Kidnapped

JADEN
No amount of excuse could have made up for the mistake I made the previous night. I awoke to find Rhea standing by the window, nursing a cup of tea. She turned to look at me, an unreadable look in her eyes.
"You're awake. Good morning" she said, giving me a tight smile. She turned away and continued to gaze at the sky, through the window.
I felt awful. Hurting Rhea was the last thing on my mind, but I'd been too carried away, the previous night.
I got out of bed and walked towards her.
"Rhea" I breathed, stopping behind her. She didn't move. Heck, I wasn't sure she was even breathing. She was too still. I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my face in the crook of her neck.
"I'm sorry. I really am" I said to her, closing my eyes. A second passed. Then, two.
"I know. You told me last night" she said, her shoulders slowly relaxing.
"I didn't know what I was doing. It won't happen again" I told her.
She cleared her throat.
"You called her name in your sleep" she pointed out and I froze.
"It's okay, I'm not upset about that. It's not like you can control what you dream about. It just...hurt a little, you know" she confessed, blowing out a breath.
I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling remorseful. Was I really not over Sheila yet? I had Rhea now. She was everything I wanted. She was my mate, my Luna.
"Jaden, you have to accept the fact that she's really gone and there's nothing you can do about it" Rhea said, placing a hand on my hand.
"I know" I whispered.
She nodded.
"I know it's hard. I know what it feels like to lose a loved one. It doesn't get any easier. I don't care if I sound selfish. I just want you to look at only me. Just me, Jaden. No one else" she said and I pressed a kiss to her skin, inhaling her sweet scent.
"I'll do it.... for you" I told her. She exhaled slowly and turned to face me. She embraced me, her head resting on my bare chest.
"I don't want to lose you. I don't want to ever feel like that again" she said, her voice shaky. I held her to myself, feeling her grief like it was mine.
Few hours later, I'd freshened up and gotten dressed. Rhea was sitting in the dining room when I came downstairs. She walked up to me and straightened my tie.
"There. All better" she breathed.
I kissed her. When we pulled away, she kissed my jaw.
"You didn't tell me if you're the boss or the assistant" she said and I chuckled.
"I'm the owner of the company. So, yes. I'm the boss" I told her. Her eyes twinkled.
"How about, I show up in your office dressed in nothing but a bow, like a present. Then, I call you 'daddy'. Will you spank me?" She teased with a pout on her face, and I laughed.
"You are hilarious, Rhea. Don't show up at my office wearing only a bow. It'll mean that everyone else had seen what should be covered. Your body is mine, Rhea" I said and she cooed.
"I like it when you go all possessive like that. You're super hot when you do that" she said, a grin playing on her lips.
I kissed her temple and whispered in her ear.
"I wouldn't mind coming home to find you in my bed, wearing a bow" I drawled. She laughed airily.
"Have a great day, handsome" she said and I have her a smile.
"You too."
...
In my office, I found myself staring at the calendar. The 20th of June. Two days after my birthday. Rhea didn't know that, but I'd stopped celebrating my birthdays ever since Sheila died.
I rubbed a hand over my face and closed my eyes. The scene that had unfolded itself right in front of me, replayed itself in my mind. I could still smell the smoke, thick in my lungs. The screams and the smell of burning flesh, I couldn't forget those either. Sheila's cry for help. The pain of the mate bond being broken. I placed my head on my desk, my trembling hands tightened into fists.
I bounced my left knee repeatedly, trying to distract myself from the scorching pain in my heart.
More memories flashed in my mind, causing me more pain. The emotions barreling through me were so intense, I had to block the pack and Rhea as well. I didn't want them to know that after all these years, I was still hurting. My scar was a reminder of how much I'd once failed to protect the people I loved. But, I was going to make sure that it would never happen again. I'd lost Sheila and Mother Selene had given me Rhea. There was no way I would let Zaden have his way again. I was prepared to protect Rhea with everything I had, even if it cost me my life. I had loved Sheila deeply and madly. Her death didn't break me like I thought it would. It only made me stronger and fiercer. My claws sprang out and so did my fangs. The knock on the door caught my attention. So, I took a deep cleansing breath and reined in my wolf.
"Come in" I said, straightening my suit. Kyra, my secretary walked in.
"Sir, your meeting which has been scheduled to hold by ten a.m is about to kick off. The rest of the share holders are already at the board room" she said to me and I rose to my feet.
"Alright, let's go"
...
RHEA
The sun was just setting and the sky was a large colorful canvas smeared with pink, violet and orange. I was just returning from a store where I'd purchased some items to help in practicing my magic. I'd met a witch there and we'd chatted like we were jolly old friends. I thought about Haru and Dana, a smile ghosting over my lips. I missed those two. They were the first real friends I've ever had, apart from Jaden. I took out my phone and dialled Haru's number. She picked the call on the first ring. "Missing us already?" She chuckled and I grinned.
"Yeah, I miss you guys"
"We miss you too, Luna. It's been a little hectic around here" she said and I raised a brow.
"What's going on?"
"It's nothing you should be worried about. We just wish you were here"
"Oh, Haru..."
"How is it going over there? Are you doing okay? Is...Jaden doing okay?" She asked.
"Why do you sound so worried? We're doing just fine, Haru" I said and she sighed.
"That's a relief. Jaden didn't tell you what day today is?" She asked and I frowned.
"No, he didn't. Is there something I should know about?" I questioned.
Haru sighed.
"I was hoping he would tell you himself. Today is Sheila's death anniversary, Rhea" she rasped and I froze.
"Oh..."
"Jaden usually blocks everyone out and wallow in misery. He would get himself so drunk for days and wouldn't talk to anybody. Don't let him give you the silent treatment. Make him talk. Make him express his feelings. Don't let him drink. Most importantly, you have to be there for him" she said and my eyes clouded over as tears filled them.
I'd been so jealous, I hadn't even asked him what he was feeling or thinking. How could I have been so self-centered?
"Rhea? Are you there?" Haru asked. I cleared my throat, quickly wiping off the tears before they slid down my cheeks.
"I'm here. I'll talk to you later" I said and the line went dead.
The air was cool tonight and as I walked down the streets, my phone vibrated in the pocket of my jacket. I took it out, a big smile tugging at my lips when I saw that Jaden had sent me a text message.
'I'm home already. I couldn't find you. Where are you? I'll come there to pick you up'
Halting in my steps, I quickly typed in a reply and sent it to him.
'I'm on my way home. I'm close to the ornamental store. I went to get some witch supplies'
A new message popped up and it was from him.
'I'm on my way.'
I tucked my phone back into my pocket and continued to walk.
"I need to find her before she gets to me"
I froze when I heard that familiar voice. My bag of newly purchased supplies fell to the ground with a thud as I stared at the two women having a conversation in front of the ornamental store. It was exactly as I'd seen in my vision. My aunt was wearing a white dress and a white hat. The woman she was talking to, was a red head. She was a witch as well. Morgana's eyes went wide, color draining from her face. Anger exploded inside of me and I saw red. My fangs and claws made an appearance. I made to attack her but she quickly transformed into a black raven and took off. Without warning, a bag was placed over my head and three strong male werewolves held me down. I struggled against their hold. But, the next thing I felt, was the prick of a needle. If only I hadn't been too blinded by my rage. Maybe, I would've been able to sense my stalker and prevent this from happening. I sank into unconsciousness, my eyes slipping close.