14

Reece

"Get up!" I nearly jumped out of my skin when something hit me in my face. I pulled the object away and found a couch cushion.

"Wha-"

"Don't ask questions!" The Rogue snarled and I shrunk back. "We have to get out of here now! Get your ass up and get shoes on! Hurry!"

I leaped out of bed, not wanting to anger him anymore. Just as I was getting my boots on, the front door slammed open and Simon began wailing in the next room over.

"Hunters of the Supernatural!" A voice shouted full of authority. "We have the place surrounded! Any move you make to harm any of the girls will be our cue to shoot you!"

The Rogue before me swore loudly. He ran to my window and threw it open. "We have to jump."

I staggered back onto the bed. "What?! No way in hell am I jumping!"

"I'm holding you and jumping!" He snapped as feet started pounding downstairs. There were more snarls and growls downstairs as what sounded like a war started. "They're only human! I can easily outrun them, even with you holding onto my back!"

"No!" I sobbed. "I won't do it! I'd rather live!" I screamed when he lunged for me and tucked me against his chest. Shouts rang out as heavy boots sounded on the stairs. Just as the Rogue holding me leaped out the window, I swear I caught a glimpse of Rorie entering the room. I must be nuts.

We landed with a jolt and I clung on tightly to the Rogue. "Fuck!" He swore again and slowly backed up. I turned to see what he was seeing and saw at least ten Wolves stalking the Rogue, a couple of which I recognized from Nyl's pack.

But no Asher.

"I told you we had the place surrounded!" I looked up and my mouth popped open. Rorie sat on the window sill, leaning out. A military grade gun was slung over his shoulder. "I just didn't tell you what was surrounding the place. Release Reece and I may just let you live, you filthy Rogue!" He took aim with the gun.

The Rogue looked back and forth between Rorie and the Wolves. His options were limited. Either chance it and run, or put me down and still have a chance of getting shot at.

With a heavy sigh, he made his choice. He set me down on my feet and slowly backed away. Instantly, three Wolves surrounded him and brought him to the ground. The rest slowly walked over to me and led me away towards a small cluster of cars that were starting to pull up.

I glanced over to the house and saw Ingrid and Bennie being escorted out by Rorie and another guy. Ingrid spotted me and she ran over to me. I met her half way and we buried each other in tight embraces, Bennie joining us soon after.

We shared some happy, joy filled tears before slowly pulling away to be put into cars. I watched them climb into separate cars then turned to see Rorie hand his gun to the guy next to him. He held his arms open and I couldn't stop more heavy tears from streaming down my cheeks. I raced over to him and tackled him in a bone crushing hug.

Rorie held me steady and held me back as equally tightly. "I missed you so much, Reece..." He murmured into my hair. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you. We were all so worried. Not once did we ever give up on searching for you."

"I missed you too..." I sniffed and pulled away and wiped at my tears. "But, where's Asher?"

Rorie met my gaze. "Asher is fighting with the others. We've found the leader behind the attacks and they're taking him down as we speak. Soon, we should be hearing back from him."

I nodded slowly and glanced around at the Wolves who had shifted back and changed while the Hunters were scouting the area, as if making sure the way was clear. The Rogues that were with us were forced into a car, their hands bound behind their backs with silver chains.

"So, is it really over?" I asked.

"Just about, yes." I looked back to Rorie.

"But what about Lana?" I brushed some hair behind my ear. "And Esther? And Valerie? What happened to them?"

He lightly took my shoulders. "Reece, we were able to rescue Valerie and Esther found Krivix on her own. The reason you guys were moved was because the Rogues knew we were coming. Had they not known, we'd be home, trying to find out where the leader was."

I nodded slowly and lightly rested my hands over my stomach. "That's good... so, Lana got back to Nyl?" I met his gaze, a light smile gracing my lips.

His shoulders sagged and he looked away. He whispered something to his partner and soon it was just the two of us and his car, his partner sitting in the driver's seat. "Reece, come here." He lightly took my hand and led me to the porch swing.

We sat and he took a deep breath before speaking. "Reece, I'm not going to sugar-coat this. You have to know everything. Lana did get back to Nyl, and she was then moved to her old pack so she could be looked after until all this was taken care of. She is due any week now, and knowing this, she ran from her old pack. We believe she came back here to try and strike up a deal with the leader of these kidnappings and attacks."

I gasped softly and brought a hand over my mouth. "Y-you mean..."

"She thought she could be a hero." He continued. "It's the reason why we had two groups. One was to get Lana and defeat the leader, while the other group was set to rescue you girls. But I don't think Lana knew what she was up against. From what I've been told, Lana knew the leader we're fighting. He loved her, is what I was told. We think she thought she could change his mind about all of this and release you girls back to us."

I looked to my lap. "Lana, you idiot..." I slowly shook my head. "Do you know how everything is going over there? Do you have some one giving you guys status updates?"

He shook his head. "They're keeping to themselves so they can focus on the task at hand and not get distracted. Asher doesn't know that I have you. His main priority is making sure the leader is taken care of and Lana is safe again. Once this is all over, you two will be reunited and we can all go home. We can put this all behind us."

I nodded in understanding and stood. "Come on. I don't want to be here anymore." He took my hand again and led me to the car. He helped strap me in then took the front passenger seat. As we were leaving, I twisted around to see the house we had been staying in. It looked like a much smaller version of Nyl's pack house, save for the busted in door and broken windows.

I still can't believe that we had been kidnapped for almost seven months. I've been away from Asher for almost seven months. Haven't been in school for almost seven months. What am I going to do about my education? It's pretty well shot now. Maybe I could take online summer classes?

With a heavy sigh, I faced forward again when we got on the main road and stared at nothing as Rorie's partner drove us away from that place. I let my mind wander to random topics as I just sat there, not paying attention to anything.

I only started paying attention when I felt my child moving inside me. I found the head and lightly rubbed my thumb over what felt like their forehead. I smiled softly as I felt them settle down. It was so calming and peaceful to know that my own child already knows my touch. I'm just relieved that they don't have to grow up confined in that place.

They will be with a loving pack and family. They will be able to understand their culture and history. I'll be able to raise them the way they're supposed to be. Sure, they may not know who their grandparents are, but they still have Asher's parents, right? Okay, maybe that won't be such a good idea, seeing how Asher isn't too fond of his father...

"Reece," I looked up and stretched a bit. "You fell asleep. We're here. We're at the hotel we've been staying at." I grunted a response and undid my buckle so I could head inside. Maybe I'll be able to see Asher. I didn't allow my hopes to consume me as Rorie led me to an elevator.

When we stopped at a floor, he handed me a room key and said I was able to go anywhere I wanted in the hotel and order whatever I wanted for room service. We came to a door and I swiped the card key, letting myself in. Rorie flicked on a light and I awed at the huge, expansive room I would be staying in.

"This is where you will be staying." Rorie's partner stated. "Of course, in case something happens, you will have warriors protecting you while you sleep in the connected room over here." He and Rorie led me to said room and my eyes bugged wide at the huge, plush bed waiting for me.

"Can I ask who my warriors are?" I asked as I turned from the room.

Rorie smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I think you already know them."

"Them?"

"Hey, Reece!" My eyes nearly popped out my eye sockets. I know that voice!

"Jeff!" I shoved pass Rorie and leaped into the arms of Jeff. He spun me around and set me back down at arm's length. "I'm so glad to see you!"

He grinned back. "As am I." He lightly plugged his nose. " 'Course, I'd be happier once you washed the scent of Rogues off you." I rolled my eyes and smacked his arm.

There was a light snort from the door. "Oh, so you hug him, but not me?"

"Cally!" I turned my attention to her and hugged her as tight as I did Jeff.

"Oh, pew!" She giggled. "You do smell like Rogues!"

"Oh, haha." I stuck my tongue out at her and stepped back. "So, you two are my warriors?"

They nodded. "Yes, we are. We'll be looking after you night and day until it's time for you and Asher to see each other again. Hopefully, that will be in the next day or so. I really can't wait to get home and see my sister again."

I grinned madly at the two of them. "I just can't believe I'm seeing you again..."

Cally chuckled and gave my shoulder a light pat. "I can't either, kid. Now, go get washed up, then we can order junk food, okay? And watch Netflix!"

I giggled. "On it! Wait, I don't have any clothes..."

"We brought some of yours from home." Jeff tossed me an overstuffed bag. "Cally packed it."

I nodded and picked it up from the ground and went to get a shower to wash everything off of me. The water felt heavenly against my skin as I washed away all the memories and the worry, as well as dirt and grime, from my time with the Rogues. I even made sure to wash my body with three rounds of body wash, and shampoo my hair twice.

As I was washing, I managed to peel the silver off the mark. I wasn't bombarded with Asher's emotions. Maybe he's blocked his mind so he can focus on the fight...

Once I was certain I was smelling like myself again -however I'm supposed to smell...- I stepped from the shower, dried off, then found a pair of sweat pants and one of my stretchy camisoles. After my hair was brushed and I was looking presentable, I turned sideways in the mirror and ran a hand lightly over my growing child. They've gotten so big...

"We're finally safe..." I said as I rubbed soft circles over my stomach. "We'll soon be able to see your daddy. Don't you worry a bit."

After standing there a few more moments, I stepped from the bathroom and joined Cally and Jeff on the couch, ready for Netflix. We watched a bunch of old shows from the 90s and pigged out on junk food. There was a bunch of healthy things for me and I mostly ate the fruit provided.

"Alright, Reece." Jeff grunted and stretched as he shut the tv off. "It's getting late. Time for you and the little squirt to get to bed."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You can't tell me when I have to go to bed."

"Reece," I met Cally's stern gaze. "It's good to try and stay on a regulated sleep schedule when pregnant. Bed time. Now."

I groaned, but stood. "Fine... I'm going..." I closed the door to the room connected to theirs and sunk into the bed, sighing happily at the plushness and softness. It was so warm and comforting; like a giant hug.

The only way this would be complete is if I had Asher beside me. I kept that thought with me as I drifted to sleep.

--------

Asher

I stared in horror as Mario held Lana against him, a wickedly long and equally sharp knife pressed firmly against her throat. No one dared to move; not even his own men.

He smirked triumphantly. "Good doggies." There were a few hushed growls. "I just had this feeling I would be found. I just wasn't expecting it to be when I finally got my Lana back. Now that I have her, none of you will be able to take a step towards me! You all know what will happen." Lana whimpered as his arm flexed, the knife pressing harder onto her skin. Her nails clawed at his arm, but it seemed to be doing nothing.

Please tell me they have their sights on him...

"Now," He relaxed the knife and held Lana tightly by her upper arm. "You're all going to let me go." He waved the knife at us, and I had a slight sense of deja vu from when Daniel waved his knife at Reece and I. "You're going to let me, Lana, and all my warriors go! You're going to let us walk away and we shall forget everything that has happened today. If not..." He teased us by lightly dragging the knife over Lana's neck. She squeezed her eyes shut and tears streamed down from her eyes.

Please... Let them have a clear shot!

We all slowly backed up as Mario walked Lana down the lawn. The cars he and the others had been taking were behind us, meaning we had to part the way for him. He took slow, deliberate steps, looking us each in the eye as he passed.

When he met mine, he stopped. "Asher Kutcher of the LynsPack." He addressed me. "What a pleasure to meet you! It must be driving your wolf crazy knowing that your Luna is in danger and your mate is God knows where!" I bared my teeth at him, but made no sound.

All Mario did was smirk at me. "It must be driving you mad. How have you survived without your mate's scent constantly being in your nose? Why, I was about driven to the point of insanity when I lost my mate. But then I saw Lana. She had my mate's Spirit Wolf, and that kept me sane as we worked together."

His smirk turned into a glare. "But then she met your Alpha, Nyl. I lost her again. Since then, I've been trying everything to get Lana back to me! And it's finally worked. Not that it matters any to you, we'll be leaving Arizona and will be starting our own pack far, far away from Nyl. My pack will flourish and yours will crumble without its Luna."

This time, I did snarl at him. Lana silently begged me with her eyes not to do anything, but it was driving Carmon and I crazy knowing that we couldn't do anything to stop him. We couldn't do anything to keep him from hurting her.

They must have a clear shot by now!

With a low chuckle, Mario kicked some of the dirt in my eyes. I yelped and desperately swiped my paw over my eyes so I could see again. The dirt bit deeply into my eyes as I tried to wipe and blink it out.

After I had most of the dirt out, I looked up to see Mario almost to the cars. I growled lowly and stalked behind him, weaving through the Wolves and Hunters undetected. Mario didn't even know I was following him.

Why don't they just fucking shoot him?!

At the cars, I stopped and watched as he shoved Lana into the back seat. "Now that we've established who is in power, I think it's time for my men and I to leave. With that, I bit thee farewell." He gave a mock, low bow.

Right as he stood straight again, there was a click of a gun, then a bang, as the trigger was pulled. If I had blinked, I would have missed it. I watched as the bullet ripped through Mario's head, a gaping hole left in its wake. His expression froze to one of shock as he lightly spun a bit and fell onto his back.

Even from this distance, I could see the dark red liquid flowing from the wound. Finally, they shot. Stacey finally shot him.

In the next instant, we were fighting again, the Wolves on the Rogues as we took care of the rest of Mario's band of Rogues. None of the Rogues were safe from us. Hunters and Wolves worked together quickly to rid the rest of the Rogue army from existence.

There were a lot more than we thought there was, but after many hours of fighting and scouting around to make sure we got them all, it all came to a close.

There was no more snarls.

No more growling.

No more fighting.

Just silence.

And peace.

Bennett handed me a pair of shorts. I took it in my teeth and met his eyes. He met my eyes and grinned down at me. He was sporting a few cuts and scrapes, but nothing major. I nodded my head to him and went to change.

When I came back out, I helped everyone gather up the dead Rogues and piled them in the abandoned pack house. As we got them gathered up, I spotted a couple of the fighters talking with Lana and leading her to one of the cars that will take her to a hotel and get her ready to meet up with Nyl again.

Once the army was put in the pack house, I went to retrieve Mario. He was left in the exact same position as Stacey had shot him. His eyes were dead and wide open, staring at nothing. Bits of the bullet and his brain could be seen in the opening. His blood had pooled all around his head and shoulders, sticking to his hair and shirt.

I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and dragged him to the pack house he had been staying. Krivix and a few others were pouring liquid from a red canister inside and around the outside of the house. I left Mario's eyes open as I tossed him in with the other dead Rogues, then stepped out.

I dusted myself off and stared back at the house as Krivix shut the door and joined me. He pulled out a box of matches and held them out to me.

"Care to do the honors?" I took the box from him, struck a match, then flicked it onto the porch. Instantly, the liquid caught and the bright orange flames consumed the front of the house. I went around to another part of the house and flicked another match at it, watching as the glow started to consume the darkening sky. I put another at the back of the house and one last one on the last side of the house.

We all stood around and watched as the last of our troubles became completely consumed in flames. Boards creaked and the structure groaned as the intense heat licked up everything in its path. Nothing stood a chance against the fire.

Only the house burned. It's very convenient that we're in nothing but open dirt with no shrubs to catch and spread the blaze.

As I watched the house collapse in on itself, a hand was placed on my shoulder. I glanced up through the corner of my eyes to see Bennett, Stacey on his other side.

"We haven't killed this many in so long." He said casually. "We've been on the run for so long, not taking care of problematic Supernatural beings. We've been hiding. I won't tell you from what, but we had to run to keep Reece safe. Neither of us were expecting Reece to be mated to you. But Fate has an odd way of doing that, huh?"

I gave a half grin and looked back to the house as it began running out of things to burn. "I can agree, sir. Reece is a really nice girl and I'm glad this is all over. I can't wait to see her again."

"Nor us," Stacey added. "Sure, we'll have to do it slowly, but we can't wait to see our daughter again. It will be an... interesting reunion." We fell silent after that remark. All of us simply made sure the house burned to the ground.

It was well into the night when the final sparks began to flicker out, leaving nothing but a blackened pile of rubble, the only evidence that something had been here.

A couple of the warriors went through the smoldering remains to check to make sure the fire did its job and left nothing of the Rogues behind. They reported back that there was only a few bits of charred bones and the rest ash.

"Now," We turned our attention to Krivix as he stood before us all. "Let it be known that Mario, the leader of all the attacks and kidnappings of our girls, has been taken care of, as well as his army. We will no longer have to deal with the constant threat of him coming back. We are free and our women will be safe!" Cheers rang up at his words.

"But," A hush fell over the crowd. "You all must know that Mario was a misguided soul. You see, he only started this because he thought his mate's Spirit Wolf had inhabited Lana when she shifted for the first time. He was confused and struck with the residual love for his lost mate. He thought that if he had Lana by his side, he would no longer feel the pain of being alone."

"But even with Lana at his side, not even she could fill the void of his mate being absent in his heart." We lightly bowed our heads. "Not even she would be able to mend his broken and tattered heart. The loss of a mate will always make one yearn for them. So, is it really his fault that he went crazy and wanted Lana and his mate back? Or is it the fault of the ones who took his mate that started this chain of events?"

"We may never know. But what we do know is that Mario can finally be at peace, hopefully to reunite with his mate and be reborn." Krivix concluded his speech. On that note, no one spoke a word as we left the remains of the pack house for the humans to take care of in the morning. No doubt they saw the smoke in the dying daylight.

We all piled into the cars we took here and drove to Alpha Carson's pack house. The ride was silent as I rode in the back with Bennett and Stacey. I don't think they agreed with the words Krivix spoke, for they had hard stares as they watched the road.

I didn't exactly agree, either, but it made sense as to why he acted like he did. It gives us a reason why he acted out like he did. But it's still no excuse to threaten the life of Lana there at the end. It gives him no excuse to talk about my Reece.

I didn't even realize we had pulled up to the pack house until Bennett and Stacey started getting out. I followed them in and stood near Krivix and Rorie. They retold Alpha Carson the events of what happened on both ends while everyone else remained silent.

"So," He leaned forward a bit on the couch. "Mario is taken care of, and the other girls are back and in safe hands?"

"Yes, sir." Rorie nodded and Krivix gave a firm head nod.

"Mario is gone, as well as what was left of his army." He stated. "The pack house was burned to the ground with their bodies inside. We won't have to deal with them ever again."

"The girls are also safe." Rorie added. "Each of them is in a hotel room with two warriors guarding them, just in case something were to happen. Nothing is getting past our defenses. The girls are safe and will be ready to get home by noon tomorrow."

"Very well." Alpha Carson stood and shook hands with Rorie and Alpha Krivix. "It was a pleasure working with you all. It took a long while, but we can finally put this all behind us. Have a safe journey home."

"Thank you." Alpha Krivix inclined his head a bit in respect to Alpha Carson, then we all left to the hotels we had been staying at. I was a bit disappointed that I wasn't in the one Reece was in, but at least I know that she will be safe and sound with who her warriors are.

"Asher," I stopped and turned to face Rorie. "Ride with me." I walked with him to his car and we got in. We just so happened to be in the same hotel.

"What is it, Rorie?" I asked when we got back on the main road.

"I need to tell you about Reece," He started out with. "You don't have to worry about her anymore. She absolutely can't wait to see you again. The two watching over her are Cally and her mate, Jeff. They'll make sure she's protected and no harm will come to her."

I nodded slowly, a small smile making its way onto my lips. "I know I can trust them, just like I trusted you with getting my Reece out of there." I hesitated with my next words. "How... how is Reece?"

Rorie gave a soft chuckle. "Asher, the child is growing nicely. It looks healthy to me. You don't have to worry about anything. Just be careful; the bump sticks out quite a bit."

I blinked away the tears that threatened to spill over. It made me jealous that he could see Reece and our child before I could. But I knew that everything was going to work out for the better once I get her back into my arms. I'm never letting her go again.

Rorie and I went our separate ways after we got to the hotel. The second I got into my bed, I passed out.