Jane

My pups are gone.

The blood is rushing in my ears, pounding through my skull in a relentless flood that blocks out all other sound. I can hear nothing above the whirr of white noise, and my head is dizzy with thick, black fog. I blink repeatedly, trying to orient myself amidst these strange sensations.

My entire body feels strangely heavy, as If I’m fighting gravity just to stay upright. I’m too warm, and yet I’m shivering too, trembling so violently I have to wrap my arms around myself just to keep my limbs still.

I’m in a dark alleyway, the scent of my pups mingling with the sour tang of strangers – rogue wolves who wouldn’t hesitate to sell them to the highest bidder. We came so close! We were on their trail but it’s gone cold now. They’ve disappeared without a trace. My babies might have outsmarted Eve, but no young children could survive this part of the city unscathed.

My wolf howls inconsolably, and tears pour from my eyes. “My pups.” I sob. We have to find them!”

A man’s voice sounds beside me, familiar and yet distant – like a memory long forgotten. “Jane, can you hear me? Do you know where you are?

I spin around, searching for the source of the voice, but all I see are the darkened streets of Cite de la Nuit. Why can’t I see him? And where is Ethan?He should be here, he’s supposed to be here. “They’ve taken my babies.” I m0an again, you have to help me.”

“Jane, it’s okay. Everyone’s safe.” The familiar voice insists. “Parker, Riley, and Ryder are here.”

“No.” I cry, I know exactly what’s happening.

I’m not sure how, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the pups have been kidnapped. The traffickers! Anita!” The name appears in my mind, as if from a dream. “She’s going to sell them to King Aimon.”

Jane, you’re having an episode. King Aimon is dead.” Strong hands try to grasp my shoulders, but these words don’t make sense. I know what’s happening, it feels too real-I’ve been through this before.

“But my babies are gone!” Sunlight flashes through the darkness surrounding me, if only for a moment. It’s beyond disorienting – one moment I’m ensconced in absolute darkness, in a city that reeks of, the next I’m blindsided by an explosion of light and fresh air. It disappears almost as quickly as it appeared, but I lower myself to the ground, no longer able to maintain my balance.

“Mommy, we’re not gone! We’re right here!”

frets, leaning against my side. Two more warm bodies pile into my lap, and tiny hands

Riley promises,

happening? Am I losing my mind? My arms lock around the pups, dragging Parker into the circle of

me anymore, nor is the man with us. Tell me!” I demand, hating the desperate edge in my

Where’s my little girl?”

water.” The man requests and a plastic bottle presses to my lips. His voice is a soft

bottle away. Stop that!” I beg,

what’s wrong with Mommy?” Ryder whispers,

why is he here? I haven’t seen him

miserable. “Is okay, we’re okay. We’re

please drink this.” Devon encourages, You’ re scaring

words gradually seep into my mind, and I’m crying harder than ever, thinking that I might be frightening my babies. I such down a few gulps of water, but there’s a strange metallic taste to the liquid. I

here. My wolf isn’t going to be calmed until

is out looking for Paisley, you

line of a ship with Linda. I’m moving, swaying in the wind and shaking with the effort of hanging onto the ropes. And yet… I’m

away pups.” Devon encourages the

needs us.” Riley argues, cuddling closer. “You can

when my stomach rises in my throat, I force them out of my lap as gently as I can, flipping myself over so that I can vomit onto the grass. Small sniffles and cries meet my ears as my body rejects

and Devon’s urgent voice speaking rapidly into the receiver. “Ethan, she’s spiraling and I can’t help her, I’ve tried everything. She doesn’t seem to know where she is or what’s happening – she only wants

a beat of silence, and then

pause, “I think that would be best

is pressing to my

my senses, and the

you hear me, little

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