Verge of Insanity

(REWRITTEN) Chapter Twenty-Nine

Mara Leigh

"We have to find Xander," Ella whispered, grabbing my arm. I was going to have bruises. I'd never seen her this scared.

She pulled me to the side, dodging through the crowd. Not even five steps in she stopped, and I saw a scruffy male in front of us. Ella turned and pulled me in another direction only to stop again. This time there was a woman standing in front of us, just as scruffy and fierce looking as the male. Ella pulled us another way through the crowd.

Xander, help! I tried to reach out through my head. I didn't know where to tell him we were.

Mara, his voice came through. I'm coming, just keep moving. Stay in the crowd so they can't get you without a scene....

Xander's voice was interrupted by a strong arm wrapping around my waist. We were surrounded by the crowd but I could see the male and female from earlier walking closer to us.

"Congratulations, cousin!" Garrett yelled loud enough for the crowd around us to hear. He pulled me into a tighter than necessary hug and whispered in my ear. "Make one wrong move and I'll snap your pretty neck."

Ella was still gripping my arm with brutal strength and I could feel her shaking.

"What do you want?" I asked quietly, knowing he would hear me.

He let me go and looked me up and down. "Well I just wanted my sister back, but you look like a nice bonus."

"Leave her, Garrett," Ella spoke up. "I'll go with you, just leave her."

I looked back and forth between them. Garrett had the same blonde hair and blue eyes that Ella had. His hair was wavy and shoulder length and he had a beard. He definitely looked like he could crush me if he wanted to.

"Get her and come on," Garrett ignored Ella.

The male grabbed Ella's hand as inconspicuously as a boyfriend holding his girl's hand and the female got behind us and gently pushed on our backs to get us to move.

Within ten feet we were shoved into a black SUV and it started moving. Garrett was in the back with us. A quick glance around showed that there was a black SUV in front of us and one behind us. I was sure they were back-up.

Xander they have us in black SUVs. We're taking a left out of the coliseum and are going down Highway 160.

I'm coming for you, just be careful. Do what he says for now.

"It's so nice to see you again, Sis," Garrett broke the silence.

Ella stayed quiet, surprising me. She wasn't the feisty Ella that I knew. Not around Garrett.

"I've been waiting to get you back. I don't know if you knew but I have my own pack now. We have big plans. I have the perfect spot for you planned out."

We were both quiet. We made a right turn down another backroad and I mentally sent the information to Xander.

"I have a mate waiting for you at home, and I'll make a place for your little friend here."

I saw Ella's eyes get bigger before she spoke. "I already have a mate."

Garrett's eyes turned black. "You think I don't see your mark? I see it, I just don't care. You'll be happy with what I give you. His name is Mark. He's already agreed to take you in."

Ella started crying, which made Garrett smile. I wanted to punch him but what good would it do.

"Xander will find me. He won't let you do this." Ella's voice was determined.

Quicker than I could see, Garrett slapped Ella across the face.

"Screw you!" I screamed at him. I was suddenly knocked back. I vaguely heard Ella screaming my name as I fell back into the seat. I could feel the vehicle turning but I couldn't get sat up to talk to Xander about where we were going.

"She's human, you idiot!" I heard Ella screaming at Garrett. I heard another slapping sound, alerting me to the fact that he'd hit her again.

"Welcome back, Sis," Garrett muttered. "We'll get you retaught your place. The human too."

The SUV suddenly stopped and we were pulled out of the car and carried into an old cabin. We made to sit down on the floor in one of the rooms.

Mara Leigh, where are you now? Xander came through my mind.

I don't know. Some old cabin. He's hit us both. I don't feel too good. He says he's going to give us to others and teach us our place.

I heard Xander growl louder than I'd ever heard before.

I'll kill him....

I was sure he would.

"You know," Garrett started, interrupting my conversation with Xander. "I think you'd be good for me."

I tried to focus on him. It took him getting down on his knees in front of me for me to realize he was talking to me.

"I see that you're marked but that can be overlooked. You're feisty and pretty nice to look at."

Screw you, I thought. I was too afraid to get hit again for saying it again.

He reached out and grabbed my jaw, causing me to wince. Slowly he turned my face from side to side. I could feel Xander seething and realized that he could feel this. I wanted to block him out to save him from seeing it, but I knew it was his only help finding us.

Suddenly he let me go. "Take this one to my room."

"No, Garrett, leave her alone," Ella begged, only to be ignored.

"Well, Sis. Mark will be here soon. I suggest you butter up to him and forget about your time in Hawthorne pack. This time tomorrow we'll be far, far away."

As he spoke the female and male came closer and picked me up. I was dragged down the hall to a musty smelling room with a cot. They dropped me on the cot and walked out, slamming the door behind them.

I immediately struggled to stand and wobbled over to the window. Outside it I could see several fire pits and similar looking men and women moving around. It looked like they were gathering their stuff together.

It looks like they're packing up to move. Can you see what I'm seeing?

Yes.... if this is where I think it is I'll be there soon.

My heart started doing acrobatics in my chest. I wondered when we were leaving. Did we have time to spare?

The door swinging open behind me made me jump.

"It's good to see you're stronger than you look," Garrett's voice came. I didn't even turn around.

"I like a strong woman."

"Why, 'cause you're so weak?" I don't know where the confidence or stupidity was coming from.

I braced myself waiting on the punishment. Instead Garrett chuckled.

"I like a fiesty woman, too. You'll make a good Luna for my rogues."

"I'm a good Luna for Hawthorne pack too," I turned to see his face drop. It was comical enough for me to grin.

"You're the Luna?" He said, most of the confidence gone from his voice.

I nodded, still grinning. "And honestly, I'm excited to see what Xander does to you."

He was gone as soon as the last word left my mouth. I looked out the window to see him come around the corner of the cabin. I could hear his yelling to the rogues that they were moving in two minutes. As powerful as I'd felt saying what I did, maybe I shouldn't have said anything.