We got to the beach within fifteen minutes and practically flung ourselves out the car. We walked in a group with Kiera and me at the head. It wasn't hard to spot the other packs, as they were all gathered in a crazy large group by the dunes.

Sydney was pregnant, so obviously she wasn't there this time. Kiera has a feeling there was going to be a fight with all this, so it was safer to leave Sydney at home with her toddler. Evelyn did come, even though she was nervous and I'd told her multiple times she didn't have to. So our little group consisted of Kiera, Nate, Collin, Tyler, Evelyn, Dr. Stone, and me.

I scanned the big crowd of people and spotted a redhead that looked like an older version of Adelyn. She was addressing the group with one of her hands raised. I lead my friends over to her and we caught the tail end of her speech.

"-so they left the pack and we're heading towards the Red Moon territory when I bumped into him. They're going to help us fight."

"And so are we." I said loudly, scaring the redhead a little. She whirled around and I was startled to see just how much she resembled Adelyn up close.

"Who are you?" She asked, clearly skeptical.

Kiera stepped forward and shook hands with her. "I'm Kiera Fields, Luna of the Red Moon Pack."

"And I'm Baleigh O'Conners." I added, coming forward a little as well.

Tears formed in the redhead's eyes and she threw her arms around me in a tight embrace. Take off guard, I awkwardly hugged her back. "Oh my goodness, thank you so much! You found Taylor and called us, right?"

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I saw the other packs behind her staring at us. "Yeah, I guess I did."

She dropped her voice to an awed whisper. "And you're going to fight with us?"

Kiera piped up, "Of course we are! No one should go through what you've gone through! I mean, I could never imagine what I would do if Paisley suddenly went missing!"

She beamed. "Thank you guys! This means so much to me!"

A man that was obviously the King came up from behind her and squeezed her hand. "We're ready. Everyone's here now."

"Great!" The Queen exclaimed and turned to the crowd of people. "Our car will lead, because Oliver knows where the Pack House is, everyone else just follow behind, alright?"

I nodded and spotted which car the Oliver guy got into. I lead the group back to our car and we piled in. I told Tyler — who was driving — what the car looked like that we were supposed to follow. He pulled out of the parking spot and we slowly got close to the Royals' car.

They started to pull out of the parking lot and we followed behind, eventually getting stuck several cars behind them as the other packs also left.

After about fifteen minutes, and several confusing turns, the road turned to gravel underneath the tires. After a few moments the forest cleared and we found ourselves in a large, spacious clearing staring at an elegant mansion. What is with wolves and their mansions?

The King and Queen's vehicle pulled to a stop and the rest closed in behind them. No one was getting out of the cars so neither did we. We sat and we stared and we waited for instruction.

Finally, the first car's door opened and the King stepped out. The echoing sound of car doors slamming followed as everyone one else got out, including our car-full. We accumulated into an enormous crowd behind the Werewolf royalty. On the porch of the mansion stood a middle-aged — yet still very fit — man with dusty blonde hair. Stubble covered the bottom half of his face and his eyes were cold as he glared down at the gathered group of people.

"Jacob." The Queen growled loud and clear, but her voice dripped with menace.

This "Jacob" guy smiled, surprisingly, and stepped of the porch. He walked down the path towards us. "Ah! Kalama, is it? It's good to see you again!"

A knot gathered in my stomach. I definitely didn't like this guy. He was playing, and he didn't even try to hide it.

Kalama snarled and he laughed. "Now, calm down. Nothing has happened yet, has it?"

"Well it's about to," the King growled as he stepped to stand beside his mate. "We're here for our daughter."

Jacob laugher humorlessly. "Oh, I know what you're here for, don't worry. But that doesn't mean I'm just going to hand her over!"

Kalama growled so loud I swear the ground started shaking. "Taylor is our daughter! My baby girl that you stole — you stole — from us! And we're going to get her back!"

I clasped my hands together, not liking the tension and knowing the fight was going to come any second. Growls from the crowd around me broke out in support for Kalama and her demand. I gave a cheer since I wasn't Wolf.

"We will fight if we have to, but I'm getting my daughter back!" The Queen finished.

Jacob smirked and I got a bad feeling about where this was heading. "Fine." He told her and snapped his fingers. Peeking between gaps in people through the crowd, I saw hundreds of wolves pouring from the forest to the side of the mansion. "I have an army too," Jacob announced. "Although I wish I would have shown up later than this, maybe even by a couple years! I can't use my greatest weapon no. It's not ready yet."

My heart pounded in my chest, the tension was so thick and I felt like I was starting to suffocate.

A new guy stepped forward to stand next to Kalama and her mate. His voice was heavy with anger. "You mean Taylor?" The five years old child you're keeping hostage?" I gasped and gripped the arm of the person closest to me, which happened to be Collin. He looked down at me with understanding and cupped my hand in his.

"Everything you just said is wrong in so many ways! You're a sick, twisted man, you know that?" The guy continued.

"I know, traitor! Get him!"

Before I could understand what was happening, the front yard of the mansion erupted with commotion.

I got pushed around so much in a matter of seconds that I fell to my knees and the amount of wolves doubled. I stood up to find I was one of only a few that stayed human in the entire crowd.

My panic started to grow rapidly. I spun in circles trying to find a way to help. I couldn't fight; I had nothing but my hands! Wolves crashed into each other in a mess of snarls and claws and gnashing of teeth. My eyes started to blur and I stopped being able to hear myself think.

In the fray, I spotted a flash of red hair and latched onto the one thought forming in my head. As best I could, I raced across the yard, screaming as I was nearly rolled into twice by battling animals.

Panting and scared out of my mind, I finally reached Kalama. I touched her arm and she spun around, startled. Her eyes softened as she took in the sight of me.

"What's wrong?"

"I-I'm human," I stammered. "I can't turn into a wolf! And I definitely wouldn't survive if I tried to fight like this!"

Kalama places her hands on my shoulders. "Hey, calm down! It's okay, you can still help! I need someone to search the house for Adelyn and Taylor. And you've seen them recently so you're perfect for this!"

I perked up, "Of course! I'll go right now!" I was about to move when she stopped me.

"Wait!" She handed me a small dagger from the inside of her boot. "For safety."

I blinked at her and slowly took the knife. The severity of the situation suddenly became very real to me. "Thank you!" I told her, because that's what you say when someone gives you something like a knife.

She gave me a nod and I set off towards the house, my mind finally clear and focused. I had a task to complete; and it was gonna save a life!