"Try to eat something, okay?"

I gave Saigon's hand a squeeze. "I'm fine."

He hugged me as we stood in the entryway. "I can stay."

Grabbing his face, I kissed him. "Go to school. I'm going to rest and try and make a dent in all the food you made me."

He frowned. "Just tell me if something is wrong."

"I will." I reached for the doorknob. "Go to class. I'll be here."

"Fine," Saigon muttered as he picked up his bag and shuffled out onto the step. "I'm coming home for lunch."

"Sounds good. Bye." I watched him trudged off like a scowled pup toward campus.

With a deep breath, I stepped inside and closed the door. I did feel better. Not great, but not nearly as bad as a couple of days ago. Maybe there was some super werewolf virus out there that actually affected adults. Going to the living room, I flopped onto the couch and draped an arm over my eyes.

I listened to the clock on the wall tick as I enjoyed the peace and quiet. Saigon was being a bit too attentive. He was my mate, so it did make sense why he was worried.

A knock sounded on the door. Rolling my eyes, I sat up and glanced at the clock. That man was ridiculous. He was supposed to be in class. I was fine and his grades wouldn't be if he kept skipping. I wasn't going to die and was far from being bedridden. Marching to the door, I heard the handle jiggle. Jolting back, I stared at it.

Maybe, he forgot his key. I reached for it as a pit formed in my chest. The nauseous feeling filled my stomach. Backing away, I sat on the stairs.

"Archer?" The person outside knocked again. "Archer, please open up."

Gripping my knees, I gasped for air as my body hair rose up on the end. I wanted to open the door. I was fighting with myself not to move. I would have done it already if the sickness didn't keep me sitting. Why did I have to hear her voice again?

"Archer, I know you're home. Please," said Willow. "Please, open the door."

"Go away," I begged, pulling at my hair. "Just go."

"Move," said a male voice.

I perked up. Did Saigon come back?

The handle jiggled, but not in the way a key would unlock it. I scooted up the steps. My heart started to pound. Were they breaking in?

I needed to call Saigon. I darted upstairs and heard the lock shift. Throwing the bedroom door closed, I leaned against it. They were in the house! They broke into the house.

After locking the door, I clambered across the bed to the nightstand. My hands were shaking as I tried to find his number. Why did he put so many in the contacts? I could find his stupid name.

I pressed on his number as someone kicked the door. Fur started to appear along my arms. I'd have to fight them. I was a dominant of Northern Ridge, I could defend myself.

It was hit again as Saigon's missed-call message started to play. I called again. Why wasn't he picking up? He didn't even want to go in the first place. I dropped the phone as the door broke and it was flung open. My instinct took over and I shifted forms, ripping my clothes. I growled at the two men, taking a more defensive position. Willow stood in the hall behind him.

The men looked me over but didn't move.

"Go ahead." One nodded to Willow.

She stepped forward. I dug my claws into the wall and let out a low growl.

"Archer," she said with a fake smile. "It's me, your mate."

"You are not my mate," I stated as my chest squeezed. "You left. You went rogue. I don't need you anymore." My eyes were starting to burn. My senses were struggling to figure out what to do.

"I came to talk." She moved closer. "That's it."

I wanted to touch her, just to hug her for a moment. "No." I shook my head. "You broke in." My eyes landed on the men. "Who are they?"

"They're friends." She reached out her hand. "Let's talk."

"Get out." I bared my teeth.

"This is taking too long." The man with dark hair reached into his coat.

I saw the glint of metal and my knees buckled. I couldn't breathe.

"Stop it!" said Willow. "I told you, he's terrified of humans and guns."

"That's why I brought it." The man shoved Willow to the side and pointed the pistol with a tube attached to the end at me. "Shift."

Frozen, I stared at the man.

"Shift," he said firmly. "Now."

The sound was muted, but I saw the bullet hit the floor by my leg.

Closing my eyes, I hugged my arms around my chest and remained still. If they wanted me dead, I would be. I repeated that to myself again and again. Shifting now would only make me more vulnerable.

Willow's crying filled my ears. My head snapped up and I watched the man put the gun to her head.

"I thought the mate bond was stronger. I guess not, so the girl is no longer needed."

"No, no!" I reached for Willow. "You can't, please. Stop."

He threw Willow onto the floor.

"Shift and get dressed, and I won't shoot her."

Nodding, I gathered a few options around me that Saigon had left on the floor. After shifting to human, I took off the shredded clothes and put on sweatpants and a dirty t-shirt. I stood and moved Willow behind me. I had to protect her, but the gun made me feel helpless.

"Let's go—" His gaze landed on the phone. "Fucking, hell, he called someone," the man yelled down the stairs. "Saigon is on his way."

A tall, broad human entered. A scar that looked like a claw marked ran from his ear and down his neck. "Well, that's not good." He pointed a gun at me and pulled the trigger.

I clutched my chest, expecting blood. A dart was piercing my skin. I pulled it out and dropped it on the food. My head was starting to haze over—another one hit by my shoulder. My fangs merged and I growled. He shot me again. I staggered back.

"Grab the mutt and let's go," said the man.

He left the room as I hit the ground. I watched him leave as my sight narrowed to black.

***

(Saigon)

I raced across the campus. Someone was in my house, someone was hurting my mate. I darted across the street to the sound of a horn. Throwing open the door, I could smell them. My claws extended from my fingers as I ran up the stairs. The bedroom door was cracked. My breathing was labored as I entered. He was gone, my mate was gone. I dropped to my knees. Archer's phone had been smashed. I traced the claw marks and picked up the ripped clothing.

I could smell them. Willow had led strangers into my home and taken my mate. I fought the urge to shift as I took a deep breath of Archer's scent. The anger and pain were making my hands shake as I pressed on my father's name.

"Hey, Saigon. Do you want me or your dad?"

The tears broke through as fury filled my body.

"Saige?"

"He's gone." My voice cracked. "Willow broke in with some humans and took Archer."

"What? What, how?"

"He called me. I heard it. I heard them take him. I ran back, but he was gone. They took my mate."

"Aden! Aden, Archer is missing."

I hurried rustling on the other end.

"I'm calling Darius. Where's your phone," asked my father.

"It's plugged into the battery. Saigon," said my dad. "Saige, what happened?"

"Someone broke in. Willow was with them." I wiped my eyes. "Archer is gone. They took him. It hurts." I clutched my chest. "I can't breathe. They had a gun. What if they kill him? I can't live without Archer."

"Sweetheart," said my dad. "You need to calm down. In, out, deep breaths, just focus on breathing in and out."

I did so and slowly calmed down enough to get my breathing under control. "What do I do?"

"We're going to find him," stated my dad. "That's what we do. That's what we do when anyone messes with our family."