Saving Gracie

Chapter 22

Gracie POV

"Oh god what am I suppose to do now," I mumble. I head out to find Ric and Jam so we can plan something to rescue Ryder. I pass the kitchen and take a double take. "Ric, Jam!!" I yell. "Look what the cat dragged out of the bag," Ric says. "More like look what Mareena dragged out of the office," Jam laughs. "Whatever. I need to talk to you guys privately," I whisper. We make our way to the office and grab Luis and Mar along the way. "They're expecting us," I blurt out. They all give me confused looks. "Melinda. Attack. Expecting us," I say slowly. Their eyes go big and their mouths drop. "How does she know?" Luis asks. "Theirs a spy among us or she assumes their will be one because Ryder's my mate," I say thoughtfully. "How do you know?" Ric asks. "Ryder mind linked me and warned me about her. He's a tad stronger but I know he still isn't himself," I say.

We discuss more about the plans and we've concluded that we might push back the date or bring it earlier. God, this is getting so stressful.

Ryder are you doing well?

I'm doing well as a wolf can be with wolfsbane in the same room.

You've rubbed off of me too much.

I would love to rub you.

God Ryder. Even if your a prisoner your still prevented.

I cut the mind link off and and go for a run. I walk out and instantly see a man peeking out from a tree. I start growling and he puts up his hands signaling surrender and motions me over. I walk over slowly and he sits down. "What is it that you want?" He takes his hand off his chest and blood comes out. "Oh my god. Come, we'll take care of you!" What can you say? I have a soft spot for people who are dying that I don't have on my hate list. "N-no. I will die anyways. The bullet has already spread silver in my blood. Please just take my daughter and make sure she's safe," he asks. "Yes. Of course. Please tell me how this happened," I plead. "Long story short, I escaped a rouge pack that this woman named Melinda is running. They tried shooting my daughter so I blocked it from her," he says tiredly. "Where is she?" I ask. He whistles a soft tone and a girl climbs down one of the trees in front of me. She runs towards her father and says, "Dad! what's happening? Why are you bleeding?" He motions me over and tells her, "She's gonna be your sister okay? She's gonna take care of you. You have to be strong for me okay darling. Be nice and never back down. I love you Cher." He kisses her crying daughter on the forehead and lightly pushes her towards me. He smiles weakly and lies down against the tree. "I promise with all my heart she will stay safe. I will treat her like my own," I whisper to him. He nods and closes his eyes, a small smile still lingering on his lips. "Come child. What's your name?" I ask. "C-Cher. I'm 5," she says sniffling. "Hey Cher? I lost my parents too. I will not lie to you and tell you it's gonna be okay but you will be safe with me. Your gonna make our daddy proud aren't you?" I say. She nods eagerly and snuggles deeper into my arms.

Call some back up and come to the edge of the forest. We need to hold a funeral for a dead new member.

I just couldn't let him die without a pack. He deserved more time with Cher.