The Apple Of His Eye

Chapter 3 Where Is She?

Kaylee's POV

Bang! The door to the warehouse crashed open. I could hear screaming out in the streets. Girls were all being thrown into the room with me. They were tied up and sobbing. After a minute, I realized that they were my friends from school. I could hardly recognize them. They were beaten and bruised, with blood matted in their hair. Some had gags tied around their mouths. I jumped out of the chair when I saw my best friend, Breanna. Tears streaked down her face. Her head hung low in despair. I ran over to her. Pain shot through my wrists as I tried to hug her. The ropes had scraped away at my skin. "Breanna, it's me, Kaylee." She slowly looked up at me with a small smile. I put my head on her shoulder to try and comfort her. Secretly I was happy that I wasn't alone. "It's going to be ok. My Dad will come and find us." I whispered in her ear.  

We stood huddled together for what seemed like hours. They lined us up in a single file line against the wall. Roughly the guards frisked us, taking all of our personal belongings. I held my breath, hoping he wouldn't find my cell phone. "What is this?" the guard said, laughing as he took my phone. Throwing it on the ground, he started stomping it repeatedly. I could hear the screen shattering. It felt like my whole life was shattering. I had pictures of my Mom and me. Pictures that I could never get back. "Move out!" one of the guards yelled. We started walking down the street, like a herd of cattle being led to the slaughterhouse. The smoke was thick in the air, and I could barely breathe. It was then that the devastation hit me. Seeing all of the buildings burning. Life as I knew it was over.  

We marched deep into the forest. It was still dark, and I couldn't see where I was going. I slipped and fell in the mud next to a creek. My sweater sleeve was covered in wet mud, making me even colder. They finally let us take a small break at an old empty cabin. We could drink water out of the creek and gave us a hard, dry cracker to eat. My feet were on fire. Time to move again. Where are they taking us? Are they going to hurt us? Please, God, I need you to give me the strength to go on and endure this pain.

Ace's POV

When I woke up, I had this nagging ache in my right eye. Reaching up, I could feel a bandage and tape covering half of my face. Then I remembered what had happened. My eye was gone due to Alpha Bane. I sat up on the side of the bed and tried to figure out where I was. The door opened, and in walked Hannah, our pack healer. She has long blond hair and bright blue eyes. Gently she started taking off the bandages over my eye. "Due to your werewolf powers, your wounds are healing quickly," she said. I tried to open my right eyelid, but it wouldn't open. My world seemed so much darker now. "Here, wear this eye patch for now. In a couple of months, we can make you a prosthetic eye," she explained. "Where's Beta Alex?" I asked. "He left for Cambria Pines as soon as he dropped you off." Anger washed over me. How dare he take me away from the fight. I didn't need to be taken to the healer. Now I am so far away from them.  

"Where are you?" I mind linked Alex. He replied, "We have the rogues on the run through the Wolverton Mountains." "Send me the exact location. I'm on my way. Give me an update on the current situation." I ordered. "There are now twenty-five people missing from Cambria Pines. They are all unmated females. Plus, five people have been killed." he said with sadness in his voice. My mate, they took my mate. I was sure of it. There was a tiny thread of the mate bond starting to form. I could sense that she was still alive, somewhere.  

I thanked Hannah for her help and ran out of the door. Wolverton was an hour's run to the West, while Cambria was thirty minutes to the South. My gut twisted thinking of Cambria Pines burning to the ground; however, I had to go after my mate. Heaven forbid that she dies. If she does die, then half of me would die too. I've heard the pain of losing a mate is pure torture.  

I let out a loud howl alerting the pack of my plans. It was a full moon, and my wolf was in his best element. My wolfs' name is Nanook. He has been going crazy ever since we first smelled our mates' scent. He would not rest until we found her. Running at a full sprint, I headed West for the Mountains.  

When I arrived, there was still a light dusting of snow on the mountainside. My troops were all lying down resting. After the long night of attacks, they were entitled to some much-needed sleep. I spotted Alex as he stood up and stretched his arms. He walked over and said, "We chased them over that steep ridge and lost sight of them when they crossed over the border." I knew if we crossed over the border, it could create another war on our kingdom. It pained me to not chase after them, but I knew we had to let them go. There will be another day to fight for justice.  

I sent my troops back home to gather supplies and emergency aids for Cambria Pines. We would help them as much as we could. Those who lost their homes in the fires would be allowed to come and live at the pack house. Alex and I were headed straight to the village to check on the people. Plus, I was dying to smell my mate's scent one more time. I had to see for myself any more clues as to what happened to her.