I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn't realise someone was here until I heard the sound of someones foot steps. I whipped around alertly expecting it to be Eleanor or Martha ready to torture me again, but I was surprised when I saw the person I was least expecting to see. My eyes widened with shock.

Kian?

He was standing at the gate, watching me with his curious blue eyes.

Was he with Eleanor? Did she send him?

Shocked and a bit off guard I said, "Wha-what are you doing here?"

He leaned his head forward slightly as he looked around my cell and then back at me.

"Better question is why are you here?" He said sceptically.

I furrowed my eyebrows and bit my lip hesitantly as I thought.

Should I tell him? I wasn't sure if I could trust him. He's going to find out sooner or later. What if he's with Sabrina, and doesn't help me, after all if I challenge Eleanor, it would mean he would no longer be Alpha of my pack. He might not like that. I argued with my self.

"I'm not here to hurt you if that's what you're thinking." I nearly scoffed. I didn't know whether he was being serious or just trying to make me bring down my defence walls. He was known for being violent and tough on others.

"Yeah well that's hard to believe coming from you." His jaw tensed and his eyes turned cold.

He almost looked hurt.

Oops. Maybe that was a bit harsh.

His tone became a bit colder. "You should watch what you say. I don't like being disrespected. Now tell me, what are you doing here. Who are you?" He said, voice laced with dominance to get me to talk. It would have worked if my wolf wasn't so dominant, but it didn't faze me. However I was surprise, did he not recognise me?

He probably can't see your face since you're sitting in the shadows, but once he sees you clearly, he will. My conscious muttered.

I stood up from the ground, brushing off dirt from my dress. I felt his eyes watching my every move, like a hawk watching it's pray.

I wasn't going to tell him everything. He had to earn my trust first.

"My name is Lara King and I belong to the SilverMoon pack. - Look I'm not sure how much I can tell you right now, but all I can say is that if you don't get me out of here, bad things are going to happen. You need to trust me."

His left eye brow lifted up in confusion, he didn't seem to believe me. "Wait bad things? And why in the hell would your own Luna lock you up in here? If you want me to let you out you have to explain. How do I know you're not a traitor or a rogue? You don't even have a pack or an individual scent which is even stranger." He said unsure whether to trust me, one eye brow slightly lifted. That's right, I still must have had Colleen's spell which masked my scent, on me.

I couldn't tell him about Colleen, not yet. Most werewolves believed witches were bad and not trustable, like Martha, but that wasn't true. There were light witches like Colleen who used their powers for good. But if Kian knew I was working with a witch he would no longer trust me or let me out.

"Wait, you're the one they mentioned at the pack meeting on the field." He said, piecing things together.

I recalled the memory. "Yeah that was me." I crossed my arms and leaned casually against the wall crossing my arms.

His eyes seemed to squint slightly as he tried to get a look at my face, making my pulse race nervously. He seemed deep in thought."Why were they looking for you? It seemed so urgent too."

"I found out something I wasn't suppose to and let's just say Eleanor didn't want me to tell the rest of the pack, afraid that it would affect her position as Luna and probably people's view on her." I recalled the day Stephan came knocking at our door. My parents dying as they protected me. A sudden wave of sadness and anger overwhelmed me, but I pushed it away.

"So I was right this place does have it secrets. Well now I am very curious." I caught him smirking devilishly. The gesture was so boyish and mischievous.

Stop it Lara, get a hold of yourself, no distractions. I mentally slapped my self. Remember, you have to save Nick.

"But first you have to let me out. I have to save a friend who's with me. He's kept locked up and could be injured. They are planning to kill him today."

Now I was starting to become desperate to escape this cell and find Nick, I couldn't waste time. Here goes nothing, I thought as I confidently stepped out of the shadows and into the light, making my way towards him.

I kept my face stern to show him I wasn't afraid of him, as I watch his reaction. Part of me wasn't sure if I wanted him to recognise me or not.

However, he immediately recognised me. His eyes widen and mouth was a gape with shock.

"Y-you?" he whispered.

I lifted my chin to meet his gaze. I felt smug. Oh how the tables have turned. Who's the speechless one now huh, HA!

"You're the girl from the other night at the alleyway with all the vampires. But how- why?"

"Yes I am. " I gripped the metal gate with both hands moving closer to his face. "Please, you need to trust me." I said almost a whisper. "Help me get out."

Play the innocent game.

He was in disbelief and seemed to be fighting a battle within himself as he looked down at me.

"Something tells me that you're not who you seem to be and that there's something bigger going on here and it bothers be that I don't know, especially since in a couple of hours I will be Alpha of both packs, I need to know everything that happens here. My instinct tells me you are good, and I trust my instinct as it is normally always right, so I will help you but you have to promise me that you will explain everything to me once the coronation and mating ceremony is over. I promise I will keep this confidential and will not tell anyone if that is what you wish, that is unless it concerns the safety of others."

I nodded understanding and he continued. "Now I will help you find this friend of yours but you have to also promise me that you will not interfere with the ceremony. This is a big event and I don't want something bad to happen. You and your friend can stay for now in one of the empty rooms where no one will find you until it is over. Understood?"

I knew for certain if I told him that I planned to challenge the Luna he would not let me out. This was my only way out. I had to lie. I tightened my grip on the pole. I hated this but I have to do this.

I looked him straight in the eye. No turning back now, I had to pull through with this.

"I promise."

~~~~~~~~~~

I was running through the dark, past all the cells looking into each and everyone of them. Empty. Empty. Empty. Shit!

Kian was right behind following me as he helped look for Nick. I didn't know how much time I had before someone would come to check on me only to find my cell empty. Kian seemed to sense this too. He was not Alpha so he could only do so much.

"Did anyone mention to you anything about where he might be kept? A clue maybe." He called out.

"No, the only thing I know is that he is kept in a separate area chained up and injected with Wolfsbane."

"Wait!" Kian shouted and we both skidded to a stopped.

He sniffed the air "Do you smell that?"

I closed my eyes as I lifted my nose up and in haled.

"Wolfsbane."

"Your friend must be close. This way."

Both sprinting, I followed him around a corner. My breathing and pulse racing from anticipation.

Come on, Nick where are you?

After taking a few more turns I skid to a stop as my nose hit a strong smell. Blood.

Fear coursed through my entire body. "Lara, wait-" Kian shouted as I ran ahead towards the smell, but I didn't stop, I couldn't. I couldn't risk loosing someone who I cared for. This would break me. Please, please.

Sure enough there was a cell about 5 meters ahead of me. I could just see inside. I didn't have to look inside to know he was there. I could smell him, his scent. "Nick!" sprinting towards the door I could make out his body sitting on the ground, he was leaning against the brick wall. He didn't respond, but he was alive, my wolf could sense it through the protector bond, but his eyes where closed.

"Nick! Nick can you hear me? It's me, Lara." I almost cried at the sight of him. He was chained up to the wall, by his wrists and ankles, shirtless.

It was just as Martha has described, his naked torso was wrapped in silver chains and I could see the red skin burning against their touch as it burned though his skin and was beginning to draw blood. The smell of blood and wolfsbane filled the air. His head hang limply on his shoulders.

His head jerked upwards slightly at the sound of my voice. "L-lar..a?" His voice was filled with confusion, hope and uncertainty.

"Yes, it's me Nick. I'm here." I said assuring him, as I gripped onto the metal bars unable to get inside yet.

"What the hell?"Kian whispered as he came up behind me, shocked at the sight, before he searched for the key to open Nick's cell. After a few tries he managed to get the lock undone.

I ran to Nick, my body was burning with anger and adrenaline now. Anger towards whoever had done this. "Careful it's silver-" Kian started, ignoring his warning and without thinking I yanked as hard as I could at the silver chains on him which held him to the wall and ripped them off in one one quick motion. I ignored the burning sensation it left behind, it was nothing compared to what I was feeling. I quickly untangled the chains around his exposed torso. He let out a small sigh of relief, his body falling onto mine as i knelt in front of him.

"Is it really you?" His eyes flickered up as I held onto his face with both hands to look at him. There was a look of relief in them when they saw me and he gave me a small weak smile. He had a busted lip and a bruised eye that was slowly healing. The Wolfsbane making the healing process slower. When I looked into his eyes, they looked completely drained.

"What have they done to him?" Ask Kian confused and surprised at the state he was in.

At this Nick looked up at him, realizing someone else was here. His eyes narrowing down on him. I felt his body tense up alertly as he tried sitting up straight but I noticed him wince. "What is he doing here?" He growled as he stared him down, his grip on me tightened protectively.

"It's ok. He's with us, he helped me escape and find you." I assured him, trying to break this dominance stared down between the two males. Kian wasn't helping as he stared him down too.

Stupid male werewolf dominance, I said to myself, mentally rolling my eyes.

"And why would he help us?"

"Well, a thankyou would be nice right about now." Kian remarked arrogantly, but just before Nick could answer back I interrupted him and put myself between them as I stared them both down.

"Hey! I hate to interrupt but can we save this for later and just get the hell out of here before someone comes." Both boys kept their mouth shut silently agreeing, as they continued death staring each other down. "Thankyou" I said with a bit of sarcasm.

I grabbed Nick's arm as I moved it around my shoulder to help him stand up.

"I think there's another exit this way" Kian said and so we followed him.

When Kian was a bit more ahead of us, Nick leaned into my side whispering in my ear, "Are you sure we can we trust him? Isn't he with Sabrina?"

"I'm sure, he promised me that he would help and keep us safe as long as I explained everything to him after the coronation and ceremony... and to not disrupt the ceremony when it takes place" Nick looked at Kian who was way ahead of us to make sure he wasn't listening before continuing.

"How much does he know right now?"

"Not much, I just told him that we found out a secret involving Eleanor and that she didn't what people to find out, but after seeing you I know that he is skeptical of us and the secret we know."

"What about the other's?" he whispered.

"They're safe. I briefly mind linked Colleen and she told me that she had a plan and that we needed to be prepared but I don't know what is happening."

Before Nick could continue Kian stopped walking and turned to us.

"It seems this door leads us to some of my pack's dorms. We should try find an empty room for you two to stay in for the mean while." I nodded in agreement and we followed him.

Luckily we found an empty room a few minutes later and decided to crash there for now. Nick's wounds were starting to heal now thankfully and I could feel him walking better now and not as much limping but he still had his arm around me protectively rather than him needing me.

"Nick you should wash up, you still have dry blood on you. There is a bathroom here, you go wash off so I can have a look at your wounds." Nick looked at me hesitantly and then at Kian. He still didn't trust him. I gave him a look that said please-do-as- i-say and he reluctantly listened to me as he walked to the bathroom.

When he closed the door behind him Kian started, "Your boyfriend sure is protective over you and incredibly stubborn." he stated in a matter of fact tone.

"He's not my boyfriend, we're just...close friends" I said not sure how to describe Nick and I's relationship without mentioning True Luna and protector. There was a flicker of some kind of emotion that I caught in Kian's eyes but it quickly disappeared.

"You know, I am now certain there is something different about you, which you are not telling me about. First I find you caught up in some weird vampire fight and you seem to move and fight differently compared to others werewolves I've seen, then I find you trapped in the dungeons, and then I see you rip silver chains off the wall as if their nothing without showing pain from the silver?" his eyes zero'd down on me while I looked up at him not knowing what to say. My jaw clenched as I looked away.

His voice dropped a notch. "You need to tell me what is really going on here Lara so I can understand." his voice was softer, kinder and it was so inviting. I hadn't realised he was so close to me now, I had to resist the urge to grab him. Now I new why Jade found him so attractive. I saw his left hand move slowly, hesitantly towards my cheek as he stepped closer.

"Are you the one I've been looking for?" he muttered so softly and quietly, I almost, almost didn't hear him. I looked up at him confused now. His eyes seemed determined now as if he was trying to find something out. He looked almost vulnerable.

I could feel his hot breath against my face making my pulse race and sending goose bumps up my arm. What is happening? What is he doing? Get a hold of yourself Lara!

Suddenly before his hand was able to make contact with my skin I was snapped out of my 'trance' by the sound of someone knocking on the door a few meters away. We turned to the door, both caught off guard and pulled back to reality.

"Kian are you in here?" Sabrina's voice called out from the other side. The door knob rattled but thankfully it was locked. We both looked at each other not knowing what to do.

"I know you're in here, I can smell your scent."

"Yeah, uh- I'm coming, just a sec, I-I'm getting changed, don't want see me naked." He said making up an excuse. Sabrina giggled flirtatiously.

"Well I'm sure that's not a problem since we'll be mated soon and get to see plenty of each other."

I mentally gagged. Ugghhh so gross.

Kian's gaze flickered between me and the door. He had this strange expression on his face, it seemed apologetic. This only made me feel mad.

Then he mouthed "I'll distract her."

I mouth to him that I was going to go to the bathroom to hide and without looking back at him I quickly tipped toed towards the bathroom. Just as I closed the door behind me, I glanced at sideways at him. He seemed as if he was fighting an urge, but then I watched as he walked towards the door, and I closed the bathroom door behind me leaning against it.

Nick had a towel wrapped around his waist, seeming to just finished washing off. He look to be in much better condition and the dried blood was gone. I quickly held my finger to my mouth to shush him. He looked at me confusedly, but then we both where silent as Sabrina's voice could be heard from the bedroom room.

"Oh Kian, I've been looking all over for you. What have you been doing? You know how important today is for me." She said, and I could imagine the pouty look on her face as she wrapped he arms around his neck.

"Sorry I've just been busy. I went out for a jog to clear my head and just got back. I was about to have a shower but then you came."

"Oh, why didn't you use your bathroom in your room?" she asked confused

"Well, uh- you see it- um.. well the hot water ran out... and all the other bathrooms where being used so I found this empty room and decided to use this bathroom." He said. I could picture him probably scratching the back of his head as he tried to come up with a lie

"Oh silly, you should have told me. We could have gotten it fixed for you." She laughed.

"You can use my bathroom then, it's much better and bigger than this one. Come on! Can't have you all sweaty before the ceremony." I could already picture her dragging Kian away.

The bedroom door closed and I heard their voices fade away. I let out a sigh of relief as I closed my eyes and leaned against the wooden door. Oh thank god she is gone.

However for some reason I felt uncomfortable knowing he was with her.

Stupid Kian. Stupid Sabrina.

And what was all of that earlier. It felt like I was in a strange trance.

His strange words echoed in my mind "Are you the one I've been searching for?"

Who was he trying to search for. A girl?

Maybe his mate? But I knew it wasn't me. I wasn't his mate. Colleen had already explained how True Luna's don't get blessed with mates, so it couldn't be me.

I felt a tinge if sadness knowing there was probably some other girl he was looking for. Ever since I was little I dreamed of having that one person, my mate, in my life and so I couldn't wait to turn 18. I use to believe it was Nick because we were so bonded, like no one else. So in love. Every time he was gone I missed him, it felt like a whole in my heart. But now that I think of it, it could of been the protector bond not a mate bond.

I guess I was jealous of that love. That soul mate love.

Colleen had said that past True Luna's normally always ended up falling in love with their protector's. So maybe in the end I was destined to be with Nick.

As I opened my eyes to look at him standing before me with, I couldn't help but smile to my self internally and admire him. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad.

He was so handsome as he stood there, his tan skin glistening in the light as droplets of water rolled of his lean body. His hair was still damp and all messy. I also noted his healed injuries. His torso had nearly completely healed, his busted lip was gone and the bruise on his eyes was still there but it looked much better. Barely visible.