I ran my fingers through my hair. I missed April so much it hurt. Three months! Three months had gone by since she was taken and I'd found Ivy in the woods. I've missed thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's Day; all holidays I was excited to share with my mate. Instead of the festivities, we've been sulking around the pack house or searching for April and all of Ivy's friends.

Since that November day I found her, Ivy had regained most of her strength and been able to give some information on where the non-wolves are being held. We'd sent out search parties, I'd gone myself; all with no luck.

Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open and I was snapped from my thoughts. Ivy stood in the doorway, her green eyes wide, but bright with excitement.

I instantly shot up. "What is it?"

"I just had a memory!" Over the weeks, Ivy had been randomly getting flashbacks of her childhood. We had yet to figure out her pack, as most of these memories were of the rogues dragging her to the woods. We thought they drugged her so she wouldn't remember just in case she survived, but the drug had been slowly wearing off and she remembered bits and pieces. This only confirmed her theory that the rogues brainwashed the girls held captive there. I only hoped April would remember me.

"Go on," I told her urgently.

She took a deep breath and explained that she could now picture the house-like facility the shifters were being kept in. She said the memory also showed her most of the journey and she thinks she might be able to get us to April.

When she finished, I grabbed her hand and pulled her with me down the stairs and into the kitchen. There I found Luna June and Alpha Jayden talking quietly at the table. "Guys!"

They turned their heads towards me. "What is it, Xavier?"

"Ivy thinks she can find April now. She had another memory." June perked up slightly at this but her mate still looked wary.

"Are you sure?" He said, "It's just these memories haven't gotten us anywhere close. It's been three months, Xavier. To be honest, she's probably dead."

I stared at him in horror. "You can't give up! She's your daughter. You have to believe she's alive!"

"But if she's dead?"

"Then at least you can avenge her death!"

He shrugged, the fight in him dying. I growled. "Anyone else with me? We are going to find April!" A few people appeared from other rooms and agreed to go with me.

June stood up, "I'm going too."

"No you're not." Jayden decided immediately.

The Luna growled at him, "Yes I am. I believe she is alive and I want to help rescue my daughter! Our daughter."

Jayden sighed and got up. "Well if you're going, I'm going too."

"Is the girl coming?" Someone I didn't know asked.

I rolled my eyes, "No. We just have to find the house we know nothing about on our own. Of course she's coming!" Idiot. I added in my head. "Ready?" I asked Ivy. She nodded and we set off out the door and to the woods.

"Everybody shift!" I commanded. It'd be easier to pick up scents if we did.

The sound of tearing clothes and snapping bones echoed around the trees. I leaped, turning into my midnight black wolf. Beside me, I heard Ivy change into her cat.

What I found interesting about her cat, was the size. Werewolves are much bigger than the average wild wolf, but Ivy was the exact size of the average house cat. Her head didn't even reach my wolf's knees.

I gave her ear a small lick and dashed after the other wolves. Ivy was fast despite her size and followed at my heels.

We halted at our scent line and Ivy weaved her way to the front of the group. She let out a loud yowl and curved to the right, following her memory's path. We all sprang after her, bounding through the snow covered ground and weaving through the bare-branched trees.

🐾🐾🐾

A couple hours later, we were standing in the tree line looking at a castle-like mansion. Ivy shifted and told us this is where the Alpha lives and the girls are kept in the basement.

We stalked forward, curving around the side of the house, looking for a way in. That's when I spotted it. A window was cracked open. I peered inside and saw a dimly lit hallway. Many doors filled the walls on both sides. Ivy shifted and squeezed through the crack, knowing as a cat, she'd fit better. She shifted again when she hit the floor and reached up, opening the window more so I could fit.

I heard growls and howls coming from the yard and I knew the rogues had spotted April's pack. The only wolf with Ivy and me was Andrew.

I crawled in, falling to the floor with Andrew right behind me. I shook out my fur and followed Ivy down the long corridor. A heavy metal door was open at the end and the rogue Alpha stood in it. As we got closer, I could hear what he was saying and it made me want to gag.

"-pick will be free from your cell and get the luxuries of being my Luna. The others will be killed."

I had to force myself not to growl out loud. He continued his little speech, saying how he picked the strongest and the best for the job.

"I have chosen Fern to be my mate." I had no idea who Fern was, but I knew she was an innocent girl who had a mate out there waiting for her. I waited until he was back near the door to attack, but I was horrified to see April with him.

Could Ivy have been right all along? Did they erase the girls' memories and change their names?! What was wrong with this sick pack?

Seeing April gave me a whole new energy; the state she was in drove me forward. She was significantly smaller. Her eyes were duller and her face was very thin. A growl tumbled low on my throat; I wanted to get my claws on that bastard who did this to her and rip him to shreds!

With a snarl, I leaped, bowling over the Alpha. Taken by surprise, he fell the concrete floor. I dug my claws in and looked up at April. I hoped she recognized me.

I blinked at her before lowering my head and snapping my jaws shut over the Alpha's throat. He made a gurgling sound before his fight died and his eyes went blank. I released my grip, intending to leave his body there and take April home, but when I looked up, my mate had disappeared.