Annabel's POV

Waking up to warm bright rays of sunshine was one of the best ways to get up in the morning. Not only did it have a joyous effect on me the moment I opened my dazed eyes, but it also symbolized a beautiful day to look forward to. But staring out the window, a part of me couldn't help but dread the coming day.

It's not just you, my Wolf said. Something feels off.

Maybe we're just overthinking. Or exhausted.

She was probably right. Between juggling a sick child and my duties as Luna and pack doctor, I didn't get the best sleep these past few nights. I guess that just comes with the responsibilities of leadership. Yes, the lack of sleep had to be why I felt this way. I just needed a good night rest soon.

"Annabel?" I turned abruptly at the sound of my name. Thaddeus tilted his head to the side, making his way over to me. His calculating eyes scanned every inch of my face. I must've been too focused on my thoughts that I hadn't noticed his presence at all. "Is everything alright?"

I nodded, wrapping myself around his torso, feeling the familiar sparks. Even almost ten years later, the sparks seemed to awake a fire inside of me. He pulled me tightly to him, a sigh escaping from him. We basked in each other's warmth for as long as we could. The feeling in the pit of my stomach was still there like a dark cloud hovering but being here with my Mate kept it at bay.

"Is Benjamin on the line yet?" I pulled away to stare up at him.

"No, but Jay will be arriving shortly."

I'm not exactly sure why Benjamin needed to speak to us. I admit, it's been years since we've last spoken but if I had to take a guess, it would have to involve the missing wolves. A few months ago, there were whispers of wolves disappearing all over the States. At first we had thought they had just decided to live among the humans. That was not hard to believe as some wolves do decide to make that change. However, from the information gathered, none of them mentioned any thought of pursuing the human lifestyle. This had to be bigger than we thought.

"Annabel," Thaddeus' voice brought me out of my thoughts. His eyebrows drew inwards. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I smiled at him. "I'm fine, really."

He doesn't seem convinced in the slightest and opens his mouth to reply but I'm saved by Jay. I caught his scent upstairs before I heard his loud knock at the front door. Thaddeus and I made our way down but we were beat to the door by none other than-

"Adam," Jay greeted, taking a knee to level with his height. My son's infectious grin spread across his face. "How's it going?"

"It finally came out," Adam opened his mouth wide, showing the empty gap between his teeth. "I didn't cry."

"He said it didn't hurt," Thaddeus added, with a hint of amusement in his eyes. Somehow he found yanking out our child's tooth amusing.

"Good job bud," Jay responded, just as Adam rushed past him outside.

"Alpha, Luna," I smiled in response and let my gaze linger on Adam.

"Keep a close eye on him," Thaddeus commanded Manuel, the guard outside. I'm relieved and almost certain he said that more so for my sake.

"Did Benjamin call yet?" Jay asked as we made our way into the office. As if on cue, the phone rang and Thaddeus answered, placing it on speaker.

"Benjamin," he greeted. "I'm here with Annabel and Jay."

"Thaddeus, I'm calling regarding the matter of the missing wolves."

So I was right.

"What about it?"

"Last week my men encountered a small rogue settlement just west outside of our pack territory. I ordered them to leave." He paused, for a moment. There was some sort of shuffling on his side of the phone. "The next day I went back to their settlement to see if they had left."

"And?"

"Two were dead and the other two gone."

"So they got into a fight, killed each other and left," Jay concluded. "Rogues are barbaric, they have to be in order to survive without a pack."

"That's true," he said. "But all of their food, clothing and other materials were still there. Rogues are uncivilized but even they know better than to leave all of their belongings behind."

"So what are you suggesting?" I asked.

"There's more," he hesitated. "The manner in which the two rogues died was suspicious. If the rogues had turned on each other, there would be claw marks or bite marks or anything that indicated it was done by one of us. None of that was present. Both wolves had died from a brutal stab to the chest. We tried to find a scent of any kind but there was nothing; just the bodies and their possessions."

That same heavy feeling at the pit of my stomach seemed to grow. Thaddeus peeked over at me but I ignored his curious gaze.

"Hunters," I said. "It has to be."

"That's what I thought so as well," a new feminine voice entered the conversation. I could only assume it was Benjamin's Mate. "But even Hunters would emit some sort of scent. There was absolutely nothing."

"Have you spoken with any of the other Alphas about this?" Thaddeus questioned. "We need to compare your information with theirs."

"And if it correlates with their findings than whatever this is, is making their way to the east coast. If anything, they're already here."

He didn't have to say it but I knew what Benjamin was hinting at. It was a warning. If this threat was heading east, our pack was up next. That same uncomfortable feeling made its way to my chest and I exhaled deeply. Glancing at both Thaddeus and Jay, I realize a dark expression has taken over the both of them as we all ponder the extent of this unknown threat.

"Mom?" My ears perked up. I spun on the heels of my feet and headed straight towards that voice.

"Khaia," I started as I noticed her at the top of the staircase. She was still in her pajamas even though it was the afternoon. I took the stairs two at a time and placed my hand over her flushed forehead. "How are you feeling honey?"

"The stuff dad gave me is working," she replied, moving around me. "I'm okay now."

"Your temperature is still high," I pulled her away from the stairs. "You need to rest."

She stomped her foot down. "I want to go play with Luke."

"Khaia, he's going to get sick if you two play," I ushered her back into her bedroom. With a huff, she climbed into the bed. "The quicker you get better, the faster you can go outside."

"But mom," she pouted. "Why can Adam go outside?"

"Because he's not sick anymore." She mumbled nonsense under her mouth. I kiss the top of her sweaty head, unable to do anything but watch my eldest squirm in pain. If only I could take that away.

"This isn't fair." I reached over her to grab her water off the nightstand. When I tried to hand it to her, she refused. Narrowing my eyes into slits, she quickly straightened up and took the offered drink. I grabbed the damp cloth on her nightstand and headed to the bathroom where I drenched it in cold running tap water. Heading back over to her, I placed it on her forehead, hoping to get her temperature down the least. I stayed with her for some time until she dozed off before returning downstairs where Thaddeus and Jay were headed to the front door.

"How is she?" Jay questioned.

"Hopefully she'll recover soon," I responded, glancing upstairs. "How is everything?"

"Benjamin will reach out to some of the other Alphas," Thaddeus replied. "As for us, I don't like this but we'll have to initiate a lock down and install a curfew."

I winced at the thought.

"So The Run is cancelled?" Thaddeus frowned but nodded once.

We had already completed the initiation of our new pack members earlier this morning and all that was left was The Run. Every pack member that was able to run in their wolf form would be joining under the full moon and together we would give in to our true forms. It was a great opportunity to bond with one another as well as our wolves.

"Or-" Jay intercepted. "Why don't we conduct it earlier? I know it's not ideal but it has to be better than nothing."

We glanced over at Thaddeus who pondered over the suggestion. A part of me understood the importance of The Run but I couldn't help but think back to that dark cloud over me. Thaddeus' gaze landed on me.

"I think the sooner we do it, the safer it will be. But we should inform the pack and let them make their own decision. If there is a possible threat, they have a right to know."

Thaddeus nodded, arms crossed over his chest. At that moment, Adam came barging through the door, in a fit of laughter. Manuel was closely behind and I thanked him. He nodded and left just as Adam clung onto his fathers leg.

"We'll hold a quick gathering and I'll explain what it is that's going on. If anyone is interested, we'll start The Run then and there, but for everyone else they head back home and stay inside."

Shortly after Jay left to prepare, Thaddeus was getting ready to leave as well. "Your mother and Natalia will be here, as well as some Warriors."

Nodding, I glanced over at Khaia. She had come out of her room seemingly better but I knew she wanted out more than anything. Adam ran over to her and the two began to bicker. I smiled at the scene unaware of Thaddeus watching me. I turned to him, raising my eyebrows in question.

"I'll be back soon," he pressed a feather light kiss on my lips as my face flushed. Saying goodbye to the kids, he opened the door where my mother, Natalia, and Luke were quickly approaching. I took notice of the Warriors spreading themselves around the house outside. Thaddeus left shortly with some last minute instructions to us all. I hugged my mother before she pulled away to go greet her grand kids. I greet both Natalia and Luke, who continued to grow bigger every time I saw him.

"Khaia is still sick unfortunately-"

"No mom I'm fine, really," Khaia waved at Luke. She turned to run but I snatched her back to feel her forehead. She squirmed about but alas I let her go play with Luke.

"He's going to get sick isn't he?"

I exhaled and nodded. For us werewolves, it was rare for adults to get sick. It was our young that were susceptible to fevers and infections unfortunately, due to their underdeveloped immune system. I wasn't worried much for Adam's sake because he had already beaten the infection. Sadly, he passed it down to Khaia who was more stubborn than he was.

About two hours later, the sun was beginning to set and Thaddeus had just mind linked me about The Run. It was a success according to him and now everyone was heading back. Because of the lock down and curfew announced, many of our pack members had wanted one last celebration before the new rules were set.

"Khaia!" I shouted for the seventeenth time this hour. The nine year old and Luke have been inching closer and closer to the back door of the house in their failed attempt at going outside.

"Anna give them a couple minutes to tire themselves out. That way they'll sleep like the dead tonight," my mother smirked, a knowing glint in her eyes. Sighing, I gave in and followed them outside where my hyperactive child immediately tackled Luke in a fit of giggles. I sat down on the porch, Natalia seated beside me. My mom stayed in the kitchen with Adam trying to prepare dinner. I had tried to help earlier but she basically kicked me out of my own kitchen with a stern rest face. Probably the same expression I had given earlier to Khaia.

I observed my surroundings with every shadow cast by the setting sun causing a shiver to go up my spine. Taking a deep inhale, I searched for any foreign scents but nothing alerted me otherwise. Natalia glanced over at me from the corner of my eye.

"What is it?"

She cast her gaze elsewhere. "When was the last time you slept?"

"Do I look that bad?"

"No," she shook her head. "You have been working really hard though with everything going on at the clinic, the kids, the missing werewolves. Maybe you should take a break."

I don't respond. I mean, I knew she was right. But I couldn't rest just yet. We sat in silence watching the sun fill the sky with its beautiful orange rays until Thaddeus and Jay both arrived. By then all of the guards as well as my mother, were getting ready to leave. Thaddeus and Jay both stepped out to speak with the Warriors while my mother brought Adam over.

"Dinner is ready but someone really wants to sleep," I glanced down at Adam in her arms, whose eyelids were shut but he continued to jolt himself awake. I thanked my mother earnestly, gently removing Adam from her grasp. If I didn't have her, I wouldn't know what to do. I walked her out just as Thaddeus dismissed everyone for the night. He nodded once at my mother who said goodnight before leaving.

"How are you feeling?" He asked just as Jay left to the back of the house.

"I'm fine," I repeated for the hundredth time. He shook his head, arms crossed over his chest. I refused to meet his narrowed eyes, instead letting them linger on his bare torso. "Annabel-"

A blood curling familiar scream cuts through the silence of the night, followed by a loud bang. Khaia. The same dark feeling I had earlier on takes full control over me and I nearly dropped Adam. Thaddeus disappeared in a blink of an eye and just as I'm about to follow, I heard his commanding voice in my head: Get inside! I hesitated for a split second before doing as I was told. As I hurried inside, I tried to mentally contact both Natalia and Jay but they had both shut me out.

That was a gun, I told my Wolf who threatened to come out. Just like me she was worried about the well being of our daughter.

Footsteps pounded the grassy ground and I realized the Warriors Thaddeus had just dismissed were coming back as well as my mother. Hurrying to the back of the house, I placed Adam down away from the windows and peek outside. The Warriors disappeared into the throng of trees and Natalia, Jay, Luke and Khaia were nowhere to be seen.

Our Mate will get her and she will be fine, my Wolf reassured. Though even I could tell a part of her was unsure. Our maternal instincts were telling us to go out and search for our pup but we couldn't leave our other pup alone. We had to trust that our Mate and the others would find her. I looked up at the sudden call of my name.

"That was a gunshot," I grimaced.

"I'm sure Khaia is fine," my mother said.

She had to be fine. My thoughts go back to this morning. Was this what the dark cloud was warning me about? I stroked the back of Adam's head just as I'm about to get lost in my thoughts. I stopped myself after a moment- I had to do what I could in my current position. I mentally contacted all four night perimeter leads.

What are your statuses?

South perimeter is clear.

So is East.

West as well.

The North lead does not respond.

Luna, was that a gunshot?

I winced, a wave of nausea attacking me. I don't have any information yet but for now be careful and keep a close look out. If there are any invaders, eliminate them immediately.

I continued checking in with pack members to make sure everyone was accounted for. It took some time but it was a decent attempt at easing my frustration. No one from my end of the pack was giving me an answer, including my Mate who had completely blocked me off. If anything, I think he may have commanded everyone with him to do so. At my last attempt, I tried to contact my father who would be with Thaddeus right now. Nothing. Even he has his mental links blocked. With a growl, I slammed my fist onto the kitchen table. Mom looked up alarmed and I exhaled deeply.

"My child is missing, there's a gunman somewhere, and no one is telling me what's going on."

"Khaia's gone?" Adam's eyes go wide in fear.

"I'm sure your father and grandpa will find her," mom reassured. When I catch her gaze, I get the feeling she was trying to reassure me as well.

I'm not sure how much time had passed by the time Khaia's scent, along with the others, invaded my nostrils. Feeling my heartbeat quicken, I rushed out the back door and met the group halfway.

"Where is she?" I skimmed over the faces of dad, Kerin, and many others. My dad only stared at me, his entire body quaking to which I choose to ignore. Footsteps erupted from behind them and I waited for my daughter to make her appearance. Kasin stepped forward, alongside Natalia and a limping Jay. My eyes dropped down to the injured child in Kasin's arms. Natalia caressed Luke's bloody arm, turning to me, eyes a glisten in the dark. Just as I am about to ask what I feared I had the answer to, Thaddeus confirmed it. The anguished howl from my Mate's Wolf echoed for miles and attacked every cell in my body. Before I knew it, my knees had hit the ground as that nauseated feeling took over, forcing its way out of my mouth.

Our daughter was gone.

comments and votes greatly appreciated!

MissieA