CHAPTER 28

Christina's POV

I was slowly waking back up, after being unconscious for who knows how long. I felt lightheaded and nauseous, and I was still strapped into the chair. My arm was throbbing and I felt myself growing warmer, a sickening fever taking over me.

"Well hello there, princess."

I let out a strangled scream and tried to break free from the chains.  Damon was crouching right in front of me, smirking at my evident fear of him.

"P-P-Please..." I choked out, tears forming in my eyes, "let me g-g-go."

He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand, despite my flinching at the touch. My heart was beating rapidly, and I was beginning to black out.

"Someone looks a little sick." Damon observed, feeling my forehead.

I was breathing heavily, trying to ignore the black splotches.

"Looks like you'll be staying here another night."

With that, I let out a horror filled scream, dropping my head and sobbed.

I can't do this anymore.

Cole's POV

I can feel her pain.

I collapsed onto my bed, squeezing my eyes shut.

"Alpha Mathews!" Ian yelled, flinging open the door to my room.

"What?" I asked, alarmed.

"They got her scent and want to know if you want to come along to track her."

Are you joking?

I was off of my bed in an instant and flew down the stairs and out the door, stopping by the group of men on the porch.

"Well? What are you guys waiting for? Let's go!"

With that, we shifted into our wolves, and began running.

Don't worry Christina; I'm coming for you.

Christina's POV

I was brought back up into Damon's room by two of his men, and despite my pleas, they HANDCUFFED me to the bed.

Déjà vu much?

I lay there, silently sobbing.

I was exhausted.

The door opened, and to my disappointment, in walked Damon. As always, he was smirking as he turned on the lights and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Princess, you don't look so good." He stated, his eyes trailing over me.

I felt so nauseous, feverish, and lightheaded. These must have all had to do with the blood loss.

"Damon... please." I whimpered, clenching and unclenching my hands in attempt to not pass out.

Whoa.

He actually looked concerned... for what? But it only lasted for a second, as his face hardened once again and he glared down at me.

"What did I do to you?" I choked out, my breaths becoming short and shallow.

Once again, a look of concern crossed his face and- sadness? He abruptly stood and left the room, without a second glance.

I am going to die.

In a futile attempt to escape, I began trying to pull my handcuffed wrist away. Mid-struggle, a small girl entered the room with a bowl of some watery looking paste.

"Who- who are you?" I murmured, my eyes involuntarily closing on me.

"My name is Annie, don't worry, I'm here to help."

That was the last thing I heard before passing out.

Mandy's POV

I have to tell Cole.

I don't have a choice. I mean- everything that happened is my fault. All this guilt was killing me, and I hated seeing our Alpha like this.

Cole has been devastated ever since the blood incident, not eating or sleeping, and only talking when it was about finding Christina. Otherwise, he is closed off to everything and everyone.

"Cole..." I murmured, lightly knocking on his office door.

No answer.

My heart began pounding in my chest, and I slowly opened the door.

"Cole?"

He lifted his head from his hands, glanced at me, then began staring past me.

"Cole, I have to tell you something."

He didn't respond, just continued to stare blankly at the door behind me.

I took a deep breath. It's now or never.

"I'mtheonewhohelpedChristinaescapeandIgaveherthescentmaskingspraysoyoucouldn'tfindher."

I stared anxiously at Cole, only to let out a yelp of surprise when his head snapped up and he began staring at me.

"What did you say?" His voice was low, almost deadly.

"I-I-I..." I stammered, fear growing in the pit of my stomach.

"Answer me!" Cole roared, standing up.

"I'm the one who helped Christina escape and I gave her the scent masking spray you couldn't find her." I whispered weakly, looking at the ground.

Silence.

Confused, I looked up, only to be thrown into the wall a split second later.

"How dare you?!" Cole bellowed, his hand around my neck, holding me off the ground by at least five inches.

I couldn't speak, as I couldn't breathe. All I could do was dangle pathetically and make strangled noises.

"What is going on?!"

Cole was instantly pulled away from me and I fell to the ground, gasping for air. After aiding my deprived lungs, I looked up at my savior- who was now facing off with Cole.

Ian.

"What the fuck were you doing to my mate?" Ian yelled, standing in front of me protectively.

Cole was shaking uncontrollably and was about to shift any second now.

"Your mate?" He spat out, "She is the reason my mate is gone!"

Ian froze and turned to look at me.

I literally stopped breathing. I should have told Ian what happened, and now? He will never forgive me for this. Instead of looking back at him, I dropped my head shamefully, and let my tears fall to the floor.

"She is the reason Christina may be gone forever."

I buried my face in my hands and began sobbing.

"Mandy isn't the one to blame- you are. YOU drove Christina away."

I looked up in shock, and was pulled to my feet and dragged away by a furious Ian. Just as we exited the room, I glanced back at Cole.

And let me just say, the sight I saw almost made my heart break in two.

Cole stood there, empty looking and lifeless, tears running down his face.

I had helped Christina because I thought he didn't care for her at all.

Boy, was I wrong.

Christina's POV

I woke with a start, sweat coating my body.

"Princess?"

I horror filled scream escaped my lips and I shot forward. Realizing that I was no longer handcuffed, I shot forward and darted towards the door.

"Oh no you don't," Damon warned, wrapping his arm around my waist. I kicked back, and smiled at the sound of him groaning in pain. I sprinted down the stairs and headed towards the front door.

Then I stopped.

The padlock.

How was I supposed to escape without even knowing how to get past the front door.

BAM!

My back slammed against a nearby wall as did my head, which caused me to whimper in pain.

"Where do you think you're going?" Damon questioned, smirking.

I struggled in his hold and began shoving him with all my might. Nothing happened though. Damon didn't budge a bit, only continued to smirk at me.

"Damon!"

Growling angrily, Damon turned away from me and faced the person.

"What?" He snapped, annoyed.

"They are getting closer."

Those four words changed everything.

Cole is coming to find me.

My mate wants me back.

I need to get out of here.

It's been a week.

And in that week I have only had two showers and limited food and water. And the best part was, I was so hopeful that Cole would come for me.

But now?

How long was I supposed to wait?

That's when I heard the noise.

There was a band, a loud deafening crash, coming from the upstairs. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that I was locked away in the basement? I held my breath and ignored the pounding in my chest and listened.

Could it be?

Crashes and yells were coming from the upstairs- and growls? I started pulling at my chains in attempt to break free.

Suddenly the basement door flew open, and I squinted my eyes to see who was now making their way down the stairs towards me.

"Tyler?" I choked out, my throat dry from the lack of water.

"Shhh... I'm going to help you get out of this." He said quietly, yanking the chains off of me effortlessly.

Stupid werewolf strength.

Instantly, he lifted me into his arms, and I was carried up the stairs. Although everything was so bright, my eyes adjusted quickly, revealing a gruesome sight in front of me.

Bodies were scattered over the ground and only one man stood standing.

Damon.

"Now you listen to me. You want war? Bring it, the more dead rogues the better."

My head snapped up to the sound of his voice.

Cole.

I nearly leapt out of Tyler's arms. I had missed Cole so much, I honestly didn't care if it was only because he marked me that I was feeling this way. What I know is, I love Cole, and I will do anything to be with him.

"I'm warning you Cole, I have more people, hell- I have a whole army." Damon snarled, staggering a bit.

"I'll be waiting."

With that, Cole turned, and for the first time in a LONG time, we locked eyes. Cole walked over to me and lifted me out of Tyler's arms and into his, carrying me outside.

I held on tightly, never wanted to let go.

"You came back for me." I murmured against his chest.

"Of course I did, I love you."

Cole's POV

I held onto Christina's tightly as I headed back to the pack house. Sure it was a long walk, but it was worth it.

Damon was going to pay for what he did. I left him alive just so that when he did die, it would be the most miserable death in the world.

As I walked I couldn't help but grin.

I just got my mate back, and I sure as hell wasn't ever going to let her go again.

So you know what Damon? Wage war on me and my pack, it will be the last thing you ever do.