THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT

CHAPTER 42: THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT
~ Harper’s POV ~

Thane pushes me down on the floor and climbed on top of me. Oh no! Is he going to force me now? I felt the weight of him on me. He leaned down to my face and licked my tears away. When he was done, he pulled back and licked his lips.
“Mumm… There’s something about despair that gets me so hot.” He said to me while moving his hips to press his hardened member against my stomach. I squeezed my eyes shut. If I didn’t have Gabriel to worry about leaving here, I would beg the moon goddess for death. My body stiffened, as I reflexively tried to recoil from him. I had to force my body to stay still. “Maybe I’ll just have a taste of you right now.” He moaned, as he slid his body up and down mine. My tears wouldn’t stop flowing. “I want to taste your juices.” He whispered to me lowly. He ran one hand up under my shirt and over my abdomen. I squeezed my eyes shut and clinched my teeth as his hand passed over my breasts. Then he started to run his free hand up the insides of my thighs. I couldn’t stop the sobs as he continued to force himself on me.

To my relief a loud banging was coming from his bedroom door.
“I’m busy!” Thane yelled at whoever was pounding. The pounding didn’t stop, then someone yelled through the door.
“Alpha Thane, you are needed urgently!” Thane stood up and adjusted himself inside his ripped jeans. He looked down at me as he spoke.
“I was really looking forward to having my way with you right now. However, I'll quickly take care of this and be back to you before the clock strikes midnight.” He grinned down at me. That is right! My 18th birthday is soon, but what time is it? Maybe my wolf will be powerful enough to help me get Gabriel out of this.
“Take her to the cells. I don’t trust her after she ran away. Once we take care of this problem, bring her back here to my room. She will be getting her wolf soon.” He looked at me smiling, then disappeared out the door. The warrior ran over and jerked me upright. He threw me over his shoulder, and quickly ran with me. As we passed through the first floor everything around the packhouse was a shuffling mess. The only calm one was Thane. Everyone else seemed nervous and on edge. The warrior turned a few corners and then came to a familiar stairway. It led to the dungeons.

This is where they brought me after Thane murdered my parents. He started to descend. It was a dark circular stairway. You could tell it was old. It seemed like it had taken him forever to get to the bottom. It could have something to do with my uncomfortable position over his shoulder. The exterior door creaked open, and he walked inside. I heard loud clicking noises as we stepped farther inside.
“Harper!”
“Gabriel!” I said with a shaky voice. I thought. The warrior walked into the cell and dropped me onto a nasty bed. Then he walked out and slid the bars shut. I looked toward the voice once I was upright. My heart stopped in my chest.
“Harper, are you ok? What has he done to you? Did he hurt you?” Gabriel asked me. Worry for me was all over his handsome face.
“I thought I would let you two sit across from each other for a little while. It won't be long until Alpha Thane makes you his. I just know it’s a pleasant feeling, not being able to get to each other.” He chuckled. Gabriel pulled at the shackles around his wrists. He yelled profanities at the warrior. Both arms were stretched out to each side of him. He was bolted to the wall!
“Wasn’t putting him in a prison cell enough?! You low lives had to bolt him to the wall also?!” My cries faded into screams as I stared the warrior down.
“If you weren't my alphas chosen mate, I would kill you for that.” He growled out, then stomped away. The exterior door of the dungeons latched shut.

I ran to my cell bars pressing my body into them. I just wanted to be closer to Gabriel. I had to pull away because I realized they were burning my skin.
“Harper don't touch them! They are coated in wolfsbane.” Gabriel was still trying to protect me, and I am the reason he is chained to the fucking wall!
“Gabriel, are you ok? They hurt you so bad. Why are you chained to the wall?” I cried to him.
“I’m ok baby, I am already healed. I guess I am bolted to the wall because I’m not a good wolf. Harper, please tell me if he hurt you. Did he...” Gabriel didn’t have to finish his question.
“I’m ok, he didn’t take it that far... yet.” I whispered. Gabriel stretched and pulled at the chains trying but failing to break free. His wolf was wanting out.
“What do you mean he didn’t take it that far?!” Gabriel growled out. All I could do was look at the floor. “I’m going to kill him! Ugh....” He continued to scream and pull on the chains.
“Gabriel, stop! Please, you're going to hurt yourself.” He stopped struggling against the shackles.
“Listen to me, I am so sorry Harper. I have failed you, but I will burn this entire pack down to get you out of here. I am going to get you out of here. I promise. I will kill that sadistic motherfucker for what he has done to you.” Gabriel said, clenching his teeth.
“It is not your fault! It’s mine, look at you Gabriel! You are next in line to be the alpha of the strongest pack this side of the city. You are chained to a wall because of me!” I screamed at him. Not in anger but hurt.
“I don’t care about any of that, Harper. All I care about is you. To hell with being an alpha. I would give that position up in a heartbeat if it meant I wouldn’t lose you. The only one at fault here is Thane.” He was trying to calm me.
“Gabriel, I have to tell you something. Thane is different now. He doesn't have a normal wolf. He’s some kind of demon wolf hybrid. He is too strong. If we don’t get out of here soon, I will do what I must to keep you safe. I won’t be able to live with myself if you are hurt or worse... I will always be looking for a way to get you out.” I said nervously looking at my hands. I peeked up to see his eyes wide in disbelief realizing what I was saying. Then anger covered his face.
“No, you won't, Harper! No, you fucking wont.” His yelling turned into a growl. I winced at his words. I felt nasty for admitting that, but I felt like I needed to. If somehow, he and I did make it out of this after Thane has had his way with me. What would Gabriel think of me then? “You listen to me right now! You fight him! You fight him with everything in you! Don't worry about me. Don’t let him do that to you because of me!” He was begging me now. “Harper, look at me.” His voice was softer. I looked up, focusing on his silver eyes. “I love you.” He smiled at me, seeming relieved to say it. I felt weak in the knees.
‘I love you so damn much it hurts. Don’t you dare give in because of me.” I was crying at his words. My heart felt like it exploded at that moment. He needs to know how I feel.
“Gabriel, I....” Before I could finish a sharp pain shot through my body from my head to my feet. I dropped to my knees writhing in pain. What’s happening to me?
“Harper?!”
I was holding myself in the fetal position. I heard Gabriel’s muffled screams as a bright blue light encircled me, and the pain faded away. I opened my eyes feeling weightless. Where am I?

~ Alpha Titus’ POV~

“We are not leaving here without my son, your future alpha. Nor will we leave without our beloved pack member, Harper.” I stood tall as I was directing my group of warriors. I couldn’t gather as many as I wanted on such short notice. We had no time to waste. We had to move quickly. “We, the Harmony Moon pack, Will always stand by the side of any of our pack members who are in need.” The warriors cheered. My beta and gamma were standing to my left and right, as they always have. My son's beta and gamma are also close to me. “Looking at all of you here and now, I want you to know that I am a proud alpha of the great harmony moon pack!” louder cheers erupted. “Remember, we are not here to eradicate this pack. We don’t have the number for that. We must locate and retrieve our targets and then fall back. We will someday take care of this problem, but today is not that day. Let's move, be swift, and smart. Most importantly, be safe. Let's all make it back home.