IZZY'S POV:

I can't feel my toes anymore. I can't feel my cheeks. It's so cold. No matter what I do, I cant get warm. I'm curled up in a ball in the corner of my cell. Each exhale, I see this cloud of air. Teeth chattering are the only noises made in the prison.

I look at Lincoln. He is sitting their normally as if the cold wasn't effecting him. "How are you not cold?" I whispers

"I am cold. But I am more immune to it than you. I've gone through this countless times during the winter."

"W-why?"

"Because sometimes the heat generator freezes. They use the back up generator to heat the upstairs area where all of them live."

I look down at my hands. They're so stiff. I rub them together breath hot air in it. It's not working. I whimper from how cold it is.

With a shaking head, I look at Xander. He is shivering from the cold. His cheek bones look raw from frostbite. His little stubble has frost on it as well.

"Izzy?" He asks.

I nod towards him. Too cold to talk. I'm scared if I do, I might release any kind of internal heat I have left.

"Are you o-okay?" I whisper.

"I'm fine Izzy. You're the one that's carrying a pup!"

I smile through my chattering teeth, "I'll be fine, Xander. The pups nice and toasty inside."

He shakes his head and growls. "Guards!" He shouts, "GUARDS!"

My eyes widen, "Xander stop it you'll get in trouble!"

He gives me a pointed look, "It's worth a try if it means you get warm. You're pregnant Izzy! I'm not gonna let them take another blessing I have away from me."

Those words alone warmed me more than he knew, "Xander-"

The metal door opened. Matheseus came in with a smile. Xander's eyes instantly harden with anger as he stares at his enemy. 

My whole body went numb. I look down in submission. I didn't mean to do it. It was totally out of a reaction. I wasn't exactly afraid of he'll do to me, I feared for my baby. I see him step in front of my cage. I crawl backwards against the wall.

Xander snarls and instinctively steps forward, but the sound of the chain clanking only reminded the both of us that he couldn't do anything at this moment. 

"Don't go near her. You're business was originally with me." He growls lowly.

Matheseus turns from me and looks at Xander. "Oh Xander, how I've missed you. I've thought so much of you the past years."

"Yeah me too," He chuckles darkly, "I've thought of so many ways to end your life." He spits out.

Matheseus gulped and smiled, "No need for such thoughts. You will not live to see the fourth day from now. So I'm going to be generous and let you have your time with your female. But know this...once you're gone, I'm going to kill your son. And then I'm going to replace him with mine in your mate's womb."

I frown, what was he talking about?

"I'm going to let you into your mate's cell, but I promise you. If you do anything...I will not hesitate to grab her and claim again and again...in front of you."

Xander nods. I see his lips curl into a snarl. The guards unlocked his cell. They step inside and with shaky hands, unchain him. Xander takes off the chain. Without breaking eye contact with Matheseus, Xander steps out of his cell. He was slightly taller than him. His hands were balled into tight fists. 

He came willingly and waited at my door. When my cell opens he comes inside. As they shut the cell door behind him I stand up and lung myself into his arms. He catches me and he wraps me in his protective hold. "I've missed your touch." I said shakily. I look up at my mate through my tears, "I'm sorry Xander. I should've let you explain, if I did none of this would've happened!"

He cups my face in his large hands and wipes my tears, "It was fake, Izzy. Lana and I made a deal. She made it seem like she was holding information that could save you. Except the cost was for me to kiss her...kiss her like she was you," He growls in anger, "I should never have taken the deal. I was just so desperate to protect you that...I thought it might've been worth it."

I nodded my head understandingly, "I know Xander. I know. I get it. I understand why you did it."

He looks down at me with a fondness. He strokes my cheek with his thumb. He leans down and kisses me. I wrap my arms around his neck. He groans as I grip his hair. We separate breathlessly. He lifts me up and we sit down, with me on his lap.

"You're freezing Izzy."

I hadn't even noticed the cold. I was so focused on Xander being here that I didn't even feel it. But now that he had mentioned, I felt my body begin to shake. I move to get closer and closer to him. As close as I can get. "I'm here now, Izzy. You're okay. I won't let anything happen to you." He whispers into my ear. He said it firmly, like it was a promise. 

 He rubs up and down my arms and legs and back. I curl into him. "I love you." I whisper.

He kisses my forehead, "I love you too sweetheart. I love you too."

His hand goes to my stomach and rubs it. I couldn't help but smile when he did that. "Y-you're going to be a father."

I felt him smile. "Yeah, I'm gonna be a daddy."

"You're going to be a great father. He's gonna be a lucky kid having you."

"He?"

I lift my head and look at him, "It's going to be a boy."

"What if it's a girl?"

I shook my head confidently, "It's a boy."

"But what if-"

"It's a boy Xander, trust me. A mother knows."

His chest vibrates as he chuckles, "Okay okay." There was a moments silence, then he said, "But what if it was a-"

"Ssshhh." I put my finger on his lips, "Xander, honey, baby, sweetheart...I am the one carrying YOUR child. If I FEEL like it's a boy...then it's a boy. There's no going around that."

Xander chuckles, "Maybe it's good we don't have a girl first. If they're all like you, I won't be able to win any argument."

I smile. He leans down and pecks my lips, "Now, you need to get some sleep."

Sleep was something I had not been familiar with the past couple of days. But with Xander with me, I noticed my body sagged more. I felt like now that I was safe, my body let my guard down.

I nod and close my eyes. I lean my head on my mate's chest and snuggle in. His arms come tight around me. Making me secure. Making me safe. Finally I slept in peace.

XANDER'A POV:

I feel Izzy's breath even out, indicating that she's finally alseep.

"She's strong." I heard a voice from my right.

I smile. I'd know that voice anywhere. I look to my side, "Long time no see, old friend."

He grins and nods towards me, "You look good my brother. You have grown into a strong man."

I chuckle, "I am an alpha now."

"I've heard. And you've finally found your Luna." He said gesturing down at my little mate, curled up against me, sleeping.

I look down to my mate with pride, "Yes. She's perfect."

"She's definitely perfect for you. She is strong."

I nod in agreement, "Yes, yes she is."

There was a moment of silence before Lincoln sigh, "I tried all I could to protect her. But there was some things I couldn't protect her from...I'm sorry."

I deep growl rumbles inside my chest. There is this boiling anger that has been building ever since I knew she was raped. My sweetheart was RAPED!!

"You did what you could. For that I am eternally grateful."

"I wish I did as much as you did for me." He confesses.

I shake my head, "You're in no debt to me Lincoln. Do not hold yourself down with that."

"No. That's not how it works Xander and you know that. Whatever you need. I'm here."

"Thank you." I look down at my mate in thought, "I'm sorry Lincoln that I haven't come sooner. I tried for so long to find this place again. But, I don't know if it was magic or not. I'm sorry I didn't look hard enough. It was-"

"You were looking," Lincoln said, "That's all that matters."

I clenched my jaw and bowed my head down at him. Lincoln nods, "You should get some rest too. You look exhausted."

I was pretty tired, "Yeah, but I don't want anything to happen to her."

"Don't worry. I'll keep watch while you both sleep."

"Thank you brother."

I hold Izzy tighter to my chest and she snuggles closer to me. Before I sleep, I look at the pipes on the walls. "Is that the water?"

Lincoln looks towards them and nods, "Yes, that's their water supply. But it's boiling hot."

"Why?"

"To purify it."

...interesting...

I lean my head back against the wall and let myself fall into sleep.

IZZY'S POV:

I wake up on the cold hard ground. I frown when I look around to see Xander is no where. Where did they take him?

I look to Lincoln. He's fast asleep. I look at my cage door and see it slightly open. I gasp as I sit up. What the heck?

I stand up and slowly walk to it. The lock is broken? Who did this?

"Lincoln!" I hiss.

He jerks awake and is instantly on his feet, "What happened? Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. Did they take Xander?"

He frowns, "What?" He eyes roam my cage. "What the hell are you up to?" He mumbles to himself.

All of a sudden the metal door bursts open. There was at least 10 guards holding down a struggling Xander.

"Xander?" I shout.

He looks at me and gives me a wink. My brows pull together. "What the heck is he doing?"

Xander jumps in the air and kicks one of the pipes on the wall. A big dent was made. He growls and does it again. Pure steam was shooting out. Soon the other pipes couldn't take the pressure. Next thing I know, all the pipes were bursting. The whole room, actually I think the whole headquarters was filled with hot steam. The whole room was nice and hot. I could feel my toes and fingers again!

Soon the fog lifted, but the heat stayed. I could still see Xander getting held down. Matheseus slowly walked down the stairs with an evil scowl on his face.

"WHO DID THIS?" He roared. I flinched from his voice.

"I did!" Xander yelled.

Matheseus's red angry eyes land on him. He nods towards the guards and they let go of Xander. He straightened into his full height. He towered all the other men. To be honest, it turned me on to see how manly and intimidating he was.

I see Xander smirk then he turned to me and raised an eyebrow as if saying 'really?'

Red creep onto my cheeks. Damn it! Left my link wall open.

"You did this?" Matheseus's said.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because my mate was freezing and she's pregnant. She needs warmth."

Matheseus's nods, "There's going to be a punishment."

Xander smiles, "Give me whatever you got."

Matheseus smile, but it's not the kind that makes you smile. It's the kind that totally freezes you with fear. His red eyes land on me, "Take her."

My eyes widen, "What?" I mumbled.

Xander snarled, "WHAT? But I did it?"

"I've already hurt you before Xander, you're used to it. You're so strong when it comes to pain. I'll take the next best thing that will hurt you. Your mate will take your punishment instead."

"NO!" Xander roared. He turns to run back to me. I jump out of my cage and run to him. But as our hands were about to touch, guards yanked me back making me whimper and Xander was pulled back by at least 8 guards.

"Xander!" I yell in fear.

The guards pull me towards Matheseus. I try to back away but they pushed me towards him. I fall and land at his feet. I bow down and hold my belly protectively. I shake in fear as I felt the Rogue Alpha's hands touch my chin to raise my face up to him. He smiles down at me, "Hello my darling."

I gulp.

He then grabs me by the hair and drags my on the floor. I scream in pain.

"IZZY! NO!!" I hear Xander Roar.

I see him push all the guards off of him and race towards me, but one of the men pulls out a dart gun and shoots him. He instantly hits the floor, but he still tries to crawl towards me. The man shoots another dart that tranquillises him completely.

I cry and scream as Matheseus continues to drag me. He takes me into this white room with white cages. Everything look so clean. I frown. Where is this bastard taking me?

He opens one of the clean white cages throws me in. "What is this place?"

"Don't worry my darling. We only need Xander to think you are getting hurt. We need you to save your energy for the real stuff."

He leaves. I sag against the clean white wall in relief. There's only three people in here, including myself. A guy with a shaved head that had his back to me and a bright blonde girl that was asleep on the Matt that was on the floor.

I look to the guy on my left. I tilt my head. I feel like I know him. I move closer. I cough slightly to get his attention, but nothing happened.
I cough again. Nothing again. I do a really really loud hacking noise.
"If You're gonna die, die quietly please! I am trying to concentrate!"

I gasp. I know that voice. I know the kind of person who'd say that. I grab a hold of the bars that separate us.

"Eddie?"

I see the guy lift his head and turn around. It was my brother's face.
"Lizzy?!" He yelled. He rushed towards me and hugged me through the bars.
"What the hell are you doing here?! You can't be here!"

"I was taken." Tears fill my eyes when I smile and touch his face, "I'm so happy you're okay. I was so worried! Zapora was really worried!"

His eyes soften when I mention Zapora, "How is she?" He asked.

I shake my head, "She's not good. She's A shell of the person we once knew."

Eddie's face instantly falls at the news, "But don't worry Eddie, we'll all get out of here."

"Not all of us."

My brows pull together, "What do you mean?"

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"Xander is to be executed in two days."

My heart is beating against my chest. I feel the blood drain from my face, "W-what?"

"That's the whole reason why he's here."

"What do you mean Eddie?!"

I see my brother's eyes turn sad as he says, "Matheseus told Xander he had to come here to die, or he would kill you instead."

My knees gave way and I collapsed onto the floor. Eddie made sure he caught me through the bars before I impacted. My eyes blur with tears.
"Hey, hey come on baby sister. It's okay. Anything could happen between now and then. I doubt he's gonna be killed. I mean it's Xander Nightwalker for goodness sake! Nothing can kill him."

"Let's hope so." I whisper.

"So you guys are siblings I'm guessing?"

We both turn to the blonde girl in the cage across from us.

"Yeah." I say.

"Well thank goodness he's got someone else to talk to. He goes on none stop about his mate."

I think she was trying to cheer me up, get my mind off of Xander.
"Shut up! I was not!" He mumbles.

I grin a tiny bit. "I'm not surprised. You are?"

"My name is Lucia. Daughter of Carrow, House of Witches, at your service."

I raise my brows in surprise, "You're a witch?"

She smiles and nods her head.

"Can't you voodoo yourself out of here then?"

Lucia shakes her head, "I can't, there's a charm on this place. It won't allow me to use magic unless I had permission from Matheseus himself. It's unbreakable. A powerful witch did it."

"Who?"

She smirks, "Me."

I chuckle a little, "Can't you undo-"

I was interrupted when I heard a painful scream. I didn't recognise it. It wasn't anyone I knew. Suddenly there was a gunshot...silence filled the air.

Both of Eddie and Lucia say at the same time, "May we meet again."

"What was that?"

"It's what you say when someone from here dies...you see them in the next life."

All of us fall into silence. There was a grey atmosphere that quieted us all. We laid on our matts and prayed for the life we lost.

XANDER'S POV:
I am pacing my cell, back and forth, for hours. I can't help but feel so anxious and scared for my pregnant mate. What are they doing to her? Is she in pain?

"Stop worrying." Lincoln says.

"How can I not when my mate is in the hands of a fucking pedophile rapest." I roared.

"They haven't hurt her."

"How do you know?"

"She hasn't passed the four week mark of pregnancy."

"What's so special about it?"

Lincoln explained to me what happened with Lizzy and how they were going to give her poison. Then he explained how after the four week mark they could do anything to her.

"So when does she pass the four week mark?"

"Tomorrow."

I growl and punch the wall. I need to get stronger. I look at the top of the bars. I jump and grab them and I began to do pull up. All that was on my mind was, get stronger, protect mate.

"Get stronger. Protect mate."I growl.

"You really haven't changed my friend. You haven't changed indeed."