Second Thoughts After Divorce

Rose’s POV

somehow managed to use to mask the fact that Derrick would be in attendance

The night began with celebration, followed by excitement – which I had so today…

A part of me had hoped that Derrick would miraculously fall ill, and by chance would be too weak to show face tonight… which unfortunately, wasn’t the case.

If he wouldn’t have been here, it would allow me to have some real time to enjoy the beauty of the event and to take it all in properly.

But, the stale truth was, he did turni up. Just as smug and as egotistical as I remembered him to be..

Sure it

was a lot to see him walk in, despite knowing that I had a great force of protection around me now–it was still a tough demon to face.

I had high hopes for the night to go well, hoping that this man couldn’t and wouldn’t ruin any of it for me, but the excitement of the event was short lived to say the least.

The once peaceful, magical and musical night quickly transformed into a chaotic war zone. Ashton was furious, losing total control with Derrick and his pack mates after what Elza had said to me in the bathroom.……..

I understood the reaction

though, because Elza had crossed a fine line by joking about Ashtons mate and her death!

I appreciated the protection from Ashton, but I had never seen him like this which terrified me all the same. He was angry beyond words. He even pushed me out when I tried to mind–link him a dozen times with hopes of calming him down to avoid things escalating too far….

But I was a fool to think that I could stop such a man.

Ashton would get what he wanted, even if that meant blood being shed in–front of everyone here – he wouldn’t be disrespected.

The conflict quickly unravelled, Ashton throwing the first hit followed by numerous others stepping in to defend each Alpha, all before my brain could even process what was going on.

It took mere seconds before tables were being tossed, glasses shattered, chairs screeching and women screaming and fleeing the hall for their own safety.

I clung to Lydia with a fierce grip as she did me- us both terrified yet unable to make a move – completely frozen to the chair in fear.

Ashtons nearby guards looked conflicted too, glancing over at us before glancing back at the snarling pit of wolves who once stood as men….

My heart raced a thousand times faster than usual, as one by one, each guard ended up in the fight – either by voluntarily throwing themselves in or by being forced in by the opposing team rushing at them in an attack.

It was only then that I realised..

“We…we have to get out of here Lydia!” I cry, only now noticing the wet tears streaming down my face as I watched on in hopes that Ashton wouldn’t get hurt.

I couldn’t see him amongst the ferocity of the crowd – with wolves launching themselves and others flying across the grand hall…

Before we could react further, and make a move to flee, a loud bang is heard from the far comer, followed by two more, releasing a thick gas up in to the room – acting as a fog to tarnish everyone’s vision.

Oh no.

I shriek loudly when feeling a hand grab my shoulder, before a cloth is placed over my face – Iseld firmly over my nose and mouth – restricting my alr.

It takes only seconds, and regardless of how much I light and thrash, I wind up out cold…

Unaware, and unsure of what was going to happen to us next…

Awareness his gradually, smpanied by the dendenting sensation of groghness.

My head tuled, an fhogh someone had lashed it, and the serid taste of hitterness lingered in my mouth

Au conai jönntest chand is way back, I hated to mine, only to realize the unwelcome truth – that I was now both bound and gagged.

I

Panic winged as ek in my momandings Blinking profusely to ease the blurriness in my eyes. The stilling darkness of the confined space and the thothon hung of the

Sosting against soy testsalats, my eyes finally adsted to the dim light, revealing the disheartening sight of Lydia still unconscious beside me.

The realisation hit hard we had been taben

I bought against the bends that confined me. The dull ache in my limbs matched the pounding in my head.

stage, taken from the chaos of the event, and taken into a nightmare of our own.

A united sound escapest past the gag as I attempted to call out to Lydia.

My met hers, Closed and unaware

sew

we were now trapped in. The desperation to protect her, to ensure her safety, fueled my

Surveying the limited space, I noticed the interior of the van, its walls cold and unyielding. My fingers probed the tight knot securing my wrists, a futile attempt to loosen its grip. The distant rumble of the von hinted at movement, making the urgency of our situation more palpable as their speed seemed telentless racing down the roads in desperation.

A virge of memories Boosted bad the chaos, the gas, the struggle. Derrick’s cruel tactics had succeeded, and now we were captives out in the unknown. I couldn’t help but wonder what anwalted us at the end of this ominous journey……

Tune blured as I continued my futile stuggles, the van’s monotony broken only by the occasional jostle, indicating turns or stops. The uncertainty of our destination gnawed at me, but determination replaced feat.

I couldn’t allow despair to consume me… nit now!

As the minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity, I held on to the hope that Ashton and his pack would find us – and fast.

I tried desperately to see if i could get a connection to him through our link, but no response came. I could only guess how far we had travelled and how long I had been mut for… but I was probably too far to mind–link him now.

“Autota? I attempt to talk to my wall next, not feeling her usual pacing around in my mind.

“Aurora please say you aren’t gone too? I ask, my eyes filling with tears at the thought of losing my wolf who I had only just gotten the chance of

Aurea… If you can hear me, do something? Anything? Pleasel” I beg her in my mind, before turning to silence waiting for a response that didn’t

I closed my eyes, snilling and attempting to steady my frantic breathing wanting notising more than to be in Ashtons comforting arms…

The memory of his fierce protectiveness fueled my resilience a little thinking back to how brave and determined the man was… he would surely stop at nothing to get us both back!

I would have to endure whatever awalled, for lydia’s sake and for the promise of being reunited with Ashton and brought back to the safety of his pack. We could do this. we can nuke it out of here alive!

In the confined darkness, I vowed to stay vigilant, to fight against the bonds that sought to imprison me. The journey into the unknown had begun, and

I clung to the hope that light would pierce through the darkness, bringing with it the strength to face whatever lay ahead…

I would try: ft him.

My head snapped to the side when hearing a moth as my eyes land on the slight movement that came from Lydia’s unconscious form.

She’s waking up!

Chapter

to her to let her know that I was here…

The van’s relentless nuvement served as a constant reminder that we were hurtling into the unknown, our fate at the mercy of our unseen captors.

Lydia blinks back, rolling herself to a sitting position eyes wide as she glanced around at our current situation.

I attempt to speak, being met with the gag, which leads to an idea…

Now that Lydia is awake… she can help me take this off!

I make a move towards her, shuffling my way to find her hands which were also tied behind her back. I bend forward, placing my chin in to her hands- as she feels may lace and understands instantly what I wanted her to do.

She has little movement, but it’s still enough! As her fingers wiggle to find the cloth trapped in my mouth – before yanking it downwards as I gasp loudly at the newfound freelam.

I stretch my sore jaw, gaining steady breaths before I return to face her-

“Lydia, we need to stay strong! It’s going to be alright!” I tell her quietly, not wanting to be heard by our captors…

“Put your mouth down at my hands and I’ll take yours off now!” I instruct her next, turning my back on her as she instantly does as she’s told – eyes streaming with fresh tears of her own.

It takes me a minute, but I find the cloth and yank it as hard as I can hearing Lydia cough a little at the fresh intake of air.

survive

“We’ll find a way to survive this! At least until Ashton and the others find us!” I whisper with determination, my eyes locking onto hers, desperate to convey a sense of hope amidst the darkness that surrounded us.

“W–Who would do this?!” Lydia sobs, looking around frantically as I try to hush her to avoid being heard.

“If I had to guess… Derrick and his pack!” 1 sigh, my shoulders slumping as we both fall silent.

The minutes crawled by, as I decided to intensify my efforts to free myself, fingers probing the knots securing my wrists – but finding no luck.

This has to work!

The van’s rhythmic hum persisted, a haunting soundtrack to our captivity – indicating how far away from Ashton we became. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

With each turn, each jostle, I couldn’t help but wonder about our final destination. The uncertainty gnawed at me, but I pushed the fear aside, focusing on the resolve shared between Lydia and me.

The hope that Ashton and his pack were in hot pursuit fueled my determination. I strained against the bands, the ache in my limbs matching the ache in my heart, longing for the reassurance of his presence once again.

In the midst of our captivity, I attempted once more to reach Ashton through our mind–link, but the connection remained silent…

“Lydia… can you try to help me out with my hands? If we can get our wrists and feet free – we could make a run for it before we stop?” I tell her with urgency, as her eyes widen and she nods.

Lydia, both determined and scared, inches closer, her fingers fumbling with the knots securing my wrists as much as her own restraint would allow her

to

The gritty hum of the van served as a constant reminder of our Beeting chance for freedom with time running out with each passing mile.

After long minutes with bated breath, 1 finally felt the fabric loosening, and with a final tug, my hands were free.

The relief was immediate, and I wasted no time in reciprocating the favor, working on freeing Lydia’s hands which I could do a lot faster now with having full mobility!

We both yanked at the material holding our ankles in place next, quickly kicking it off and pulling each other to our feet – standing up as much as we could in the vans tight space.

“W–What now?!” Lydia panics, nervously looking around as I realise I must take full control of our escape plan.

“M–My wolf! She’s not here anymore! I won’t be able to shift!” Lydia sobs, as my eyes widen at her statement.

Hers too?

“They must have drugged us up bad! Mines is gone too! We will just have to run on foot Lydia, we can do it! It’s our only chance!” I squeeze her hands tightly, forcing her to listen to my plan as she takes a short moment – before nodding once in final confirmation…

“Ok… on 3… we push and we jump, ok?” I pull us closer to the latched van doors and say, my hands now trembling with the overload of adrenaline and dread.

“O–ok…” Lydia mambles through fresh tears.

“…I begin, as the van hits a bump and we wobble a little holding one another up.

“2…I gulp, reaching out for the handle next.

Here goes nothing!

*31* 1 yell, pulling the handle down hard sending the door flying open as we both jump out on to the dark road–tumbling and scraping our legs and arms on the rough concrete with a groan.

surface, before pulling Lydia up to stand with me, turning to see the van slowing

I instantly push myself to stand, ignoring the blood pooling to

o the su further down the road… having probably heard the doors slam.

“Lydia! WE HAVE TO RUN!” I yell, as we both follow the order that leaves my lips and take off in a desperate sprint instantly heading in to the dark wooded area beside us

We can do this…

This has to work.