Xander's POV:

Addie cried. She cried so hard when she hung up that phone and I knew there was no way in hell any more harm would come to Travis. I would not fucking let it. It was like I could feel her heart breaking and nothing had ever hurt as much as that since my parents died. I desperately wanted to take away her pain and assure her but she was rightfully freaked out.

What was even harder was getting her to agree to stay at the pack house. It wasn't that I thought she couldn't handle herself but she was way too upset and still hadn't healed from the last incident. It took two hours of me, Kaden and Tess talking her down for her to agree that her being out there injured would only distract the rest of us. She was so not happy about it and I hated telling her to stay back without me but it was the best way to assure she wouldn't get hurt and I could get Travis out without losing focus.

The other hard part was telling her we better call Tasha and make sure she made it on her honeymoon. I hated even bringing it up but at this point, I wasn't putting anything past those assholes. Tasha answered after a second phone call and said they were having a great time on the beach in the Bahamas so I at least didn't have her to worry about.

Thankfully, Cassie's masking potion was done and currently my best were getting their scents masked. I was leaving Addie with Cassie, Katie, Renzo and Ginny. Ginny more for emotional support than anything else, that and she always got nervous when Tess went out on missions like this so she needed the support herself. I had other guards including some of Mateo's pack since we were taking so many but that's who I asked to stay with her in the house. I came inside when Cassie was almost done setting up the masking scents and found Addie curled up on the couch in the living room clutching a pillow.

"Adira," I said, crouching in front of her and setting my hand on her face. "I swear to you I will get him back safely. I swear it," I said, standing and kissing her forehead.

I moved to leave but she caught my hand and looked up at me with such vulnerability I wished even more I didn't have to leave her side. "Please be careful. I don't want to lose either one of you," she said.

"You won't lose anyone," I assured her, kissing her hand. "I'll be back before you know it, love."

She didn't seem so certain and it was the longest she ever held onto my hand, our fingers only falling away from each other after I was far enough away we had no other choice. I gave her my best reassuring smile before going outside to my pack who was coming with us.

"Tess and Gina are leading the group that will be tracking down Travis," I said, walking past them. "Trackers and two warriors go with them, the rest of you are with me and Kaden. We're leaving early enough I'm much more concerned with quiet than speed. Only your scents are masked, not your sounds. Be as silent as possible," I said before shifting and heading into the forest.

Knox Valley was only about a ten minute run out and we had thirty minutes to get there but I intended to take it slow in case they had people watching. I left our patrol the same and didn't go out in the break they talked about but it bothered me they'd been paying enough attention to know when and where the breaks were. I couldn't possible have patrols running across every inch of the border twenty-four seven but I was thinking we needed a new plan in how we approached patrols.

We spread out and were careful about picking out wolves we found. Running into one of them would mean the possibility of them linking their pack so instead we snuck past as we made our way to the valley, only picking off ones that we scented as rogues. The closer we got, the more certain I was that Travis was not going to be in the clearing.

Look for a human scent. I don't believe he's out here but he can't be too far. They know Addie's too smart to give up quickly. They'll have him nearby in case they need to use him, I linked.

I received a series of 'yes alpha's' and my group pushed forward, crouching in the bushes and surveying the area below. It was vampires but there were rogues mixed in, too. Not just rogues, wolves that belong to a pack as well. I couldn't for certain identify them as Rego's pack just by scent but I knew in my gut that's who it was.

Too bad Elders didn't accept gut feelings, or my mate's word.

We scouted out the area and identified the position of several wolves and vampires. The one waiting in the clearing was a vampire although he wasn't visible yet. They were probably hoping to scare her by staying out of sight until they were ready. The fucking idiots.

My mate was smarter than that shit. Even under pressure, my mate was smarter than that shit.

Alpha, I've picked up a male human scent. I'm pretty sure it's him. It's a scent I recognize from the wedding, Gina linked.

Thank Goddess.

Follow it but be careful, I linked to Gina before sending another link to Katie. Tell my Luna we're on his scent. Everything's going to be okay but I won't be able to go much further and stay in communication.

Yes, Alpha, Katie linked back.

We were on the edge of the limit with our mind link. I wanted to give Addie regular updates so she wouldn't be so worried but we were about to cross that boundary and there wasn't a lot I could do. Addie would be devastated if anything happened to him and that had me changing my mind about which group I was staying with.

I'm joining the other group. Follow Kaden's lead, I linked, backing out of the bushes and towards the path Gina and Tess took.

You good? Kaden linked just to me.

I'm good. I just need to be there, I linked back.

Got it. Don't worry. We've got this under control, Kaden assured.

All I could think was we better have this under control because there was no way I was going home without Travis. I picked up on Gina and Tess's scents and tracked along their path slowly and quietly. I didn't pick up on the human scent right away- Gina was a much better tracker than I was- but when I did catch on I was certain it was him. I wasn't about to forget his scent after learning how close he was to my mate.

The trail led us to a set of parked cars and it didn't take long to figure out which trunk he was in. We scouted several wolves and vamps spread out but identified the ones closest to him that were most likely to cause harm if they were alerted first.

Surround the cars as best you can without being seen. We take out the ones closest to the cars first but be ready to be surrounded, Tess linked.

Create a secondary layer, I added. That way we're not all surrounded. We shouldn't need more than six around the cars. The rest of you fall back to surround the ones that come after we strike.

Are you ready to move? Kaden linked.

Almost. Don't act until I secure the area around Travis, I answered. I'll tell you when.

This will work, Tess linked to me only.

I glanced over through the trees and bushes to where I knew she was and caught a glimpse of her familiar glowing eyes. Shit, I didn't know what I'd do without Tess and Kaden.

Find your marks, I linked. Watch for silver. They used it before and they'll use it again. Remember how we've trained.

They spread out further, each lining up not far from the ones surrounding the cars. We all tensed and I waited, scanning the area again to make sure we were safe.

Take no shit and give 'em hell, Tess linked to both groups.

I might've been able to smile in lighter circumstances. I lowered down into a pouncing position and took a moment to breathe. It didn't matter how many times I had to fight like this, it was never easy. I didn't mind the fighting myself, it wasn't me I was concerned for, it was my pack. I knew they were capable and trained hard but I couldn't help but worry for them and the human locked in the trunk, the human that meant everything to my mate.

Jealousy didn't matter, I would get him back for her sake no matter what. I just wished I could still reach Katie to link Addie and tell her it was fine. I was going to get him. I wasn't close enough but Kaden should still be in range.

Link Katie and tell her to tell Addie I have eyes on Travis and he'll be fine, I linked Kaden.

I waited for the response and it felt like it took forever but everything did when situations were this tense.

Addie says she wants you both to be fine. Be safe, Kaden linked.

I breathed out slowly and closed my eyes for a moment before locking them on the vampire stationed in front of the trunk that rocked every once in a while. He was definitely in there alive and fighting back.

Get ready, I linked.

I knew my pack. I knew my pack more than I even knew myself and I could feel them all get into position, ready to pounce, ready to get this shit taken care of and get back home to our Luna.

Kaden's group hold until I say, I linked. My group, move in.

It happened fast. It had to. I sprinted forward and got the vamp down, sinking my teeth into its neck and clawing at its chest, ripping through its throat until the head came loose and tossing it to the side. I figured under the circumstances it would not look good for me to shift covered in blood and have Travis see my like that but I couldn't get the trunk open with paws and truth be told, he wouldn't react well to a wolf opening it either.

Kaden's group, move in, I linked, checking our area to make sure we hit our marks.

We had the upper hand just as I hoped we would and I checked one more time before shifting and slamming my fist into the trunk until it came loose. I threw it open to find Travis tied and gagged. His eyes widened when he saw me and I held in the sigh.

"It's fine," I assured him. "I know it looks bad but I just need you to channel your inner Addie and stay calm."

He mumbled something and I decided I was going to leave the gag in because I did not have time for this shit. He could get it out himself. I broke him out of the zipties holding his arms back and the moment I did, he pulled down his gag.

"What the fuck is goi-"

Xander, gun on your left! Tess linked.

I turned and saw the gun but it wasn't pointed at me, it was pointed at Travis. The shot fired and I moved between them.

A/N:

Heyyy lovely readers, guess what! Fated reached 100K reads!!! :D I'm so excited I had to post a bonus chapter <3 and maybe you can forgive me for the cliffhanger because normal update day is tomorrow anyway :P Let me know what you thought of this chapter!

How'd you like seeing the pack in action, working together?

Oh dear, it looks like Xander might've gotten hurt, what do you think will happen?

Until tomorrow, loves! Thank you SO much for the support! <3