Chapter 39
Cecelia's pov
Sleep came eventually while pulling me under into dreams where Golden was safe in my arms laughing about fish and singing his made up songs. I woke several times during the night reaching for him before reality crashed back and reminded me he wasn't there.
Each time Zeke would tighten his hold while murmuring reassurances until I drifted off again. The bond stayed active all night providing comfort through the connection even when words failed.
Morning came too soon while pale light filtered through the curtains. I felt Zeke wake before he moved while his body went from relaxed to alert in seconds. "What is it?" I asked while sitting up.
"Marcus just texted," he said while reading his phone. "They found something on the security footage."
We dressed quickly while I didn't bother with makeup because what did appearances matter when my son was missing. Zeke kept one hand on the small of my back as we walked to the security office where Marcus waited with the footage queued up.
"This was recorded at two seventeen this morning," Marcus said while hitting play. "Watch the service entrance on the east side."
The footage showed a figure approaching the door while wearing dark clothes and a hood that obscured their face. They moved with purpose while placing a box on the ground near the entrance then walking away without looking back.
"That's our package," I said while my heart raced. "Can you enhance the image to see their face?"
"We tried but the angle and lighting make it impossible," Marcus said while his frustration was clear. "However we did get something useful."
He zoomed in on the figure's hand while showing what looked like a tattoo on their wrist. The image was grainy but I could make out what might be letters or symbols.
"Can we identify the tattoo?" Zeke asked while leaning closer to the screen.
"We're running it through databases now," Marcus replied while pulling up comparison images. "If it matches any known pack markings or organization symbols we should get a hit."
I stared at the frozen image while trying to memorize every detail because this person had touched something my son had worn. They'd been close enough to Golden to take his shoe which meant they might know where he was being held.
"How long until we get results?" I asked while my hands clenched into fists at my sides.
"Could be hours or could be days depending on how unique the tattoo is," Marcus said while his expression showed he wished he had better news. "But it's more than we had yesterday which means we're making progress."
Progress felt meaningless while Golden was still missing but I forced myself to nod while trying to stay hopeful. Zeke's hand found mine while he squeezed gently through the bond I felt his determination to see this through no matter how long it took.
"What else can we do while we wait?" I asked while needing action instead of standing around helpless.
"We follow up on every other lead," Zeke said while already pulling out his phone. "The shoe analysis, the note handwriting, Robert's identity, anything and everything until something breaks."
Marcus's phone rang while he stepped away to answer it. When he came back his expression had shifted into something I couldn't quite read.
"That was the lab," he said while looking between Zeke and me. "The preliminary soil analysis from Golden's shoe came back with results."
"And?" I demanded while my heart hammered so hard I could hear it in my ears.
"The soil composition matches an area about sixty miles north of here," Marcus said while pulling up a map. "It's mostly wilderness with a few abandoned structures from old logging operations."
"That's something," Zeke said while studying the map. "We can send teams to search the area."
"There's more," Marcus continued while his tone made my stomach drop. "The soil also contained traces of a specific mineral compound that's only found in one location within that area."
He zoomed in on the map while highlighting a specific spot deep in the wilderness. My breath caught while I stared at the location because it was remote and isolated which would make it perfect for hiding someone you didn't want found.
"How fast can we get a team there?" I asked while already moving toward the door.
"Cecelia wait," Zeke grabbed my arm gently. "We need to plan this carefully because if we go rushing in we could spook whoever has Golden."
"I don't care about spooking them," I said while pulling free. "That's where my son is which means that's where I need to be."
"And you will be," Zeke said while moving to block my path. "But we're doing this smart with proper backup and tactical planning so we don't make things worse."
I wanted to argue while every instinct screamed at me to run to that location immediately but the rational part of my brain knew he was right. "How long?" I asked while forcing myself to stay still.
"Give me two hours to assemble a team and plan our approach," Zeke said while his Alpha authority bled into his voice. "Then we go get our son."
Two hours felt like an eternity but I nodded while knowing it was necessary. Zeke pulled me against him while the bond pulsed with shared determination because finally after days of dead ends we had a real lead that might bring Golden home.
"We're close," Zeke murmured against my hair. "I can feel it, we're so close to finding him."
I clung to that hope while trying not to think about what condition Golden might be in when we finally reached him. The shoe had been dirty which meant wherever he was being held wasn't clean or comfortable. The thought of my baby in some filthy abandoned building made rage burn through my veins.
Whoever had taken him would pay for every second of fear they'd caused while I would make sure of that personally.
But first we had to find him while bringing him home safe because nothing else mattered beyond that singular goal.
Two hours, I told myself while watching Zeke coordinate with Marcus and the security team. Just two more hours then we'd finally have answers about where Golden was and who had dared to take an Alpha's son.
Chapter 40
Zeke's POV
The command center was loud and busy while my team got ready for what might finally help us find Golden. Marcus put maps on the big table while showing everyone the place we needed to go sixty miles north where old logging buildings sat empty. Warriors checked their guns and radios while everyone felt tense because this might actually work.
"We have three main buildings," Marcus said while pointing at pictures from above. "Two storage buildings and one big processing building, all empty for at least fifteen years. The woods are thick which helps us hide but also makes it hard to see."
I looked at the pictures while my wolf moved around inside me restless and angry because I felt like Golden was there waiting. The dirt test had been too exact to be wrong while the special minerals on his shoe only came from this one spot.
"How do we get in?" I asked while thinking about the best way to go inside.
"Each building has lots of doors and windows but most are probably broken from being old," Marcus said while showing building plans. "We need to be careful going in so the buildings don't fall down or make noise that warns anyone inside."
The door opened while Cecelia came in wearing dark pants and a jacket that one of my female warriors gave her. Her hair was pulled back tight while she looked ready to fight instead of scared like last night. Seeing her like this made me feel proud and protective at the same time.
"I'm coming with you," she said in a voice that meant she wouldn't change her mind.
"Cecelia, this might be dangerous," I said even though I knew she wouldn't listen.
"My son is in one of those buildings which means I need to be there," she said while walking over to stand next to me. "You can let me come with the team or I'll follow by myself but I'm going either way."
The bond got hot between us while I felt how serious she was through our connection. She would do what she said whether I liked it or not. "Fine," I agreed while my team looked surprised. "But you stay right next to me the whole time and if things get bad you leave right away."
"Okay," she said while taking my hand on the table. Her touch made me feel warm while the bond hummed happy that we were touching. Our fingers stayed together while Marcus kept talking about the plan.
"We'll take six vehicles," Marcus continued while not looking at our joined hands even though everyone noticed. "Three teams of eight entering from different sides at the same time. Alpha, you'll lead the main team through the front of the biggest building while I take the west side and Finn takes east."
"What about backup?" I asked while my thumb rubbed circles on Cecelia's hand without me thinking about it.
"Two teams stay outside as perimeter security," Marcus said. "They watch for anyone trying to leave and they're ready to come help if we need them."
Cecelia leaned closer to look at the maps while her shoulder pressed against mine. "What if they move him before we get there?" she asked quietly. "The shoe could be old, he might not even be there anymore."
"The soil was fresh based on the lab results," Marcus said gently. "Whoever delivered that package to you was at that location within the last week which means Golden was probably there recently too."
"Probably isn't definitely," Cecelia said while her voice shook a little. "What if we get there and find nothing again?"
I turned to face her while letting go of her hand so I could cup her face instead. "Then we keep looking," I said firmly. "But I feel in my gut that this is it, that we're finally going to find him."
She searched my eyes while looking for lies or false hope but I meant every word. Through the bond I pushed my certainty at her while trying to give her some of my confidence. She nodded slowly while leaning into my touch for just a second before straightening up.
"When do we leave?" she asked while looking back at the maps.
"Thirty minutes," I said while checking my watch. "Everyone needs to gear up and do final weapon checks."
The team scattered to prepare while Cecelia and I stayed at the table looking at the satellite images. I could see her studying every detail while trying to memorize the layout like knowing the buildings would somehow keep Golden safer.
"I'm scared," she admitted quietly while everyone else was busy. "What if we're too late or what if finding him there makes things worse?"
"We won't be too late," I said while moving behind her so I could wrap my arms around her waist. "And nothing could be worse than not knowing where he is."
She leaned back against my chest while her hands covered mine where they rested on her stomach. "I keep thinking about what condition he'll be in when we find him," she whispered. "That shoe was so dirty, what if he's hurt or sick or scared out of his mind?"
"Then we'll get him medical care and bring him home and show him he's safe," I said against her hair. "But first we have to get there and get him out."
Drew approached carefully while clearly not wanting to interrupt. "Alpha, the vehicles are ready and teams are assembled."
"Good," I said while releasing Cecelia though my hand went to her lower back. "Let's move out."
The convoy of six black SUVs left the pack house while the sun was just starting to come up. I insisted Cecelia ride in my vehicle in the back seat while I sat next to her instead of up front with the driver. Marcus sat in the passenger seat coordinating with the other vehicles through his radio.
Cecelia's hand found mine in the space between us while neither of us said anything about it. Her fingers were cold while I squeezed gently trying to give her comfort. She stared out the window at the passing trees while I knew her mind was racing with all the terrible possibilities.
"Tell me what we'll do when we get him back," I said quietly while wanting to distract her from the fear.
"What?" she turned to look at me confused.
"When we have Golden safe, what's the first thing you want to do with him?" I asked while my thumb rubbed across her knuckles.
She was quiet for a minute while thinking. "I want to hold him for about a year straight without letting go," she finally said while her voice was thick with emotion. "And then I want to take him to the beach so he can play in the water and feel normal again."
"We'll do that," I promised while pulling her closer against my side. "As soon as the doctor clears him we'll go to the beach for however long he needs."
"You'd come too?" she asked while looking up at me.
"Of course I'd come," I said while confused why she'd think otherwise. "He's my son and you're... you're important to me and I want to be there for both of you."
She almost said something but stopped while biting her lip. Through the bond I felt a rush of emotions too mixed up to separate but hope was definitely in there. She settled against my shoulder while we rode in silence for a while.
"I used to imagine this," she said so quietly I almost didn't hear. "Back when we were married, I used to imagine us working together as a team instead of you always being distant."
"I was an idiot back then," I admitted while my arm came around her shoulders. "I kept you at a distance because I was scared of how much I was starting to feel for you."
"That doesn't make sense," she said while frowning. "If you felt something why would you push me away?"
"Because feeling something for you meant admitting I'd been wrong about Layla and wrong about what I thought I wanted," I tried to explain. "It was easier to keep you away than face that I was falling for you."
She was quiet while processing that. "So you chose the easy path instead of the right one."
"Yeah," I agreed while there was no point denying it. "And it cost me three years with you and our son."
"We can't change the past," she said while her hand rested on my chest over my heart. "We can only decide what we do now."
"Now I choose you," I said while tilting her chin up so she had to look at me. "Every time, every day, I choose you and Golden."
Her eyes got shiny with tears while she blinked them back. "Don't make promises you might not keep."
"I'm keeping this one," I said firmly. "I already lost you once and I'm not making that mistake again."
She opened her mouth but Marcus's voice interrupted. "We're five minutes out. Everyone needs to go radio silent and prepare for approach."
The moment broke while we both shifted into mission mode. Cecelia sat up straighter while wiping her eyes quickly. I kept her hand in mine though while not ready to let go of that connection yet.
The vehicles slowed while we got closer to the target area. We parked about half a mile away so the sound of engines wouldn't warn anyone we were coming. Everyone got out quietly while checking weapons one last time.
I helped Cecelia into a tactical vest while making sure it was secure. "You remember the plan?" I asked quietly.
"Stay behind you, don't do anything stupid, get out if things go bad," she recited while her voice was steady even though I felt her fear through the bond.
"Good," I said while kissing her forehead without thinking about it. "Let's go get our son."
We moved through the woods in formation while my team knew how to stay quiet. Cecelia stayed right behind me while one hand occasionally touched my back like she needed to know I was still there. Through the trees I could see the first building coming into view.
It was even more run down than the pictures showed while parts of the roof had caved in and windows were all broken. But there were fresh tire tracks in the dirt leading to the back which meant someone had been here recently.
I held up my fist to signal everyone to stop while we took positions around the building. Marcus's voice came through my earpiece. "West side in position."
"East side ready," Finn reported.
"On my count," I said quietly while my heart was beating hard. "Three, two, one, breach."
My team moved forward while two warriors hit the main door with a battering ram. The old wood splintered easily while we poured inside with weapons ready. The space was dark and smelled like mold and old wood while dust floated in the air from us coming in.
"Clear," someone called from the right side.
"Clear," another voice echoed from the left.
We moved deeper into the building while checking every room and corner. Cecelia stayed pressed close to my back while I felt her breathing fast through our bond. The first floor was empty except for old equipment covered in rust and dirt.
"Stairs to second floor," one of my warriors said while pointing.
"Carefully," I ordered while those stairs didn't look safe. "Test each step before putting full weight."
We climbed slowly while the wood creaked and groaned under us. The second floor was more of the same while empty rooms full of nothing but trash and broken furniture. My stomach was starting to sink because this place looked abandoned for real.
Then Cecelia gasped behind me. "Zeke, look."
Chapter 41
ZEKE'S pov
She pointed at the floor where someone had cleared away dust recently. Footprints led to a corner room while they were fresh enough that I could see the tread pattern clearly. We followed them while my grip tightened on my weapon.
The corner room's door was closed while I could hear something moving inside. I motioned for my team to get ready while counting down silently with my fingers. On zero I kicked the door open while rushing in.
The room was empty of people but it definitely had been used recently. A child's blanket lay crumpled on a dirty mattress in the corner while empty food containers were scattered around. And there on the floor was a stuffed dolphin that Cecelia made a broken sound seeing.
She ran forward while grabbing the dolphin and holding it to her chest. "This is Golden's," she said while tears ran down her face. "Fatima gave this to him for his birthday, he takes it everywhere."
I moved around the room while looking for more clues. There was a small pile of toys in one corner while drawings covered part of one wall. I looked closer at the drawings while my chest got tight. They were clearly done by a child while stick figures were labeled "Mama" and "Me" in messy handwriting.
"He was here," Cecelia sobbed while still clutching the dolphin. "He was right here and we missed him."
Marcus's voice came through my earpiece. "Alpha, we found vehicle tracks leading away from the back of the building. They're fresh, maybe less than twelve hours old."
"Damn it," I swore while hitting the wall with my fist. "They moved him right before we got here."
"How did they know?" Cecelia demanded while her fear was turning into anger. "How did they know we were coming?"
"The package," I realized while my stomach dropped. "Sending Golden's shoe was a test to see how fast we'd track the location. When we did exactly what they expected they moved him."
"So we're still at square one," Cecelia said while her voice went flat and empty in a way that scared me more than her crying.
"No," I said firmly while moving to take her shoulders. "We know he was alive recently enough to make those drawings. We know he's thinking about you which means he's holding on. And we know they're moving him which means they're getting desperate."
"Or they're always going to be one step ahead," she said while all the fight seemed to drain out of her.
I pulled her against my chest while she didn't cry or fight, just stood there like a doll. Through the bond I felt her hope dying while being replaced with a terrible emptiness that made my wolf howl.
"Marcus, I want every inch of this place searched," I said into my radio. "Look for anything that might tell us where they went. Hair, fibers, tire tracks, anything."
"On it," Marcus replied.
I guided Cecelia out of the room and back down the stairs. Outside the building she pulled away from me while walking a few feet away and just staring at the trees. I stayed close but gave her space while understanding she needed a minute to process.
"We were so close," she said without turning around. "If we'd gotten here yesterday or even this morning he might have still been here."
"I know," I said while moving up behind her. "But beating ourselves up doesn't help Golden."
"Nothing helps Golden," she said while her voice broke. "We keep chasing and they keep moving him and I can't keep doing this. I can't keep hoping and then having it ripped away."
"Cecelia," I turned her around to face me. "Look at me."
She looked up while her eyes were red and empty in a way that scared me. "What?"
"We are going to find him," I said while holding her face in both hands. "I know you're tired and scared and feel like giving up but I need you to hold on a little longer."
"I don't know how," she whispered while fresh tears fell. "I don't know how to keep going when every lead turns into nothing."
"Then let me be strong for both of us right now," I said while pulling her close again. "Let me carry this until you can breathe again."
She broke down completely while sobbing into my chest. I held her tight while my own throat was tight with frustration and fear no because she was right that we kept getting close but not close enough. But I couldn't let her see my doubt while she needed me to be certain.
One of my warriors approached carefully. "Alpha, we found something you need to see."
I looked at him while keeping one arm around Cecelia. "What is it?"
"Basement access," he said. "Hidden under a tarp in the processing building. There's a tunnel system underneath."
Hope sparked in my chest while this could change everything. "Show me."
We followed him to the largest building while Cecelia walked beside me holding my hand tight. Inside, my team had cleared away a large tarp revealing a trap door set into the concrete floor.
Marcus stood over it looking grim. "These tunnels connect to the old mining system from a hundred years ago," he said while showing me maps on his tablet. "They run for miles underground connecting various points across the region."
"They're using the tunnels to move him," I realized while anger burned through me. "That's how they've been staying ahead of us."
"The tunnel system is extensive," Marcus said while zooming in on the map. "There are dozens of exit points within a fifty mile radius underground."
Cecelia grabbed the tablet while studying the map. "Then we search every tunnel until we find him."
"That could take weeks," Marcus said gently. "We don't have the manpower to cover that much area quickly."
"Then we get more people," Cecelia said while her voice went hard. "Call in every favor, hire mercenaries, I don't care. We search every inch of those tunnels."
I looked at the map while my mind raced through options. She was right that we needed to search but Marcus was also right that it would take too long. We needed something to narrow down the search area.
"The tracks outside," I said suddenly. "They led away from here which means wherever they took him isn't accessible by tunnel alone or they wouldn't have needed vehicles."
"So they used the tunnels to move him from this building to wherever they had vehicles waiting," Marcus said while following my logic. "Which means the exit point is somewhere close by."
We went back outside while following the tire tracks. They led through the woods for about half a mile before reaching a small clearing where it looked like several vehicles had been parked recently.
"This is where they loaded him," one of my trackers said while pointing at the disturbed ground. "At least three vehicles based on the different tire patterns."
"And from here?" I asked.
"They headed east," the tracker said while pointing. "Toward the coast based on the direction."
The coast. My mind flashed back to something Cecelia had said about her vision through the bond. She'd smelled salt water while seeing Golden in that warehouse.
"They took him to the ocean," I said while looking at Cecelia. "Your vision was right."
"How does that help us?" she asked while looking tired beyond her years. "The coast goes for hundreds of miles."
"But there are only so many buildings near water that are isolated enough to hide someone," Marcus said while already pulling up maps on his phone. "Abandoned warehouses, old canneries, empty boat houses."
"Start there," I ordered. "I want teams checking every coastal structure within the area those vehicles could reach in twelve hours."
"That's still a lot of ground to cover," Marcus warned.
"Then we better get started," I said while my voice dropped into Alpha command. "Golden is running out of time and I'm running out of patience."
We headed back to the vehicles while Cecelia was quiet beside me. She still held Golden's stuffed dolphin while her fingers were white from gripping it so hard. Once we were in the vehicle heading back I pulled her against my side.
"We're going to find him," I promised while saying it as much for myself as for her.
"I know," she said quietly. "I just hope we find him alive."
The words hung between us heavy with the fear we both felt but couldn't say out loud. Because the longer Golden was missing, the more likely it was that something terrible had happened or was happening to him.
And if we were too late, if someone had hurt my son beyond fixing, there wasn't a place in this world they could hide that I wouldn't find them.
But first we had to get to Golden before that worst case became reality.
Cecelia's POV
The tunnel entrance looked like a black hole waiting to swallow us while my stomach twisted with fear about going down there. Zeke had his flashlight ready along with Marcus and six other warriors who would come with us underground. The rest of the team stayed above to guard the exits in case whoever had Golden tried to escape.
"Stay close to me," Zeke said while checking my tactical vest one more time. "The tunnels are old which means they might not be stable."
"I'll be fine," I said even though my hands were shaking. "Let's just go find our son."
We climbed down the metal ladder into darkness while the air got colder the deeper we went. My feet hit solid ground while I turned to see a tunnel stretching in both directions lit only by our flashlights. The walls were rough stone while water dripped somewhere in the distance making echoing sounds.
"This way," Marcus said while pointing left based on the maps he'd studied. "This tunnel runs east toward the coast which matches where those vehicle tracks were heading."
We started walking in single file because the tunnel wasn't wide enough for two people side by side. Zeke went first with me right behind him while his hand kept reaching back to make sure I was still there. Every few steps he'd look over his shoulder checking on me even though I was only inches away.
The tunnel felt like it went on forever while we walked and walked with nothing changing. Just stone walls and darkness and the sound of our boots on the wet ground. My legs started to hurt while I wasn't used to this much walking but I didn't complain because Golden had probably been carried through here scared and alone.
"How much further?" I asked after what felt like an hour.
"Another mile or so before we reach the first junction," Marcus said from behind us. "Then we'll have three directions to choose from."
Great, I thought while my hope was starting to fade again. We could walk these tunnels for days and never find the right path while Golden could be anywhere in this underground maze.
Then something happened that made me stop walking so fast that the warrior behind me almost ran into me. Pain exploded through my chest while it felt like someone was squeezing my heart in a fist. I gasped while grabbing Zeke's arm to keep from falling.
"Cecelia, what's wrong?" Zeke spun around while his hands caught my shoulders.
I couldn't answer because my whole body hurt while the pain was so bad I thought I might throw up. But it wasn't my pain, somehow I knew that while it was coming from somewhere else through the bond between me and Zeke except it felt different than when I felt his emotions.
Then images flashed through my mind like someone was playing a video in my head. I saw Golden lying on a table while blue light was coming from under his skin. He was crying while someone in dark clothes bent over him doing something I couldn't see. The image shifted while showing metal walls and bright overhead lights that hurt to look at.
"Cecelia, breathe," Zeke's voice broke through while he was holding my face in both hands. "You need to breathe for me."
Chapter 42
Cecelia's POV
I realized I'd stopped breathing while my lungs burned for air. I gasped while trying to fill them but the images kept coming. Golden being lifted while someone carried him through a doorway. More metal walls while I could hear water sounds outside like waves crashing.
"What's happening to her?" Marcus asked while sounding worried.
"The bond," Zeke said while his voice was tight. "She's connecting to Golden through the maternal bond."
"That's not possible," Marcus said. "Maternal bonds don't work that way."
"They do under extreme stress," Zeke replied while keeping his eyes on my face. "When a mother's fear for her child is strong enough the bond can create a link even across distance."
The images got stronger while I saw more details now. The warehouse had high ceilings with exposed beams while metal shipping containers were stacked against one wall. Golden was still crying while the blue light under his skin pulsed brighter. Someone said something I couldn't hear while then suddenly the connection cut off like someone had slammed a door.
"No," I screamed while trying to grab onto the vision but it was gone. "No, bring it back, I need to see more."
My breathing was too fast while the tunnel spun around me. I couldn't get enough air while panic made my chest feel like it was being crushed. I was going to pass out while everything was going dark at the edges.
"Cecelia, look at me," Zeke commanded while his Alpha voice cut through the panic. "Match my breathing, in and out, follow me."
He took a deep breath in while holding my face so I had to look at him. I tried to copy him while breathing in but it felt wrong and too hard. He breathed out slowly while I attempted to match him again.
"That's it," he encouraged while taking another breath. "In through your nose, out through your mouth."
We breathed together while gradually the panic started to fade. The bond between us glowed warm in my chest while Zeke was pushing calm at me through the connection. It helped while my racing heart slowed down and the tunnel stopped spinning.
"Better?" he asked after a few minutes.
I nodded while my throat was too tight to talk yet. He pulled me against his chest while one hand rubbed up and down my back. The other warriors stood around us looking uncomfortable while they clearly didn't know what to do with their Luna having a breakdown in the middle of a tunnel.
"What did you see?" Zeke asked quietly against my hair.
"Golden," I managed to say while my voice came out scratchy. "He was on a table with blue light coming from his skin. Someone was doing something to him while he was crying and scared."
Zeke's arms tightened around me while through the bond I felt his rage spike hot and violent. "What else?"
"A warehouse with metal walls," I continued while trying to remember every detail. "High ceilings with beams across them. Shipping containers stacked up. And I heard water outside like ocean waves."
Marcus was already pulling out his phone while looking at maps. "That narrows it down. There are three warehouses that match that description within the range those vehicles could reach."
"Which one is closest to the ocean?" I asked while pulling back from Zeke to look at the maps on Marcus's screen.
"This one," Marcus pointed to a location on the coast about forty miles from where we were. "Old shipping warehouse that's been abandoned for five years."
"That's where he is," I said with absolute certainty while I could still smell the salt from my vision. "I smelled ocean salt, not river water. It has to be that one."
"Are you sure?" Marcus asked carefully. "Because if we commit all our resources to one location and you're wrong we lose time we can't get back."
"I'm sure," I said while looking at Zeke. "The bond showed me that place because that's where our son is right now."
Zeke studied my face while I could see him weighing my certainty against the risk of being wrong. Finally he nodded while turning to Marcus. "We go with Cecelia's instinct. Call the teams and redirect everyone to that coastal warehouse."
"You're trusting a vision?" Marcus asked while he pulled out his radio but looked skeptical.
"I'm trusting the mate bond," Zeke said while taking my hand. "If Cecelia says that's where Golden is then that's where we're going."
Relief flooded through me while I'd been scared he wouldn't believe me. We turned around while heading back the way we came since the coastal warehouse wasn't accessible through these tunnels. The walk back felt faster while I was practically running toward the ladder that would take us up.
Once we were above ground I felt like I could breathe properly again. The open air and sunlight were so different from the dark cramped tunnels while I took deep breaths trying to calm down. Zeke kept his hand on my lower back while guiding me toward the vehicles.
"How long to get to the warehouse?" I asked Marcus while he coordinated with the other teams on his radio.
"About an hour if we push it," Marcus replied. "I'm having the other teams converge on the location from different directions so we can surround it before going in."
An hour felt like forever but it was better than days searching blind through tunnels. We got into the back of Zeke's vehicle while the driver took off fast toward the coast. Other vehicles followed while forming a convoy heading to what I hoped was finally the right place.
Zeke pulled me against his side while his arm came around my shoulders. I didn't resist while settling into the warmth of his body felt like the only safe place in a world that had gone crazy. His hand rubbed my arm while neither of us talked for a few minutes.
"Tell me about when you were pregnant," Zeke said quietly after a while.
I looked up at him surprised. "Why do you want to know about that now?"
"Because I missed it," he said while his voice held pain I felt through the bond. "I missed your whole pregnancy and Golden being born and his first everything. I can't get that time back but at least I can know what happened."
I settled back against him while thinking about those months that felt like forever ago. "I was sick a lot at first," I started. "Morning sickness that lasted all day while I could barely keep food down for the first three months."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there," Zeke said while his arm tightened around me.
"Fatima helped," I continued while my voice went hard at her name. "Or I thought she was helping while actually she was probably reporting everything back to Layla."
"Don't think about her right now," Zeke said. "Tell me about Golden."
"He was active from the start," I said while a small smile came to my face remembering. "Always moving and kicking especially at night when I was trying to sleep. Fatima said it meant he'd be energetic when he was born."
"Was the birth hard?" Zeke asked.
"Awful," I admitted. "Eighteen hours of labor in a tiny clinic with no pain medicine because the village didn't have anything stronger than basic supplies. But then they put him in my arms while he looked up at me with these huge eyes and none of the pain mattered anymore."
"What did he look like?" Zeke's voice was thick with emotion.
"Tiny," I said while remembering Golden's little body wrapped in a blanket. "So small I was scared I'd break him. He had a full head of dark hair that curled at the ends just like it does now. And when he cried it was the loudest sound I'd ever heard from something so small."
Zeke made a sound that might have been a laugh or might have been a sob. "I wish I could have been there."
"Me too," I admitted while taking his hand in mine. "I kept imagining you being there even though I knew it was impossible. When the doctor asked if I wanted to call anyone I almost called you but then I remembered you didn't want us anymore."
"I was such an idiot," Zeke said while pain flooded through the bond. "Missing Golden's birth is something I'll regret for the rest of my life."
"You can't change the past," I said while squeezing his hand. "But once we get Golden back you can be there for everything else. His first day of real school, learning to shift when he's older, all the things that matter."
"I want that," Zeke said while turning to look at me. "I want to be there for everything and I want you there too. Both of you staying here with me where you belong."
"Zeke," I started but he interrupted.
"I know we haven't figured everything out yet," he said. "But I need you to know that I'm serious about us trying again. Not like before when I was too scared to really commit but actually trying for real this time."
My throat got tight while I didn't know what to say. Part of me wanted to tell him yes immediately while another part was still scared of being hurt again. The bond hummed between us wanting me to agree while my heart was pulling toward him despite my fear.
"Let's just focus on getting Golden back first," I said finally. "Then we can talk about what comes after."
"Okay," Zeke agreed while clearly wanting to push more but respecting my need for time. "But I'm not giving up on us Cecelia."
"I know," I said while resting my head back on his shoulder.
We drove in comfortable silence while the landscape outside changed from woods to open fields to finally the first glimpses of ocean in the distance. The smell of salt air came through the vehicle's vents while my vision had been right about being near the coast.
"Tell me about his first words," Zeke said after a while.
I smiled while remembering. "Mama was first obviously. He was about ten months old while we were sitting on the beach watching boats. He just looked at me and said mama clear as anything."
"What was second?" Zeke asked.
"Fish," I said while Zeke laughed for real this time. "We lived in a fishing village so everything was about fish. His third word was boat while his fourth was water. It took him forever to say anything else because those four words covered everything important in his world."
"Does he like the water?" Zeke asked.
"Loves it," I said. "He'd spend all day at the beach if I let him. Building sandcastles while chasing waves, collecting shells to show me. One time he found a crab and wanted to keep it as a pet while I had to explain that crabs need to live in the ocean."
"What did he say to that?" Zeke was smiling while I could tell he was picturing our son.
"He said the crab could sleep in the ocean but visit him during the day," I replied. "That's how Golden's mind works. He tries to find solutions to problems even when the problem doesn't really have a solution."
"He sounds amazing," Zeke said quietly.
"He is," I agreed while my chest hurt thinking about Golden scared somewhere. "He's the best thing I ever did even though having him wasn't planned."
"I'm glad you had him," Zeke said. "Even though it meant doing it alone which never should have happened."
"Things work out how they're meant to," I said while not sure I believed it but wanting to.
The ocean was getting closer while I could see the water now through the buildings that lined the coast. Marcus was talking on his radio coordinating with the other teams while everyone was getting into position around the warehouse.
"Five minutes," the driver called back to us.
My heart started beating faster while fear and hope mixed together until I felt sick. This was it while we were finally going to find out if my vision was right or if we were chasing another dead end.
Zeke must have felt my fear through the bond because he pulled me closer while pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Whatever we find in there, we face it together."
"Together," I repeated while holding tight to his hand.
The vehicle slowed while pulling off the main road onto a gravel path that led to an industrial area. I could see a large metal building ahead while it matched exactly what I'd seen in my vision. Shipping containers were stacked outside while the warehouse sat right on the water.
"That's it," I said while pointing. "That's the building from my vision."
"Everyone in position?" Zeke asked Marcus.
"Teams surrounding the building now," Marcus confirmed while watching his tablet that showed dots representing our people. "No movement detected inside but thermal imaging shows heat signatures."
"How many?" I demanded.
"Four, maybe five," Marcus said. "One appears smaller than the others."
Golden.
Chapter 43
Zeke's POV
"Breach on my mark," I said into my radio while watching the teams get into position around the warehouse. "Three, two, one, go."
Four teams hit their entry points at the same time while I pulled open the main warehouse door with Cecelia right behind me. The inside was huge while shipping containers were stacked everywhere creating walls and passages like a giant maze. Our flashlights cut through the dim space while dust floated in the beams.
We'd taken maybe three steps inside when gunfire exploded from somewhere above us. Bullets pinged off metal containers while the sound was deafening in the enclosed space. I grabbed Cecelia while pulling her down behind the nearest container as more shots rang out.
"Stay down," I ordered while covering her body completely with mine. More bullets hit the container we hid behind while the metal rang like a bell with each impact.
Through the bond I felt Cecelia's fear while it wasn't for herself but for Golden. She was terrified that the gunfire would hit our son somewhere in this building. Her terror fed into mine while my wolf snarled wanting to tear apart whoever was shooting at us.
"Return fire," I shouted into my radio while my team started shooting back at the hidden positions.
The warehouse turned into chaos while bullets flew in both directions. I pulled my weapon while staying low and returning fire toward the muzzle flashes I could see up on the catwalk level. Cecelia pressed against the container while her hands covered her ears from the loud gunshots.
"Alpha, we've got multiple hostiles on the upper level," Marcus's voice came through my earpiece. "At least six shooters, maybe more."
"Push forward," I commanded while knowing we couldn't stay pinned down. "Use the containers for cover and advance toward the back of the building."
We moved as a unit while going from container to container. I kept Cecelia between me and the metal walls while making sure my body stayed between her and the shooters. Every time we had to cross an open space I went first while checking that it was clear before pulling her across.
A figure appeared from behind a container ahead while raising a weapon toward us. I recognized Callum from Theseus's guard while anger flooded through me that the Brooke Pack was definitely involved. Before Callum could fire, Marcus shot him from the side while the guard went down hard.
"Brooke Pack confirmed," Marcus said while moving up beside me. "This is an act of war."
"Deal with the politics later," I said while more of Theseus's people emerged from hiding spots. "Right now we focus on getting Golden out."
The firefight got worse while it seemed like people kept coming from everywhere. My team was well trained while we slowly pushed forward through the container maze despite the resistance. I shot two more of Theseus's guards while my wolf was howling for blood because these people had my son.
Cecelia stayed close to my back while I felt her shaking through our bond. She was scared but also angry while her need to get to Golden pushed her forward instead of making her freeze up. My mate was braver than she gave herself credit for.
"Movement on the right," one of my warriors called out while spinning to face a new threat.
Three more guards appeared while firing at us. We took cover while returning fire until all three were down. The warehouse was filling with smoke from all the gunshots while the smell of gunpowder burned my nose.
"How many more?" I asked Marcus while reloading my weapon.
"Unknown," he replied while doing the same. "But we're getting close to the back offices where the heat signatures were concentrated."
We kept pushing forward while leaving some of my team behind to secure the areas we'd already cleared. The gunfire was getting less frequent while we'd either taken down most of the guards or they were falling back to protect whatever was in those back rooms.
Then I heard it while a sound that made everything else fade away. A child crying somewhere ahead of us while the sound was weak but definitely there. Cecelia heard it too because she froze completely while her whole body went stiff.
"Golden," she breathed while then she was running toward the sound before I could stop her.
"Cecelia, wait," I shouted while cursing as I chased after her. She was fast while weaving through the containers toward the back of the warehouse. I pushed my legs harder while catching up to her just as she reached a door.
She didn't slow down while hitting the door with her shoulder. The door burst open while we both stumbled into a back office that had been set up like a medical room. My eyes took in everything at once while my brain struggled to process what I was seeing.
Golden lay on a metal table in the center of the room while his small body looked too pale and wrong. Blue light flickered under his skin like lightning while it pulsed brighter then dimmer in waves. Medical equipment surrounded the table while tubes and wires connected to my son's small arms.
And standing over him with her hands raised was Fatima while Cecelia's supposed best friend looked panicked and guilty.
"Cecelia, I can explain," Fatima started while backing away from the table.
Cecelia screamed while it was a sound of pure rage and betrayal. She launched herself at Fatima while her hands reached for the other woman's throat. I barely caught Cecelia around the waist while pulling her back as she fought against me.
"You bitch," Cecelia screamed while trying to break free from my grip. "You helped them take my baby, I trusted you and you sold us out."
"I'm sorry," Fatima cried while tears ran down her face. "I didn't know they were going to hurt him, I thought they just wanted to study his magic."
"Liar," Cecelia shouted while still fighting to get at Fatima. "You knew exactly what you were doing."
I held Cecelia back while she was strong in her rage but I was stronger. "Marcus, detain her," I ordered while nodding toward Fatima.
Two of my warriors grabbed Fatima while she didn't resist. Cecelia finally stopped fighting me while instead she turned and ran to Golden's side. I let her go while moving to the other side of the table.
Up close I could see how bad Golden was while his breathing was too fast and shallow. The blue light under his skin was his wolf trying to emerge while his body was way too young to handle it. Sweat covered his face while his little hands clenched into fists like he was fighting something.
"What did you do to him?" I demanded while looking at Fatima.
"We tried to extract the magic," Fatima said while her voice shook. "But his body reacted badly. The extraction triggered premature wolf emergence which is killing him."
My stomach dropped while I knew enough about wolf biology to understand how serious that was. Children couldn't survive their first shift before puberty while their bodies weren't developed enough. If Golden's wolf emerged now it would tear him apart from the inside.
"How do we stop it?" Cecelia asked while her hands smoothed Golden's hair back from his sweaty forehead.
"We can't," Fatima said while more tears fell. "Only constant Alpha essence from his father can suppress the emergence until his body matures enough to handle it safely."
I didn't think while just moved on instinct. My hand went to Golden's chest while I pushed my Alpha essence through the touch into my son's small body. The bond between father and son that had never existed before suddenly flared to life while connecting us for the first time.
Golden's eyes flew open while they glowed blue with his wolf. He looked right at me while I felt recognition pass between us on a level deeper than words. He knew I was his father while the bond told him even though he'd never met me before.
"Daddy?" Golden's small voice was weak but clear.
My throat closed up while I couldn't speak. I just nodded while pushing more essence into him through our connected bond. The blue light under his skin started to dim while his breathing slowed to something more normal.
"That's right buddy," I finally managed to say. "I'm your dad and I'm here now."
Golden's eyes closed again while he was too weak to stay awake but I felt through our bond that he was calmer now. Having his father's essence stabilizing him was working while the premature emergence pulled back.
Cecelia was crying while watching us. Through our mate bond I felt everything she was feeling while relief that Golden was alive mixed with devastation over Fatima's betrayal mixed with hope that maybe we could fix this.
"Start talking," I said to Fatima while keeping my hand on Golden's chest. "Tell me everything about this plot."
Fatima took a shaky breath while looking at the guards holding her arms. "Layla planned all of it," she started. "She contacted me about a year ago offering money to keep tabs on Cecelia and report her location."
"Why would Layla want to know where I was?" Cecelia demanded.
"She wanted revenge," Fatima said. "She blamed you for Zeke never loving her back. When she found out you'd had a son with Alpha blood and ancient magic, she saw an opportunity."
"Opportunity for what?" I asked while my anger was building with every word.
"She wanted Golden's magic extracted so she could use it for power," Fatima continued. "She hired Brock to do the actual kidnapping while Theseus provided this location and resources. Callum and other Brooke Pack guards were paid to help."
"And you?" Cecelia's voice was ice cold. "What did you get out of betraying your best friend?"
"Money," Fatima admitted while she couldn't look at Cecelia. "Layla paid me fifty thousand dollars to help coordinate the kidnapping and report on Golden's routines."
"You sold out my son for money," Cecelia said while her voice broke. "I trusted you with everything. You were at his birth, you helped me raise him, you were the only friend I had."
"I know," Fatima sobbed. "I'm so sorry Cecelia. When I realized the extraction would kill him I tried to stop it but Brock and the others wouldn't listen."
"You drew the line at murder but kidnapping was fine?" Cecelia asked while her tone was sharp with hurt. "Taking a three year old from his home and terrifying him was acceptable as long as he lived?"
Fatima had no answer while she just cried harder. I felt Cecelia's pain through our bond while this betrayal cut even deeper than Layla's because Fatima had been her only support for three years. The woman she'd considered family had sold her out.
"Get her out of my sight," Cecelia said while turning away from Fatima completely. "I never want to see her face again."
"Take her to holding," I ordered the guards. "We'll deal with her later."
They dragged Fatima away while she kept apologizing over and over. Cecelia ignored her while focusing entirely on Golden. Her hands carefully checked him over for injuries while tears kept falling down her face.
"Is he going to be okay?" she asked me while her voice was small and scared.
"I'll keep him stable with my essence until we can get him proper medical care," I promised while not moving my hand from his chest. "But we need to get him to the pack hospital right away."
Marcus appeared in the doorway while looking grim. "We've secured the building. Found Brock trying to escape through a back exit."
"Good," I said. "What's he saying?"
"Everything," Marcus replied. "He's giving up everyone involved including full details about Layla being the mastermind. He has evidence of payments she made, communications showing her planning, all of it."
My blood went cold while the confirmation that Layla orchestrated my son's kidnapping made me want to tear something apart. Cameron's mother had done this while the woman I'd trusted to be part of my inner circle for years had plotted against my actual son.
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