His Savior

Face to Face

~Laslo~

               My anger is taking over, and I can feel Zahara's breath leave her. I could snap her neck right now and end her life. A part of me would be satisfied if I were to do so, but the bigger part of me needs her by my side.

               I use my free hand and stroke Zahara's face while I squeeze tighter with my other hand. I feel Zahara's body go limp in my hand, and I let her fall to the floor. A warrior walks up to us and injects Zahara as she lies on the ground. Another warrior is carrying Nona's limp body down the hallway.

               This is not how I wanted things to go. I definitely didn't think that I would be found. They were smart enough to fly drones over my territory, and I feel stupid not considering that to be a possibility. I follow the warriors out of the cabin and make our way across the forest.

               "Did you get the two that the elders left?"

               "Yes, sir, they are en route as well." I acknowledge and watch my group head out to my other safe place. I send word to my mother so she can handle things when she gets up. I walk back into the cabin and take a seat on the couch. It's time to wait.

~Zahara~

               I feel myself floating. The last thing I remember is that I had Laslo's hand around my throat. I wanted him to kill me, but I had a feeling that I wasn't that lucky. I have to find a way to get back to Cory, no matter what it takes.

               I think about my last interaction with Laslo and how delusional he sounds. I'm not sure what happened to him or why his wolf hasn't corrected him by now. His wolf should want no one more than he wants his mate. There is clearly something wrong.

               I remember Laslo's hand around my throat, squeezing it tighter and tighter. He even used his other hand to stroke my face....... Holy shit! Something strikes me as familiar. When Laslo stroked my face, something on his hand felt familiar. I think back and try to recall my memories from long ago.

               I'm thrown onto a hard surface, and pain radiates through my body. I can feel my wrists and ankles get tied up, but I remain still, so they don't know I'm aware of my surroundings. After a while, I can feel myself moving forward. There are moments of me bouncing up and down. I'd imagine I'm in the back of some vehicle. I wonder where they are taking me now.

~Cory~

               The gathered footage showed a lone cabin on the outer edge of the Wild Tail Pack border. There are a few men standing around the cabin, but nothing else can be seen. The cabin is far enough away from the rest of the pack that it can't be detected randomly. The footage shows heat signatures inside the cabin, and I have to guess that's where Zahara is.

              Lennox gathered some warriors, and we set out to the cabin under cover of night. It is early morning, but still dark outside. We travel along the border of the neutral territory, not wanting to tip off Laslo that we are coming too early. We stop when we see the cabin come into view.

I will lead us to the cabin. Follow me closely.

               I let Sylas make his way to the cabin, and then he gives me back control. I shift into my human form and walk up the stairs to the front door. The door stands open a bit, so I push it the rest of the way and listen to the area around me. I don't hear anything, so I continue into the cabin. I can see a faint light glowing in front of me, so I follow it. I walk into a living room that has a big T.V. on the wall. There is a bookshelf filled with books, a coffee table, a long couch, and an armchair.

               I get closer to the furniture and notice the armchair isn't empty. "You're too late. I already moved her." I let a low growl escape my lips and halt my steps. "Well, I would say that it's nice to see you again, but why lie?"

               "Where is she, Laslo?" He chuckles but doesn't move.

               "Now, why would I make it easy for you and tell you where she is? I much rather make you work for it." I run to the back of the armchair and throw my arm around the front, pinning Laslo to the chair with my arm wrapped around his neck.

               "I suggest you tell me where she is, or you will lose your life."

              "P...pl....please.....g...g...go....a...ah....a....ead....a....n.....d.....k....k....k...kill.....m..me. Y....y.....you w...h...i...ll n....n....ev....ver.....f....f.....f.....f.....ind.....d......d....der" Laslo struggles to speak, and it pleases me to no end, but he's right. If I were to kill him, I will never find Zahara.

               I tighten my hold on his neck, then kick the back of the chair with so much force that it goes flying into the wall. Laslo smashes up against the wall and cries out as he crumples onto the floor. He gets on his hands and knees, coughing and laughing. "You are still so we.....weak and pathetic. You could never do what needs to be done. You should give Zahara to me and save yourself the embarrassment."

               I can feel Sylas itching to take over, and I can't say I blame him. I stalk toward Laslo while he struggles to get to his feet. He picks his head up and looks me in my eyes. "Let's take care of this one and for all. We can do this here and now."

               "Why do that when I clearly have the upper hand? We agreed to a challenge already. Let's have it two days from now. Or we can spare people the pain of you dying, and you can reject Zahara now. I will take her off your hands with no questions."

               My anger gets the better, and I send my fist into Laslo's jaw. His knee hits the ground, and he reaches for his face. I step toward Laslo but stop short of hitting him again. Laslo looks up at me with laughter in his eyes. "I want my mate, and I want her now."

               Laslo struggles to his feet. He walks backward slowly and finds himself in front of an open back door. "I will see you in two days," Laslo says, then he shifts into his wolf and jumps through the back door, running into the woods.