“Wow, he got here fast,” Sam said as he motioned for Renee to stay behind. Adam and Winston also marched up behind Hunter. Adam looked beside himself.
“You haven’t heard anything from them?” Hunter asked as Sam walked up to them.
“No. They just vanished,” Sam said with a frown. He was worried, too. It was his sister that was missing.
“I didn’t tell your father. This situation is already highly emotional. Squad B is heading to this area, just in case we need them. I don’t know what we’re dealing with here, but we need to be prepared.” Hunter turned and looked at Adam. “I understand how you’re feeling, but you need to follow my lead.”
“I will. I trust you, Hunter,” Adam said as he shifted side to side and anxiously looked around, desperate to find his mate.
“Sam, send Renee home. You come with us. They have a tremendous lead on us, but we’ll start tracking them down.” Hunter nodded as Sam left to send Renee home with their driver.
“How are we going to find them, Hunter?” Winston asked quietly.
“I’ll find Freja, that’s how. Even without my sense of smell, I could find her.” Hunter reached up and touched his chest. “She has a string tied right here that pulls me in her direction. I can always find my queen.”
Sam walked back up to them and Hunter turned, looking down the street. “Let’s move out.”
Lionel sprinted through the dead forest. The trees were barren, and the ground was covered in a heavy mist. It was the cursed woods. The area was lifeless, and greenery would never touch the area. He continued to dash through the shrubs, with Jin obediently holding still on his shoulders. When he reached a wide river, he suddenly halted. He and his companion took a small step back as they ran into an unexpected group.
“What do you have there?” A voice hissed out.
“It’s my pet. I’m just going back to the crevasse,” Lionel answered nervously.
“And you chose MY territory to cut through?” Another deep voice sounded from behind them.
Lionel turned to see a large man step out from the shadows. He lowered his head, showing respect to the demon that was higher in rank.
“Forgive me, Lord Harley. It was my mistake,” Lionel said with a small quiver in his voice.
“Indeed. It is your mistake.” Harley peered at the girl lying on Lionel’s shoulder. “She looks like she’d be a good mate.”
Lionel gulped and glanced up at Harley’s yellow eyes. “I’ll give her to you if you let us go.”
A cruel smile curled over Harley’s lips. “I was going to take her whether you gave her to me or not. But I suppose, for bringing me a mate, the least I can do is let you go. Now … set it down and get out of my territory.” His voice dropped into a low growl.
Jin was set on the ground, and Lionel sped away with his companion. She looked up at the towering man before her. He was large and muscular, and about seven feet tall … a giantcompared to her. He took a step closer to Jin and grabbed her wrist. Her eyes were filled with worry as he looked her over.
“Time for us to get better acquainted, I think.” He licked his lips and hoisted her over his shoulders.
Jin’s heart was racing as he carried her to the other side of the river. She knew what to expect from Lionel. Severe beatings and neglect. But this demon was different … one that was just as strong as Leoric. Another son of an original demon. She had heard his name before but had never seen him until today. She was afraid. He said he was taking her as a mate. As much as she wanted Chasen to be safe, she was also praying that he found her soon. She didn’t want anyone else to touch her but Chasen. Her chest constricted, and she was finding it hard to breathe. She bit her inner lip to keep herself from crying.
Chasen … I’ll try to be brave until I see you again.She had to be brave and strong. And no matter what, she had to protect her unborn baby. No matter what happened, it wouldn’t change anything, right? No matter what happened … Chasen would still want her …
Freja paused in the middle of the woods. She could see an old mill, isolated in the distance. She knew this building. She had actually stayed there and had supplies hidden under the floorboards. The scent led to the building. She listened carefully as she tried to pick up any sounds. She could hear muffled sounds and someone moving.
Chasen crept up quietly to Freja’s side. “Are they in there?” Chasen asked in a whisper.
“Someone is. But I don’t sense any demons.” She frowned and looked at Chasen. “There are no demons in there, and thatincludes Jin. But …” She turned back to the building and lifted her nose, sniffing the air. “Susan’s scent is strong. Let’s check it out.”
Freja was so fast that she looked like a blur. Chasen followed closely behind her. Not sensing any danger, she pushed the door open. In the middle of the room was a girl hunched on the floor, bound with silver and gagged. They both raced over to her. Freja ripped the gag from her mouth while Chasen broke the chains effortlessly. Susan had tears trickling from her eyes.
“Where’s Jin?” Chasen asked hurriedly.
“They took her. They called her their pet, and they took her,” Susan said through her tears.
Chasen pulled her into a hug, patting her on the back soothingly. He grew up with her after all. She was like family to him and had been through something traumatic.
“How long ago did they leave?” Freja asked worriedly.
