Chapter Nine

Garret's POV

Garret was angry, and not in the mood to be bothered. Ever since he had lost to those mangy mutts and lost Paige, his ego had been hurt. He should have been stronger. Now he might have lost any shot at her choosing him.

"I'm so stupid," He shouted, kicking over his chair and running his fingers through his hair. He was about to walk out of his tent when Reese came barreling through the entrance. He didn't see Garret until the last moment and they collided.

"Reese, this had better be good, or I'm going to kill you," Garret growled. His pack had been wary of him ever since yesterday and part of him felt bad, but he couldn't control his wolf at the moment.

"Sir, there has be news on Paige. It seems Nathan was attacked and she was kidnapped along with one of the newborn babies. They were taken by rogues, and Nathan's pack is in disarray. Now would be the perfect time to get her back. Nathan is weak." Reese eyed his alpha and watched the fire return to his eyes.

"It's payback time. Gather some of the men and meet me at the edge of the camp. I'll be there in moments. Tell them to eat something and ready themselves for battle." Garret watched Reese leave and then turned to his tent.

He looked over at his bed of furs and imagined Paige laying there. His wolf growled and scratched at his mental cage. "It's time to get her back."

Ten minutes later, Reese was approaching the edge of camp where Garret was waiting impatiently. "What took so long?" he growled.

"Sorry sir," He replied to his alpha. "I posted sentries to make sure this isn't a trick and to keep the camp protected in case the rogues attack while we're gone."

"Where are the others?" Garret had only a slim bit of control over his wolf right now and needed to be killing someone. He took note of what Reese said and part of him was mad at himself for not doing it. It was his responsibility. He was about to apologize when three men approached.

"We're here and ready, Garret," Harry called. Garret nodded at the thwo men accompanying him and took off. Reese was right on his heels and the others followed a bit behind.

"Where are we going?" Anthony asks.

"We're going to get Paige back. Nathan's pack was attacked this morning and she was taken," Reese answered.

"Why are we going after that whore? We should attack Nathan. We could take his camp. The girl isn't worth it," Anthony replied. Before he could blink, he was dangling in the air, his back pressed up against a tree and a hand at his throat. He stared at his alpha in shock.

"Never say that again. Paige could be your future alpha and you will treat her as such. Do I make myself clear?" Garret growled. Anthony nodded and Garret punched the tree next to him. "Don't press me right now. My wolf is antsy. If I hear you say something like that again, my wolf will kill you."

Releasing Anthony, Garret took off running. He was going to get Paige back with or without his pack. His wolf needed a mate. Reese stared after his alpha. He looked at each of his pack members and then followed after their leader. Garret was acting strange, but they would stand with him no matter what.

About an hour after sunset, Garret stopped as he heard someone approaching from ahead of him. He had smelled the scent markers as soon as he reached Nathan's territory. He was a good hundred yards inside the territory now.

"State you name and your business," a deep voice called. Garret immediately recognized it as Josh, one of Nathan's best trackers.

"I'm here to see Nathan, Josh. We've come about Paige. We request permission to look for her on your territory," Garret replied. Josh stepped out of the shadows just as Reese, Harry, Larry, and Anthony arrived.

Josh growled at them and they slowed. Taking in the scene, Reese stepped closer to his alpha. Josh made note of it and his eyebrows lowered in question. "Follow me."

When Garret and his pack mates started walking, he listened as some more of Nathan's pack surrounded them. He resisted the urge to laugh. This was all a show, especially if Nathan had suffered as much damage as Reese had claimed.

As they approached the camp, Garret could smell smoke. It burned his nose and made his eyes water. He coughed and Josh shot him a look. He nodded at the male and they continued on. When the camp came into view, Garret quickly surveyed the scene, as he knew his pack mates would do too.

"Follow me and stay close." Josh motioned for them to follow. Garret and his men fell in step behind him and the other wolves disperse.

"What happened here?" Anthony asked, staring in shock around him at the burned buildings and the bodies littering the ground. Josh never got the chance to answer.

"What is the meaning of this?" a very angry voice called out. Garret turned to face Nathan as he approached. He could feel the anger coming off of Nathan in waves. Josh was in some serious shit.

"I have come to request permission to look for Paige. It is in my right as one of her choices. You shouldn't have lost her and I have the right to find her and take her back to my camp. I will help you find your pack mate's daughter also."

"Your request is denied. We don't need your help. My men are already looking for her and I have the best trackers. Go back to your territory before this is an all out war between our packs," Nathan spat. Garret eyed him up and down and then looked around that he damage he saw around him.

"Nathan, neither of us want a war right now. Swallow your pride and let us help. Every second we waste arguing they are getting further away. We must hurry." Garret was trying to be reasonable, but he wasn't sure if Nathan's pride would put a stop to this plan. "Just point us in the right direction."

After several moments, Nathan sighs and then points off toward the east. It was away from Garret's territory, and nearer to Russell's. They might find trouble in that end, but they also might find help.

"Thank you," Garret responded before he took off running toward the edge of the trees. He began sniffing the air and eventually he found Paige's scent. He called his pack over to him and they memorized the scent trail. They were about to split up when Josh came up with two other of Nathan's pack.

"We are going with you. We have the best trackers and not enough time to argue," Josh commanded. Garret nodded at the young man and then they all shifted. Josh followed Garret.

Paige's POV

I pushed the pain to the back of my mind as we continued trekking through the woods. Dawn was fast asleep and I planned on keeping that way. I knew she was probably starving, but I had no way of feeding her. She needed her mother.

"Where are they?" I mumbled under my breath. Nathan and his pack should have found them by now. Was the damage that great? Were they even looking? Had they all been killed? I was worried.

I cursed silently under my breath as I tripped over another root. My feet were blistered and scratched to pieces. I really needed a drink of water, and my head was throbbing. I was so tired and exhausted that I didn't notice when the person in front of me stopped. I ran into their back and jostled little Dawn. She woke with a cry and I groaned.

"Shut that baby up," someone shouted from up ahead. I resisted the urge to tell them to shut up and rocked the baby back and forth.

"We're going to stop here for the night," Aidan, the leader of the rogues shouted. I sighed in relief and dropped to the ground. I couldn't move another step if I wanted to. I finally got Dawn to settle down and I let her suck on my finger. She eventually fell back asleep and I struggled to keep my eyes open. I couldn't chance sleeping, lest someone take the baby from me. I had fought verbally and physically to keep her and I wasn't about to give her up.

I turned on my side and rested my head on my arms as I laid down. I lay Dawn next to me and wrap my arms around her. I trace her face and feel my eyes shutting on their own. I yawned and struggled to stay awake. I had just about drifted to sleep when I felt Dawn moving. I opened my eyes and bit the hand that was grabbing her.

Finally I heard Aidan say we were stopping for the night. I was relieved. I sat down where I was and laid down. I put the baby down next to my stomach and closed my eyes. I jerked my eyes open when I felt the baby being taken from me.

"Get away from her," I growled, hugging Dawn closer to me. I sat up and the man jerked the baby away from me. I gasped and scrambled to get the baby back. The man growled at me and started walking away. I looked around, found a big stick, and slammed it into the guys back. He gave a cry and then turns to face me with murder intent on his face. He handed the baby off to another male and stalked toward me.

"Don't touch me," I snapped. The man stopped, surprise written on his face. I get right up in his face and yell, "I'm not afraid of you!"

"Man that girl's got some balls," someone said from my left. I resist the urge to look at them. I kept my attention on the man in front of me.

"Nathan will come for me. I'm the key for the pact they signed with my father. They will find me and will kill all of you mutts." I put my hands on my hips and glared at the man.

"You are the girl that all the wolves have been speaking of. The one that will choose one of the alphas to be her mate and they will be on the side of humans, guarding them and protecting them," Aidan said, coming out of the shadows. I found myself nodding, now not so sure I should have said anything. Aidan laughed. "Well boys, seems we got more than we bargained for." All the men in wolf form changed back to their human forms and started laughing. I looked around to see the same hungry lust in their eyes that all of the males in the packs had. Now I knew I was in deep shit.

"What makes you so special?" a blonde haired male asks. I turned to respond when another man interrupts.

"You're skin and bones. The only thing you got going for you is those tits," he said, laughing.

"I bet she's a screamer," someone else threw out. I gasped and glared in the direction of their voice. I resisted the urge to blush.

"How dare you speak to me in such a way! I am a respectable lady," I snapped haughtily. I had never been spoken so bluntly to before and it was unnerving.

"Aidan, let me have a go at her. I want to see those pretty little tits for myself. I bet she'd be a good lay." The man that spoke stepped toward me and I stepped back.

Ignoring their taunts, I turned to look for Dawn. I spotted her in an older man's arms and walked toward her. Before I made it two feet, someone's arm drapes around my waist and pulls me flush against them. I gasped and my body froze. I could feel the man's erection poking into my backside and my mind froze in fear. They wouldn't rape me, would they?

"Let me… let me go," I stuttered, my body finally kicking into action. I struggled against his hold and he spun me around. He leaned down and licked the juncture between my neck and shoulder. I shivered and my struggles strengthened.

"You smell amazing," He whispered against my ear. I gasped as he sucked on my ear lobe and pulled me closer against him. He kisses a trail up my neck and to my cheek. He tried to kiss my lips, but I jerked my head to the side at the last moment. He laughed against my hair and takes in a deep sniff.

His hand slid down to my ass and he gave it a tight squeeze. I gasped and tried to pull away. He crushes his mouth to mine and his tongues darts inside. Without thinking, I kissed him back. When he pulled back, his face wore a smirk and my face was covered in a blush. I covered my mouth with my hand and my eyes widened in shock. What had I just done?

"You fit perfectly against me," he muttered. I go to tell him to shove it when he kissed me again, his tongue slipping through my lips with ease. Instead of me pushing him away, my eyes closed and I moved closer, his kisses almost like a drug.

This time when I jerked back, I was going to slap the idiot. I had no idea what made me kiss him back, but I felt like a slut. I brought my hand back, but before it made contact, I was ripped out of the man's grip and pulled into someone else's arms. I started struggling before I realized who it was.

"Easy, Paige. It's me, Reese," Reese said calmly. All the fight left me and I collapsed in his arms. I felt tears prick my eyes, but held them in. I then remembered Dawn and my body jerked. I swung my gaze toward where I last saw her and sighed in relief as I saw Josh holding her. I let Reese pull me toward the edge of the makeshift camp and sit down on a log. He stood in front of me, ready to defend me if anyone came near. I was finally able to take in the scene.

I gasped as I recognized Garret fighting with a large brown wolf. Garret darted forward and nipped the other wolf on the leg. The other wolf whimpered and swung around to bite Garret's tail. Garret growled and launched himself on top of the wolf. He bit down on the wolf's nape and shook his head back and forth. The wolf whimpered and then eventually fell limp. Garret's eyes swung toward me and I smiled at him. He started toward me, but was tackled to the ground from the side.

I jumped to my feet, but Reese held me back. I jerked my gaze to the left as a familiar shape appeared out of the shadows. Ash jumped on the wolf attacking Garret and killed it with swift precision. Garret shook out his fur and nodded at Ash. Ash titled his head at him and then joined the fighting. Soon Garret, Ash, and the rest of the pack mates had chased the rogues away, or had killed them. Paige could finally relax. She watched Josh walk toward her and he handed her the baby.

When Garret approached in human form, Josh and Reese both walk off, but not before Reese took the baby back. He nodded at Garret and Garret nodded back. When they were far enough away, Garret picked me up and spun me around in his arms.

"I've missed you so much, my dear," Garret said, his excitement showing on his face. I laughed and hugged my arms around his neck.

"How have you been?" I asked.

"Missing you," he replied. "My pack is almost desperate to have you back. I haven't been myself since you left. You've uprooted my old life and made me want a new one. Life will never be the same."

Before I can comment on what he said, Garret crushed his lips on mine. At first I'm unmoving as the shock wears off, and then I kiss him gently back. He pulls back and hugs me to him again.

Over his shoulder, I could just make out a shape. I squinted to see better and my heart grew heavy. Ash was looking at me with a look of disbelief on his face. He shook his head and then turned to leave. I managed to glimpse his face one last time and my heart broke when I see a tear roll down his face. I called out his name, but he shifted and took off into the woods without a backward glance.

After that all I could experience was pain. Garret kept asking me what was wrong, but I ignored him. I couldn't get the look on Ash's face out of my mind. He had been crushed. My heart gave a squeeze and I resisted the urge to throw up. I had hurt him, bad, and I didn't know what to do to fix it.

Without really thinking about it, I took off in the direction I had seen Ash take. I ran as fast as I could and kept screaming his name. I slowed down after a few minutes, my body weak. I could Garret calling my name in the distance, but I ignored him.

Breathing hard, I gave my body a chance to rest and then I took off running once more. Before I know it, I'm lost. "Ash?" I called. No answer.

I heard a twig snap and then a cold wind blew through the trees. I shivered and hugged my arms to my chest. "Ash, please answer me. Is that you?"

Only silence answered me.

I took a few steps forward and then heard another twig snap. I shrieked as a bat flew over my head. I ducked and only straightened when I was sure it was gone.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" I screamed as a shadow turned into the shape of a man.

"Who are you?" I asked, backing away from the man.

"You don't remember me?" he asked, stepping where I could see his face clearly.

"You again!" I felt my body tremble in fear and I took another step away from him.

"You're father sentenced me to live in these woods after that little incident in your room. That wolf could have killed me, but he didn't. I'm glad he didn't. He gave us a chance to meet again." I saw him swing something in his hand and I gulped as I took in the long sharp knife.

"What do you want?" I asked him.

"To kill you of course," He laughed and then darted toward me. I screamed and took off running.

Garret's POV

Garret didn't know what had happened. He had been kissing Paige and then she was taking off into the woods. He wanted to run after her, but part of him said to give her a second. She needed the time alone. He didn't think she'd go far.

Looking around the clearing, he wondered what to do with the bodies. They couldn't just leave them there. They needed to dispose of them.

"Josh, Reese, come here," Garret called. The two males shuffled toward him. Garret eyed the baby in Josh's arms.

"Reese, tell Harry to escort Josh back to his camp. We don't want any of the rogues attacking him as he takes the baby back. Josh, I'm gonna need some of your men to help clean up this mess and see if we can track down some of the other rogues. We don't want to chance them coming back."

"That's fine. I can stay and help. I'll send Dawn back with one of my pack mates. Your man can help escort them. Nathan will want a detailed report anyway." Josh turned and hollered at one of his men. After giving him the orders on what to do, he turned back to Garret.

Garret hollered at Harry and told him what to do also. Then both he and Reese watched Harry take off after the man and the baby.

"Gather up your men and lets get started," Garret commanded. Josh growled and then did as Garret asked. Garret could tell that it bothered the man to take orders from him, but it was what they needed to do.

Piling all the bodies together, the men quickly set to burning them. The smoke rose high into the sky and blotted out the stars. They kept an eye on the fire, making sure it didn't spread.

Garret searched the clearing, but there was still no sign of Paige. He was starting to get worried. He was about to go look for her when a scream shattered the night. It sounded far away and like someone was in serious pain. Garret's wolf took over as soon as he realized it was Paige. He shifted and took off running toward the sound. He could hear someone following him, and knew it to be Reese.

Whatever was harming Paige was a dead creature. Garret was going to make sure of it. He just hoped he reached her in time.

A/N

Man i'm on a roll! I got a chapter done in SUM, and two edited chapters done in this story! I might even have another one for you by the end of the night ;)

Let me know what you think of the changes so far! Some are major, others not that much. The chapter endings are definitely different! But i like the speed this is flowing right now.

Destiny1406