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I sleep longer than intended and wake up in a foul mood. A foul mood because I slept for longer than a couple of hours. I told myself I'd get a little bit of rest but before I knew it, it was the next day.

Hope was no longer beside me, she must have already woken and didn't bother to jolt me awake with her. I feel frustrated inside, pissed off even. But I know they're doing it for my own wellbeing, for my sanity.

I quickly get dressed and head downstairs, not wanting to waste a second more. Mace, Nella, Alfie and Hope are all in the kitchen. A laptop between them along with a map and mugs of steaming coffee.

Hope catches my eye first and she smiles. "Hi," she walks closer. "How are you feeling?"

"You didn't wake me," is the first thing I say.

Her blue eyes flick between mine and she sighs. "I know, I'm sorry Cleo. But I didn't want to wake you, you needed the sleep and clearly your body needs it too. We said we would wake you if it went into the afternoon."

I fold my jumper over my knuckles as Nella approaches, ready to give me a hot steaming cup of coffee. "Thanks," I say before taking it through the fabric of my sweatshirt. "Have you found anything?"

Nella hums and beckons her head to the table. Mace flicks his head over his shoulder and offers me a supportive smile. "We found a few clock towers in the surrounding area which have a building or warehouse beside it," he explains to me.

I draw up a chair and sit beside him, watching his fingers scroll over the trackpad. "Let me see," I demand. "I'll be able to tell you which one it is."

The blood inside my body begins to race, the back of my neck becoming hotter. This could be it, this could be the destination that Kassian is being held. This could soon be over and we can bring him home for good.

"This was the first one we found," Mace comments as he clicks on the first tab.

My eyes glance over the images, it was too fat and short to be the one I saw in the visions. "No."

Then he clicks to the next one. I shake my head.

Mace clicks on the third one and I grip onto the edge of the table, bringing my eyes closer to the screen. My breath almost gets caught in my throat, my head nodding instantly. "That's it," I mumble, flicking my eyes over the tower. Remembering the colour and shape of it. "That's the one."

Alfie claps and then Mace grins at me. "He's coming home, Cleo."

"I know he is. Let's organise a plan. Bring Everett and his pack back over, tell those who are out searching to retreat. We are doing this today. We are getting him back today."

Nella gives my shoulder a squeeze and I nod back at her, drinking down my hot coffee. Desperately needing caffeine more than I realised, that extra boost of motivation. The warmth inside my belly increases my need to have Kassian with me, we're so close. So damn close and I will not rest today until I have him back in my arms.

"Where is it?" I shoot back at Mace.

"It's West, like really West. Almost at the coast," he explains. "It's about four hours from here."

I hum and nod. "Okay."

"I've just told the pack to come back," Nella says and I grip her fingers that are still on my shoulder.

"What's the plan?" Alfie asks from over Mace's shoulder.

"Use the witches power to create a forcefield like we did with Pandora, mask our scents so I can sneak into the building to find Kassian. Then wolves stay at bay, if shit kicks off, you kill everyone in sight. That is an order." My voice is low and determined. I even scare myself with my own intent but there isn't any other way out of this.

It's either kill or be killed. Especially with rogues. They don't care who they hurt, they just want revenge. Power. They will do anything to stop it. And I will do anything to get Kassian home.

"We've got this, Cleo," Hope offers. "And so do you."

"I know we do," I say with pure confidence. "I'm going to ring Fran and let them know the plan. When the pack gets back can you explain the mission, similar to the one with Pandora and the witches will need to get together and practice masking our scents before we take off."

I push the chair out from underneath me and stand to face Nella. She nods in my direction. "Of course, I'll get on it now. They'll know what to do. I believe in them."

"Me too," I agree before grabbing my phone and heading out of the kitchen.

. . .

Within an hour the pack are back at the house, we're getting ready to leave for our mission. Bringing everyone up to speed with what's about to happen, what role they all play and what to do in case things get ugly.

I walk through the sea of people in our kitchen and spot a familiar set of blonde hair. His light blue eyes catch my attention and I walk straight towards him. "Thank you for coming," I say as I push through the crowd.

"That's what ally packs do, they help each other," he responds. "Stop thanking us for doing the bare minimum. We're going to be here until we know that he's safely back home. We will not give up, we will not stop."

The corners of my mouth flick into a small smile. "Okay but when Kassian gets home, I'm sure he's going to be singing your praises too."

"Guess I'll have to tell him that in person," he says strongly. "Do you need help getting into the building whilst everyone else holds the fort?"

I nod. "Yeah, I need someone to keep an eye out. Kassian might be tied to multiple chains, inside doors with locks. I can't have eyes in the back of my head whilst getting him out."

"Then I'll help you," he stands tall. "You're risking your own life going in there alone. At least if I come with you, I can stand by and help if anything happens."

"I appreciate it."

It doesn't take long to get the pack together and head in the direction of the warehouse, we get there in good time. My mind is focused and I can only think of one thing, Kassian. The longer we leave it, the more danger he is in. I don't want to be too late. We can't be too late.

We settle back, the witches already covered our scents with their magic. They create a forcefield and we stay behind them, making sure that everything is secure and we are ready to go.

I look towards the clock tower and then back to the gloomy building, I know that he's in that room. He could see out that window, unless they've moved him, he should be there.

On standby. Mace mindlinks the pack.

My head rotates to Everett, he gives me a firm nod. Everett and I are heading inside. Keep your eyes peeled for any movement, any danger, any threat. Kill anything in your way. Do anything to save Kassian.

Yes Luna.

I signal over to Everett and look at my wolves blended into the trees, waiting to pounce, hiding in plain sight. I take one step forward and Everett follows, we keep low to the ground and approach a wooden door, one that isn't bolted shut.

Everett's eyes follow my lead and he nods. I place my fingers onto the handle and open up the door, taking one look inside. Dark, damp and smells like rotten sewage.

My stomach almost flips at the stench but I hold my nose and creep forward, Everett slowly closing the door behind him. I tip toe silently down the hall, keeping my eyes open for any rogues.

We are on their territory now. This could be the death zone.

Everett keeps close behind me until we hear voices echo down the hall. I turn to him, eyes wide. He pulls me down a small crack in the wall and we squeeze in together, I hold my breath and pray they don't come down here.

"Parker's going to give that Alpha a few more days," a deep voice echoes off the brick walls. "Then that's it. Personally I think he's been here far too long."

"He's been trying to find the Luna, hasn't he?"

My eyes flick up at Everett and his brows frown down at me. "He had another plan," the other guy says. "To bring her here, hurt her in front of him. But I don't think he can find her."

I clench my fists as my body begins to rattle. Oh I want to shove my foot into his fucking mouth and snap his jaw right off.

"Apparently," one begins to laugh. "He told Parker that she would kill us all. That she's going to come for us but it's been a while and I don't think she's got the strength to find us."

My body almost lurches into the damp hall but Everett keeps a grip on my wrist. He shakes his head once, not to fuck this up. I take a deep breath and force out all my hatred, as much as I'd rip their heads from their bodies in a matter of seconds.

I have to keep focused on the mission.

Their voices get closer and I continue to hold my breath, Everett grips my wrist even tighter. Just as they reach the little hole in the wall that we're hiding in, I can see the shadows of their legs. Inches from us.

They stop. Then retreat. Back up the hall and away from our view.

When they turn the corner I release a quiet breath and Everett does the same, I poke my head out into the hall and look both ways. I signal to Everett that it's clear and he follows me again, keeping close and making our footsteps as quiet as possible.

I follow the warehouse round and look around the corner of the two rogues, they've gone. We sneak round to the nearest door and I lift my eyes to the window, instantly looking back at Kassian. Arms above his head, hanging from the ceiling, body almost turning blue but his back lashed and scarred over with red wounds.

"He's here," I heave out.

"I'll keep a lookout," Everett nods at me confidently.

My eyes glance down at the lock between the handle and the door. I pull a pair of heavy secateurs from the waistband of my trousers and cut through the metal, squeezing my arms together and tightening my jaw. It takes two attempts for it to come off, catching the lock with my hand before it crashes to the ground.

I place it to one side and pull open the door, trying not to let it scrape against the floor. When I step in, the coldness of the room turns my skin to goosebumps. My feet rush to Kassian, his head hung low and his body draping from the chains.

My hands clasp around his frozen face, my warm hands almost sticking to his skin.

"Kass," I whisper, tears stinging my eyes. My heart shatters inside my chest, seeing him like this. Completely helpless, hurt and barely alive. It hurt, so fucking much.

He doesn't respond, I can barely feel a pulse in his neck. He's on the line. So close to death.

"Kass, can you hear me?" I press my forehead against his and heave out a low breath, biting down on my bottom lip. "Fuck. I'm here okay, we're going to get you out of here. I promise."

His eyes barely move, breathing slowly. Almost silent. I pull away from his face and reach up to the chains above his head, using the secateurs to try and free him but they're thicker than the lock.

Everett pokes his head through the door. "Cleo, hurry, I think they're coming back."

Panic races through my body and I squeeze at the tool harder than before, chipping at the metal. I grit my teeth and suppress a grunt, using all the strength inside my body to push through the metal. I cut through one and Kassian's body slumps, I rush to the other.

Sweat now drips down my forehead, pushing harder than before to chop through the hard material. Doing everything in my power to get him out of here before we're in deep shit.

"Cleo," Everett warns me through a hushed tone.

Kassian's body falls to the floor, his legs no longer able to keep him up as the chain breaks. I attempt to catch him but he falls through my arms. Everett rushes to my assistance and we carry his cold body either side.

I've got him. I tell the pack. Be on standby.

Got it. Mace responds.

We carry Kassian through the door and back through the way we came, still not a single word from him. We rush to the end of the hall, pushing through the door and out into the sunlight and fresh air.

Keep us covered. We're out now.

Everett and I drag Kassian through the dirt, his weight pulling us both down with his lack of consciousness but neither of us were slowing down.

"THEY'RE TAKING THE ALPHA!"

I whip my head over my shoulder at the sound, the rogue pointing down to us from the top of the roof. "Fuck," I curse out to Everett.

Backup now. They've seen us. Take place, attack!

The doors from behind us burst open, rogues running towards us. Pounding the floor like no tomorrow. I can see our own wolves darting through the trees, towards the warehouse. Determined and ready to take action, whatever is needed.

Our pack and the rogues clash, fighting. Teeth, claws, wrestling. Chaos all around us.

Watch out! Hope's voice echoes through my mind.

Snarling wolves approaching us from behind, charging straight towards us. Ready to take us out and finish off Kassian for good. But I wouldn't let that happen. Not ever.

I spot Hope's grey wolf and Ripley's little brown wolf hurdle towards us, taking out the rogues that were seconds away from ripping us to shreds. They fight behind us and I pray they stay safe but Kassian is my main priority right now.

We continue to pull Kassian away from the battlefield, desperate to get him out of here and home where he is safe. Even if it's the last thing that I do. Just as we reach the trees, something pierces straight through my ankle and I cry out in pain.

I drop to the floor, losing the left side of Kassian's body. Everett continues to hold him up and looks down to me. "Cleo!" His voice is desperate.

My hands grip my bleeding foot, the arrow that is between my ankle and the sole causing the unimaginable pain. Throbbing uncontrollably. Full of silver, sizzling my skin and burning through my flesh with every second.

"Take him," I heave out.

"Cleo, I can't lea–"

"TAKE HIM HOME, FUCKING TAKE HIM HOME NOW!"

Everett blinks back at my sudden roar and then nods, he might not agree with my decision but he does as I say. Taking him well away from the bloodbath that is this scenario. I shuffle behind a tree and hide away from any more deathly arrows.

I take my foot with one hand and the arrow with another and snap the end. Allowing myself to slide it through the entrance hole. My teeth ache from how hard I am gritting them, screaming at the top of my lungs from the sensations.

Blood is everywhere. Leaking from the hole as I drop the broken arrow to the floor.

I push myself up from the floor, gripping onto the nearest tree for support.

"You think you're so smart, don't you?"

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I turn to a man with dark hair, messy stubble and missing teeth. I recognise him from Kassian's vision. He's the one who took him away. He's the one who thinks I couldn't kill him.

"I am smart." I snarl in his direction. "I did all this and you barely could realise he was gone. Your guards are lousy, lazy and more interested in gossip than their job."

He scoffs and steps closer but I don't move, keeping my eyes firmly on his. Watching out for any sudden movements.

"That's rich," he offers me a sarcastic smile.

I don't even want to question what the fuck he's talking about, I just want him dead.

"Fuck you."

He lunges forward unexpectedly and I swerve out of the way but his grip catches the back of my hair and he yanks me to the floor. A yelp escapes my lips and he shoves me down, putting all his weight on me. Not allowing me to move.

I growl and he looks down at me, almost foaming at the mouth. His hands clasp around my throat and he raises my head off the ground, slamming me back down again. He squeezes as tight as he can, restricting my airflow completely.

My hands tug at his arms, trying to reach his face but he pulls away from my reach. I can feel my eyes almost bulge out of my head at the force but I fight the consciousness.

"You silly little girl," he laughs evilly.

I shake my legs, trying everything to move but I can't.

"You thought you could kill me?" He throws his head back and when they return, they're dark and sinister. The last thing I want to see as I die.

My mind goes into panic and I am desperate for survival. I reach my hand into the back of my waistband, touching the edge of the secateurs. So close, so close. Just a few centimetres more. I grip them firmly and then pull them back and swing them into his leg.

Parker releases my throat for a second to cry in pain, I pull back the secateurs and stand. Gasping for breath before plunging them into the bottom of his jaw, then again in his neck. Blood squirting and flying in every direction, coating my clothes and the forest floor. I repeat the action but on the other side of his face, piercing holes in his skin until it's just a gaping mess.

He grips onto his neck and falls back, eyes wide and choking on his own blood.

"You're right," I pant and lick my lips. "I am just a silly little girl."

When he takes his last breath I shove the tool back into the waistband of my trousers and step backwards, catching my breath. Wiping my wrist over my forehead, blood smearing across my skin.

I look up and around at rogues dead bodies, blood and carnage still going on. Everyone fighting to the death.

My lips become increasingly dry, noticing how everything goes still. Lightheaded. So lightheaded.

Dark and frightening black spots invade my vision and I shake my head, trying to fight it but I can't. Blinking over and over but nothing helps, everything slows and my heart races painfully.

My body falls through the air, I don't even feel myself hit the ground before I am out cold.

. . .

Read the rest of the story and epilogues over on my Patreon early!

www.patreon.com/dreammcatcher
Link is also in bio!

OH MY GOODNESSSSS. What did you guys think of this chapter?!

I love so many things about this. Everett helping Cleo, Cleo being selfless, Cleo killing Parker and RIPLEY HELPING?! Na it's all too much

I hope you guys enjoyed!

This book will have 65 chapters and then 2 epilogues. Also a reminder that I have started Everett's book and the first 10 chapters are on Patreon, I'll be posting it on here once this book is officially complete!

Hope everyone is well, see you all on the next one. Love Sav x

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