HUNTER:

We made it back to the mansion and I headed straight to my office where, of course, Layna was waiting for me.

"What the hell is going on? Where have you been?"

"Arianna escaped with Mark."

"Her bodyguard?"

"Yes.."

She smiled really big.

"This is great news!"

"What?"

"She's gone. We can really be mates now."

"You're delusional."

"What?"

"Layna...I don't want you. Not as my mate or my lover. I'm through with you. Get out. Pack your shit and get out."

"You can't be serious. After everything I've done for you! After all we've been through. I left my family for you! All my friends! I rejected my own mate for you!"

"That was your choice. Not mine. Now you can get out."

"You asshole!"

"I know...now I need to change."

"You'll never change Hunter.. You are a monster."

"We shall see."

She stormed out and brushed past Zander. He stumbled into my office.

"I don't want to know. We found out where the train was headed. It's going into the Eastern Territories with food and supplies."

"There are a lot of rogue packs there."

"Yes…"

"It's a start. We will find her and bring her back home."

"Then what Hunter?"

I sighed and slumped in my chair.

"I have to find a way to make things right. I really fucked up."

"Yes you did."

"Everything is such a mess."

"Yes it is."

"Thanks for your help."

"That's why I'm here."

"Asshole."

"No...that's you."

"You're right."

"Alright...enough with feeling sorry for yourself. We gotta find Arianna before Mark decides to mark her."

"You're right. Let's find my mate."

I instructed Zander to dispatch patrols throughout the Eastern territories. Finding her will be difficult, especially if she is hiding with rogues. I won't give up. Once I have her back, I will prove myself to her and earn her trust.

Arianna:

I woke to the sound of rustling nearby. I bolted up to find Mark making a small fire.

"Sorry to wake you. You looked so tired."

"That's okay."

"Since we ate all the food last night, I managed to catch a few fish. It's not a lot, but it should be enough until we find the nearest town."

"Thanks. I'm gonna go freshen up a bit."

"There's some spare clothes if you want to change."

"Thank you."

I grabbed the clothes and headed to the stream. I saw my reflection in the water.

"Yikes…"

Ari...I don't like this.

What do you mean?

It's not too late to go back .

Are you serious? To that monster?

Well…

Eva..please stop.

Ari...something is off about Mark. I know you care for him but I felt no connection to his wolf.

Nothing at all?

No...nothing from his end...like...he was being forced to be with us.

I don't understand.

Me neither. Just be careful Ari. Something is not right.

MARK:

I watched Ari walk away and sighed.

What am I doing?

That's what I want to know.

Not now Dean.

You don't love her. Don't do this.

I have to. He deserves it.

By hurting Arianna? She is innocent.

There are sacrifices in every war.

Awful excuse.

What do you expect me to do?

Tell her the truth and let her go.

I can't. We need her.

The cabin we found last night was not so random. It belongs to a friend of mine. When I arrived there, I contacted him that I had Arianna and would be headed to the campground today. Ari has no clue what is being planned for Alpha Hunter. We will have our revenge.

Arianna:

I managed to clean up a bit and change clothes. When I made my way back to Mark, the fish were ready. We ate in silence and I pondered over Eva's words.

"Mark? You okay?"

"Oh...yeah..just thinking. Are you done?"

"Yes."

"We should head out. I want to find the camp by nightfall."

"Sure."

We packed up and followed the stream until we came to a small town. Mark fumbled in his backpack and handed me some money.

"It's better if we're not seen together. Go buy some new clothes and maybe change your hair."

"My hair?"

"So you're not recognized. We'll meet back here in 2 hours. Be careful."

He walked away from me. Didn't even kiss me. Maybe he did that to not attract attention.

Or he doesn't really love us.

What do you say to that? I decided to play along for now, but Eva is right. Something is up. I just don't know what. I headed into the nearest store. The salesperson looked up when I came in but didn't bat an eyelash. She looked back down at the magazine she was reading. I picked out some more appropriate clothes to wear, along with a spare set and a backpack to put them in. After paying, I asked to use the bathroom to change. She handed me a key and I changed into the new clothes, brushed my hair and packed everything in my bag. A few doors down, I found a hair salon. The sign in the window said 'CUT AND COLOR-$35'. Mark said to change my hair so I went inside and talked to the hairstylist. After 45 minutes, I traded my long brown hair, for shoulder length black hair. It was the easiest transition besides bleaching and I was afraid it would stand out too much. After that, I stopped and got some snacks to eat on the way to the campground, and a sandwich for lunch. That was the last of the cash Mark gave me. I went back to the spot we said to meet and waited for him. He came back 15 minutes later with new clothes and a fresh haircut.

"I like the hair. Why black?"

"It was the easiest to do."

"Let's head out."

Once again, Mark didn't kiss me. The kindness and love he showed me just yesterday was suddenly gone. I followed him through the woods for an hour before I decided to stop him.

"Alright...that's enough."

"Huh? Come on Ari...we need to…"

"No! I want some answers before I move another foot."

"What is it?"

"Everyday we've been together, you have been sweet and loving. Today, you're so cold. You've barely spoken one word and won't look me in the eye. What's going on? Eva is having some major doubts about you."

"Ari...I'm sorry. I just want to get you safe."

He walked over to me and took me in his arms.

"I'm sorry...I do love you Ari."

But his hug felt stiff. Like somebody was forcing him to do it. Something still was not right.

"Once we're at the camp, we can relax and be together. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Let's go."

I agreed only to find out what was happening. He still did not kiss me, or my head. He always kisses my head. We set off again, stopped for a late lunch, then just before nightfall, found a small camp that was set deep into the woods. A couple of men ran toward us.

"My name is Mark. I am friends with Nigel."

"Who's the girl?"

"Arianna Freeman."

"Follow us."

They take us into an old army tent where another man is sitting at a tiny table.

"Nigel? A Mark and Arianna to see you."

The man looked up at us and smiled big. He had a large scar over his right eye, like someone clawed at his face.

"Mark! I knew you'd make it!"

He came over and embraced Mark. They hugged and slapped backs. Nigel looked over at me.

"So...you're Arianna?"

"Yes."

"Good. Guards! Take her!"

"What?"

Mark stepped back while two men grabbed me and took my backpack away..

"Mark! What's going on!"

"I'm sorry Ari...I really am."

Nigel chuckled and slapped Mark on the back.

"Sorry sweetie...you're our bait now."

"What are you talking about?"

"We're going to use you as bait to get to the Alpha. You see...his father attacked our pack. Killed many innocent women and children. Mark's been our little spy. He did a great job. When we found out the Alpha found his mate, it was the perfect opportunity. We're going to use you to take Alpha Hunter's pack away from him."

"It won't work. He hates me. Mark will tell you. He beat me several times and kept me locked up in my cottage."

"Really? While attending college and having a weekly allowance? You poor thing. I don't think he hated you at all. Especially since Mark told me about the numerous times he stood outside your bedroom window while you slept. Whispering how much he actually loved you."

"What?"

By the look on Mark's face, I knew it was true.

"You played me this whole time?"

"Sorry Ari...we needed you to trust me."

"You bastard!"

I lunged for him but the guards held me back.

"Tsk, tsk little one. Behave or we'll have to punish you. Take her to the shed. I want two guards posted outside at all times."

"Yes, sir."

They drug me off and to a small shed. They pushed me inside and locked the door. Inside was just a small cot with a blanket and a small window. Too small to escape from. Ten minutes later, one of the guards tossed me back my backpack.

"You can have this back."

He closed and locked the door again. Leaving me alone with just Eva.

Now what?

I don't know.