Haven't Seen The Light In A While

Chapter Sixteen

Song: Giving in To The Love by AURORA

Sam POV

"Alright, let's gather the pack in the dining hall and take a head count of everyone," I said to Vince and Rory while cleaning up the mess left behind in my bedroom.

"Got it, Alpha," Vince nodded. He quickly returned to being stern after the intimate moment we had shared on his bed. He will come around, or maybe he won't? Time will only tell. Vince pulls out his phone and sends a mass text to all our pack members to meet in the dining hall. He then hurries off down the stairs. I let out a long sigh as I finished remaking the bed. Rory still stands in the doorway.

"Sam, I'm worried about when Mel returns. He was getting so comfortable here, and now this," Rory motions to the other half of the still trashed room, "has ruined his progress here."

"I know." I pause, thinking for a moment. "When we save him, we will accompany him at all times," Rory says nothing for a bit; instead, he watches me continue cleaning up.

"I mean this in no disrespectful way because you are still my Alpha, but you seem very calm about all of this," Rory questioned my level-headed demeanor. I set the couch upright and placed the pillows back on it. After tidying up the remaining items scattered around the room, I spoke again.

"Questioning someone in a position of power shows that you care about the pack and the well-being of others. I would never consider it disrespectful, my love." I walk to him and embrace him, resting my chin on his head. "I am feeling distraught with myself. I should have been there to protect him," I say as I rub my hands down his back in a comforting manner.

"Then we shouldn't waste another minute. Let's go and speak with the pack," Rory said as he let go of me and stepped out of the room, leaving me trailing behind him.

Mel's POV

I feel like this is the most intense pain I've ever experienced. It's like I've been enduring a beating for centuries. One hit after another: to my face, arms, and legs. Cyrus is punching anywhere he can reach. Aremus shared his ultimate goal with me. He wants to destroy me so my mates will reject me, and he may have me for himself. His goon continued to assault me, leaving bruises on my body. I have shed many tears in the past couple of hours, as it seems to be the only thing I can do. My arms and legs are bound to a chair. I'm blindfolded and gagged; I feel helpless. I know Sam and the others will come to get me soon. Or at least I hope they are.

"I'm bored. You aren't making noise anymore when I hit you. I'll be back later." I hear Cyrus' boots stomp away from me, and a door unlocks, then locks again. Luckily, Aremus left a while ago and didn't do much more to me other than play with my junk. I wanted to sigh in relief, but I couldn't. Since my sense of hearing was now the only one I could rely on, I tried to focus on the sounds around me to pass the time. I focused on the voices outside the room, trying to discern any words.

"They kidnapped him and brought him back here."

"Does that mean there is no hope for us?"

"Is his Alpha mate going to come get us?"

"I don't know."

"Poor Mel."

"Hey guys! Don't give up hope! Mel would want us to be hopeful!"

I recognize those voices. They belong to the pups I used to care for in the cell. I have missed them. I hope they can come with me this time when I leave. I could tell my suppressants had lost their effect, and I was due for another dose because I felt my strength coming back. Not that I had much to start with, but I managed to move my fingers and attempt to untie the ropes. I struggle to loosen anything; suddenly, I hear heavy boots approaching the door. I froze, not moving, hoping they would pass by instead of coming in. Unfortunately, that wasn't my luck. I hear the lock click, and a gust of air hits me as the door swings open. The thud of the boots continues its way towards me. The hairs on my neck stand up when the person finally speaks into my ear.