Chapter 16: The Rescue Mission

Asher’s POV



Before I’m fully awake, I can tell something isn’t right. I feel empty and alone. I roll over to Harper’s side of the bed, and I realize it hasn’t been slept in all night. This isn’t like her; I know her night-time routine and being out all night isn’t part of it.

I’m out of bed without thinking. Either she is with Amaris or something terrible has happened to her. I don’t bother changing out of my pajamas or put shoes on before I leave the room.

I race through the hallways, calling out Harper’s name in hopes she is somewhere inside the compound. A door to my right opens and I skid to a halt. Amaris is looking at me sheepish, rubbing her eyes.

“What’s wrong, Asher?” She mumbles, “It’s too early in the morning to be listening to you yelling.”

“Harper is missing,” I say, frantic, “She didn’t come to bed last night. I assumed she was watching a movie with you.”

She stands in thought for a moment, “Now that you mention it, she didn’t show up for our hike yesterday afternoon. I just assumed she was busy with other things, but then I didn’t see her at dinner either.”

This is bad. She must be in danger somewhere.

“You have to help me look for her,” I plead, “She could be hurt somewhere or lost. We’ve got to find her before anything bad happens.”

Amaris nods, seeming to be fully awake now as she retreats into her bedroom to get dressed. I’m pacing in front of her door when she swings it open, a look of determination on her face.

“Let’s go find her.”

We both race through the compound and out the back doors into the yard. I see my uncles standing together, talking as if they’re in a secret meeting. When they look up and see me watching them, they come running over.

“Harper left,” Julius states, looking between Amaris and me.

I frown, “What do you mean?”

“Some of the members saw her leaving in the direction of her home,” Dean pipes in, “She had a backpack on.”

I’m confused. If she was leaving the pack to go home, then someone would’ve seen her. Lots of people live here, someone would’ve seen her leaving if that were the case.

I shake my head, “I don’t believe you. Someone would’ve told me if they saw her leaving,” I point my thumb at Amaris, “If anyone knew of Harper leaving it would be her best friend.”

Julius opens his mouth to speak but I push past him, “Enough, I don’t want to hear any more lies. I know she’s still here somewhere.”

Amaris follows me towards the hedges leading into the forest. I stop and look at her, she looks worried. Harper is a fighter if she’s out there she will know how to look after yourself. I know she won’t give up.

“I’ve alerted the pack, they’re going to send out some members to help find her,” Amaris says, standing beside me.

“Let’s go find my wife,” I say, “You head East, and I’ll go North.”

Amaris follows me until she breaks off to the right. I have a gut feeling about heading North, if feels like I’m being
pulled in that direction by an invisible rope. The gravel stings my feet as I move quickly, the brush scraping my bare shins and slashing at my exposed arms.

I’ve been on the move for a while now. The terrain has slowly begun to change, dragging me up steep hills and brush with no pathways. I use my heightened sense of smell to guide me in the right direction. I haven’t been able to smell Harper until now. I catch the faint scent of the perfume she wore on our wedding day.

The scent gradually becomes stronger and stronger. My stomach begins to ache, anxious about finding her. I hope she’s not seriously hurt or on the verge of death.

A small clearing comes into view and I notice an entrance to a cave, hidden by tall plants. I skid to a stop.

“I wonder if she’s in there.” I’m out of breath, trying to string words together.

I walk towards the cave, “Harper!” I call out several times in case she’s in there but can’t hear me.

If she is hurt inside and I’m unable to get her out, I’m not sure I’d ever be able to forgive myself. She’s in this situation because I brought her here to live a fake life, and now everything is becoming a mess.

A muffled voice floats out from the entrance. I swing my head around, shocked.

“Harper?” I call out again.

“Asher, help.” The voice is barely audible, but I recognize it as Harper’s voice.

I rush to the opening and see the ground falls into a pit. Harper is at the bottom of it, curled into a tight ball. She squints up at me, helpless.

“You found me,” She breathes.

“Don’t move, I’m going to help you out,” I say.

I look around, judging the distance from the top to the floor. I get to my knees and lie flat on my stomach, throwing my arms over the edge.

“Harper,” I call down into the pit, “Grab my hands and I’ll pull you out.”

She looks disoriented for a moment but crawls over to me anyway. She struggles to her feet and locks her hands around my wrists. I begin pulling her out, using all the strength in my body to get to my knees.

I can hear Harper’s soft grunts as I pull her up the side of the pit. I feel bad that I’m dragging her through mud and dust but it’s the only way she’ll be able to get out. I see why she didn’t try to escape on her own, it would’ve been almost impossible.

With one final pull, Harper is sliding up over the edge, her eyes moving frantically between me and the sky. I can see the relief wash over her face, and she instantly relaxes on the ground next to me. Her breathing comes out in short bursts.

“I thought you’d never find me,” She breathes, “I’ve missed you.”