Chapter 4. Kidnapped

Ava

Just as Leila was about to run away, she felt a hand grab her by the hair and cover her nose and mouth.

"Where are the quads?" Catherine shook at the man's high-pitched voice.

Leila’s emotions were out of control. How could the men have known that the house contained quadruplets? Also, why were they after the kids?

"Search the entire house.”

The four boys were taken out of the house, their cries muffled like those of animals.

"Eliminate the bitch."

The last sound Leila heard was the man's hasty stride, before a knife was thrust right through her heart. They ran away, leaving a massive trail of blood and her body laying on the ground.

***

I got to the door of the house and a chill went through my body. The primary entrance had a small trail of blood. When I opened the door and found Catherine lying in a pool of blood, fear seeped into me. She was gone. After searching the entire house for the Quads, my throat was choked with dejected tears.

Hugging Leila's motionless form, I let forth a growl from my throat. I cried for a while before getting up and leaving the house. Knowing that I would lose my courage if I looked back, I dared not.

Leila was very special to me and I promised to avenge her death.

Knowing that there was only one place to go, I left the city. I was going to the only person that could help me find my children. Caiden.

I was going to revisit the past. I had to. I was going to tell him everything.

My feet stopped as, after seven long years, Kyle's gaze met mine.

I knew he hated me, I found his presence and the fact that I have to see him again quite unbearable.

I realized I couldn't give up. Next, I recalled Logan's bravery; Noah's serenity; Jamie's beauty; and Kyler's ferocity. I would not have risked coming back here except for them. I was determined to locate my quads and was willing to face hatred from all members of the pack,even Rae, in order to be reunited with my kids.

"Ava, what are you doing here?" snarl made me take a step back. He took delight in my frailty.

"I'd like to speak with Rae," I spoke in a firm and uncompromising manner.

"You ceased to be a part of this pack when you fled like a coward," Kyle mocked. He was in that same terrible mood that I'd always seen. "You are not entitled to any requests at this time."

"That's alright. If you won't take me to him, I'll search the entire pack until I find him. Kyle was taken aback.

I could sense that Kyle was observing me and that he didn't like what he saw on my face. I was not the terrified girl he had exiled from the pack seven years ago. I appeared willing to do anything and no longer displayed any fear or trepidation for him.

"Why do you want to see him in such a hurry?" He asked as though he cared.

"That's none of your business."

"Well, as the beta, I can't allow people like you to bother the Alpha," Kyle retorted, clearly offended by my statement.

"Well then, I'm gonna find him myself.”

I turned to leave after giving him one last glance, but before I could go three steps , I felt Kyle's hand grabbing me. He had always been power hungry, particularly with Rae. Kyle almost lost it when I started to get close to Rae. Even worse, I didn't know why he detested me so much; he loathed me before he even got to know me. It felt like a big issue to be on Kyle's blacklist, but even though the beta was dangerous and constantly irate, I didn't have time to deal with his paranoia.

He released me right away, saying, "I will take you to Rae." Nevertheless, I was aware that I couldn't trust him. "I want to see him banishing you like the worthless wolf you are."

A content smile expressed his belief that he would prevail in this fight once again. I wanted to answer him, but I gave up. I said nothing as Kyle took me to where Are was.

Inside, Rae was hearing tales from Kastor, the pack's most seasoned hunter. The way he told his stories amused Rae. He noticed Kyle at the entrance.

“Kyle, why are you here so early?" As the smile on his face vanished.

He coughed and said, "Apologies for disturbing Alpha, but you have a visitor."

"This early, Kyle?" Kyle felt chills down his spine at Rae's deep, disgruntled voice. "Who's that?"

"Seeing with your own eyes is preferable.”

I eventually overcame my fear and tried to cover up the old wounds that were still bleeding in my chest. "We need to talk, Rae," I said.

Rae took a step forward, surprise evident on his face.

“Hello, Ava. Didn't occur to me that you're in fact still alive.” hearing his voice after so long, pronouncing my name, made me feel like I was in the past.

But I didn’t want to dwell on the past. I didn't have time for that.

Rae's suspicions were heightened by the unsettling emptiness in my expression.

"I want to talk to you, ask your men to leave," I said, raising my voice above Rae's.

"You have no right to make requests of me." Even though I was afraid by the harshness in his tone, I didn't back away.

Nevertheless, Rae was interested in hearing what I had to say and told Kastor and Kyle to leave us alone.

Rae's jaw twitched with rage as Kyle said, "I don't think it's right to leave you alone with a traitor.”

"Are you saying that I am incapable of defending myself against an omega? Kyle, Get out of here!" Rae yelled, looking appalled.