Finding Her Mate

Chapter 40

Rhydian and Maddie immediately rush over to see a blazing fire wreaking havoc across the pack house. Rhydian says, "No!." Maddie says, "Rhydian, we need to try to put this fire out." Rhydian says, "right, we need water, sand... anything we can to-." Rhydian stops short, his eye-catching sight of something through the flames. Maddie turns to see him too almost hidden by the shadows of the night. Daniel smirks as Maddie notices someone by his side holding a torch with a victorious grin, Maddie instantly recognizes him as the person who started the fire. She is shocked saying, "Ash? Our doctor? Rhydian's closest ally?." Rhydian says disappointedly, "how could he?." Rhydian stares as the shock and hurt on his face brightens than the roaring flames. Maddie growls angrily thinking, 'I can't let them get away, not like this.' Maddie chases after them as Rhydian soon snaps out of his thoughts shouting, "WAIT! STOP! What, no! Maddie you will get hurt." Maddie bolts off alone through the woods at top speed, she feels the energy calling her from a nearby river urging her to go onward into the woods towards the target of your hunt. Maddie calls out, "DANIEL!! Get the hell back here! I will kill you; I will kill both of you." Daniel and Ash come there as Daniel says, "isn't that cute? The pup's inherited the same powers I have... too bad I am still better." His eyes change to a menacing red as Maddie says, "Daniel... I am nothing like you." Daniel says, "true, there are echoes, but as most, you're a pale imitation of me... still, even broken reflections have their uses." Ash emerges from the shadows next, his face illuminated by the torch he used to set fire to the pack house. Maddie says, "Ash... why? Why would you do something like this?." Ash replies, "why would I slum it with a false Alpha like Rhydian for as long as I have? I have always been loyal to Daniel; Maddie I would follow him to the death." Daniel says, "and for his service he will be richly rewarded." 

Maddie angrily glares at him as Daniel says, "breedmates should really learn to shut up and do as they are told!." Maddie says, "well, dickheads like you should really find a hole to die in." Daniel forces Maddie to kneel before Ash as she soon gets up saying, "Ash... you helped me... all those years ago... you helped me escape." Ash says, "I did that for me, not for you." Maddie wonders, 'what does he mean by that?.' Just when Ash lowers the torch towards her face, something crashes hard into Ash from behind causing the torch to fall to the ground. Rhydian says, "don't you fucking touch her!." Daniel says, "so good of you to join us, Rhydian, now it's a real party." Daniel and Ash back Rhydian up against the edge of the river and he sees he's clearly outnumbered. Rhydian says, "Maddie, the torch, get your revenge." Maddie picks up the torch and throws it at Ash who screams, "Agh!." Maddie says, "that's for my mate!." Ash runs away as Daniel says, "get back here, you coward it's just a bit of fire." Maddie notices Daniel's head turn and grabs Rhydian's hand saying, "come on! We need to get out of here, the pack house is still in danger." Both of them run through the woods not looking back; they both come back to see the estate still ablaze, and a few people have made it outside. Maddie turns to Rhydian saying, "you came after me, even knowing not everyone here was safe." 

Rhydian says, "my pack had orders to protect one another and to get out however they could... they had each other but nobody else was going to help you." Maddie says, "Rhydian I would have come for you, too." Rhydian says, "I know." Charlie comes saying, "we couldn't get everyone out, some of the structural supports have collapsed... some members of the pack are still trapped inside!." Rhydian was shocked saying, "who?." Akira cries out, "SOMEONE! HELP!." Rhydian says, "shit, there has to be something we can do, but what?." Maddie suddenly feels a mysterious call, the water from the river beyond beckons her. Maddie thinks, 'I can save them, I'm the only one who can.' She closes her eyes thinking, 'River goddess, please help me, help save everyone.' She opens her eyes as her veins flash ice cold as the power within her answers the call. A booming crash sounds beyond the treelined as everyone turns stunned. Rhydian says, "whoa." Soon a massive wave rushes towards the burning house and smothers the flames. Soon Akira runs out and hugs Maddie saying, "thank you, you saved me." Hannah, Ryan, Kayden, and Sarah come out as Ryan says, "yes, you saved all our lives, Maddie." Rhydian appears out of the smoke looking both amazed and relieved. He says, "we... we need to get moving, it's not safe here anymore... follow me, I know a place, somewhere we can lay low and heal our wounds."