Chapter 93
The morning was eerily calm, almost as if the universe itself was holding its breath. I cradled one of the twins, gently rocking him back and forth as the sunlight streamed through the window. The pack house was filled with a sense of cautious hope. After all the chaos of the past weeks, this moment felt like a tiny sliver of peace.
Fatima was in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared tea. I could see her trying to mask the worry in her eyes with a forced smile, but I knew better. We both did. Jake had been restless since last night, pacing the halls like a caged wolf. He’d gotten a lead — a solid one, according to our informant — and I could see the fire in his eyes, the raw need to end this hunt.
“He’s going after him, isn’t he?” Fatima asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she handed me a steaming cup of tea.
I nodded, feeling the familiar knot of fear twist in my stomach. “He won’t wait any longer. This lead is different, Fatima. They have a name now — Jona. Apparently, he used to lead a ruthless group years ago, before anyone in the pack now was even born.”
Fatima’s face hardened. “Jona,” she repeated. “I’ve heard stories about him. He was vicious, manipulative. It makes sense now why everything has felt so orchestrated, like we’ve been walking into a trap the whole time.”
The baby squirmed in my arms, and I kissed his forehead, trying to push away the dread creeping up my spine. “I want to go with Jake,” I admitted quietly. “I can’t sit here and do nothing anymore.”
Fatima gave me a sympathetic look, but before she could respond, Jake burst into the room, already dressed in his combat gear. His expression was all business, a deep frown furrowing his brow.
“Priscilla, I need you to stay here,” he said firmly, not even giving me a chance to speak. He crossed the room in three long strides and took the baby from my arms, kissing his tiny head before handing him back to me. “I’m taking a few of the best warriors. We’ll follow this lead, see if we can track Jona down. But you can’t come with me this time.”
I clenched my jaw, setting the baby down gently in his crib before facing Jake. “You can’t expect me to stay behind, Jake. Not after everything that’s happened. I need to be there. We’re stronger together, you know that.”
He took my hands in his, his grip almost painfully tight. “I know, Priscilla. But this isn’t just any hunt. If this is really Jona, we’re dealing with someone who’s been planning this for years. I can’t risk you or the babies. You’re the Luna — they need you here. And so do I.”
I swallowed hard, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill over. “I don’t like this,” I whispered. “I don’t like the thought of you out there, hunting some ghost from the past while I sit here, helpless.”
He pulled me close, his lips brushing against my ear. “You’re never helpless, Priscilla. But I need you to trust me on this. I’ll come back. I promise.”
I nodded, even though every fiber of my being screamed at me to go with him. I watched as he stepped back, giving a final kiss to the babies before heading towards the door. Fatima stepped into his path.
“Jake, you better make sure you come back,” she said, trying to keep her tone light, but her eyes were filled with concern.
Jake gave her a grim smile. “I will. Keep them safe, Fatima.”
And then he was gone, disappearing out the door with half a dozen of his best men following him like shadows.
******
The day stretched on agonizingly slowly. I kept busy, making rounds through the pack house, checking on the families, helping out wherever I could. Fatima stayed by my side, her presence a small comfort as we waited for news.
“He’s fine, Priscilla,” she said at one point, catching me staring out the window, lost in thought. “Jake’s tough. If anyone can handle this, it’s him.”
“I know,” I replied softly. But I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach since he’d left. It was like a dark cloud hanging over me, a premonition I couldn’t ignore.
Hours passed, and still no word. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest, I couldn’t wait any longer.
“We need to go,” I said abruptly, turning to Fatima. “Something’s wrong. He should have been back by now.”
Fatima hesitated for a moment before nodding. “I’ll get Chris and a few others. We’ll head out together.”
***********
The forest was darker than usual, the canopy overhead blocking out what little moonlight there was. We moved quickly, Chris leading the way with his heightened senses, Fatima close by my side.
“I don’t like this,” Fatima muttered under her breath. “It’s too quiet.”
I nodded, my heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. “Jake!” I called out, my voice echoing through the trees. “Jake, where are you?”
There was no answer.
Chris suddenly stopped, his head snapping to the side as if he’d heard something. “Over there,” he whispered. “I smell blood.”
We ran, tearing through the underbrush until we stumbled into a small clearing. The sight that met us stole the breath from my lungs.
Bodies. Three of Jake’s men lay sprawled across the ground, their necks slashed open, eyes staring lifelessly up at the sky. I pressed a hand to my mouth, fighting back a sob. These were good men — men I’d known for years. Men with families.
“Oh my god,” Fatima whispered, her face pale. “This wasn’t just an ambush. It was a massacre.”
Chris knelt beside one of the bodies, his jaw clenched tight. “They didn’t stand a chance,” he said, his voice rough. “Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing.”
My knees buckled, and I had to grab onto a tree to keep from falling. “Where’s Jake?” I choked out. “Where is he?”
Chris met my eyes, and for the first time, I saw real fear there. “He’s not here, Priscilla. I can’t smell his scent beyond this point.”
I staggered back, feeling like the ground had just crumbled beneath me. “No,” I whispered. “No, he promised he’d come back.”
Fatima pulled me into her arms, holding me tight as I broke down, the sobs wracking my body. “We’ll find him, Priscilla,” she whispered fiercely. “He’s out there somewhere. We’re not giving up.”
I pulled away, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. “We need to keep looking,” I said, my voice hoarse but resolute. “We can’t leave him out here. Not like this.”
Chris nodded, standing up and taking a deep breath. “We’ll split up and search the area. We’ll find him.”
But as we turned back into the forest, the shadows seemed darker, more oppressive. And deep down, I knew we were racing against time. The man we were hunting wasn’t just a faceless threat anymore. He was real, and he had Jake.
And I wasn’t sure I’d ever see him again.
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