(Cassie POV) We have now reached Day 4 of our kidnapping. I am still clinging to hope that Aaron will be able to find and rescue us, but that hope is quickly diminishing. Part of that is because Shelly seems more and more unhinged every day. She keeps talking about some random “Bobby” and company that she expects to be coming. At this point, I seriously wonder whether Bobby and this company she keeps referring to are pure figments of her imagination. I do not know at what point she will snap and do one of the crazy things she keeps talking about. At least she keeps giving us small amounts of food and water.... although we cannot be sure how long that will continue. Paige and I have still barely spoken to one another; we are terrified that Shelly will use something we say against us, or as provocation to act out some random fantasy that she has. Even without talking, though, I know that Paige and I have the same thought: we have to do whatever it takes to get out of here.

(Jason POV)Take care of Theo. Search for Paige. Take care of Theo. Pray to, and bargain with, the Moon Goddess. Take care of Theo. Search for Paige. Repeat.This has been my routine the past several days. Food and rest are not included in my routine because, if I am being honest, I am not getting much of either of those these days. Sure, I may steal an apple slice or chicken nugget from Theo when I am feeding him, and I may close my eyes for a few minutes here and there… but that is about it.Every time I pick up food intending to eat a real meal —under the guise of keeping up my energy; I have no actual appetite— I feel tremendous guilt, because I have no idea whether Paige has the luxury of food right now. Meanwhile, every time that I close my eyes to sleep, my mind either sends me back to the last fight that I had with Paige, or it imagines the horrible things that could be happening to Paige as we speak.The moment I learned that Paige was kidnapped, the first thing tha

(Aaron POV) As soon as I heard that Cassie was at the border, I took off running. I shifted into my wolf in order to run faster, not caring that I was shredding my clothes in the process. I did not bother to mind-link anyone; I knew my father would do so. All I cared about was getting to Cassie. I reached Cassie within just a few minutes. I was vaguely aware that Paige, a baby, and a few of our border guards were standing nearby, but no one else mattered to me in that moment. I quickly shifted back to my human form and wrapped Cassie up in my arms. I am not ashamed to admit that —as I clung to her as though my life depended on it— I buried my head in her neck and cried. They were happy tears, but tears all the same. For her part, Cassie clung to me just as much if not more than I clung to her. I could feel her tears on my bare shoulder, so I knew she was crying just like I was. After a couple of minutes, I finally —although reluctantly— pulled away from her just a little bi

(Cassie POV) I wake up to Josephine’s voice in my head. “Cassie, Sweetheart?” I moan. “I am sleeping. What is up, Josephine?” “It is one o’clock the afternoon.” “One in the morning?” I respond back groggily. “No, Sweetheart. It’s the middle of the afternoon.” “That’s not possible,” I groan. “We did not get home until five o’clock.” “Five o’clock yesterday, Baby.” Realization hits me. I must have been more tired than I realized. The last thing I remember was having a hot shower with Aaron, eating more food than I want to admit to eating, having a second round with Aaron in our bed, and then asking Aaron if we could talk after a took a quick nap. Apparently that nap was the longest nap ever. I try to stretch my arms, but one arm hits something hard. I blink open my eyes and see Aaron laying on his side, with one arm supporting his head as he stares at me. He smiles as soon as our eyes meet. “Good morning, Sweetheart,” he says. “Good morning, Aaron,” I smile back at

(Paige POV)So it turns out that Jason not only upgraded my flight to first-class… he booked himself a ticket as well. Jason explained that he had decided that he was going to go where I went for the rest of my life… or until I rejected him for the third and final time. He also told me that his plan was for Theo to stay with Jason’s parents for the first couple of weeks, and then —if I had not kicked him out yet— Theo would come and join us.But for everything else, I probably would have found Jason’s decision to come to Texas with me to be a really sweet gesture.However, over the next week, Jason’s behavior continued to be bizarre. Worse, his constant presence began to feel suffocating and overwhelming. Even Carly, who loved having her mate nearby, was becoming concerned.Among other weird things, Jason:—continued to insist on making me breakfast in bed every. single. day. I could not even grab a piece of toast or a granola bar without Jason freaking out. —refused to disagree