3

Lana

After a while of him carrying me, we were met by someone holding clothes out for Nyl. He slipped on the shorts and used the shirt to cover me.

"This way, Alpha Nyl." He led us towards where the plane was. "We'll have you both out of here in no time." We boarded the plane and Nyl sat in a seat, pulling me even closer to him. We were left alone. He wiggled his fingers, which were still inside of me, and I let out a shaky gasp.

"How I missed this so much..." He roughly placed his lips to mine while he messed with me down there. I moaned loudly into the kiss and pulled us closer together. I deepened the kiss and it soon became French. We fought for dominance and he claimed it just as the plane started to take off.

"Oh, Lana..." He whispered my name and trailed gentle kisses down my neck. "I thought I'd never see you again..." He used his thumb to rub me softly and I shivered with pleasure. My hands went down blindly to his waist and I lightly grabbed his friend poking me and rubbed the palm of my hand on it.

He moaned and pulled me closer. "Lana..." I felt the chills spread through me as he licked my mark and pleasured me even more. I never realized how much I needed this until now. I begged for more as I rubbed faster.

"Baby, we're still on the plane..." He said in a husky, strained voice and I knew he was fighting Ryden.

"We have two hours..." I whispered into his ear. "There's a private room in the back of the plane. I just know you can't wait until the scent of the Rogues is off me..." That's all he needed to hear. The second we were able to walk about the plane, he unbuckled and went right for the private room.

That was the best flight I've ever had in my entire life.

------------

Asher

I entered our pack house and stopped dead in my tracks. "Victoria, why are you out of the basement?"

She shrugged. "I was going to head back down after a bit. I just wanted to see something."

"See what?" I asked. She gestured behind me and I turned to see a car pull up. Nyl's car. He walked around to the passenger's side and bent over. My heart leaped into my throat, then plummeted. He's holding Lana... He has his mate back, and mine is still missing.

I put on a brave face as they approached us. "Welcome back, Alpha..."

He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Asher, when Lana wakes up, she's going to try and tell us what she and the other girls went through while in captivity. They're not in Oregon. No, they're in Arizona. She'd escaped, and I went to get her." I nodded to him and watched as he carried his mate up the stairs and to their room.

"Come to the basement with me, Asher," I followed behind Victoria to the basement. "I know you're depressed. I know how you feel. When I lost Ryan, I thought I was going to die, and I almost did. All I wanted was to get him back into my life, but I knew that wasn't possible. But for you and all the other Alphas and Betas, there's a chance for you to get them back. Just know this will take time. Trust me; it get's better." She drew me into a quick hug, then pulled away. "Get some rest. No doubt that Lana will have one hell of a story to tell us later."

I nodded to her and went up to the room I was sharing with Reece. Once there, the first thing I did was pull out her shirt from the bag. I inhaled a few times, then put it back. I have to find something else. The shirt is slowly starting to lose her scent. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't get to smell her mesmerizing scent.

I laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I haven't been able to get a decent night's sleep since she was taken from me. My mind is riddled with nightmares, the sound of her screaming, and me not being able to get up and help her. Her expression was frightened, and it haunted my thoughts, never leaving my mind when I closed my eyes. It was there, waiting for me.

I felt guilty knowing I was the reason as to why she's gone. If I had been stronger... If I had been able to fight off the paralyzing silver prods, I'd have been able to kill the Rogues, and I'd be doing everything in my power now to make sure she never even set foot outside this house without me knowing. She'd be in my arms, in our bed, and under me until this mess was straightened out and taken care of for good.

I groaned loudly and rolled over so I was face first in the pillows. Her scent within the pillows was already covered with mine, so I couldn't use them. It's seriously frustrating me that I have little resources to keep me sane during all of this.

I jumped at the sound of a knock on my door. "Asher, Lana's awake and she's ready to speak and explain what's been happening." I sat up and glanced at the clock. I... fell asleep?

"Coming..." I grunted out as I sat up. I really need to get some sleep if I'm to be able to protect the remaining females. I rubbed my eyes and sat up. As I was waking myself up, I headed out of the room and down to the basement where everyone was waiting.

Nyl was as close to Lana as possible; practically right in her hip pocket. "Alright, Lana. We're here."

She slowly nodded and moved closer to Nyl. "You see, we were in some place underground, I know that much. It kind of looked like the prison cells we have here. Anyway, when we all came to, we couldn't see. They had this liquid in our eyes that caused temporary blindness. Reece was the first to recover." My fists clenched a bit, but I held my tongue.

"So, I found out who all was there. It was me, Reece, Ingrid, Esther, Bennie, and Valerie." She continued. "It turns out, every single one of us was pregnant, and each at different stages, which is a good thing for us because-"

"Wait, wait. Hold up!" We turned to Signih. "What do you mean you're all pregnant? Ingrid isn't pregnant! She would have told me!"

Lana gulped. "It's true, Signih... Ingrid found out the day she was kidnapped... She was going to, but..."

Pain flashed across his eyes and he had to turn away to hide his face. When he spoke again, his voice was strained. "How... how far along is she...?"

"We've been gone for about a month, so, maybe a little over a month, or so..." Which means Reece is about two months, now... I sniffed and covered my mouth. I mustn't speak now... Not now...

"Is... is our baby alright?" He asked, his voice cracking a few times.

"As far as I know, yes..." Lana stood and Nyl was right behind her. "I'm sorry, Signih..." He roughly shoved past her and out of the basement. When he got past Lana, I was then aware that Nyl has two fingers in her back belt loop. I had to turn away.

I swallowed hard. "Yes, Asher?" I looked up from the floor and saw Lana staring at me.

"R-Reece...?"

A sad look crossed her eyes and my heart nearly stopped. "She's... she's not doing too well... Asher, she's having panic attacks constantly. To keep her from hurting herself and the other's, they've had to chain her up away from us. I-I'm so sorry..."

I bit down hard on my lips. Warm liquid spilled over. My Reece... "Asher...?"

A vicious snarl ripped past my lips and I was gone and out of the basement in less than two seconds. I shifted and Carmon took over, letting out a long, pained howl. I hid in the back of our joined minds and let him do as he pleased. I didn't care anymore; I just wanted my Reece back.

After a while of letting Carmon do as he wanted, I tuned back in to see where we were. We were in the clearing where we first shifted in front of Reece. Carmon was just... laying there. The wind was ruffling our fur, and I could feel his depression. He was diving deeper and deeper into it the longer Reece was away from us.

I tried to think of a way to attempt to cheer him up. "Hey, uh.... Remember what Victoria said? It'll get better!"

He snorted. "The only way this could get better is if we find our mate and make sure she never leaves us again! Forcefully or willingly! You even thought so yourself!" He got to his feet. "The second we find her, she is never leaving the room! We'll be with her, and we'll be sure that no one can get her from under us!"

I thought for a moment. "But... but she'll be coming from a place where she was held captive. What do you think locking her in the room will do?"

"It will-!"

"Asher? "

We whipped around to see Lana in wolf form at the edge of the trees.

"Luna Lana," Carmon dipped his head. "With all do respect, but what the fuck are you doing out here?"

"Looking for you," She responded. "It's not exactly safe for someone to be alone."

"But what if the Rogues spot you again?! I can't defend you against Rogues by myself!"

"I'll help." She said matter-of-fact. "I'm not helpless."

"Yes you are!" Carmon growled. "You're with child! It'll only slow you down. Come. I'm taking you back to Nyl." He linked Nyl to give him our location as well as the approximate time we'd be arriving. He said he'd be here soon. "Let's go."

"No!" She snapped. Carmon backed down a bit. "Not until I tell you what's going on! This part has to be done in private."

She walked up to us and looked us right in the eyes. "Carmon, Asher, I know it's killing you not knowing what's going on with your mate, but I promise you, she will not be hurt in any way. Rogues don't hurt pregnant women or children, which means Bennie's child will be safe. I already told Collen that, but the point is, your child will be safe, as will Reece. Sure, she may have to be kept chained up away from the others, but I promise neither of them are suffering. They give her a formula that knocks her out so she'll stop having her attacks. And, since she's pregnant, they've done everything in their power to make sure that liquid doesn't hurt her or the child inside her."

Carmon narrowed his eyes a bit. "How can we be so sure about all this?"

She growled. "I'm certain Nyl has already told you this, but I was once a Rogue! I know how they work. I've gotten the inside scoop of what they do. In fact, I was second in command of the group of Rogues we had found and recruited. Then I found Nyl, and I disbanded." She turned her back to us a bit.

"Do you think your old group might be behind these kidnappings?"

Lana stiffened, then rounded on us. "Mario is a good man! He would never do anything like this!"

"What if he's trying to get back at Nyl for taking you away?"

"How could you!"

"What if this is his way of getting back at Alpha's and Beta's that have mates? What if he actually has feelings for you still and wants to take you back and make Nyl suffer?"

"Mario is not that kind of man!!"

"How do you know? How long have you been away from him?" She didn't answer. "How long?"

"Two years!"

"Two years is a long time for someone to change." Carmon looked up as Nyl joined us. "I'm just saying it's a possibility. Now, let's get you back to the pack house." Nyl and I went on either side of her and escorted her back to safety. She hung her head, deep in thought. Nyl would nudge her every now and then, but she wouldn't acknowledge him. He whined, then lightly licked her chin.

Carmon and I had to look away. This was too much for us.

At the pack house tree line, Nyl got us clothes and we shifted back. Carmon allowed me to have control again.

Nyl kept a hand on her lower back and two fingers in the belt loops as he brought her back inside the pack house. I hung back a bit, letting them have their time together.

"Nyl, just leave me alone!" I jerked to a stop at hearing that.

"Lana, please!" He chased after her upstairs. "Just talk to me!"

A door slammed. "Just give me some time to myself!"

"Lana!" I bit my lip and headed for my room. Carmon went a bit too far there, but it wasn't my place to speak for him. I laid back on the bed and stared out the window, watching the sun set.

--------------

Signih

I stood watch before the boundary of my pack house. I have to protect my pack. I can't risk my Beta female being kidnapped. I don't want Dex experiencing the loss we've felt since our mates have been kidnapped. He doesn't deserve it.

There was a shift in the air, and the hair on my neck stood. I alerted my pack to prepare for an attack from Rogues.

But what they don't know is that Alma isn't even here. She's not even in this state. She'll be safe, but if we can capture these Rogues, we can get an accurate location on where they're keeping our mates. The sooner we find out, the better.

Another shift of the wind, and I knew they were close. But they don't know I'm here; it's exactly as I like it. The second the first Rogue made the slightest appearance, fifteen men rushed him from the pack house and ambushed him and several others that had emerged when they heard my men shift and growl.

I watched from a distance, my wolf inside me stirring. He loved seeing the blood run from the Rogues. He wanted to join in the attack, but I have to keep him at bay. If I go out to join in, nearly half the Rogues will be dead, and we need them alive for interrogations.

Within half an hour, we rounded up twenty wounded Rogues to put away for questioning later. In total, we now have close to fifty Rogues who won't be going back to the one who sent them. I stood from my position and paced around the area, making sure there wasn't any Rogues hidden about. We have to be alert at all times.

Even the slightest hesitation can make us lose the war.

And I know this from experience. I closed my eyes for a second to push the vivid memories from my mind of the war that gave me my scars. Had I not had the protection of my pack and parents, I wouldn't be here. There would be no Twilight pack. We'd be another abandoned pack had my parents and nearly half my pack hadn't sacrificed themselves for me.

That year still haunts my dreams, and they've come back since Ingrid was taken from me. And now I find out she is carrying our child! This just makes matters worse... I sighed and continued my search for Rogues.

After an hour of thorough searching, I came up with nothing and made it back to the pack house. I slipped on some shorts and met up with my Beta.

"Give me the details." I glanced around the yard, now devoid of Rogue bodies.

"In total, we now have fifty-seven Rogues in custody." I nodded at the number. "Some of the ones we recently got have started to wake up, but won't speak. We have ways of making them talk, but we need your permission to try them out." He handed me a slip of paper.

I quickly read over them. "You have my permission to use whatever method you seem fit, so long as none of the Rogues die. Understood?"

He bowed his head. "Yes, Alpha. Shall we start the questioning?"

"Yes," I gazed into the forest. "Start as soon as you like. I'll take first patrol with a few other wolves. Let me know how it goes."

"Yes, Alpha." With a final nod of his head, he headed for the cells in the storm shelter. I let out a sigh through my nose and let my sight linger over the part of the property before I stripped then shifted for patrol duty. Ten other pack members joined me and we each went our separate ways.

My first order of business for myself was to talk with the smaller packs in my area to get their assistance in this war on Rogues. I rolled my shoulders and ran for the first pack that is closest, just in case more Rogues thinks it's a smart idea to catch us with our guard down.

I stopped at the first of the seven packs I would have to ask for their co-operation. I dropped my shorts I had been carrying and put them on once I had shifted. The children that had been playing in the grass spotted me, then ran back inside, possibly to their Alpha, Remus.

My assumptions were confirmed when Remus, a tall, young, Native American came out with the two boys I scared off, attached to his legs. He bowed to me then ushered the boys inside.

"Alpha Signih," We met each other half way to his pack house. "What do we have the pleasure to see you here? Surely, we haven't broken any rules, have we? I assure you, the incident from last week was already taken care of."

I raised my hand to keep him from speaking farther. "The report was given to me and I knew you would take care of it. But let me assure you that is not the reason for me being here. You see, I am in need of your assistance."

"Assistance?" He shifted on his feet a bit. "For what, may I ask?"

I nodded a bit. "Roughly a month ago, the females in power of the four main packs have been kidnapped; only two are left." His eyes widened. "We have declared war against the Rogues, and we need your packs help. In exchange for your help, I will be willing to give you more land to expand on."

"More land?" He perked up a bit. "What's the plan, Alpha?"

"First," I held out a finger. "We must contact the packs out in Arizona to let them know what we're planning on doing. That's where our mates are being held. We can't go there unannounced; they'll kick us out, and we won't be allowed back, which means our mates might be there for good. But, before we can do this, I need your confirmation to help us."

Remus nodded and held it out. I grasped it. "I'd do anything to help you, Alpha Signih. If you don't mind asking, who are the females that have been kidnapped?"

I released his hand and took a deep breath. "Lana and Reece from Alpha Nyl's pack, Esther and Bennie from Alpha Krivix's pack, Valerie from Alpha Victoria's pack, and... and Ingrid from mine..."

He jerked back. "My cousin... was kidnapped?"

I nodded sadly. "And, I recently found out that she's pregnant..."

He growled and had to turn away. "This is even more incentive to help you. Alpha Signih, I will help you. I will do everything I can to get my cousin back before the Rogues do anything to the females."

"Thank you, Remus." We grasp hands again before I let go and turn away to head to the next pack.

By the end of the day, I have all seven lesser packs on my side. In total from all the packs, we have one hundred extra members helping us get the females back. I'll speak with Delamar tomorrow and see if he's willing to stand with us.

I headed back for my pack house and shifted just before I broke through pack lines. I put my shorts on and sighed sadly. Every day, I always look forward to seeing Ingrid waiting for me on the porch swing. She'd see me, then leap to her feet and jump into my arms.

But since she's been kidnapped, that swing has been empty. There is no one waiting for me. I shut my eyes and strode past the still swing. I opened my eyes and saw Dex standing before me.

He nodded his head. "Alpha Signih, we have gathered some information from some of the Rogues."

I smirked and motioned for him to come to the kitchen with me. "Tell me, Dex, what have our 'guests' said about all this?" I couldn't wait to tell the others this news.

"You see, Alpha," He sat at the table as I gathered the things I would need for a sandwich. "A few of them told us that the headquarters for these Rogues is in Sedona, Arizona, but the females aren't there. They wouldn't tell us, but we do know they're deep in the desert."

"Do we know who is behind all of this?" I asked as I put the things away and bit into the sandwich.

"Yes, Alpha." I turned and leaned against the counter, indication for him to continue. "We have found that the one behind these kidnappings is Mario Stilvenski."