''How could you let this happen Aiden?'' Theo questions as he massages his temple in frustration.

''I tried Theo, I tried to fight him. I could have subdued him too if it wasn't for that pink powder he threw at us,'' Aiden replies.

I'm sitted on the couch with Lila as I helped her clean up her wounds.

''Boys, I think the best thing right now would be to look for Nadia instead of arguing,'' Lila whispers and I nod in agreement.

''Thank you sweetheart, I think we should be heading home now,'' She says and tries to make a move.

''No. Stay here, both of you. We can't let you leave Lila; you're hurt besides we also need to look for Nadia and we have nowhere to start, '' I say as I pull her down on the couch.

''Actually love, we do have a place to start. Aiden, where were you when Caleb ambushed you?'' Theo asks and he scratches his stubble in thought.

I couldn't help myself but stare at him and unknowingly start biting my lip. Gosh how does he manage to look hot even when covered in dried blood and dirt? Theo catches my eye and a playful smile appears on his face as he feels what I'm feeling. I realize this and clear my throat breaking the eye contact. Stupid mate bond. I internally scold myself for having such thoughts in a dire situation like this.

''Ahem.... what lead?'' I question trying hard not to look at Theo.

''Well we were waiting for the driver at the highway but he didn't show up, so mom suggested we drive ourselves to the airport. We started driving towards the main road but before we could reach there Caleb jumped in front of the car and mom had to brake real hard. Nadia nearly flew out through the windshield but I caught her and pulled her back, '' Aiden starts and a gasp escapes me.

''He rammed the car from the left side and it over turned causing mom to hit her head, hence the bleeding; luckily I had opened the door from my side so I was able to pull her out with me. I walked over to Caleb ready to fight him. We went head to head and I managed to get in a few punches. Mom was struggling to get Nadia out from the backseat and Caleb saw this as an opportunity, he backhanded me before ripping off the car door from the other side and pulled Nadia out by the hair,'' he continues and I can see Theo shaking as anger builds up in him. 

I have never seen him this angry; he is always so calm, always the voice of reason. I guess the fact that his 20-year-old sister is out there and that too with a psycho like Caleb is making his blood boil. And it should.

''What happened then Aiden?'' I ask urging him to continue.

''I got up and fought back, mom came to help too but he removed the pink powder and threw it at us. I felt dizzy as I felt moms' hand on mine and we both fell to the ground. The last thing I heard was Nadia's scream as Caleb hauled her over his shoulders and they disappeared into the forest.'' 

We are all silent as we take in the information. Lila's sob being the only sound in the room.

''My Nadia.... I want my daughter back,'' She cries and I rub her back trying to calm her down. 

''We will find her I promise,'' I assure her.

After much persuasion we managed to get Lila to sleep in one of the guest rooms while Theo and I head up to our room. I immediately go the bathroom and turn on the shower. I stand underneath it fully clothed; the events of the day playing in my head when I feel arms around me and relax from his touch.

Theo proceeds to unbutton my shirt and I don't stop him. He then releases my hair from its pony tail. I look down and see the dirt and blood go down the drain.

''This looks bad love,'' Theo says as his fingers graze the wound on my right shoulder. I wince in pain. That bitch got me good.

''It's going to take at least a day to heal; the wound's quite deep,'' he continues and very carefully cleans it with water.

I turn to look at him with worry etched on my face and he traces the frown lines on my forehead. ''I love you, '' he says and my look changes to one of confusion. ''I love you too,'' I reply and peck his lips.

''Let's get you cleaned up love,'' he says.

''You know I can bathe myself Theo, '' I state and he rolls his eyes at me. ''Did you just...did you just roll your eyes at me.''

He chuckles at this and turns me back as he starts massaging my head. He moves to my shoulders and continues massaging them eliciting a satisfying moan from me.

''That was not a wise choice to make love,'' he whispers and my skin tingles. Suddenly I'm pushed against the bathroom wall as Theo kisses me hard. I return the kiss back as my hands tangle in his hair. 

All of a sudden realization hits and I push him away. ''Theo, we can't do this, not right now,'' I say trying to catch my breath.

''Yeah, yeah...Umm you're right...yes, we can't,'' he stutters as he pushes his wet hair back and I have to look away to stop myself from grabbing him.

''I'll leave you to bathe, I'll just uhhh... go use the other bathroom, '' he mutters and leaves.

Aiden, Theo, Charles, Mila and I are now sitted in our living room thinking of ways to get Nadia back.

''You know what; I never thought Caleb had it in him. I knew him as the douche bag not a douche-leader bag,'' Charles mocks. '' I mean come on you guys;leading rogues to a fight, that's huge even for Caleb.''

''Well we certainly underestimated him and look where it got us,'' Aiden says.

''Hey Aiden, why don't you take us to the place where Caleb crashed you guys first thing tomorrow morning. Theo and I could take a look at it; maybe there are some clues there that can lead us to where he is,'' I suggest.

''I think that's a good idea Athena but the funeral is tomorrow too, it would be disrespectful if the Alphas are not present,'' Mila reminds me.

''Mila's right love. Tell you what; we will leave immediately after the funeral. It's late right now and I think we should all head to bed, we've had a really long day,'' Theo states and as if on cue a yawn escapes me.

The others bid their goodbyes as Theo and I head up to our room.

We are now lying in bed but I'm unable to sleep as I keep tossing and turning. My worrying intensifies and I imagine what Nadia would be going through right now. I try to close my eyes but every time I do that I see Rachel laying motionlessly on the ground her eyes open wide, cold, and vacant as a shiver runs up my spine.

''Can't sleep love?'' Theo asks besides me. I nod without even looking. ''I can't sleep Theo, not while knowing Nadia is out there in goddess knows what state, '' I mumble.

''Come here,'' he says and pulls me to him, ''I'm feeling that way too Athena but if we going to search for her then we must be well rested, it will be a long day tomorrow too,'' he says and places a kiss on my cheek, ''now sleep love; goddess knows we need it,'' and we both fall into a troubled sleep.

''I NEED COFFEE!'' I shout as I rummage through the kitchen drawers the next morning like a mad woman.

''Ahh found it,'' I smile victoriously as I empty the sachet into the coffee maker. The smell of coffee wafts around the house which I'm pretty sure is what brought Theo downstairs.

''Morning love, ahh the smell of it gives me energy already,'' he says and pours himself a cup. 

''Hey! That was mine; it was extra strong,'' I complain and he shrugs his shoulders, '' Sorry love, you snooze you lose.'' I have to make myself another cup and feel revitalized after a few sips. That ought to keep me going for the day.

The four of us together with the other pack members are now standing in a clearing by the lake. We just buried Rachel and the rest of the dead warriors. Hazel gave a beautiful eulogy for Rachel and I'm sure I saw a tear roll down Charles' cheek but the sucker will never admit It. 

I said a few words too and so did Theo. I pay my final respects to Rachel's grave; put down a rose and we walk away from the burial place.

''I'm hungry you guys,'' Aiden complains as we change into more comfortable clothes. ''Aiden, we need to look for Nadia; We are running out of time,'' Theo says exasperatedly.

''Hey,why don't you grab a box of Oreo from the cabinet, you can munch on them as we go, '' I suggest. 

''Yeah that seems like a cool idea,'' he replies as he grabs a box.

''Keep us updated okay guys'' Charles articulates.

 ''Sure man, just hold the fort here will you?'' Theo says and they bro hug, ''whatever you say man.''

A black SUV is parked outside waiting for us, Theo gets in the driver seat and I in the passenger seat. Aiden slides into the back and we start driving up towards the city.

''Hey Athena, switch on the radio will you,'' Aiden asks and I do as he says. The car is soon filled with some type of rock music and I internally cringe. Theo's face scrunches up in disgust, ''is this what people listen to these days?'' he says with disgust and I laugh at his expression.

''This is good music okay, you two are like way old now; what would you even know about good music anyway?'' Aiden chides and I turn to glare at him, '' did you just call us old?!'' I almost yell.

''I'm like 4 years older than you Aiden,'' I state and he shrugs his shoulders, '' so what, you're still old aren't you?''

''Oh please, I do like new age music okay,'' I say trying to defend myself and Aiden chuckles, ''do you now? If so, when we've saved Nadia and we're back home why don't you come to my room and I will show you my collection of music over the years. Let's see if you can even last 10 minutes listening to it. Deal?'' he asks as he extends his hand and I take it, ''deal.''

Soon enough we reach the area of the 'accident'. Theo slows down the car and parks it on the opposite side of the road as we all get down. The car has since then been moved but there are marks all over the road showing signs of a crash. We begin inspecting the area.

I catch Nadia's scent mixed with Caleb's and begin following it down a narrow path. I feel like I'm closer when the scents suddenly disappear, ''what the hell?'' I wonder out aloud as I try to take in the scents once more but get nothing.

I walk up the trail to the road only to find Theo holding what seems to be a note. ''What's that?'' I ask.

''Seems like Caleb, left us a little clue,'' Theo says as he opens and reads it out.

If you want her, you will find her at the place where shit went down 23 years ago – Caleb

''Yep that's definitely Caleb's handwriting,'' Aiden confirms. '' Gosh it feels like we are in the amazing race or something,'' he continues.

''Can you at least be serious this once, your twin is missing,'' Theo scolds him.

''Chillax bro, will get Nadia. I mean it's just Caleb. He practically gave away his location with this note, '' Aiden says and I look at him with raised eyebrows; he seems pretty confident that will find her.

''Is there something you're not telling us Aiden?'' I question as I look at him suspiciously.

''No you guys, I mean come on its Caleb. He is like the dumbest guy I know. His thinking capacity is the size of a pea. He is just pissed off at you Athena for hurting his ego. Since he can't take it out on you because,well, you did take him down and you're an alpha now so...he decided to take Nadia instead,'' Aiden concludes with a shrug of his shoulders. ''It soothes the male ego.''

Theo and I exchange looks. Aiden does seem to have a point but we're missing something here.

''Now all we need to know is what happened 23 years ago and where,'' Aiden says as he taps his chin in thought.

''Oh my god Theo, could it be?'' I ask as my eyes widen in realization.

''The clearing where I almost got sacrificed 23 years ago, '' Theo confirms my suspicions.

''Say what now?'' Aiden asks completely clueless.

''We need to get back to Crescent now!'' Theo yells and the three of us rush to the car as we head back to our pack.