Luna Elena told her she is the trouble. Camilla left.
I fell on the ground and cried. Daniel and Kyle helped me. Kyle said she will never hurt me again. He said he will protect me.
I said I am not his. But I had no strength.
Kyle said he will wait for me. Luna Elena took me back home. Yes, home. Maybe this place is home now.
Later, Daniel came with papers. He said he found something I must know. He said the bad men worked with a bad doctor. This doctor steals babies from she-wolves and sells them.
My heart stopped. Daniel said he found papers with my name. He said I had babies. Two babies. Twins. A boy and a girl. Two years ago.
I said that is not true. But then I remembered a time I felt sick. My mother took me to a doctor. Then I forgot everything. The doctor stole my babies. My mother knew.
I cried hard. My babies are alive. They were sold to a family named Henderson.
I said I want my children back. Daniel said he will help me.
Kyle came in. He was angry. Then he was shocked. Then he said we will get the babies back together. He said my children are his children too. He said he will help me fight.
I looked at him. He really cared. I said okay. Together.
That night I did not sleep. I thought of my babies. My wolf said we will bring them home. She said we will fight.
Yes, I said. We will fight for them.
I am a mother. And no one will stop me from getting my children back.
No one.
I did not sleep that night. How can I sleep? Anytime I closed my eyes, I saw them. Two small faces. My children. The babies I did not hold. The babies I did not even know I had.
Morning came, and I was already awake and dressed. Daniel said we will start the search today. I was not ready to waste even one minute.
Someone knocked. It was Kyle. He also looked tired. Like he did not sleep too.
Good morning, he said slowly. Are you ready?
I have been ready since yesterday, I said. Where is Daniel?
Downstairs, Kyle said. He is gathering information. Maps. Contacts. Everything we need. He walked inside my room. Ariana, before we start, I want to ask you something.
What?
Are you sure you want this? Looking for your children means we are fighting Adrian Collins. He is dangerous. Very dangerous. He has power. Money. People who can kill for him.
I don't care, I said. My voice was strong. Those are my children. Someone took them. I will get them back even if I die.
Kyle looked at me for a long time. Then he nodded. Good. Because I am going with you. Every step.
Why? I asked. Why do you care? You don't know me.
Because you are my mate, he said. And because those children are yours, so they are important to me too. And I know how it feels to lose someone. My younger sister was taken by rogues when I was sixteen. We never found her. I will not allow that to happen to your children.
My heart became soft a little. Kyle was not only an arrogant Alpha's son. He also had pain. He understood loss.
Thank you, I said quietly. Thank you for helping me.
You don't need to thank me, Kyle said. Mates help each other.
That word again. Mate. It still made me feel strange. But right now, I needed all the help I could get, so I did not complain.
We went downstairs. On the big dining table, Daniel placed many papers and maps. Alpha Marcus and Luna Elena were also there. Their faces looked serious.
Ariana. Kyle. Good morning, Alpha Marcus said. Daniel told us everything.
What did you find? I asked as I rushed to the table.
Daniel pointed at a map. Adrian Collins works from here. Eclipse Falls. It is a small town, about three hours from here. He has a clinic there. It looks like a normal clinic on the outside. They say he helps she-wolves with pregnancy problems. But he drugs them. He steals their babies. He sells the babies to families who want children.
How many babies? Luna Elena asked, anger in her voice.
At least thirty in five years, Daniel said. Maybe more. Some files are gone.
Thirty babies. Thirty mothers crying. My stomach hurt.
Where are my children? I asked. You said they were sold to the Hendersons?
Yes, Daniel said, showing another document. William and Catherine Henderson in Silver Ridge Pack. They paid a lot of money for your twins. They think the babies were orphans. They don't know the truth.
Then we will tell them, I said. We will go and take my children.
Alpha Marcus shook his head. It is not that easy, Ariana. They believe the children are legally theirs. They have papers. Fake papers, but they don't know. If we just go there and demand them, a pack war may start.
I don't care about war, I shouted. They are my babies!
Ariana, Luna Elena said softly, touching my shoulder. We understand. But we must be wise. If we move too fast, Adrian will run away. He will hide every proof. He will continue hurting mothers. We must bring him down the right way.
She is right, Daniel said. The Council of Alphas are already working on this. But they need proof. They need mothers to testify.
I will testify, I said. I will say everything.
You are important, Alpha Marcus said. But you were drugged. You don't remember anything. A clever lawyer can destroy your testimony.
Then what will we do? I asked, feeling angry. Just wait? While my children are with strangers?
No, Kyle said strongly. We gather proof. We find other mothers. We build a strong case. And then we end Adrian.
I looked at them. They wanted to help. They wanted to do it right. But my children were far from me.
How long? I asked, scared. How long must I wait?
I don't know, Daniel said. Maybe weeks. Maybe months.
Months. The word broke me.
I cannot wait months, I whispered. I need to see them. Even if I can't take them yet, I need to see them. I need to know they are fine.
Luna Elena looked at Alpha Marcus. They shared a silent look.
There is a gathering next week, Alpha Marcus said. All packs will come. And Silver Ridge will come too. Maybe the Hendersons will bring the children.
Hope jumped inside me.
So… I see them? I asked slowly. My babies?
Maybe, Alpha Marcus said. But you must be careful. You cannot tell them anything yet. It will cause big problems.
I understand, I said quickly. I just want to see them.
You will come with us, Luna Elena said with a soft smile. And I will make sure you get close.
Tears filled my eyes. Thank you. Thank you so much.