myself in. But, the various possibilities of what may have happened to Hope push me closer and closer to the edge.
"We do not know what is going on. Staying calm is the best way to figure this out and make sure Hope gets back safe" Carter tries to reason.
The anger starts to bubble over and I need to release it somehow before it becomes unmanageable. With a soul-shaking growl, I destroy my office. Throwing, breaking and destroying whatever I can until I slump over with my hands on my knees.
Righting myself recovering my equilibrium I breathe out and straighten my clothing out. Sharing a look with the ever calm Carter we are in full agreement. Now that my head is clear we will track down Hope.
If we find she was taken or hurt, I will kill them. Slowly and painfully. Whoever it is will pay for laying a finger on my mate. I swear it to whatever gods may exist, they will not escape my wrath.
Chapter 64
Hope
The first thing I register is the feeling of rocking and the sound of an engine. There's a pounding in my head and a haze I'm struggling to clear. Sensation in my body begins to return and I realize I'm laying down on a hard surface. Most likely a car from the sound and feel.
Cracking my eye open despite the pain in my head I momentarily panic because I see nothing but darkness before scratchy fabric rubs against my cheek.
There is a cloth or bag of some kind on my head. Trying not to move and keeping my breathing steady I listen for any clues.
Binding of some sort cuts into my wrists securing them together and tape or something has been smoothed over my mouth. I'm surprised they didn't take the time to restrict my legs as well but I will take any small mercies at the moment.
The last thing I fuzzily remember is getting drag away and hearing Daniels hateful voice. By smell alone, I can tell Daniel isn't here but two others are. Their scent is familiar but no one I know enough to pick out.
I get the feeling we are well into the night considering no light is finding its way through the weaving of the cloth. Will the party have started? Have they realized I'm gone? Are they gonna come to find me? All these are the questions that run through my head.
I picture everyone's faces, especially Maximus and almost want to cry. I need to get back to them, I have to try to get out of here.
I attempt to reach out to my parents or anyone at all through the mind link but it is being blocked no doubt by Daniel.
Still pretending to be unconscious I feel the car come to a slow stop and the sound of the key being taken out of the ignition.
There is movement and a nearby door is swung open. When hands grab me I use the element of surprise to spring up, knock them down and try to run. All of this is made infinitely harder with my hands tied together.
Try as I might I don't make it far before I'm snatched up roughly from behind. The head covering still keeping me from seeing who they are.
"Alpha Daniel commanded this. We do not want to hurt you girl, we are just carrying out orders" One of them speaks as I struggle and wriggle in his grasp. Separate hands latch onto my legs to stop my kicking but I don't stop trying to fight.
The sound of rapid rushing water grows louder and my struggle intensifies tenfold. What will they do to me? How could Daniel order them to do this? Even when he hurt and abused me I still did not think of him as completely evil but it takes someone with malice to do something like this. I guess I always have been naive.
"I'm sorry" The other voice whispers and I feel myself being released. Unfortunately, it brings no relief as my body plummets.
Seconds later I hit the freezing waters of what I'm guessing is a river. I try to catch my breath but the tape covering my mouth gets in the way.
I'm tumbling violently being swept away by the vicious current. In the midst of this, I feel the searing pain of having my mind link connection severed.
I'm finally able to grasp that bag on my head and yank it off. The night is dark without even the moons reflection as a light source being hidden behind stormy clouds.
ripping the tape off I manage a big breath before I'm dragged beneath the surface of the water again. The struggle continues and I've become so disoriented I can't tell how long I've been in here or how far I've been washed away. I don't even know where I am and it is taking all of my strength not to drown.
I can tell my body is getting sluggish with nothing but adrenaline fueling it at this point. Suddenly, I'm thrust against a large rock hissing in pain at the impact.
Regardless, I hold on for dear life using the sliver of moonlight that has appeared to help me see where the bindings on my hands are weak.
I use the jagged edge of the rock to try to saw my way through the rope. Slowly but surely the rope is fraying away but my hands are also being rubbed raw drawing blood. I pray to whoever may be listening to help me through this.
Finally, it snaps and I climb on the rock using my bloody hands to climb out of the turbulent river. I'm battered, bruised and tired.
I look around from my position slumped onto the ground and don't recognize anything. I could be anywhere considering it was early afternoon when they took me and its the dead of night now.
I cough up any of the water I swallowed and have to will myself to move. I can't just stay here in some unknown secluded place.
The pain in my head is thumping painfully and a touch of my fingers reveals it is indeed bleeding. My hands are injured along with what feels like every other part of my being.
I feel tired, defeated and angry. I could lay here and wait to die or I can keep moving. I have been through pain before. Pain much worse than this.
And yet, I survived it and I will survive this too. My best chance of surviving is turning myself over to my wolf.
I feel her with me giving me strength and the will to keep moving even though my body doesn't want to. Letting the shift come over me I release my wolf. I can feel the pendant against my fur and am thankful the chord attached to it is long enough that it did not snap when I shifted.
Allowing my wolves instinct to guide us forward we start running even if I have no idea where she is leading us. At some point, my mind shuts off and the wolf takes full control.
We run and run only stopping for a quick drink. I have no idea how long we run but I'm vaguely aware of the sun coming and going.
Exhaustion fi
nally does us in and we collapse my wolf can take no more and a shift is forced leaving me dirty, bloody and naked on the ground. Twigs, leaves, and mud stabbing into my flesh.
My vision is blurry and unfocused. I try to speak but nothing comes out. I see a fog cover the ground and scorch marks everywhere. A willow tree outlined within the haze sways gently as if to a rhythm.
I demand my body moves but it can't. I have pushed it to the absolute limit and it has given all that it can. Dark spots begin to cover my vision and everything loses focus.
Through the dense murk, a figure approaches but I can only see their booted legs. I don't even have the time to feel scared before darkness completely consumes my vision.
Thank you so much for reading WILLOW FROM THE ASHES. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review. The effort will be greatly appreciated.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amelia Harding is an Indie Author.
She loves to get lost in the fantasy worlds she creates. An admitted book, anime and ice cream sandwich addict with a penchant for tough brooding boys and complicated characters. Her works often dance between darkness and fantasy, never giving up the chance to put her characters through the wringer and making them better for it.
Amelia was born and raised in sultry Miami and currently resides somewhere deep in the countryside with her personal Viking, constantly dreaming up new worlds and possibilities.
Willow From The Ashes (Children Of The Moon Book 1) Page 21