Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 30 Kidnapping

Mom is sitting up now, leaning against my side with comforting warmth though I’m not sure if this was her intention, or if she’s simply too weak to hold herself upright. “You helped dad lead the pack for 30 years,” My hand dwarfs hers as I squeeze her bony fingers. “You have experience and insight I don’t. Please say you’ll help me.”

The limp hand beneath mine twitches, then slowly turns over to return my squeeze. “I know what you’re doing.” She scolds without conviction. Smiling tremulously, she adds, “What kind of mother would I be if I refused you?”

“A very, very bad one.” I tease.

A noise somewhere between a hiccup and a sob escapes her lips, “Of course I’ll help you.”

It seems no matter how small the victory, none can stand in this horrible new world order. No sooner had leased my immediate concerns for my mother’s state of mind, than a new disaster unfolded. I was on my way back to my office from mom’s bedroom, when Aiden’s voice burst to life in my head. We have a problem.

Stopping in my tracks, I braced myself for the inevitable. Tell me.

A patrolling enforcer found Arabella’s car abandoned down by the lake. He relayed. The scene appears to indicate foul play. All her belongings were still there, the doors open and signs of a struggle blood on the seat.

internally, my heart

now. Aiden answers. By the marina. We’re not going to be

I’m on my way.

sequestering her and mom in a secure room with four of my most trusted guards. The emergency plan has been in place since the morning after my father died. I was prepared for another attack on

to reach: she doesn’t live at the pack house and doesn’t have a standing guard, and everyone

bad enough that I killed my best friend, now I’m going to have his baby sister’s murder

hope I’m not

sight of yellow caution tape and evidence markers is

like the site of a bar room brawl, Arabella’s apartment seems completely untouched. Her furniture is upright and her belongings tidy, all surfaces

place?” One of the

in a long time, I don’t think

but he doesn’t share his thoughts. Not having any patience for

instantly, shrinking

“Then what?” I demand.