Midnight Luna
Chapter Forty

Zach’s POV

“He has been out for a long time doc. We need to do something.” Hayden’s voice floated into my ears. My head was heavy and my entire body ached, it felt like I was hit by a truck. I heard them mumbling but couldn’t understand the words. My head ached as I tried to listen to them. My eyes were shut and my mouth felt dry. What happened to me? My mind tried to recall the past but it was just a blur. I desperately tried to call Hayden to tell him I was awake, but I couldn’t. A pain shot up from my side and I felt my insides burn and the pain spread throughout my body. I jerked my eyes open, seeing nothing but whiteness. I blinked and watched my vision come back to normal. The headache in my head intensified and I pinched my eyes shut to steady it. A beeping sound filled the room worsening the pain.

“Shut that thing.” I yelled but all I could hear was whisper. My throat felt like sawdust and my tongue was dry. “Relax Alpha. It’s just the machine.” A voice came from my left side. I opened my eyes and focused my vision on the pack doctor. He was wearing a white coat and looked tired with purple bags under his eyes. Beside him stood a relief faced Hayden. He walked to my side and patted my shoulder.

“Welcome back Zach.” He smiled reassuringly. “Hayden what happened?” I asked and watched horror and despair cross his face. His reaction had me worried about the response. “You don’t remember Zach?” He asked squeezing my shoulder. I shook my head and turned to the doctor for answers, but he just hung his head down.

“What’s wrong, can you guys just tell me?” I yelled. “Zach, you were poisoned by a huge dose of wolfsbayne and some other toxic. You would be dead if it wasn’t for your alpha power and Hailey power flowing in your veins. I am so sorry Zach.” He answered my worst fear. Hailey where was she? And then everything came back to me, the dinner date, the alley, someone grabbing her and then nothing. My world shattered and I threw the sheets over me and tried to get up but a sharp pain developed on my side. I grunted in pain holding my side praying for the pain to subside.

“Alpha you need to rest. The healing hasn’t been completed,” The doctor advised and forced me into the bed. “No.” I yelled. “I need to go find her. She needs me. Hayden, please help me. I need her back.” I begged, the tears came uninvited but I didn’t care. I needed her, like I needed air. “Zach please you can be no help to her or yourself in this condition. You need to heal. Just another day and you’ll be fine.” he advised. My wolf was injured and he whimpered not able to help his mate. They were right I needed to rest.

“What exactly happened?” I whispered. Hayden pulled a stool and sat beside me as the doctor quietly left us alone. “It’s been two days since we found you in a dark alley in the neighbouring town. We all felt our connection to you weaken and I knew something had happened to you. So I gathered all the best trackers and within a few hours we had found you, lying on the ground nearly died. I had known Hailey was with you but no matter where or what we did, we couldn’t track her scent. It was as if she wasn’t there. We searched till dawn but by then we all knew it was to no use. We brought you back and the doctors struggled to keep you alive. If we were even a little late I don’t know what would have happened.” He said, holding his head in his hand and shaking in agony. I reached out to hold his hand and smile assuring. “I am fine Hayden. Don’t beat yourself up.” I said but I knew my eyes didn’t say the same.

“It was my fault. I shouldn’t have gone alone without back up. I didn’t realize I was putting her in danger.” He nodded but didn’t say anything. I hated myself to be the reason she was in a dangerous situation. How could I be so foolish? This is not how an alpha is supposed to be? I couldn’t even protect my mate when she needed me the most. I thought about her and what she must be going through. The worst circumstance filled my head and I felt my resolve slowly loosen. I tried to reach her wolf, but I got no response. I couldn’t connect no matter what. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I closed my eyes the pounding in my head increasing and I couldn’t hold it anymore. I let out a loud, agony filled howl, begging my mate to hear me. The pain covered my eyes and I saw nothing but blackness, as images of Hailey’s sad face entered my mind.

*******

“We have searched this area and a 100 km radius from there, but still no information about her. No one has even seen her.” Hayden said pointing at the map spread out on the table. I peered over it closely studying ever area. Inside my wolf was going crazy. He needed his mate and the longer we were away from her, the sooner I’d lose control on him. The pain I felt through our bond hit me every day and I knew they were torturing her. I tried reading her mind or when I felt her wolf connect with mine but the bond felt weak. It was like her wolf was just getting sick. I desperately wanted find her but I had no clue where to start. Her scent wasn’t anywhere. I had contacted every member around the globe to find her, in case that bastard Logan took her overseas. Liam’s pack also was looking for her, even though I never asked him.

“Alpha.” Sam a young warrior called out, bringing me from my thoughts. “Someone called Hena wants to meet you.” I quickly walked out and saw her leaning on the wall with a blank face on her face. “You.” I yelled, charging to hit her. Hayden quickly held me back or else I would have shredded her. Fear crossed her face but she covered it and stared at me with no emotion. “Where is she? Hena tell me right now.” I demanded. “Zach, I am sorry I didn’t expect him to strike so soon. I know where she is but--” she stared.

“Then show the way. I’ll go get her myself.” I interrupted. “No Zach you can’t save her alone. This place where he has her is not just a mere prison. It’s a massive fortress, easily 100 acres large and heaven knows what he has in there. We need to plan a safe strategy to save Hailey and maybe attack. If not then the main priority is to get Hailey away from that place.” She said all this in one breath, but I caught every word, my anger building up simultaneously. That Logan is really going to suffer for laying a finger on my mate.

“Where is this fortress?” I inquired. She walked up to the map and jab her finger down on it. I walked to her and saw her finger was on San Francisco. “There? She is there?” I wanted to confirm. She nodded. “It’s about a mile off the coast of San Francisco.” I looked at Hayden and his face showed concern. “How can the entire pack reach a place in the middle of the ocean?” I pointed out, feeling dejected all over again. “Yes, but I know a way to get us there without travelling by water.” She said. “Where is this path?” I asked. She shook her head. “When we reach there, you’ll know.” She replied.

“I will not put blind faith in your plan. I don’t and will not trust you.” I growled. “So tell me the way.” I ordered. “Zach please you need to trust me. I want Hailey safe to. You may not believe me but she is the only connection I have with Elijah and I do care for her.” She said, her voice sounded desperate.

“I think we should trust her.“Hayden said, nodding his head at me. I sighed loudly and agreed silently. “When do we leave?” I inquired. “Tomorrow, at midnight.” I nodded and walked out and into the back yard. Nightfall had arrived and the starless sky loomed over me, projecting my inner feelings. It’s been four days since I last saw her, the time we had spent was still fresh in my mind. He beautiful face, her breathtaking smile and those love filled eyes was all that kept me going. I missed her. I felt empty and meaningless without her. She had became my world and now I knew I didn’t want to live in a world where she wasn’t there.

“Don’t beat yourself up.” Someone said from behind. I turned and nodded to him. He came up and stood beside me, he looked at the sky as well. “The sky reminds me of her hair; it was just like the midnight sky.” He said, looking nostalgic. I didn’t like him talking about my mate so lovingly.

“She knew the risks on her life. She had accepted it; you couldn’t have changed it even if you tried.” He stated looking at me. I kept staring up, not wanting to agree to his words. “Zach I know you love her but I do to, and all the years I was with her I know she can take care of herself.”

“But I am her mate. I am supposed to watch out for her.” I finally replied, letting my head fall down “I know, but this was out of your hands. It was meant to happen. Hailey is prophesied to do great things. Let it fall into its place. And we will find her. I believe in that, and when we do I swear they’ll all pay” He growled in anger and I nodded in agreement. His advice made sense but I still couldn’t let the guilt go.

“What if she’s hurt bad?” I voiced my fear, asking him for his assurance. He sadly glanced at me. “If she is then we can only hope that Logan won hurt her a lot because he needs her. I can’t say anything to ease your mind because frankly I don’t want to think about the worst. All that I know that she is a fighter and if she has promised to be with you forever I am sure she’ll keep that promise.” He said, laying his hand n my shoulder. I nodded his words spoke the truth.

“Liam, you were there for her when I wasn’t.” I said looking at him. He nodded but didn’t say anything. “And for that I owe you. You took care of her better than I ever could.” I said genuinely grateful. “Zach you don’t owe me. I loved her and I did it all for her. If she asked, I’d do it all over again.” His eyes held so much sadness and love for my mate, that no matter the jealously I really was thankful that he was there for her.

“We may not have had a very good start, but I hope maybe in the future we could be friends.” I suggested. He smiled and nodded, putting his hand out. I smiled and shook it, feeling a bit better to have him on my side. We both loved and wanted to bring her safely home. “You know you’re not so bad.” He said, jokingly. I chuckled. We fell into a silence gazing into the forest, trapped into our thoughts.

“Zach.” Hena came out from inside the house. I turned to her but noticed Liam’s eyes suddenly close and his fangs extended out. I watched him in curiosity as he turned and opened his eyes, looking at her with hunger. She stood there perplexed by him and her face held disbelief and shock. Liam growled as he took a deep breath. “Mate” he snarled and I widened my eyes in realization. He was her mate. This just got even more complicated. I knew this was a private moment. “Umm excuse me.” I said and walked into the house. I saw Hean’s face fill with anger and determination, it was the look I had five years back when I had found out Hailey was my mate. I hope she will the right thing and does not end up hurting him. No one deserves the pain of rejection, especially an amazing guy like Liam. I agree with Hailey, he needs that happy ending, I thought as I entered my office.

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