Sorry this took so long! It took me a while to truly be happy with the chapter so, I hope all of you will like it! Lots of love and thanks again for all your support! -Roxy.

Chapter 32

The rays of sunshine that streamed into the room blinded me the moment I opened my eyes. I tried to sit up but as usual, Logan’s arms; wrapped tightly around my waist, kept me down and where I was. We’ve been waking up this way every morning for the past week now, and the elated feeling that coursed through my veins every time I realised he’s been holding me the whole night never failed to appear.

I wanted so badly to stay in bed but I forced myself to slip out; brushing my teeth before pulling my hair into a ponytail as quietly as I could. I changed into a comfortable pair of light skinny jeans and paired a white tank top with it; grabbing my leather jacket on my way out of the walk-in closet. My mate had begun to stir after I'd left so I went over to his side and kissed him once on the lips before I tiptoed out the door.

***

I placed the plate of pancakes, eggs and sausages I'd just made on the island counter next to the coffee maker, wedging the piece of paper in my hand underneath the edge of the plate. My note read:

Logan,

Enjoy your breakfast. Sorry I had to duck out so early but I have some errands to run. If you need me, my phone is on and I'll be with Jen. I'm safe, so don't worry. I'll be back soon. Happy Birthday! -Chelsea

I kissed the note once beside the spot where I'd written my name; the pink lip gloss I'd applied earlier leaving an imprint. I got out through the back door and quickly began my walk to Jen's house; knowing that it wouldn't be long before Logan woke up, aware that his wolf could already sense my absence in the house.

***

“His mate ran in here three years ago, right?” Jen asked from beside me; her eyes fully trained on the dirt path ahead of us as we walked. My eyes closed as I nodded; cringing as pity shot through me chest at the memory of Dylan’s saddened face the last time I’d seen him a few days ago.

I’d told her the story of his mate almost as soon as I’d gotten back to Blood Moon territory after my visit; hoping that she would be able to help me in my mission to find Dylan’s mate. "Yeah..."

It had taken me some time, but I’d finally decided where I wanted to start my search; managing to convince Ethan to give me access with a little help from his mate. We were currently on our way there to hopefully get some insight on what happened to Dylan’s mystery girl.

Jen turned to me for a second. "I get that you want to help him Chels, and you want to remain optimistic." She paused with the next part of what she had to say. She opened and closed her mouth a few times as she struggled to get what was currently on her mind, out.

Finally, she sighed as she gave up trying to sugar coat her words. "I'm going to be blunt with you because I don't want you to get disappointed. Dylan's probably right about her; the possibility of his mate surviving that long in our prison is very slim." She said curtly.

I held a finger up as I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. A smile lit up my face as I saw my mate's name displayed on my phone screen. "Hello?"

It sounded like he was chewing on the other end of the line. "Hey Chels, I just wanted to say thanks for breakfast; it's delicious. You really didn't have to."

"It was the least I could do."

"Any idea when you'll get home?"

"Um, probably in a few hours or so... Do you need anything?" I asked; waving Jen away as she tried to listen in on the conversation; pressing the side of her head to my phone.

"No, I'll just be finishing up some pack stuff today, seeing as the only person I want to celebrate with is out running errands." He teased pointedly.

"Logan, it's your birthday!" I chastised. "I'm telling Ethan to come over and take you out."

I heard him groan. "I don't want to-" He began, but I cut him off.

"Just go hang out or relax or something, you deserve it for at least this one day. I'll see you when you get back and we can go do something tonight. Okay?" I asked; my eyes darting to Jen for a moment as we shared a mischevious look. I smothered her excited chuckle behind my hand.

Logan sighed. "Fine, if that's what you want me to do."

"It is." I confirmed. "I'll see you later, bye." He wished me luck with my 'errands' before he hung up.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket just as Jen finished telling Ethan what he had to do. When her blue eyes met mine, they twinkled with a mixture of joy and excitement as she nodded at me. "It's done."

My stomach filled with butterflies as I thought of what I had planned for Logan's birthday tonight. "Are you sure that it's gonna work out okay?" I asked quietly,

Jen rolled her eyes and waved a hand dismissively. "Please, it might work out too okay."

I nodded; my mind returning to our topic before Logan's call. I sighed. "Listen Jen, don't worry about me being disappointed if this little adventure of ours doesn't work out. I know that Dylan's mate might be dead. I'm just hoping that we all end up wrong." I admitted softly.

"A-and if we're not, I could maybe find out how she spent her last few days. I know that if I-" I held a hand up to my chest as it began to ache from where my mind was headed; closing my eyes tightly as I pulled myself together.

"If I ever lost Logan, I'd want to know." I choked out in a clipped whisper; the conversation I'd had with my mate just a few moments ago vibrating in my mind. "Maybe hearing how she passed; if she really has, could get Dylan some closure."

Jen gave me a doubtful look. “I don’t think hearing about the death of a prisoner that happened here would bring anybody closure Chels.” The way she said it with absolute certainty didn’t help with the doubts I already felt about finding one of my oldest friend’s mate alive.

I didn’t need anybody to tell me that this little attempt of mine was a long shot because after all, the only thing I had to go on was that the she-wolf I was looking for had caramel coloured hair and blue eyes, which really wasn’t much. I didn’t even have her first name. Even so, I just had to try; praying that luck would be on my side as we arrived.

My stomach dropped as my eyes landed on the pair of metal doors that hid the stairs that would lead us down into the Blood Moon prison. It was clear that I felt incredibly hesitant to go back in there; what I’d seen the last time, haunting my thoughts. I turned to Jen. “Are you sure that the shifter on duty right now is the one that had guarded her?” I asked quietly; getting second thoughts on the matter of heading back into the prison.

She turned to me with an eyebrow raised. “Yes, that’s what Ethan had seen in the records.” A look of concern flashed across her face. “Are you alright? You look like you’re about to throw up.” She inquired; reaching out to touch my shoulder. I nodded.

“I’m fine; I just saw some really ugly stuff the last time I was down there.” I muttered distractedly.

“If you don’t want to go, I could-” I held a hand up to stop her.

“No, I’ll be alright... I need to do this.” I pulled the doors open; the same horrible stench from the last time attacking my senses. I steeled my resolve as every cell in my body screamed at me to turn around and run away. “For Dylan.” I whispered as I began to descend down into the darkness.

***

I sighed as Jen and I finally got back to the Blood Moon Alpha house after my fairly short and fruitless interrogation of the prison guard. “Well that was a waste of time.” Jen grumbled.

I sighed as I gave her a look. "Thanks for filling me in Captain Obvious, I hadn't noticed." I snapped; rubbing my head to keep the images of the prison out of it.

Ethan appeared out of my mate's office at that moment; an amused look on his face. "Hey ladies, how was your search? Find anything?" He questioned; throwing himself onto the armchair facing the couch.

Jen sighed. "Nope, all we found out was that Alpha Jackson had taken her out the same day she'd been sent in." She sighed as she sank further into the couch. "We even checked with the shifters at the training grounds and got absolutely nothing else."

I was nodding in agreement when something Jen had said caught my attention; my eyes widening slightly. "Who's Alpha Jackson?"

Ethan cleared his throat. "Logan's father. He was the Alpha at the time of her arrival." I nodded. So, his father's name is Jackson. I noted. The Beta stood up then; his face brightening as he remembered something."Well I need to go now, Sam's been bugging me to get back all day." He explained; walking to the door.

I smacked my forehead. "Oops, sorry about pulling you guys apart for so long, I forgot." I appologised; mentally punching myself for being so inconsiderate. He just chuckled in response.

"Don't worry about it." He turned to his sister. "Are you coming?"

She shook her head. "No, I need to help Chels with something before I head back."

I stopped Ethan before he could go. "Where's Logan?" He gestured to the office. I stood up. "Thanks, and tell Sam I'm sorry about, you know?" I said sheepishly; Ethan giving me a smirk as he nodded.

After the door closed, I turned to face Jen; finding a determined look on her face. Before I could resist again, she yanked my arm forwards. "C'mon, time to get ready."

I didn't resist, but I didn't exactly go willingly either. "Jen, I'm starting to decide against this. Could you help me cook some dinner instead? Maybe he'll like that better." I tried; my face hopeful.

She gave me a warning look that could kill as easily as a dagger. "Chels, don't even try that with me! We already went shopping and everything. Plus he'll definitely like this better than food." She said the word 'food' like it was a bad thing; which I responded to with a soft growl.

"Hey, food is amazing!" I argued.

"Yeah, yeah...don't try to divert from the subject! You're not gonna get me to forget!" She huffed; yanking me along as she went up the stairs and into the bedroom I shared with Logan.

***

After cleaning myself with a sweet smelling body scrub that Jen had gotten for me during our little shopping trip; I slipped into a lacy pair of red underwear, which was also from that very same expedition. I walked out of the dark corner of the closet where I'd been hiding my shopping bags and sat down in front of the awaiting, blonde, she-wolf.

She hair-dried my hair; letting it fall in its natural waves down my back and shoulders. She didn't apply anything to my face except for a slight dab of lip gloss. Jen scrutinized me for a moment before she sprayed a tiny bit of perfume onto me; the smell; similar to the body scrub I'd used, complimenting my scent.

She nodded as she took a step back; her eyes raking over my form while an accomplished smile appeared on her face. "You're done." She announced; narrowing her eyes when she got no response from me. She slapped my shoulder lightly. "Hey, what's up?"

I looked up at her; throwing my arms into the air. "Oh, I don't know Jen, maybe its because I'm about to offer myself up to Logan like a sacrificial lamb to a wolf and he could possibly rip my dignity to shreds with a simple 'no'?" I snapped in a low whisper; not needing my mate to hear me from downstairs. She snickered at my reference; earning an agitated look from me. "Not funny." I snapped; still whispering.

Jen rolled her eyes at me. "The day he says no to this" she said; gesturing to all of me "is the day that I'll say no to lava cake." She growled seriously;raising a brow. "Any idea what my favourite cake has been for the past seventeen years?" She demanded.

"Chocolate lava cake?" I stated with a bored look on my face as I mimicked her; raising a brow.

She nodded. "Damn straight." She agreed; handing me the last part of my outfit; a sheer, black, baby-doll styled night dress with thin lacy straps that barely reached the top of my thighs.

I sighed as I pulled it into place; taking a deep breath as the butterflies in my stomach turned into stampedeing dinosours. "Are you sure I don't look too plain?"

"You could never be plain Chels, especially to the Alpha." Jen pressed a hand to my back reassuringly; telling me that everything would be okay with her gaze. I nodded as I gave her a small smile. She slapped something onto my shoulder before she said goodbye.

"Wait, you're leaving already?" I asked; the panic setting in again.

She gave me a look. "Well, I'm not going to stick around for the show." She said with a mischievous smirk; turning and jumping out the window. I shook my head as I heard her land on the ground and run off. My eyes travelled down as I remembered the thing on my chest. I found a bright, sparkly, red, satin ribbon attached to me; a tag with the words "Happy Birthday!" printed in bold on it. I could help but giggle at my best friend's silliness.

I pulled it off and placed it on my just-in-case-he-rejects-me present hidden under the bed. I took another deep, shaky breath before I began my walk down; the sky outside already alight with twinkling stars against the dark horizon.

I froze outside Logan's office; hearing him shuffle around inside. My hand shook as I reached for the door knob; the anxiety beginning to pulsate through the cells in my body. My wolf cooed at me to calm down, telling me that everything would be alright. I didn't let myself change my mind before I knocked and pushed the door open.