Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 43~

~Raelyn~

The air was thick with anticipation we strolled down the bustling streets; our hearts set on finding the perfect additions for my little bean's world. I was now almost three months pregnant, I was finally seeing a break in the relentless waves of morning sickness, and what better way to celebrate than a day dedicated to preparing for the new arrival? Baby clothes shopping.

We made our way into a cozy boutique, its windows adorned with the soft pastels of baby attire. Our laughter and chatter echoed through the shops as we combed through racks of tiny garments. Each piece of clothing was more adorable than the last, from the dainty dresses to the miniature overalls, all seemingly whispering promises of the memories they would one day hold.

Katrina held up a sunshine-yellow onesie, its fabric soft to the touch, "Imagine little bean in this," she cooed, and we couldn't help but envision the baby, a bundle of joy wrapped in the gentle hues of the outfit.

Devyn, with an eye for the whimsical, presented a set of onesies with witty sayings that had us chuckling, imagining the baby's future spunk. As we continued our quest, we found ourselves in a sea of cribs and rockers, each piece more enchanting than the last. Tara and I chose a crib with delicate engravings, a haven for dreams and midnight cuddles, and a white rocking chair that seemed to hum lullabies just by looking at it.

Our arms filled with treasures, we made our way to the checkout, our hearts as full as our shopping bags in our online cart. We talked about the future, about beans first smile, her first steps, and the first time she would wear each carefully selected piece of clothing. It wasn't just a day of shopping; it was the weaving of hopes and dreams for my bean on the way, a tapestry of love that would swaddle bean from her very first breath.

Unfortunately, the other boys were too busy to go with us because of work and pack business. Jake decided to tag along because he insisted that he had good taste in fashion, but he just wanted to come because Tara was there. which was fine it just made me miss Colby.

As I walked a few steps ahead of the group, trying to catch my breath, I suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of my head. Darkness engulfed me as I was knocked out cold. I vaguely felt someone scoop me up before I hit the ground.

The person ran with me in their arms, stuffing me into the back seat of a car. My head throbbed, and I struggled to make sense of what was happening.

"Hmm?" was all I managed to say, my voice weak and disoriented. I could hear them talking, their voices muffled but growing clearer.

"Is this the girl Alpha wanted?" one guy asked. The second guy nodded. "Matches her description in the photo he showed me."

The first guy chuckled darkly. "What did you hit her with?"

"A metal pole. She went to step out of the store, and when no one was looking, I hit her in the back of the head," the second guy replied. The first guy gave him a stern look. "You're positive no one saw you, Liam?"

"Positive," Liam said, though there was a hint of doubt in his voice.

"How did you know where she was, Billy?" Liam asked.

"Alpha sent me her IP address," Billy replied nonchalantly.

Liam sighed, "Why are we doing this? She didn't do anything wrong."

"Boss's orders, Liam. You know what happens when he gives the order," Billy said, his tone final.

"I know, but..." Liam trailed off, his voice filled with reluctance.

"Shut up, you blabbering idiot! When Alpha says jump, we say how high," Billy shouted.

Liam sighed sadly as my head lay in his lap. They drove on, and I began to realize with growing horror that they were taking me to the pack's meeting place.

I felt a wave of panic wash over me. They didn't know I was pregnant, but that wouldn't matter to them. I didn't know why they wanted me.

Colby thought I was out shopping with the girls and Jake, picking out baby clothes for our little bean. He must be worried sick by now. I tried to muster the strength to fight, but my body felt heavy and unresponsive.

"Liam, please," I whispered, hoping he would hear the desperation in my voice. "You don't have to do this."

Liam's eyes met mine for a brief moment, filled with regret and conflict. "I'm sorry," he said softly, barely audible over the sound of the car engine.

Billy sneered, "Don't get soft on me now, Liam. Remember what happened to the last guy who disobeyed Alpha."

Liam clenched his jaw, his hands trembling slightly. "I remember," he said, his voice hollow.

The car continued to speed towards an unknown fate. My heart pounded in my chest, not just for myself, but for the life growing inside me. I had to find a way out of this, for both our sakes.

~Jake~

The Grove was bustling with shoppers and the laughter of families enjoying the sunny Los Angeles day, but for me and the girls, the atmosphere was heavy with dread. Raelyn's absence cut through the merriment like a sharp knife, and the carefree day had turned into a frantic search.

"Raelyn wouldn't just wander off, especially not in her condition," I muttered, my eyes scanning the crowd, hoping for a glimpse of her. The girls huddled close, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion.

Devyn's tears were a silent stream down her cheeks, her sobs muffled by Katrina's reassuring embrace. "We have to find her, she's pregnant, and... and what if she needs help?" Devyn's voice broke, the weight of the situation crashing down on her.

Katrina, the rock among them, kept her voice steady, though her hands trembled. "We will, Devyn. We're going to find Raelyn, I promise." But her eyes, darting around the Grove, betrayed her panic.

Tara's phone was pressed to her ear, her voice rising in pitch with each unanswered call to Raelyn. "Come on, Rae, please pick up," she pleaded to the voicemail. Still no response.

Just then, my phone vibrated, a notification lighting up the screen. "Guys, I just got a text from Rae, it's a pin drop of her location!" I announced, the urgency clear in my voice. "What, where is she?!" Tara asked as she clung to Katrina's arm. "It's in the mountains, some wooded area. We've got to move, now!"

The news galvanized them into action. "We need to tell Colby," Devyn said, already dialing his number. "He should know what's happening."

I shook my head, "No, he and the other guys probably already know what's happening from the fact that we aren't back yet. I don't want to worry him." I said as they nodded in agreement.

"We have to go to her," Tara said, wiping away tears, her determination setting in. "We can't waste any more time."

With a shared look of resolve, we hurried out of the Grove, the chaos of the city fading behind them as we drove towards the mountains, The worry in the car was palpable. Raelyn is a strong-willed witty person, she probably has more strength than all of us combined. She's smart she always knows how to get out of a situation. That gave us hope for the time being.

"Jake, we have to find her," Devyn said, her voice trembling. "She's two months pregnant, and who knows what's happening to her right now."

"I know, Devyn," I replied, my grip on the steering wheel tightening. "We're not going to stop until we bring her back home safely."

Katrina, usually so composed, spoke up with urgency in her voice. "Jake, where did you say her location was?"

I nodded, my heart pounding. "It's in the middle of nowhere, a wooded area. It's the pack meeting area. We have to be careful, but we can't waste any more time."

Tara, tears welling up in her eyes, whispered, "What if something terrible has happened to her? What if we're too late?"

I reached over and kissed Tara's hand, trying to offer some comfort. "We can't think like that, Tara. We need to stay positive and focused. Raelyn needs us now more than ever."

"Do you think it was Alpha who is behind this?" Katrina asked nervously as I nodded. "There's no doubt in my mind Kat."