Nates hand flung out, grabbing me roughly by my hair causing a loud screech to exit my mouth. My hands instantly flew up to his grip, trying to pry his hands off. He kept the tight grip while his other hand covered my mouth, muting my screams.

I clawed at his throat, my nails digging in deeply at the sensitive skin and he growled lowly at me, pulling me backwards as he dragged me across the woods towards the back of a warehouse.

My legs were buckling from beneath me; I moved my hand back to my hair where his hands were, trying to loosen the tight hold he had while my other stayed on my stomach. Nate could not find out about my pregnancy, if he did, we would be in mortal danger.

As we grew closer to the warehouse, he shuffled himself, so his arm was around my neck, his arms crushing my throat making it difficult to catch a breath. He held me hostage as he yanked the back door open to the warehouse.

"Nate," I croaked, my breathing hard and low from his crushing grasp. "I can't breathe." Tears were pricking in the corners of my eyes; Nate's hold was making it difficult for me to think or see straight.

He ignored my pleads as he pulled me down a narrowed hallway, entering a code into a steel door. Once the door closed, he let go, pushing me roughly as we walked down a set of stairs that led to a dark basement.

No lights were on as I gripped the walls of the stairs case, attempting to be careful as to not fall down a full flight of stairs. I could make out a cage, my eyes glitching as they attempted to night vision.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Nate shoved me into the cage, the harsh sound of the solid metal door slamming as he locked it behind him. I had lost my balance from the movement and my hands instantly flew out to catch myself before falling onto my stomach.

My hands landed onto a cold wall, it felt gritty, the stone rough against my fingers.

"Mommy?"

My daughters voice immediately gave me a scent of relief, knowing she was alive. I looked up, to see her hiding in the corner of the cell. She was curled up, her arms holding her legs up.

She was wearing a dark coloured tracksuit with only a pair of dirty socks on. I wanted to cry from the look she held on her face, she looked terrified, too frightened to approach me as she stayed hidden within the corner.

I rushed towards her, my arms immediately pulling her body to mine, refusing to let her go, afraid she would be taken from me again. She tucked her head into my chest, and I rocked us both back and forth, placing my head on top of her as we both cried.

We stayed in that position for a while and it wasn't until I pulled back to check her for any injuries did, I feel my body shake from the damage that had been caused to my child's face.

A long-narrowed scar ran across her face, from beneath her eye to the top of her lip.

My chest constricted, my heart pounding at the thought of my daughter being tortured. That someone could cause harm to a four-year-old child. My wolf was viciously growling, practically clawing on the inside, begging to be allowed out.

It was permeant and was made by using a silver knife. Silver is highly dangerous to werewolves, it burns through our skin and can stop us from communicating with our pack and shifting into our wolf, essentially making us human.

Even for a werewolf who had not yet shifted, it would affect their skin the same. Leaving any marks permanent.

It must have been agonising and unbearable for her. I continued to scan over my daughter's body for any other signs of abuse or mutilation. My stomach churned at the sight of bruising, deep purple and blue marks that laid upon her skin. It me feel literally sick, my stomach contents wanting to spill.

Guilt was burying me alive as pulled her back to me, my hand holding her head as I rocked more. I wanted to allow my wolf control but being stuck behind these bars wouldn't get me anywhere and I didn't want to cause Kennedy any further anxiety or panic.

I felt his presence approach from the side, the smell of his scent filling my nose as he stood opposite, five steps away from the cell. I stood up with Kennedy still hidden within my neck as I moved to the bars.

I growled menacingly at him, unable to hold myself back as I watched him smirk. I reached out, my arms filtering through the bars as I attempted a reach him, only for me to instantly pull back hissing as my arms burned from the impact of the silver that coated them.

A low, dry laugh left his throat, humoured by my response, at my failure to attack him. He even amused himself further as he took a step forward, teasing me as I tried to grab him for a second time, this time wary of the silver bars. "You're pure evil and you disgust me."

"You'll learn to love me Lara, we've got a lifetime together for you to move past it. If you simply just stayed with me when I chose you over Bella, we wouldn't be in this position." He growled, his voice hopeful and determined. "This is your fault." He concluded.

I couldn't help but laugh, he was insane and completely deluded.

The sound of my laugh aggravated him, his facial features turning into rage as his eyes opened wider, his chest heaving up and down in fury.

"You really are insane; I wouldn't be with you if it saved my life. You are sick in the head Nate and I feel sorry for your mate."

He growled darkly at me, but our conversation was cut short as the basement door creaked open. A man in his early thirties walked in, he was tall in stature with light blonde hair and his appearance made Nate smirk.

I looked at him, my eyes scanning his whole body as he stood alongside Nate, he looked as vicious as he sounded, and he reeked of power. His Alpha genes surrounded him, his aura strong and dominant. I narrowed my eyes at him, believing him to be Marcus.

"Lara, right? I've been looking forward to meeting you." Marcus stated, a sadistic smirk painting his lips.

I simply growled in reply, my lips curling into a snarl as I held his gaze. I felt desperate, my wolf and I couldn't wait to snap his neck.

Both Marcus and Nate chuckled, staring at me with amusement in their eyes.

A sudden shift in my emotions hit me as I stared at Nate, no longer recognising him as someone I had been with.

Someone who I had shared my life with for years, the caring and kind person I had met. One that loved both Kennedy and me.

There was no sense of guilt or regret within his eyes and that terrified me, he had once held a place in my heart. This wasn't the Nate that I knew, and I couldn't understand why he was doing this. "Why?" I questioned.

"Why Nate, why are you doing this?" I asked, my gaze catching his. It came out like a whisper, but my anger slipped through.

He said nothing and continued to stand there, his posture still and cold, staring at me with no emotion.

"Tell me Nate, why? Just tell me." I pleaded but he overlooked my words, ignoring them. Marcus began to speak, ordering me to shut up but I refused and screamed at Nate once more. "Tell me why." I screamed, my breathing harsh as he turned away.

Marcus snarled at me, moving closer to the cell bars as he caught my attention. "You listen here Lara, you're not in control here. I am."

"You will do what I tell you to do, so shut up." He ordered, his wolf making an appearance as my head darted towards his, my eyes narrowing at his demand. My own wolf making herself known.

I openly laughed at him, purposely making the sound loud and obnoxious, wanting to get under his skin. I then gave him the middle finger which didn't go down well with him, as he reached in and grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the silver bars.

I moved Kennedy as my arms began to burn, I held in my scream, trying to focus elsewhere, not willing to give them the satisfaction of knowing how much pain they were inflicting on me. The smell of burning flesh entered my senses, controlling them all.

He soon let go and smiled widely at me as I held in the tears that desperately wanted to roll down my face. I looked down to see the muscle and fat within my arm had blistered and blood was seeping from the wound.

"That should teach you." Marcus smiled before turning to Nate and ordering him to begin our escape route. There were still wolves fighting above ground and while the battle was still ongoing, it was their chance to get away before anyone had noticed.

I had no way of communicating with Gabriel, I had tried earlier but during battles everyone must turn off their mind link, they needed to be able to think with a clear mind. A distraction could cause you to lose your life.

Kennedy whimpered in my chest afraid of what was going to happen next. Nate and a few of Marcus's rogues were rushing around the basement, preparing for the departure. Marcus walked towards a desk, his hands fiddling with a piece of paper.

Anxiety was flittering through my body; I had put Kennedy and my unborn baby in more danger, and I didn't know how to get out of it. My wolf had diminished the moment I touched silver; I couldn't shift nor fight.

It was then that the sound of metal doors being pulled off by their hinges echoed through the dim room of the basement. The clank of the steel doors hitting the floor with a loud bang.

The looks on both Marcus's and Nates face had my heart pounding, they were startled from my mates arrival. They hadn't expected him to catch them before they were able to make an escape.

Tingles rushed through my body at the sight of my mate and I let go off the breath I hadn't realised I had been holding in. The look on Gabriel's face had me moving backwards, animosity and bloodthirst was radiating off him, his teeth were clenched tightly, as his eyes focused on Nate.

When Gabriel and his pack members stepped forward, surrounding both Nate and Marcus, I instantly walked to the other side of the cell, holding Kennedy out of view of what was about to happen.

Keeping her face deep in my neck as I murmured for her to keep her eyes closed before wrapping my hand on the side of her ear that wasn't against my skin. My intention to keep the sounds to a minimum, to block out as much noise as possible.

I had my body leaning against the cold stone wall, I was able to see everything but instead kept my eyes closed as I rocked Kennedy in my arms.

The sounds of yelling and the ripping of clothes could be heard. I held onto Kennedy tighter as the ferocious growling continued. The walls were literally shaking as they all fought, the smell of blood and death invading my sense of smell causing my eyes to open.

A loud whine caused my eyes to look to the side, finding Nate's body lifeless as his body leaned against the silver bars, the stench of burning flesh making my stomach churn once again. His head was hanging low and it was obvious that he had died from having his neck snapped.

My eyes then landed on Marcus, who was lying dead beside him, his body lying flat on the ground. His facial features no longer apparent, as if someone had taken a hammer to his face. Blood and brain matter surrounding his lifeless body.

My eyes remained on their bodies, unable to take them away as I continued to rock Kennedy, moving back and forth until a body blocked my view.

Gabriel crouched down in front of me, his chest rising and falling in fast motion, his wolf present in his eyes, anger and fury still there and some of it was focussed on me.

I understood why, I had endangered myself but also Kennedy's and unknowingly his unborn child. I risked the lives of our pack wolves who had fought hard to protect my family and could have risked the life of my daughter.

He was sieving with anger but pulled Kennedy and I close, his hands surrounding us as he held us protectively to his chest. He didn't say anything as he continued to hold us for a few minutes.

"I am furious with you Lara, but I am so glad you're both safe." He mumbled a low growl into my ear, and I nodded, whispering. "I know and I'm sorry." He let go after that, pulling away to assess us both.

He froze and went rigid when he noticed the scar on Kennedy's cheek, making his whole-body tremble as his posture changed. His wolf appearing within his eyes; they were a pitch black as he shook with ferocity.

A snarl ripped from the back of his throat and I quickly rubbed my hand up and down his arm, forcing Gabriel to look at me. "Don't do that, you're going to frighten her." I told him as Kennedy whimpered in my arms.

Gabriel took a step back and turned around, taking in deep breaths before helping me up and taking Kennedy out of my arms, cradling her in his and kissing her forehead as she cried. His wolf was no longer at the surface as he took in her scent, breathing her in and knowing his daughter was safe.

I rubbed Kennedy's back for a minute before Gabriel took my hand and pulled us out of the cell and up the stairs. Gabriel stared at the bodies as he guided me out, I kept mine forward not wanting to see.

He led us to the cars, where most of our wolves were occupying, the ones that were badly injured were within the cars, as the others prepared to run back to our territory.

Reed and Dylan were there, and both rushed over to check on Kennedy and I. I hugged them both and they soon left, needing to get their wolves back, some needed urgent medical care.

Once Kennedy and I were in the back seat of the car, Gabriel kissed my head and told me he would be back in a minute. I knew exactly where he was headed, and what he was going to do, the presence of his wolf told me that he wanted to rip the two dead bodies in the basement to shreds for what they had done to his daughter.

Pack members kept checking up on Kenny and me as we waited for Gabriel to come back. Kennedy had fallen asleep in my arms; she was exhausted and needed to rest. She would be examined by the pack doctor the moment we arrived home.

Gabriel soon came back, through the car window I watched as he approached the car, his body stained with blood as he wiped it off with a black t-shirt before throwing on a clean one. He hopped into the car, my back leaning against his chest as he wrapped us tightly to him, motioning for Dan to start driving.

The car ride was quiet, no one speaking as we all allowed Kennedy to sleep, keeping our thoughts to ourselves as we drove back to pack territory. Once we had arrived home, Michael was waiting for us, Gabriel had contacted him through the pack mind link.

The pack infirmary was full of injured wolves, pack nurses tending to their wounds as Michael focussed on us. He had assured us that the bruising would fade within the next couple of days but the scar on her face was permanent. She would have to live with that scar on her face, there was nothing we could do to change that.

We were all devastated by the news. "She will always be beautiful, no matter what." Gabriel whispered in my ear as I held onto him and sobbed. I nodded, unable to speak. Michael left us for a moment, tending to other wolves.

Kennedy laid on the hospital bed, her eyes closed as she slept. I stroked her hair, my fingers trailing gently down her face, kissing her on the forehead. Gabriel repeated my action, then we both sat down, watching over her quietly.

"Luna, I need to check you now." Michael said, interrupting the silence.

I nodded at his request, following him into another room with Gabriel in pursuit. Gabriel ordered two wolves to stand guard of Kennedy as she slept.

Michael gestured for me to sit down on the hospital bed, once there he began his questioning. I answered with yes and no answers until he mentioned a blood test, he needed to know how much silver had poisoned my blood. "Right, so we need to have a blood test and check that the silver hasn't flooded your system too much. I will then dress your wounds and see what else we will need to do."

I felt stuck in limbo, I knew the moment Michael got the results of my blood test he would know that I'm pregnant. He would notice the presence of hormone HCG. I nodded my acceptance to Michael as he entered a needle into my arm.

Gabriel would have to find out one day and I needed to make sure that the baby was safe and wasn't affected by the silver.

Once Michael had my blood sample, he moved to a station in the corner of the room, examining the blood. His face turned into a deep frown, seemingly checking the results again and again. He kept quiet as he continued to investigate.

Gabriel noticed the look on Michael's face and approached him, looking at his pack doctor with confusion and worry. "Is something wrong?"

Michael shook his head at Gabriel and spoke. "No Alpha, it seems to show that our Luna is pregnant."

"What?" Gabriel's eyebrows furrow into a deep frown, confusion echoing across his face, then turned to me. "You told me that you took a pregnancy test, and it came out negative."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, I was guilty of lying to him and his expression made me want to crawl into a ball. "I had to come with you Gabriel, I had to make sure my daughter was ok." I whispered.

He shook his head, his eyes staring at me with betrayal. "You knew you were pregnant the whole time?" He growled; my heart was hurting from the anger my mate was reflecting onto me. My wolf pacing anxiously from her mate blocking her out.

"You lied to my face, and then put yourself and our daughter in jeopardy. While also endangering the life of our unborn child, who you took no consideration for." He shouted, his voice getting louder and louder with each word he spoke.

"It wasn't like-" I began but was cut off by Gabriel.

"It wasn't like that," He finished for me. "You didn't once think about the child you're carrying."

I was sobbing by the end of his sentence; it wasn't my intention to harm our baby. All I wanted was to protect Kennedy, just like I had when it was just me and her. I'm her mom and she needed me. "I just needed to know she was ok Gabriel."

"Do you not have any trust in me as your mate, as Kennedy's father to protect her? You put everyone at risk and had no consideration for anybody Lara. You risked your own live including your children's. You could have cost us all our lives; you could have lost your own life." Gabriel was shaking his head at with, disgust and animosity written across his expression.

His fists were clenched tightly, balled besides him as he paced up and down the room.

I tried to reach out for him, but Michael was still checking me other while Gabriel pulled away from me, refusing my touch making my heart sting as he put distance between us. "Gabriel, I didn't...I-"

Gabriel lowly growled at me. "Don't. I don't want to hear your apology. I told you I was going to get our daughter back and for you to stay here on pack territory yet-" He huffed and shook his head, not finishing his sentence. "I'm so furious with you; that I don't even have the effort to shout."

The calmness in his words scared me, I wanted him to shout and yell at me, I wanted him to show me his emotions, to show that he still cared but he instead stood closed off and appalled. I understood his reaction.

"Gabriel, please. I never intended for this to happen; I wasn't thinking straight at the time. I was so focussed on getting my daughter back. I couldn't fathom the thought that she was scared, alone and terrified. She needed me, I'm her mom."