Chapter 57: The Empty Village

Damien

“Your majesty.” Shadow called entering my office followed by my most trusted high-ranking members. “We think we have found where he’s taken our Queen. We found an abandoned village about an hour and half to the west, there is activity but nothing like an active pack. There are a few families, a few warrior types but nothing we can’t handle.” Koltyn advised. “We left Noah, Jonah, Grant and Grifyn there to scout and get a lay of the area.” Moses said. “Also, that village is right on the edge of our territory.” Jyden raised his brows. “Are you sure?” I asked. “I thought all housing and villages were condemned after we moved everyone from there. They were, apparently...” I cut off Jyden off. “How did they get by our patrols?” I growled out. “It’s hidden in the trees, most of those living in the area their homes are built into the mountain side. We had no reason to believe anyone was living there.” Spencer defended. “Every time we went by there, no one was ever spotted, there was no scent, never any sign that anyone was living there.” “I want that area surrounded, no one goes in or out.” I ordered making my way out the door. “Get help from any nearby packs, I want that placed surrounded within the hour.” “Damien wait, we need to come up with a plan. We can’t just go in there guns ablazin’.” Shadow said. “Give me a couple of hours...” “She may not have couple of hours!” I roared.

“Dbear, where are you?” I heard in over my link. “Babygirl? Is that you?” “D, yes. Please, you need to hurry, he’s planning on taking us back to the states. He wants to raise our pups as his own.” She said. “Tell Steven, his daughter is here also, Luther is making her help him, she’s the one who brought me here. Luther threatened her mate and pup. She needs help, please help her when she goes to you. I don’t know if I’ll be able to contact you again. Please hurry, we need you.” And her voice faded off. “I want every airport, commercial and private watched, we will need to bring in the human authorities.” “Wait! Human authorities?” Steven asked with surprise. “Yes, Reign was able to link me for a short period, she said that he’s planning on taking her back to America. He intends to raise my pups as his own. I want the airports, cruise lines, trains, and every mode of transportation on alert. My Queen is not to set foot out of this country or this kingdom!” I ordered. “Steven, she also said that your daughter is with her. She’s the one who lured her to Luther. He threatened her mate and pup.” “What?” He asked with wide eyes. “Avery? She’s with him? How?” “I don’t know but she’s with Reign. Reign said that she may come to us for help.” “My poor sweet girl. I hoped that banishing her and her mate would keep him away from her, I messed things up. I am going to have my work cut for me.” He sighed.

“I know people who can help.” Jen said standing at the door entry way. “If I can’t fight, then let me, let us...” she motioned to the females “...help in other ways.” Their eyes pleading with me. “Fine, do what you do.” I nodded. “Damien.” I turned to look at my sister, my little Jazzy Bear. “I’m sorry.” She hugged me. “I didn’t mean...” “I know we’re all worried and I shouldn’t have treated any of you the way I did. I...I’m sorry to all of you.” I kissed the top of her head. “We will find her.” I vowed. “Jazlyn, we have work to do.” Jenny said nodding at me. “We will find her.” I assured her. “Shadow.” I called. “Yes, your majesty.” He bowed, that always annoyed Reign when he’s formal with us but he only did it when there was business to take care of, they all did it this way. When we were alone and having family time all formality was left at the door. “Let’s work on a plan to bring our Queen home.” He smiled and nodded.

Reign

I was able to mind link Damien, I told him what Luther was planning and about Avery, Steven’s daughter, my sister. I just wish I knew where he was keeping me, but I had no doubt that he would find us. I just had to be patient. “Where is she?” Luther growled barging into the room. “Where’s who?” I asked him in irritation. “My sister! The girl that got you to me?” “Hopefully, she’s getting away from you.” I sneered. “What did you tell her?” He gritted. “I didn’t say anything to her! Why would I? She’s the one who tricked me. Besides with you as her brother, she’s probably just like you.” I snarled. “Actually,” he snorted, “no...she’s nothing like me but she’s my little sister.” He scrunched his face. “I promised our parents I would take care of her.” “Oh...they must be so proud of you.” I said with sarcasm. He raised his brows at me. “Yeah, well what can I say?” “Luther.” I called him. “What!” he snapped. “Why are you doing this? I don’t love you. I will never love you. When my kids get older and they find out what you did, they are going to HATE you.” “They’ll never find out.” He said with such confidence. “This kinda secret won’t stay a secret forever. Plus, Damien will never stop looking for us.” I told him. “He will if he thinks you’re dead.” He chuckled. Fear flowed through my body, and I could feel my face go pale. “Oh, don’t worry, I have no intention of hurting you or your...rather...our children.” He waved me away. “I am going to have a witch break your bond with that mutt.” “No! You can’t!” I yelled. “Why don’t you get it? I don’t love you! I don’t want you!” I screamed. He strode to me, wrapped me in his embrace... “Sshh, stay calm, you don’t want to stress out our pups.” He cooed. “Please Luther, let me go home.” I pleaded. “We will be going home in a few days. I promise you’ll love the home I’ve built for us.” He tried to soothe me, but his touch made my skin crawl every time he touched me. Wherever his fingers lingered it burned like it was on fire. I tried to pull away from him, but he just held me tighter. “Please...let me hold you. I’ve missed having you in my arms.” He breathed in my ear. “Your touch hurts.” I sobbed. He tensed slightly. “It won’t hurt much longer the witch will be here in a day or so.” “Will it harm my babies?” I asked. “Our babies?” “The witch said they will be safe.” He promised. “I can’t lose them, please.” “Of course not, they will be perfectly safe. We will raise them together and they will rule the whole supernatural world and kingdoms, even the human world. I’ve already spoken to some allies about arranging the mating of our boys.” He smiled. “Yuck...disgusting.” I heard Dyanera hiss. “I hope it’s nothing set in stone.” I mumbled. “I needed to buy time.” I know Damien heard me; he’s going to find us. “Why?” He raised an eyebrow. “Well, it’s two boys and a girl.” I smiled to myself. “Well, I’ll have to change one thing, but I don’t think it’ll be too big of a deal.” He hummed as he continued to caress my back. His touch sent chills down my spine, he thought they were the good kind, but they were like hot flames running down my spine.
“Luther, I need to lie down, these little ones are holding some kinda sport competition.” I chuckled, rubbing my belly. “Here let me help you.” He offered me his hand and walked me back to the bed. “What’s your sister’s name?” “Avery.” “Is she mated?” “Yes, to some low-level warrior, they had a pup not too long ago. She’s a cute little she-wolf but she’s just one more mouth to feed.” He said with irritation. “She’s family, it’s our responsibility to take care of them.” I scolded him. He rolled his eyes at me. “If you say so I’ll do whatever you ask of me.” He paused. “Except let you go back to that mongrel.” I sighed and laid down. He brushed a hair from my face, placed a kiss on my head, which made me cringe. “Get some rest, I’ll check on you later.” I was relieved when he left me alone. His touch sent waves of disgust through my body and my babies knew the touch didn’t belong to their daddy. “It’s okay my loves,” I said rubbing gentle circles on my belly, “daddy will come for us.” I whispered.

Damien

“Your Majesty.” Mason mind linked. “Yes, Mason.” I answered tiredly. “I have a young wolf couple at the western borders, the female claims she’s the one who lured our Queen away.” I didn’t let him finish, I howled and sprinted to the western edge. As I approached, I shifted mid-stride and stalked the female. I didn’t care that I was naked as the day I was born. She took my mate and knew where she was. “Are you Avery? Where did you take my Queen?” I gritted as I hovered over her. The male with her lowly growled at me, the child in her arms softly whimpered. “Your Majesty, please.” She begged. “H-he threatened my family, my pup is not even a month old. If I didn’t help him, he said he would kill her and my mate.” She sobbed. “I didn’t want to but my family. Please...she, my Queen, said all I had to do was ask for help and I would get it, that you would help us.” She pleaded. “Is she safe?” I asked closing my eyes trying to calm down. “Yes, she’s being well provided for.” “Where’s is he keeping her?” “In the abandon village that is in the mountain side about one hundred miles from here.”

“Avery? Is that you?” I heard Steven ask from behind me. “Daddy?” She whispered. “Avery, my babygirl. I’m so sorry.” He said opening his arms for her. She hesitated a moment and then ran into his arms. “No, daddy, I’m sorry.” She cried. “Please, we need to help the Queen, he’s going to take her to the US.” “No, he won’t sweetheart.” “We won’t let him get away with her.” I promise. He tried to sooth her. She hung her head in shame, “I am so sorry your Majesty, please forgive me.” “Your Majesty, could we please get them to the pack house, get them some food and warm up the little one?” Steven asked. “We pledge our allegiance and life to you, Alpha King Damien Ayres Hunt and Alpha Queen Reign Dyanera Rose Raven Hunt.” Both her and her mate vowed. “What is your mate and pups name?” The male stepped forward and extended his hand, “I am Jyce Bowman, and this is our little girl, Jyln.” He introduced as I shook his hand. “Do you know how to get my Queen back?” I asked. “Yes, I can lead you to her and help you get her out before morning...” Jyce said “...but we will need protection from him. There are more of us under his rule who need help getting away from him.” “We will grant you, your little family, and the others sanctuary but if anything happens to my Queen then...we will have to see.” “Thank you, your majesty.” Both he and his mate bowed. “Come Avery, let’s get you settled in, some food, warm cloths and milk for my granpup.” Steven smiled. “That would be great dad.” She sighed in relief. She turned and looked at her mate. “Jyce, please be careful, you know how he can be.” She said cupping his cheek. “I will. We will finally be free of him.” He hugged her tight. “I will see you in the morning.” He kissed her lips gently, gave his pup a nuzzle. Watching them made me jealous, I missed my mate, I missed her in my arms and feeling my pups. “Grace, Aleya, please help get Avery settled in and let the others know they are here.” I commanded, they nodded and led Avery to the pack house. “Dad, please come home safe. We have a lot to talk about.” She smiled at him. He placed a kiss on her forehead and kissed his grandaughters cheek. “Your sister’s friends and family will watch over you until I and Jyce return.” He told her as we walked away.

“Okay, so if we are going to bring our Queen home, how do we get in and out unnoticed?” Moses asked. “The same way I got Avery and Jyln out.” Jyce answered. “Which is?” Moses motioned for him to continue. “There’s a spring that has a small waterfall, behind it is a hidden passage that leads to the main hallway. Take the hallway all the way to the end, open the door, go up two flights of stairs, go through the door, the whole floor belongs to him. It’s an open floor plan except for the bedroom and bathroom, she’s in the bedroom.” He explained. “I can distract him, but you will have to hurry, I should be able to keep him talking for at least fifteen maybe twenty minutes. He really doesn’t have any patients.” He snorted. I got side glances from my guys, and I lowly growled at them. I don’t have any patients either. “Moses, you, Shadow and Jyce work up the plan, make sure to get Jen in on this, see what she was able to come up with. I want to be on our way no later than an hour, we can use the darkness to our advantage.” DING, DING, DING, we heard. We all checked our phones. “It’s mine.” Jyce huffed as he looked at his phone. “I need to get back; he’s looking for us. If we’re going to do this, we need to leave now.” He sighed. “”We will also need a way to communicate, put your number in.” He said handing his phone to Shadow. Shadow quickly typed his number in along with Moses and mine, he created a group text. “I’ll add those who need to be added.” Shadow told us. “Well, let’s get going, he’s already pissed.” Jyce snorted. I quickly linked the girls letting them know that we had to leave, and they would be added to the group text. “Once my Queen is back safely in my arms, we will discuss your place and future in our circle.” I told Jyce, he bowed in respect. “It will be best to travel in our wolf form, we can cover more ground and get there quicker.” Jyce suggested. We nodded in agreement.

“Wait!” Shadow said stepping in front of Jyce. “If you betray us...” he paused glaring at Jyce “...I will not hesitate to rip your head from your body.” He growled lowly. “I understand. I vow on the life of my mate and pup, I pledge my loyalty to the kingdom and to the safety and well-being of King Damien and Queen Reign.” Jyce said placing his fist over his heart. “We shall see.” Shadow said walking away. “My mate is very close to his mate, he’s very protective over her.” I explained. “We should really get moving.” Koltyn said. “I’ll need to move faster than you, here is the map and directions to the waterfall. I will send you a message when I arrive.” He said as he undressed and shifted. He darted off and disappeared into the darkness. “Damn, he’s fast.” Jyden commented. “Well, let’s get going, we have our Queen to bring home.” Moses said preparing to shift. “Men let’s move out! Our Queen is waiting for us to bring her home.” All the men cheered and whooped. “Long live our Queen.” Every warrior striped and shifted, I howled, and we ran in the direction that Jyce went. “I’m coming my love, hang in there a little longer.” I whispered in our mind link, hoping she would hear me.

Jyce

“Where is my good for nothing sister?” Luther yelled as I walked onto his floor. “She’s with our pup, she needs her mother.” I told him. “Avery hasn’t had enough time with Jyln, they need to bond.” “No! She needs to be here taking care of my mate.” He demanded. “I already have one of the other females preparing her meal. I will stand guard, just please give Avery time with Jyln.” I pleaded. He frowned at me, “Fine!” He finally agreed. “You do not leave her alone. I have to leave on business, I’ll be gone for about three hours. I am leaving my mate in your hands, if one strand of her hair is even out of place, you will die, and your little family will die as well. Do I make myself clear?” He snarled in my face. “She will be safe; I vow on my pup’s life.” I bowed. “See to it.” He smirked, he turned and walked to the bedroom.

“Reign, my sweetheart.” He called. She emerged from his room. “Luther please don’t raise your voice.” “I’m sorry sweetheart.” He cooed at her. I could see on her face how repulsed she was by his voice and his touch. “This is my sister’s mate, Jyce. He will be caring for you for the next few hours.” He kissed the top of her head. “I have to finish up some business before we leave.” He grabbed his keys and phone. “I’ll be back as quick as I can.” He winked at her and walked out. I followed him out to his car, I needed to make sure that he was gone and out of sight. “Is he gone?” A female asked. “Yes,” with that more wolves came out of hiding. “now is the time, if you want to back out, speak up, otherwise we need to go.” I turned to the small group standing behind me. “But will they accept us?” One male asked. “King Damien and our Queen are compassionate and merciful; they have vowed to protect the weak and innocent. They will protect us.” I assured them. “We must hurry, get your personal items, just what you need, nothing more. I’m going to get our Queen; we don’t have much time.” I said making my way back to Queen Reign. I also sent a text message to King Damien advising him that we would meet him halfway. I also advised him that there around thirty or so innocent wolves with me. “My Queen.” I called her walking into his room. “We must go, now. We have no time to waste.” “What are you talking about?” She asked backing away from me. “Your majesty, please, King Damien is on his way, we need to go.” I held my hand out for her. My phone rang... “Hello.” “Yes...” I held the phone out for her and put it on speaker. “Reign.” He said. “Damien?” “Yes, babygirl. Please go with Jyce, we will see you soon.” He begged her. “Okay but what about Luther?” She whispered. “That’s why we have to go now, while he’s gone.” I told her.

“You’re not going anywhere.” A voice said from behind me. Queen Reign’s eyes widen in fear. We both turned around, it was one of Luther’s most loyal men. “Frank, what are you doing here?” “Do you really think he would leave you alone here with his mate? He doesn’t trust you; he knows his sister and her pup aren’t here.” He informed. “Does he...know where they are?” I asked breathless. The door flung open... “Not to worry, Jyce...” Jyden grinned “...your family is perfectly safe and sound.” Frank snarled at him. “And you my friend...aren’t going to do a thing about it.” Frank chuckled. “Are you going to be the one to stop me?” “Me?” Jyden pointed to himself. “I’m not going to do anything, but he will,” Jyden pointed to Shadow, who was now standing protectively in front of Queen Reign. Where the hell he came from, I have no idea. “He will make sure you don’t get in the way of us getting our Queen back to her King.” Jyden held his hand out to Reign. “C’mon on your Majesty, your King is waiting for you.” He smiled. She quickly ran to Jyden and sobbed into his chest. “Jyden.” She whispered. “Did you really think we would let him take you away from us?” He chuckled and winked at her. “You can’t get rid of us that easily.” He told her as he held her tight. “Can we please just go home? I need to take a long hot shower and get his stink off of me.” She cringed. “Let’s go.” He led her out of the room. “Shadow, tie him up and shoot him up with wolfsbane, silver, and the concoction that Jenny’s mom made up to paralyze his vampire.” Jyden ordered. “With pleasure.” Shadow smirked evilly. “Jyce, would you care to join me?” He asked. “It would be my absolute pleasure.” I bowed to Queen Reign and made my way out with Shadow. “Thank you.” She smiled and gave me a hug. “I’ll see you later.”