Untie my heart

Well, at least we found Hope Becca

Sam and I have been running through the woods, following River and Hopes scent for just over a half hour.

Tracking can be meticulous and slow, I am constantly stopping and making sure I have the correct path. A few times the wind blew causing me to drift slightly off the trail and I would have to backtrack to get back to the right direction. I am trying so hard to stay calm but it's hard with the constant squeeze I feel in my heart, missing my mate, worrying about my mate, worrying about my mates sweet little sister.

"Uggghh", finally stop and huff out loud! "This is taking too long" I complain to Sam, while she just gives me a small smile. Sam and I both know this is normal, we have both gone through extensive tracking training and while it's my least favorite thing to do, I still do it more than efficiently.

Sam takes a moment to drink a large gulp of her water, "don't worry Bec, we are getting close, I can feel it" she says, in almost a whisper.

I huff but continue moving forward. About 20 minutes later I start smelling Hopes scent, it's stronger than Rivers and that gives me a much needed boost of energy. Running quickly, following Hopes scent, I start hearing whimpers and what sounds like crying.

A sudden spike of fear hits my heart as Sam and I cautiously approach Hope, she is curled up tight, hiding under a log, covered in dirt and alone. I walk over to her slowly and reach out, grabbing her shoulder, "Hope are you okay, are you hurt?" I ask.

Hope flinches, and starts crying even harder, "w-why d-do you ca-care?" she says through her sobs.

I smile sadly and bend down to her level, "Hope baby, Sam and I have been looking for you and River, it's not safe out here at night by yourselves". Hope looks up to me, she looks like she is trying to read my facial expression to see if I am lying or not.

I inwardly chuckle, Hope's face gives away what she is thinking just like Rivers does. That is when it hits me, Hope is here, alone crying, and River is nowhere to be seen. Hope can see my fear and looking directly in my eyes she starts sobbing hard again, "w-we w-were approach by a big gr-gr-group of-f guys w-who said that they we're lo-looking for your ma-mate" Hope starts explaining. "R-r-River dis-sstracted then and lead them a-away from me. I-I did not want to l-l-leave him but he told me to r-run and he r-r-ran the other direction, taking the guys w-with him" she says while looking completely broken.

I can't help it, I scoop her up into a tight hug, "it's okay baby sis", I coo, "we will find him safe and sound okay?", I comfort her, while rubbing her back. Hope melts into my hug, exhausted and scared and asks, "aren't you m-m-mad at us for run-running away? Are, are you g-going to h-hurt us?" Hope asks, with the sadness eyes I have ever seen.

I smile warmly down at her, "Hope baby, no one will ever hurt you or River ever again okay", I coo, "I am not mad, your brother was just confused when he ran away with you, it's hard for him to trust, you know baby" I say, while I continue to rub her back slowly.

Hope looks up to me with a hopeful, innocent look on her face, "w-why do you think those mean men w-w-were l-looking for R-r-River?", she asks.

I look down to the ground, taking I a deep breath I pull Hope tightly back into a hug, "they are bad guys Hope, they want to use him to get to me" I say sadly, "but, we won't let that happen right babe?"

Hope looks at the ground and says, "y-yeah, I-I guess". I can hear the footsteps of my warrior approaching our location, Sam must have mind linked them while I was talking to Hope.

Garret appears from behind the trees and Hope instantly shoots out of my arms and runs over to him, wrapping her little arms tightly around him in a bone crushing hug. I can see the relief all over Garrets face, while he hugs her back. The sight in front of me fills me with warmth, but I don't have time to enjoy the moment, River is still missing. I stand up, dusting off my dress, and tell Garret to bring Hope home, "get some rest little one" I say, "Sam, some warriors and I are going to get River okay?" Hope nods, but I can see the hesitation in her eyes.

I smile warmly once again towards her, "I know you don't want to leave him babe but trust me, River would much rather have you home safe and not out looking for him in the dark woods, okay?"

Hope smiles a sad smile and nods again, Garret bends down and asks Hope if she wants him to carry her, which she agrees to by reaching her arms up like a toddler asking for its mother to pick them up.

Sam mind links me, "they really do have quite the connection huh?", she says, and I can't help but agree.

Garret lost his mate and only child to a car accident when his mate was 7 months pregnant, I can tell he has grown very attached to Hope and it almost makes me tear up watching them together, I mind link Sam back, "it's beautiful", I say smiling slightly.

Garret nods once as he and a handful of warriors start walking Hope back to the castle safely.

I let out a ragged breath, turning to the 40 odd warriors now awaiting my command, "lets go find our king guys" I say with authority and confidence. "He was taken by a group of rogues not too long ago, let's go show those asshole rogues why you don't mess with the royal pack", I demand, while the warriors look at me with fire and determination in their eyes.

Sam grabs my hand and squeeze, "lets make them pay for fucking with our king" she says with a glint of pure evil in her eyes. I smile widely and start following River scent once again, "we are coming for you babe", my wolf adds in my mind as we start our hunt.