20.

Darren P.O.V.

I waited around the corner of the building in my wolf form. I had left the tools on purpose knowing she had a really good possibility of escape. I heard a thump like the chair had fallen smiling a toothy grin. This was about to be the most fun game of hide and seek I had ever played. I listened to the sounds of what must have been her smashing the padlocks and a few moments later the door handle rattled. I couldn't make it that easy little mouse.

I heard a louder crash and then the door swung open. Smart, she must have broken the knob off. I watched as she carefully stepped outside looking both ways holding one of her hands to her chest. In her haste, she must have missed me. I crept slowly behind her as she turned to run but was stopped in my tracks by the scent of another. I hid back around the side of the workshop and watched as Jason's wolf appeared. Madi realizing it was him ran and threw herself into his arms.

Knowing with him being distracted this would be my only chance to get away I turned around and ran. Damnit, I would have to retreat and try this some other time. If I Don't worry little mouse. I'll be back with a bigger army next time, and I was going to kill her and her Alpha.

Jason P.O.V.

It was long after dark now but it took time to get everything and everyone we needed together. A lot longer than I was comfortable with if I'm honest. I still wasn't able to reach her through the mind link and I just had this terrible feeling. I was short with everyone but I couldn't help it, I didn't even feel sorry for it. It wasn't just my mate missing but the pack Luna. A Luna so new she hasn't even had the ceremony to officially be the Luna. And on top of my anxiety, my wolf was raging that we leave right this instant to find her.

He had her for so long now there was no telling what had happened. We all piled into a few SUVs outside to drive to Darren's parent's house. I didn't know what kind of state she would be in so bringing a vehicle was what was best. The five minutes it took to get there were the longest of my life. My wolf was scratching on the inside to be set free and I wanted him free too. Just a few more minutes and I was willing to let him take control to find our mate.

I jumped out as soon as we were in the driveway shifting without even worrying about anyone else. I ran right to where I knew the place was on the map. As I was almost on top of the building I finally got a smell of her, and I let my nose lead the way. I came to an abrupt halt at the sight of my mate running my way but, obviously, not seeing me.

She finally looked up and saw me, the fear on her face breaking my heart. She visibly relaxed seeing who I was as she shouted my name running to me. I shifted in time to catch her in my arms. She wrapped her arms around me as I ran a hand threw her hair.

"Madi, are you ok? Babe, talk to me," then she went limp in my arms.

I caught her picking her up bridal style as the rest of the men finally caught up with me. They all stopped as they absorbed the scene in front of them. I shouted out orders about people finding where Darren is as I ran with Madi back to the SUV. I ran to the backseat laying her across it before running to the driver's door as I simultaneously pulled on my shorts. I drove straight to the pack hospital not knowing how bad her injuries were. I peeked at her face as I drove seeing bruises on her face and a hand that looked black and blue, possibly broken. I felt my wolf trying to take over as I reigned him in. I knew if I let him come back out he wouldn't go back in until Darrin was found and right now Madi needed me more.

I had mind linked the doctor on the way. There were two nurses and a doctor waiting with a stretcher when I arrived. I ran to the back seat and grabbed her laying her on the stretcher. They rolled her into a back room as a male nurse stopped me from going back. I growled at him as he explained they couldn't treat her while I was in the room. I knew he was right. I let out a frustrated roar as I sat down in a chair holding my head with my hands. As time went on I became restless as I stood up pacing back and forth. After what seemed like hours the pack doctor finally came back out. I rushed to him needing to know what was wrong with my mate.

"She's fine Alpha. A lot of minor cuts and bruises a broken hand but those will heal after the wolfsbane is out of her system," I tried to push past him but he stopped me again.

I looked at him realizing there was more, "What is it doc?"

He looked conflicted as he said, "We found something else during the examination..... I'm so sorry Alpha but the Luna was raped."

All I could see was red. That mutt had violated my mate. He had touched what was mine and he was going to pay with his life for this. I took a deep breath to calm myself before the doctor led me back to Madi's room. The first thing my eyes fell on was her face. It looked like the bruises were already fading from her face which meant the wolfsbane had already worn off. I looked at her hand that had been hurt but it already seemed to have healed. I stood next to her holding her hand as I watched the last of the bruises fade from her face. She took in a deep breath as she opened her eyes snatched back her hand and screamed as she made herself as small as she could on her bed it was almost like she wasn't even seeing me. I didn't think before I yelled for the doctor. They came in and I watched unable to talk as she begged for them to leave her alone and stop until she was finally sedated. I walked out of the room to the hall as they resettled her waiting for the doctor. I couldn't be in there while they were handling her after she had just begged to be left alone.

He walked up to me as I leaned against the wall, "I'm sorry Alpha. Things like this can happen when trauma is present. It is likely she was not even fully aware of what was happening. We will slowly bring her out of sedation but we will give her meds so she can hopefully stay calm. Just take it slow with her. You can be in the room with her but sit across the room so that she doesn't see you as soon as she opens her eyes. We didn't heavily sedate her so she should wake up fairly quickly. She is strong Alpha, she will survive this."

I nodded curtly at him as I reentered the room pulling the chair into the corner as I watched her. I held my head in my hands fighting the urge to hold her. It felt unnatural to not be near my mate while she is hurting. She looked fully healed but there were still dark circles under her eyes and I could see where the tears had run down her face. Her dark hair was a mass of knots in a halo around her head and they had changed her into a hospital gown and she was covered with a thin white sheet. I watched her face as her eyes moved under her eyelids before slowly fluttering open. She looked around the room until her piercing green eyes full of regret landed on me. I walked quickly her way and stopped as she flinched.

I let my arms hang as her eyes filled with tears and in a hoarse voice she said, "I'm sorry Jas."

Madi P.O.V.

I opened my eyes and looked around the familiar hospital room. I felt my eyes being pulled to the corner of the room as my eyes landed on my mate's clear blue eyes and felt instant regret as the memory of me screaming flooded back. He stood quickly coming over to me and I flinched unconsciously. He stopped quickly letting his arms hang awkwardly at his side.

I saw the look of hurt in his eyes at my unintended action. "I'm sorry Jas."

Tears fell down my face as he looked up at me, unsure of what to do. I held out my hand as he slowly walked up to me taking it. I immediately felt the sparks that were always there but they were more of a comfort now. I wasn't feeling an attraction like I normally would, but I felt comfort from his warmth. I could still feel the mate pull but it wasn't burning red hot like it use to. I think the trauma was making me numb from the full feelings I usually had.

I took a deep breath knowing I had to tell him what happened. "I need to tell you everything he did to me and I need you to stay calm." He shook his head that I didn't need to talk about it right now but I hushed him needing to tell him this. I couldn't keep this inside or I would burn from the inside out. I needed someone to understand why I feel the way I do right now and he needed to know what little I knew about his plans.

"After Darrin took me I woke up inside that place alone. I had let my guard down. He came to get me saying you needed me on the training ground. I trusted him and I thought he was my friend. I was wrong. I tried to mind-link you when I woke up but I couldn't. I think he drugged me with wolfbane and it was keeping me from connecting. I could hear him coming in so I pretended to be asleep again but he must have known I was faking and he groped my chest. When he did I brought my head forward and I broke his nose but he just backhanded me. He revealed to me that Amanda was his mate and that he planned on challenging you for alpha before I came along. He was going to just kill you after that and rule with Amanda and the baby who is your rightful heir. He wanted to hurt you as much as you hurt him. I think he planned on torturing me to death," I took a deep breath steadying myself for what was next as he calmly rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. "He left the room for a short time before coming back with a toolbox. He took out pliers and pulled one of my nails out as I screamed... But he... he didn't think that physical torture was enough. He then told me that he had a much better idea. He said that since you had his mate, he would have yours. I wasn't sure what he meant at first but it didn't take long to figure it out." I could see the anger in his eyes but he remained outwardly calm. "He then unlocked my legs pulled off my pants and violated me," I stopped as sobs came out. I could see his eyes slowly growing darker but he just waited calmly for me to finish. "I fought as hard as I could but he pulled a knife on me. When he was done he left and left his toolbox. I tipped over my chair and I broke my thumb to get my hand out of the strap so I could drag myself to the toolbox. I found a hammer and I broke all the locks off the metal straps before I broke the nob off the door and that's when you found me. I tried so hard to get away and warn you. He will be back Jason and he will kill us both."

He closed his eyes which were completely black by this point and slowly raised my hand to his nose breathing my scent to calm himself. I held myself stiffly but didn't pull away knowing this is what his wolf needed to calm down. He stood there like that for a long time. When he opened his eyes his ocean blues were back and looked determined.

"I promise you Madi, I will find him, and I will kill him. He will never get the chance to hurt us again."

I knew he wanted to hold more than my hand but right now I just couldn't. I just need some time. Then I remembered our daughter was there when he took me. "The baby is she?...."

"Perfectly safe. She's with my mom," he answered quickly hearing the panic in my voice.

I sighed in relief as I looked around the room just wanting to go home. The only time I ever seemed to be here was when something bad happened to me, and I was tired of the reminder. "When can we leave?"

He smiled at me softly, "Whenever you're ready my love."

My lips lifted slightly at the corners at his endearment, "I'm ready now. Let's go see our daughter."

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I looked at my fingers picking them as I waited for Jason and the doctor to finish talking as I stood near the exit. I was ready to get away from this place. I jumped as I felt a hand on the small of my back and looked up seeing the concerned look on Jason's face. I gave him a small smile and pulled away to walk to the car. He let his arm fall as we walked in silence to the SUV that was still parked haphazardly outside the hospital doors. He held my door open and made sure I was in before he ran to his side and climbed in. We were silent but I could feel his eyes darting between me and the road as he drove. I watched the horizon as the sun was just starting to come into the sky. I watched the orange and cream colors going across the sky before, finally, the pack house came into view.

He put the car into park and sat there in silence for a long time before turning to me. "What can I do?"

I looked right into his blue eyes, full of desperation, as he studied me. "Just give me time. I know I'm strong, but something like this is enough to break the strongest person. It took me time the first time and it will take me time again."

Realization settled in his eyes, "I'm so sorry Madi. Take all the time you need. Just know I'm always here for you."

I stretched my mouth in the semblance of a smile and reached out and squeezed his hand quickly before letting go. "You should go get some sleep. I'm going to go take a shower in the baby's room and then spend some time with her."

He looked like he wanted to object but just said, "I'll send one of my female warriors up to sit with you." I started to protest, but he held up a hand, "You will be guarded until the threat is dealt with. We don't know when or where this will happen."

I fell silent realizing he was right. I just nodded and stepped out of the SUV heading for the nursery. As I stepped into the room there was already a female warrior standing in front of the window that had already somehow been replaced and there was Jason's mom on her feet bouncing the baby as she patted her back. I smiled as I heard a very loud burp come out of my daughter. She gave me a genuine smile as she turned around and saw me. I could see the pity in her eyes but I ignored it as I held out my arms for my daughter. I didn't need another person telling me how sorry they are for me, it doesn't change anything.

She handed her over to me, "Well Mom, she has been fed burped and changed. She didn't sleep much last night so she should go down anytime now."

I smiled and thanked her as I took Ari in my arms. She smiled and let out a gurgle before letting out a huge yawn and stuffing her thumb in her mouth. I peppered small kisses along her nose as she fell asleep. I sat down on the small twin bed that had magically appeared along the wall opposite the crib. I carefully set Ari down and put pillows around her as I laid next to her, my shower long forgotten. I traced her face as she slept determined to memorize her every feature. I traced her almost not there eye brows then trailed my fingers down her nose and across her little lips. She scrunched her nose in her sleep and I smiled feeling my eyes grow heavy with exhaustion. I was going to do everything in my power to protect her. I remained facing her as I let myself fall asleep next to my beautiful daughter.

Jason POV

I watched Madi silently as she walked away from me fighting the urge to follow her. If space was all she needed I was going to give it to her no matter how much it kills me. I quickly linked Dana my top female wolf to go into the nursery to guard my mate and child. She quickly responded and cut off the link. I knew she wouldn't be comfortable alone with any man so this was the next best thing for her. I left the SUV and slowly made my way up the stairs to our room. I took a quick shower and changed into some shorts and a t shirt before grabbing one of my shirts and a pair of Madi's sweat pants and underwear before heading to Ari's room so she would have something to wear after her shower.

As I entered the room I motioned to Dana to keep quiet as I noticed Madi's figure sleeping on a bed with the baby. I walked to the bathroom before setting the clothes onto the counter. I went back out seeing Madi was sleeping in the blue scrubs the hospital provided with one hand resting on the babies stomach. I smiled and grabbed a blanket from the closet throwing it over her. She stirred slightly and I froze letting out a breath as she continued to sleep. I didn't want her to catch me in here after she had just asked me for space. I laid a light kiss on her brow before sending her one last glance before heading to my office to be updated on if anything was found. Now that my child and mate were both safe I could feel my anger boiling over. Something like this should have never happened, but I was more mad with myself sense I had been the one who had sent him to look for her. I had trusted him just as much as she had.

As I walked in my office my beta and all the other wolfs that had gone with me to find Madi were waiting for me. I could tell by the fact that no one could look in my eye that they had lost him. I roared in frustration before putting my fist threw the wall.

I took a breath calming myself, "So what do we know?"

My beta spoke up, "We did find signs that he wasn't working alone. It looks like Darren and Amanda were working with witches. We don't know how deep it runs and if they knew who they were messing with but we are working on finding that out now."

I let out a frustrated sigh knowing this wasn't anyone's fault. None of us had seen this coming, not even me, the alpha. "Alright everyone get a few hours of rest and we will pick this back up around noon."

I rubbed up and down my face as they all filed out. I went back into my room and flopped onto the bed pulling Madi's pillow to me so her scent could calm me. It wasn't the same as the real thing but at least it was something. I laid on my stomach as my face was buried into her pillow and fell into a restless sleep.