Chapter 9 09

ELIZA

When we pulled up to Ethan's house, my breath hitched at the size of it. The mansion loomed four stories high. It looked like something out of a dream...or a fairy tale.

My gaze landed on the stained-glass windows on the bottom level. From a distance, they appeared to be abstract designs, but as I got closer, I realized they depicted animals. Wolves and big cats.

I couldn't take my eyes off them. They looked like they were custom-made. I had never seen anything like that before. My fingers itched to touch them.

"Make yourself at home," Ethan said, "I'll call Landon and tell him to bring our best men here so we can make a plan for Andrew's escape."

The entryway was no less impressive. Flanking the massive front door stood two statues of black wolves. The craftsmanship was so intricate that I had to reach out and touch one to assure myself it wasn't a real animal frozen in time.

Inside, the grandeur only grew. The entrance hall stretched wide, its ceiling adorned with an elaborate mural of a wolf pack weaving through a dense forest. More paintings lined the walls; vivid, lifelike depictions of wolves and large cats in various natural settings.

I sank into a sleek black sofa near the fire, trying to absorb my surroundings. My gaze fell to the ornate rug beneath my feet, a sprawling depiction of a wolf pack in mid-hunt. Even the large table in the center of the room held a detailed wolf carving.

But my awe was cut short when a sudden scream echoed through my mind.

It was Andrew.

"Ellie! They're back...they're whipping me again!"

I shot to my feet, "Andrew, what's wrong?" I said aloud, pacing the room.

"I can't take much more of this," Andrew's voice came.

I clutched my chest, tears welling in my eyes. "Oh my God," I gasped.

Ethan burst into the room, his sharp eyes scanning my frantic movements. "What's happening?"

"We have to find my brother now!" I cried. "They're torturing him again. I can feel it...I can hear him!"

Ethan didn't hesitate. Pulling out his phone, he barked into it, "Landon, get Eric and his team. I need all of you at the Pack house immediately."

As he hung up, he turned back to me. I was pacing wildly. My face was pale, and my hands were trembling. He stepped toward me, his voice steady.

"Eliza, we'll get him. I promise."

I nodded, but the fiery pain spreading through my body made it hard to believe. It was as though my brother's torment was physically affecting me, and it was only getting worse. I clenched my fists, trying to calm myself.

ETHAN

Being an Alpha comes with lots of responsibilities and lives at stake. It comes with eyes staring at you, telling you that you're the only one they trust to lead them. It comes with a fear of not letting your people down.

One wrong move can break everyone's trust and shatter everything you've built.

When the pack arrived, Landon led the group into the library. I stood in front of them, "Everyone, this is Eliza. Her brother has been captured and is being tortured. I know you're one of the best teams we have, and we're going to rescue him." I continued, "Her brother was adopted by the werecat family, and Eliza here never knew if she had a brother. They are both weretigers, but what's fascinating is that they are connected through their minds."

Sarah, one of the betas, raised an eyebrow. "How do we even know this is true? And why should we risk ourselves to save him?"

My jaw tightened, but my voice remained calm. "I believe Eliza has a telepathic link with her brother. This is like a gift from the Moon Goddess. She can hear him, feel his pain. And I know she's not lying." I looked each of them in the eye. "She's also your Luna-to-be, and I won't stand by and do nothing."

The explanation seemed to settle them.

Eliza was my soulmate. She was my fated mate. I could feel it.

And I would do anything to keep her safe and see her pain eased...even if it meant going to war.

ANDREW

I was hung from chains bolted into the ceiling, my body pressed against the cold, damp wall. Blood trickled down my back and legs. Despite the searing pain and the shallow breaths that hinted at broken ribs, I refused to break.

They wanted Eliza.

I didn't know exactly why, but I knew one thing: I'd die before giving them anything.

I had been hiding for years, but now knowing that my only sister was in danger, made me come out and hunt every one of them. My vision blurred, but the thought of Ellie gave me the strength to hold on. She needed time to find me.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the distance, a slow, deliberate rhythm that sent a chill down my spine. My stomach twisted as the figure stepped into the dim light.

Johnson.

I gritted my teeth, a mixture of rage and dread coursing through me. Johnson was a monster, a sadist who thrived on inflicting pain. Whips were just the beginning of his arsenal.

I knew this all too well. The memory of what the man had done last time made me nauseous.

Johnson smiled, "Ready to talk yet?"

I lifted my head, "Go to hell," I rasped.

Johnson's smile only widened. "Suit yourself. We'll see how long you hold out this time."

My mind raced, clinging to the one thing that kept me going: Ellie. I had to protect her.

Protect her at all costs. I reminded myself, the words of her father echoed through my mind.

Even though I never met Ellie, I loved her.