Chapter 23

23

MISSION

Wyatt

The road stretches ahead, a winding path that leads me closer to the hunting cabin where we think Rachel’s hiding. With every mile I drive, I can feel the tension building, the anticipation swirling in the air. I won’t allow Rachel to win. I won’t let her take everything from me.

As we near Shelby, the landscape shifts, the trees giving way to open fields. I push the accelerator down, the car surging forward, fueled by determination.

“Wyatt, are you sure this is the right way?” Dalton asks, glancing at the map spread across his lap.

“It has to be,” I reply, my voice steady. “Lena wouldn’t lie about that cabin. It’s our best shot. Besides, my wolf is stirring like crazy and he does that most when he’s close to his mate.”

“Then let’s find it,” Harrison chimes in, his eyes focused on the horizon. “We’ll get our Luna back.”

The sky is painted in hues of orange and purple as we approach the edge of the forest. My heart races, the fear of what I might find gnawing at me. But I can’t let that stop me. I won’t let it.

As we turn down a narrow dirt road, the trees close in around us, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. I can feel the presence of something dark lurking just beyond the shadows. The weight of the world seems to hang over us, a storm brewing on the brink of chaos.

“Keep your eyes peeled,” I command, my senses heightening. “We’re getting close. I can feel Octavia.”

The cabin comes into view, nestled among the trees like a secret waiting to be uncovered. The air feels thick with tension, and I can sense the danger lurking just beyond the threshold.

“Stay alert,” I warn, stepping out of the car. “We don’t know what we’re walking into.”

Dalton and Harrison nod, their expressions serious as we approach the dilapidated structure. The wood creaks beneath our weight, the windows darkened and foreboding.

I reach for the door, my heart pounding in my chest. “On three,” I mouth, glancing back at my friends. “One… two… three!”

The door bursts open, and we step inside, the stale air hitting us like a wall. The interior is dimly lit, shadows dancing along the walls as we scan the room for any sign of Octavia.

“Clear,” Dalton calls out, moving deeper into the cabin.

“Nothing here,” Harrison adds, his voice echoing in the silence.

I step forward, desperation clawing at my insides. “Octavia!” I shout, my voice ringing out into the emptiness. “Are you here, baby?”

Silence.

My heart sinks, a wave of panic washing over me. I can’t lose her. Not now. Not ever.

“Let’s check the upstairs,” Dalton suggests, his brow furrowed with concern.

We ascend the creaking staircase, each step heavy with uncertainty. The air grows colder as we reach the second floor, our breaths visible in the dim light.

“Octavia!” I call again, my voice trembling with urgency. “Please, if you can hear me, answer!”

And then, from the shadows, I hear it — a faint whimper, barely audible but unmistakable. My heart races.

“Over here!” I shout, charging down the hallway, the mate bond guiding me.

I burst into a room at the end of the hall, and there she is — my Octavia, tied to a chair, her brown eyes wide with fear. My breath catches in my throat as I take in her disheveled appearance, the remnants of her gown stained with tears, blood and dirt. Her lip is split, dried blood caked on her hairline and bruising around her neck where it looks like she was strangled for a time. I also don’t miss the small knife stuck in her thigh, and it makes me see red for a moment.

“Wyatt!” she cries hoarsely, her voice breaking.

“Octavia!” I rush to her side, panic surging through me as I kneel before her. “I’m here, baby girl. I’m so sorry I took so long.”

She shakes her head, fat tears streaming down her cheeks. “You have to get out of here! Rachel — she’s coming back! Rachel said she was going to sharpen an ax, and would be back for me. I can’t break the bindings, I’ve tried, then the knife. Wyatt, it hurts so bad.”

The urgency in her voice sends adrenaline coursing through my veins. “I won’t let her hurt you. I promise.”

I pull out my knife, the blade gleaming in the light as I slice through the ropes binding her wrists. Then I grasp the handle of the small blade lodged in her flesh. “Baby, this is going to hurt but I need you to bite down and not scream and alert her if she’s close.”

I pull quickly then place her dress against the bleeding gash to quelch the flow of blood. “We have to go. Now.”

As soon as she’s free, Octavia throws her arms around me, her grip tight and desperate. “I was so scared,” she whispers, her voice trembling.

“I know,” I murmur, holding her close. “But I’ve got you now. You’re safe.”

Just then, we hear it — a rustling sound coming from downstairs. My heart drops. “We need to move!” I urge, pulling her away from the chair.

As we make our way to the door, the sound grows louder, footsteps echoing in the silence. “Hurry!”

I push her ahead of me, adrenaline driving every action. We reach the stairs, and I glance back, my wolf rising within me, ready to fight if necessary.

But as we descend, the door bursts open, and Rachel stands there, her blue eyes wild and filled with madness. “No! You can’t take her!”

I step in front of Octavia, my body tensing as I prepare for a confrontation. “Stay back, Rachel. This is your only warning.”

“Warning?” She laughs, a sound that sends chills down my spine. “You think you can stop me? She took you from me!”

“No,” I growl, my voice low and steady. “ She’s mine.”

In an instant, Rachel drops the ax letting it clang to the floor, lunges at me, and I react without thinking. The fight that ensues is chaotic, the two of us grappling as Octavia watches in horror.

“Wyatt, be careful!” she cries, her voice laced with fear.

I push Rachel back, my strength overwhelming as I pin her against the wall. “You’re done, Rachel. Let her go.”

But Rachel’s eyes flash with her wolf in desperation, and I can see the madness swirling within her. “You don’t understand! She took everything from me! You’re mine, Wyatt! You always were!”

“No,” I snarl, my grip tightening. “You’re sick. You need help.”

In that moment, I see the truth in her eyes — she’s lost, trapped in her own delusions. But I can’t let that matter now. I can’t let her hurt Octavia.

With a final push, I shove Rachel to the ground, and she falls in a heap, the fight leaving her as she stares up at me in disbelief. “You’ll regret this,” she whispers, her voice trembling.

But I don’t care. I turn to Octavia, who stands frozen, tears glistening in her eyes. “Are you okay?” I ask, my heart racing.

“I think so, but my leg still really hurts. I’m not healing like I should be,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Let’s get out of here. Dalton, Harrison, bind Rachel with whatever you can find.”

We rush past Rachel, my heart pounding as I guide Octavia down the stairs. I can’t look back. I can’t let her see the pain in my eyes. I can’t let her know how close I came to losing everything.

As we burst out of the cabin and into the fading light of day, I can feel the weight of the world lifting just slightly. We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re free from the nightmare that threatened to consume us.

“Wyatt, I—” Octavia starts, but I silence her with a finger to her lips.

“Not now,” I say, taking her hand in mine. “We’ll talk about everything later. Right now, we need to get back to the pack.”

I bend and swoop her into a bridal carry and run through the trees, the weight of our pasts trailing behind us like shadows. I can feel her warmth seep into me, a beacon of hope in the fading light. I won’t let anything come between us again.

As we reach the car, I glance back at the cabin, a sense of finality settling in my chest. Rachel may have tried to tear us apart, but she’ll never succeed.

“Let’s go home,” I say, my voice steady as I help Octavia into the passenger seat.

And as I slide behind the wheel, I know one thing for certain: I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my Luna. No matter the cost.