Chapter 55- You're Safe Now

Hayden's POV

Stupid wolves.

Lame excuses for our wolf kind.

You wanna know what Alpha Carlos did after I lunged at him? He stepped away and ran like a big baby with his tail in between his paws. If I didn't have to go looking or Zara, I would have followed him and tore him limp from limp. I growled then turned to the guys, when I noticed I was the only one who had shifted.

'Guys, we're gonna have to search the entire area because her scent is strong around there part. Find anything, report it immediately,' I told them through our mind link. They nodded as they ripped their clothes of, the girls going behind a tree to shift.

We ran for quite a while, all of us hoping that we could come across a scent. We were searching endlessly for something. Some kind of hint. Earlier, Abigale suggested that we could have followed Carlos but I just growled at her. Now, it seems like a pretty good idea.

'Yo, Hayden I think I picked up her scent. It’s recent too,' James said. He isn't my beta for nothing. I quickly ran up to him and sniffed the air. I barked out to him, giving confirmation.

'We need to get in that house. It looks...' I said but I trailed off, my wolf feeling on edge.

She's here, he told me.

'Alright guys, we're going in. I can fee her wolf in here. Let's go,'

The old house was full in sight now. The building itself looked run down, like no one has been in it for years. Painted in red and white, the little house screamed 'No One Is Here'. If it wasn't for the current situation, I would ask who used to live here and what happened to them. Anyway, back to...this...problem.

'Guys, she's here. So, here's what we're going to do,' I said, 'I'll, you go in from the back and I'll take out as much as I can. Conner, the same but you'll be entering from the front door. James, you go in through the side window...or broken window if you will.'

'Got it, but what about the girls?' Conner asked.

'Take them with you. I don't want to say leave them here, and they get kidnapped or something. We all meet in the living room as soon as possible.' I watched as James and Lilly went around back, James keeping a keen eye on Lilly while Conner went straight up to the front, Abigale following behind him. I walked to the other side of the building where I saw the broken window from before. I heard a noise from the other side of the house, so I'm assuming that James has already made his 'dramatic entrance'.

I sniffed around, keeping my guard up as I made my way to the back. It seems as if most the men went to report to Carlos on his land. I turned the corner of the house and heard growling. I quickly jumped forward while twisting my wolf form in the air, coming to stare at my opponent...or opponents. Two brown wolves now stood in front of me growling and snarling. I stood my ground and growled loudly, allowing them to sense a full Alpha in their presence. Seems like they didn't care because they continued to snarl. One lunged at me and I used all the force in my head to throw him off. He flew about ten feet from us, hitting his head in the process. I turned to the other wolf and swiftly went for the instant kill...the neck. I tore at it until blood started rushing from the tear. He didn't have time to get up, I ripped his neck wider. He died instantly.

I spun around to face the other wolf, how seemed to be distracted by his friend's death. Looking at me with anger in his eyes, he lunged. Careless. As soon as he was directly in front of me, I grabbed his neck by my sharp teeth and tore him piece by piece. I allowed my wolf's anger to destroy them both.

Entering the house, my paws making a creak sound bounce off the walls. I walked through an old kitchen, at lest that's what it looked like. Walking cautiously around the space, I saw nothing but old furniture. Seconds later, I emerged from the kitchen and going towards the living room. The guys were already there, on their paws ready for an attack.

'There were three wolves around the side. They looked like they were guarding the window,' James stated through our link. I turned to Conner while he told of his encounter.

'Two wolves were in the front room by the front door, other than that...nothing. We both came straight here,' he said.

'Well we need to find out which room Zara is in,' I told them.

'It could be any one of these. It looks like the entire house has about five rooms, not including the basement,' James said.

'Well, that should be easy. There are exactly six of us,' I said.

'No, Hayden, I don't want Lilly to be by herself---' James said but I interrupted him.

'It's just a few rooms away, James,'

'No, I---' this time, he was interrupted by a growl from the front door. The dark brown wolf stood proudly and, if you were only seeing him now, you wouldn't have know that he was the one who ran away from us earlier.

My ears caught the racketing of chains from somewhere, I don't know whether it was the last room or the basement. I inhaled, just in case I would smell her glorious scent.

And I did.

Pretty faint, but it was there.

I growled angrily at Carlos standing in front of us. He was foolish. He shouldn't have come here alone. With Conner to my right, James at my left, he will definitely die today. Right here, right now. I debated to myself on whether to let him run free again, but after what he's done to Lilly I doubt James would.

See, I have a heart at times.

I really wanted to go see Zara though. My wolf was trying to connect with her as best as possible, but the connection wasn't strong enough.

'Guys, Zara is---'

'Go find Zara, I'll take care of this lowlife,' James said with a growl in Carlos' direction. Without taking my eyes off Carlos, I linked back James.

'Are you guys sure?'

'Positive,' James said as he got into an attack stance, 'He won't be leaving this room alive, trust me.' Giving it a few more seconds, I jumped away and ran as fast I could down the hall. I checked the last room and saw nothing but blood. Thank God it wasn't Zara's. I tried again to connect. We should have some sort of connection, right?

'You rejected her, remember,' my wolf snarled at me.

'But you should be able to sense her wolf,' I responded, 'please, I need her in my arms.' I sniffed the air once again. I know she's here. I just know it. I ran towards the basement, the unsteady board creaking under my paws. The stairway was completely dark; there was no light source. I knocked the door open...and there she was.

Oh God.

I walked up to her and nuzzled my snout in her palm. Licking it twice, I shifted just to gaze on her. I finally found her. After two months of searching, I finally found her. My gaze rose on the chain wrapped around her wrist, involuntarily I let out a growl. How dare they chain my mate! My hand grabbed in and I tugged it off the wall bearing the pain and the bruises that came with it. I lifted her up and sat her across my lap. There were cuts and bruised all over her.

What have they done to you?

I growled at the thought. I will kill all of them! I swear, no one will ever lay another hand on her. I ran my hand over her cheek, wiping some of the dirt off her.

"Ahh, so this is the famous Hayden Pierce,"

James' POV

'Conner, take Lilly and Abigale out of here,' I said to Conner telepathically, not taking my eyes off Carlos. He won't be leaving here alive. I guarantee it. They all backed away little by little, Lilly whispering to be careful in my thoughts.

I lunged. Caught him right in the side of his neck but he pushed me off with his paw. Growling, I stood up again, lunging again. We both collided as he tried to grab for my neck. Failed attempt, I would tell him if we had any form of communication.

I was putting all my hatred out. He should get what he deserved. Especially for what he did to Lilly, to other women, to his entire pack. He was a lame excuse for an Alpha... pathetic doesn't quite cut how I want to describe him right now. He got the upper hand, but only for a second before I knocked him over and was standing on all fours over him.

Its over.

Grabbing him by the left paw, I ripped it out of socket. He howled in pain, his wolf form shifting before me. I growled in his tear stained face, surely not feeling sorry for him. I was going to torture him, he deserved it. My sharp teeth found its way to his side slowly and painfully cutting at his skin. Blood poured out but I wasn't finished. This was all for Lilly, I had to make sure he died slowly and painfully.

"Please, stop, please," he pleaded. He could plead all he wanted, it wouldn't change what he and his 'family' did to Lilly. Now she was scarred for life. All because of this pathetic excuse for a human being...a sad excuse for the werewolf kind.

I grabbed for his neck, tearing away the base of his neck. His groans of pain and agony slowly silenced as I tore his throat. I left him slightly alive. Only to watch him drown himself in his own blood. Shifting back, I held the brim of his nose forcing him to breathe through his throat. He tried to fight back but he was too weak.

Died in seconds.

"Enjoy hell," I whispered to the dead man. I stood up and walked around looking for anything else here. Where the hell was Hayden?

A creak alerted my ears and I saw a corner door open from a few feet away. Hayden's brown hair came into view with a blonde haired Zara in his arms.

"You found her," I stated as I smiled.

"Yeah," he said then looked down at her, "let's get the hell out of here. Everything is finished."

Zara's POV

I was sitting in a garden. Don't ask how I got here, because I don't even know. Looking down I noticed I was in a white dress. Was I dead? Was I in heaven? I always wondered how this place would look. The sight before me was beautiful...breath-taking.

"Zara," a voice called out to me. Spinning around, I saw someone who I never thought I would see again. Tears gathered in my eyes at the sight of her.

"Mom," I croaked out and ran towards her.

"Hi sweetie," she greeted wrapping her arms around me. She looked exactly the same. Same hair, same eyes. Everything was the same as the pictures. She was beautiful, "I'm glad you remember me, baby."

"I will always remember you, Mom,"

She smiled, "Come here sweetie, I have something to tell you." Leading me towards the stone-made seats, we sat down and she pointed to the left. What was she pointing at? Suddenly a vivid image came into view. There stood everyone shouting at each other. Hayden, James, Conner, Bryon, Natalya, Lucas, among a few others. Wait...is that Drake? What...my father is there too? What the hell is going on?

"Uh..." I uttered as I turned to my mom for some kind of explanation. She chuckled and rested her hand on the top of my head. I scowled at it then my eyes landed back on her.

"This is what is happening in your absence," she stated, "there is constant fighting between the leaders of the pack, the pain of your brother and Drake- even Hayden. He misses you like crazy- the death of Miley as well as---"

"Wait, Miley's dead?" I asked with a smile on my face. Serves her right...

My mom slapped my arm with a frown on her face, "Death isn't something to be joyful about child." I looked down under her heavy gaze and apologized. Well, what did she expect me to say about her death? We weren't exactly the best of friends. I couldn't believe Hayden still cared about me though. I miss him too...

"Yes, as I was saying," then she lifted her gaze form me and looked back on the view of everyone, "it seems like you were like the balance to that place, Zara. They're on the verge of tearing the place apart all because you're not there anymore."

"There anymore?" I asked, "Meaning, I'm not going back?"

"Zara, you have to understand---"

"Well, I don't want to understand, Mom. I really want to go back. I thought that's what always happens when there is this little conversation about. You know...to reflect on everything that has been happening then poof...I'd be back in my world."

"You sound like a child, Zara," she said then stood up, "I will miss you my beautiful Zara. You have so many questions about your parenthood, I believe but that will have to wait for another time."

"Wait...what?" I asked her, standing as well, "parenthood? Mom, what are you---"

"May you have a peaceful ending, the ending I wish I had," she said, "I love you Zara. Oh and give that boy Hayden another chance. That's the kind of love you only get once in a lifetime."

"I love you too, Mom, but what did you..." I trailed off when my sight started blurring. She turned her back and started walking away. I saw her take a glimpse back at me then everything went black.

Why is it that every time I wake up, I am in pain? I groaned as I tried to sit up but sparks ran through my body.

"Relax," a soothing voice whispered in my ear. I immediately opened my eyes, looking at the perfect face staring down at me.

"Hey beautiful," he greeted me with a smile on his face. I raised my hand and rested my palm on his cheek, then gave him a good slap in the face. His jaw tightened and I could see he was trying to ignore the pain.

"Well, I guess I deserve that," he muttered to himself. Then he turned back to look me dead in the eye, "Zara, I don't want to fight with you, especially after you nearly gave me a heart attack thinking you were dead. You heart beat stopped for a flat thirty seconds Zara! The entire house went quiet just sensing it. Then all of a sudden, it just started again. I don't know what the hell happened. And I---" but I interrupted him putting my finger on his lips.

"Uhh, Hayden,"

"Right, sorry," then he buried his head in the crook of my neck, "I'm just glad that you're ok. That you're safe."

"Are you okay?" I asked bringing his head up and rubbing the spot I slapped. He rolled his eyes at me.

"Other than the badass slap you just gave me and the fact that I have been in deep depression ever since this whole...thing between us happened," he said.

"More like over depression," I heard Lucas' voice at the door. He was leaning on the frame of the door while his arms were folded, "you should have seen him Zara, he was like a blob."

"Ain't that the truth,” James followed pushing Lucas on his way in, "he couldn't breathe without you Zara, he only had so much time to live!" I laughed looking over at Hayden, who only rolled his eyes at the pair.

"You know I really hate you," he said to James.

"Naah, you love me," then walked up and hugged me. Groaning, I patted him on the back.

"Careful," Hayden growled and pulled James away from me.

Karen came in next, telling me on the seriousness of my injuries caused by...Zaviah. I had a few stitches but thank goodness it wasn't anything serious. My wolf healed much more than Karen thought she would have. Soon enough, everyone else started filing in, telling me how much they missed me and how much the pack couldn't run because Hayden was a mess. We all had our laughs.

Hayden moved to get up but my hand caught his wrist.

"Where are you going?" I asked tiredly.

"Relax, I'll be right back," he said then kissed my forehead. When he walked out of the room, I looked back on Lilly and Natalya noticing that they were staring at me.

"What?"

"You guys made up?" Natalya asked.

"Well, I didn't exactly say everything was forgotten and forgiven but I don't want us to keep fighting all the time, especially since it now affects the pack on how he behaves,"

"Who are you and what have you done with Zara Ferrari?" Lilly asked humorously. I rolled my eyes at her.

"She's here alright," I stated.

"Well, you have to make him apologize," Nat insisted, "he can't just get away with what he did."

"He didn't just get away. He had a feel of firm hand across his cheek," I told them. Both girls flinched, involuntarily their hands went up to cup their cheek.

"Well other than that, he still need to fully---"

"Girls, our Alpha has requested for you to leave the room," Conner said when he opened the door.

"What?" I questioned.

He shrugged his shoulders, "his orders."

The place went silent and, from what I could tell, Lilly was having a mental discussion. I tried to get in with the conversation but I couldn’t. Either my wolf was too weak or my link with the pack had been removed. I was thinking something of the latter. Suddenly, Lilly squealed and grabbed Natalya's hand. Natalya questioned her but she had no time to get answers as Lilly closed the door behind her.

Ahh great...

I'm alone...

The door creaked opened and I looked up to see Hayden standing there. He changed his clothes, as he was now in a dress down casual blue shirt and a khaki shorts. He had one hand hidden behind his back and he stepped forward and closed the door.

"H--Hayden, what's going on?" I asked. He came closer to me then slowly lifted me up to look into his eyes.

"Zara," he mumbled. Then he kissed my forehead, my nose, both my cheeks, slowly moving down to my neck, "I'm so sorry."

"S--sorry?" I stuttered.

"I'm sorry for everything that I did to you. I know I'm a douche bag, I know I'm an ass but...I...I want us to try one last time,"

"Hayden, I..." then I trailed off. I knew what my answer was, but was it enough. I can't stand another heartbreak.

"Zara, I was a complete mess without you, the guys weren't joking. I was on the road of depression. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep..." he cleared his throat and closed his eyes, "Baby, when your heart stopped I thought that was my punishment for letting you go...letting you down the first time around. I'm not going to do that anymore, at least I will try not to. I just really want this to work; I want us to work,"

I looked down trying to not look into his eyes but he brought my chin up.

"Baby, I love you and I swear if you give me this one last chance I won't ever hurt you again," he said.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

I tried to breathe, tried to calm my heartbeat down.

"Hayden...what if you decide you don't want me anymore?" I silently asked, "what if it’s like Miley who could have given you everything you wanted? What if---"

"The only girl I want, now and forever, is you," he said, "no other girl can compare to who you are." I sighed and placed my hand on his chest.

"Hayden," I started, "if I say yes, if I decide to do this, you can't toy with my emotions like what you did before. It hasn't been just one or two times we've had problems...and I want this to work too, but that can't happen if we're fighting all the time."