by Fay Walsh
"You two! You were the ones from high school. The ones who bullied me,” she said.
“I can’t believe it took you this long to figure it out. I'm Kirk, your bully, and rival to Travis. That fucking bastard has always been on my shit list, and you’re a part of it now too,” he said.
"Yeah, and I'm sure you remember me from cheerleading,” the redhead said.
It took Alana a bit of time, mostly because her memories of cheerleading were hazy, and she wanted nothing more than to forget it. But, the redhead seemed pretty bitchy, and Alana then realized the one woman who hated her guts on the team.
“Jackie.”
"Wow, took you long enough. Give the girl a prize,” the redhead snapped.
“But... why? Why are you here? Why the hell are you kidnapping me and holding me hostage?” Alana asked.
“Simple. You’re useful to us. You’re connected to Travis,” she explained.
Alana looked at them with abject confusion.
“I-I don’t get it.”
“God, are you fucking stupid? You’re related to the shifters now. You’re a part of this conflict. We know about the bear shifters, and we’ve been trying to kick them out of town to take over this territory. Travis and his little gang are just in the way,” Kirk said.
Alana looked at them, realizing her connections to everything.
“So what do you plan to do?”
“Shifters are very inclined to conflict with other shifters. It’s a wonder how Travis hasn’t had more fights with other shifters than he has. But, we found out he’s been running this territory, and if we don’t kill him ourselves, we’ll continue to kill people here,” Jackie explained.
Alana looked at them, realizing that they had no intent of leaving her alive.
“So you’re the one killing all the innocent people?” she asked.
“Correct. At first, it was animals. We wanted to see if Travis could figure it out, and we planned to get rid of him once he did. But, that wasn’t enough. The little shithead was too busy finding out the truth behind everything, so we decided to take things further. We’re trying to get him to come out. I'm surprised the bastard hasn't figured it out yet. But, you’re the final part of this puzzle, the last piece that we need, and we're going to take it,” Jackie said.
Alana trembled, feeling her hands grow tighter as she moved slightly, and when she looked around, she heard Jackie laugh.
“Don’t think this will be easy. Chances are, you’re going to die with him,” she snapped.
“But why are you doing this Jackie? I never heard from you after high school. There was speculation you ended up getting pregnant with someone, but nobody knew what happened to you,” Alana replied.
“Oh, that was a lie I made up so that nobody could find out what I was doing. It worked pretty well, eh?” she said.
"Well, you’re here now, and you’re causing trouble, so I don’t know what to make of it.”
"You’re just a nosey little shit, Alana. I've always hated you, and I couldn't wait to get rid of you again. That one time during cheering was more than enough embarrassment for me,” she snapped.
Alana felt her body grow tense as she looked at the two of them. There was Jackie, with that look of hatred in her eyes and a smile that curled against her lips. And then, there was Kirk, who looked at her with a look of sadistic amusement.
“So this is some old rivalry, is it?”
"Yes, it is. But it’s also how shifters work. If you don’t want to be a part of it, maybe you should've cut ties with Travis,” Kirk said.
Alana struggled.
“No. I won't back down,” she said.
"Well, we’ll make sure to kill you nice and slow. Perhaps we’ll even get Travis to watch. I'm sure he’ll love seeing you writhing in pain, crying out in sheer agony as we kill you first, and then kill him. We know how to kill other shifters. We know how to get rid of people, something Travis sure doesn’t know,” Jackie said.
Alana felt her body grow weak, her hands trembling, and worry cross her face. She wanted nothing more than to get out of here. She could see them both, staring at her and getting ready to kill her. She closed her eyes, the tears falling down her face.
I couldn’t even tell him how I feel. I couldn’t even see him one last time before being killed.
The fact that this was happening in this manner made Alana realize that she needed Travis to show up. She craved, more than anything to have Travis save her. She wanted him to be there for her, to love and care about her, to let her know that every goddamn thing was okay.
"Please show up. Please,” she said to herself.
“There's no sense in praying, you stupid bitch. We’re going to kill you very soon, and we’ll make sure that you don’t survive. Maybe we’ll even leave the body here for Travis to see. I can’t wait to see how angry he gets. Maybe you should’ve told him how you felt.”
Alana felt the tears come down her face as she heard the words of derision, the fact that she was here, at the mercy of two psychopaths, and unable to do anything about it.
I regret running away. I regret ghosting him and never seeing his messages. I regret... it all.
The sound of a knife being sharpened was heard in the distance. She noticed Jackie was holding the knife there, seeing the sharp blade gleam in the dull light.
“I would love to just slit your goddamn throat right here and now, to get rid of your shitty little life.”
“Not yet Jackie,” Kirk said.
“But-’
“I said not yet. If you don’t listen, I'll kill you first and then her,” he said in a sharp tone.
Jackie glowered at him, and then at Alana once more, tossing the knife around aimlessly.
"You’re lucky this time, you stupid little cunt. Don’t worry, I'll make sure when the time is right, to kill you slowly and painfully,” she said.
She walked away, laughing, and Alana felt her whole body shake with fear at the words that were uttered.
Please... please make it in time. So I can tell you how I feel...
Chapter 10
Travis rushed back to his home, noting that the lights were on in the den. He raced down there, seeing all of the guys minding their own business, working on their own activities.
“Guys, we have a problem,” Travis said.
“What’s up?” Billy asked.
“It’s super urgent, just come with me,” Travis said.
The guys all congregated in the meeting room once more. Darren had an emotionless look to his face, and when Travis saw his eyes narrow, looking directly at him, Travis knew that he seemed to understand what was going on.
"We have a problem,” he said.
"What?” Benjamin asked. He had a book in his hands but quickly settled it down.
“I found out where Alana is,” he said.
"And this is supposed to concern us because...”
“Sven, you could be a little less rude,” Benjamin pointed out.
"Yeah, it’s obvious that Travis here has something to say,” Billy added.
‘Thanks. Well, she’s been taken by someone, and I looked around, but I can’t seem to focus on who it is. But, I have a feeling I know where she might be. I checked around the bar, and she’s been kidnapped. The thing is though, I don’t want to go alone,” he said.
“I see,” Benjamin said.
“Do you want to save her?” Darren asked.
I really do. I don’t want to see her suffer. I want to tell her that... I love her.
"Yeah. I do want to save her. I would like for all of us to go. I'm a bit worried though, mostly because I don't know who attacked her, nor do I have a feeling I know where the source of attacks is coming from. But, I trust her. I have faith in her,” Travis said.
Darren looked at him, smiling slightly.
“So you’ve figured it out then. What she means to you,” Darren said.
“Sort of. It’s weird, because I'm normally not this emotional, nor do I act li
ke this, but, I feel like this is right. I feel like, if I don't do this now, I'm going to regret it. So yes, I want to see this through. To the end,” he said.
They looked at him, and nodded in agreement.
“I see the change in your eyes. You’re being an alpha. You’re protecting what matters to you,” Billy said.
“Hey, I noticed it too! I thought I wouldn’t,” Benjamin said.
“I guess if you want my help, I can join in,” Sven added.
“Thanks, everyone. And what about you Darren? Do you respect my choice as the alpha?” Travis asked.
Darren nodded. “I don’t understand romance, and frankly I find it utterly foolish because I've never met someone worth fighting for like this. But, if you want to get her involved, that’s on you. You do realize that... once she has been saved she’ll need to know everything, and probably can’t go back to a normal life, correct?” Darren added.
Travis paused and then nodded.
"I did think about this for a while. Honestly Darren, maybe it’s just my feelings, but I feel like I'm on the right track. I feel like... she is the one, and she is the mate that I need,” he said.
“I see. Well, you’re the one choosing this path Travis. You're the leader, and by default, we as part of the clan have to follow. I would normally ask you if this is a foolish mission, but you seem to have an idea of where she is, and what to do,” Darren added.
“I do, Darren. I know that the person who took her is a shifter, and I keep getting this bad feeling whenever I focus on her. So it’s someone that none of us here like, or at least I don’t. I know that whomever the assailant is they are definitely not going to give up anytime soon. They won’t be stopping until I come out. Alana is in their hands, but they want me, and I know that they’ll do whatever it takes. And honestly, I will too. I love her. I don’t say that about people. I've never felt this feeling before. This urge to protect her, this urge to care, and this urge to love her. So, maybe I'm on the right track, or maybe I'm just being a stupid fuck, but I feel that she is definitely the one that I'm supposed to be with. My mate. I know she doesn’t know you guys yet, but I think she’ll be fine,” Travis said.
“I see. I believe you, Travis. Just... try seeing if you can find her. You know that the true test of whether or not you can find your mate is by seeing them in the visions,” he said.
“That’s right. That's the rule of mates. If you can see them in your visions, they’re the one. It’s our shifter technique that’s used to help protect us, but I think this will help us find her,” he said.
“Good. Then use it.”
"Yeah, I want to see how it works,” Benjamin said.
“I think he’s onto something,” Billy added.
Sven simply sat there, his gaze boring into Travis's face. Travis closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and then, he started to focus.
He imagined Alana, remembering her beautiful eyes, brown hair, her curvy and delectable body, her large, sizable breasts that fit perfectly in his hands. Her delicious ass and how he wanted to smack it. He struggled to not get hard thinking about this, but then, he remembered the smile on her face. This was the true test of love, the true test of whether or not she was his mate. He then started to notice his image materializing into that of a very different scenario. When he saw it, he let out an audible gasp.
It was a path, going from the warehouse over by fifth street and going down three different alleyways and then turning right. It had a red door near the entrance, and when it opened up, he saw Alana there. There was a table with a sharp knife on it, but not a single person. In front of him was Alana, but she had widened eyes, a look of sheer agony, and tears falling down her face. Her arms and legs were bound, and the whole thing made his heart lurch.
"Fuck, I know where she is,” he said.
"You do?” Darren said, slight surprise in his voice.
"Yeah, I knew I was onto something here. I know that it isn’t just my heart being stupid, I actually saw her. The shifter vision worked. I tried to sniff her out, but it didn't work. But this, it did. I need to save her, and you guys can’t stop me,” he said.
The group all looked at him, each of them nodding.
“Hell yeah, let’s go!” Billy said.
"Yes, I think this is a good way to test my skills,” Benjamin said.
Sven simply got up, closing the book and looking at him with a nod. Darren finally nodded at Travis, speaking shortly after.
"You’re a fool, Travis, but I believe you. Let’s... see where this leads us,” he told Travis with a smile.
Travis beamed, feeling the excitement warm through his body. He went out the door, following where his heart wanted him to go. He was moving on his own, diving through the streets and thinking of nothing else other than her.
I'll find you, Alana. Even if it takes me to the ends of the earth. You’re mine.
Chapter 11
It had been at least an hour since Kirk informed her of what was happening, and Alana wanted to escape badly. She struggled, but the restraints were tearing her skin apart, making her cry out in pain at the sensation.
Fuck. This isn’t working. They’re going to-
* * *
She heard the sound of the warehouse door opening, and when she looked up, she saw a figure over to the side. It was Kirk, not Jackie, and immediately, the sudden feeling of worry enveloped over her.
"W-what are you doing here?” she asked.
He didn’t say anything, instead he simply walked towards her and looked her dead in the eye. She shivered at the gaze, noticing that he wasn’t tearing his eyes away. After what seemed to be forever, he finally spoke.
“Travis is coming.”
Alana felt a small beacon of hope ignite within her.
“But-”
“But you’ll be dead long before you’ll see him again. You’re going to be taken care of here and now.”
“But why?”
“Simple. You’re a bug, ready to be squashed, and I want nothing more to do with you,” he stated.
Alana spat at him, looking at him with a glare.
"Fuck you. You’re not the boss of me. Travis will get here in time. I know he will,” she said.
He stepped back, a low, rumbling laugh filling the warehouse.
"Are you serious? He doesn’t love you, Alana. He’s more interested in preventing you from knowing the truth over anything else. You’re nothing special to him, and you should know that.”
“I am special to him. He's going to save me. I'm sure of it,” she said.
He slapped Alana, the sting echoing through the warehouse. She gasped at the sensation of this, but then after a moment, he spoke.
"You think you’re really going to win? Alana, this isn’t a game. This is obviously your folly. You’re nothing more than a dumb little girl, who thinks she knows what she’s getting into. Don’t make me laugh.”
Alana tried to move her legs in order to kick him, but he just pushed her against the wall. Her head hitting the concrete made her cry out and tears welled up.
“Travis doesn’t care. Not a single one of those shifters do. You’re pushing your luck little lady.”
“So what if I am? I'm allowed to believe.”
“Believing is for idiots who think they know better when in reality they’re leading themselves on. Now, let's’ get this over with. I'll make sure you’re a cold corpse by the time he gets here. And, I'll have Jackie finish him off with that nice knife she has, which was forged with a poison to kill shifters in one move,” he said.
Alana’s heart raced when she heard this. She didn’t want Travis to die. She could already feel the anxiety grow within her. She saw Kirk shift into a wolf, staring at her with the same bloodthirsty look that he had when she first woke up.
She could see his paws, the claws primed and shiny. He also had his teeth bared, big, snarly fangs that were pearly white and ready to sink into her. He crept up closer, and soon, he was right in front of her. His fang
s were against her neck, and she could feel the saliva that exuded from his mouth. He pawed her chest, letting his claws come out and hit the very edge of her shoulder. She screamed, but the cut wasn’t deep enough to draw blood, although enough to make her nerves feel on fire.
‘That was just the first attack. I'll make sure you really feel the next one.”
His lips were right over her neck, barely touching the edge of it, and she could feel the teeth grazing against there. His intent was to kill, and she fully realized the danger she was in.
I’m going to die. There is no way I’m making it out alive.
As she was about to resign herself to this, she heard the sound of a door flying open, and then, Travis was there. He looked at Kirk with a look of pure hatred, and Alana felt the little ember of hope again.
“Get the hell away from her!” he cried out.
“Make me,” the wolf snapped as Travis transformed into a bear. Alana felt relief at the fact that Travis was here, knowing her love would protect her. But, she knew these two wouldn’t give up without a fight.
Travis lunged in bear form towards Kirk, knocking him down for a moment. He moved towards Alana, claws extracted and making her tense in fear for a second.
"You’re not going to hurt me, right?”
Without a word, he slashed at the ropes, setting her free. Alana moved, rubbing her hands to get feeling back to the area. She looked at Kirk and Travis, both of whom were pacing about, looking at one another.
"You’re not getting away with this!”
“Oh? And who has the final say in that? You? Well, you’re nothing more than a pathetic bear, and you’re not fit to control this area,” Kirk said.
Travis looked at Kirk, noticing the tone of his voice.
“It’s you. Kirk,” he said.
“Took you long enough, you dumb shit. But yes, it’s me. You definitely are a few crayons short of a full box, but I guess that makes sense considering you’re an unfit alpha. You can’t even be honest with your mate,” he said.
Alana noticed Travis flinch then. She stepped forward, looking at him.