Chapter 22

As Andrew left me briefly to speak with the other territory soldiers and fighters I sat down thinking. If Kronin was behind this, then we need to find Timber as soon as possible. He is a dangerous kind of man, and wolf. He was banned from his pack years ago because he tried to take it over and tried rapping his own Luna.

He thought if he mated with her then he would be the new Alpha after he killed the true Alpha. He didn’t succeed in both attempts. Which is why he was banned after spending ten years in the prisons. It was there he heard a rogue speak of the missing Royal Alpha’s heir and the powers she had, to make anyone who mated with her a very powerful and unstoppable Alpha.

It was said he killed that rogue so no one would know that he was going to try to find her and take her as his mate after he gained all the information, he wanted from him. Although no one knew who she was, or even if she was alive, Kronin was determined to find her at all costs.

It seems as though, he banned together a bunch of rogues as an army to do his bidding. He was dangerous back then; I’m sure he is more dangerous now. If he does in fact have Timber, I need to get her back soon or things will not be good at all.

~ Kronin POV

“Is she cooperating yet?” not looking up from his food. “No Sir not yet.” “Well, leave her there another two days without food or water to see if that changes her mind. I want to mate before we leave and go back to the territory to ensure she cannot leave.” “Yes sir.”

‘I will be the most powerful Alpha there is once I mate with this Timber girl. Timber, what a pathetic name. She is a fighter, but I will weaken her. She will be mine and will have no other choice but to obey me.’ Sneering at the thought of her name in disgust. If only he could just take it by force, but he knew different.

‘I could force myself on her. Not like I haven’t done it before to others, but I need that power she’s supposed to possess. She needs to be willing to be with me or I won’t get it and I can’t let that happen.’

‘Her obedience and submission to me is the only way. She will submit. She will be obedient even if it kills her.’ Laughing sheepishly at this wicked and devious thought.

~ Timber POV

I don’t know how long I’ve been chained up exactly, but it feels like weeks. I still don’t know who this Kronin guy is or why he wants me here. Then my mind reminds me of one word he said, ‘mate’. As fear sets in, I start to realize he wants to take my powers within himself so he can be a powerful Alpha! The Legends. Johnathon’s warning.

“NO, NO, NO!! This cannot be happening.” I whisper yelled to myself.

‘Johnathon, where are you? Please come get me.’ I start crying softly at the thought he can’t hear me. ‘Karin? Are you there?’ nothing. I’m so tired and weak. I just want to sleep. Maybe for a few minutes as I continue to think to myself.

‘Why didn’t he just take them then?’ not that I want to be rapped. ‘because he needs you to be willing to give them to him or he won’t get them’ I heard a voice say. ‘Karin? Is that you?’

‘Yes, Timber it’s me.’ Sounding really weak. ‘Karin, I missed you. Where have you been?’

‘I was too weak from the wolfsbane and fell into a deep sleep-like state. I’m still tired and weak, but it must be wearing off. Have you not been given anything?’

‘No, they refuse to feed or give me water until I comply with mating demands.’ My stomach aches with hunger.

‘Don’t comply no matter what Timber. He will not force himself on you or he will not be allowed to have your powers and become Alpha.’ She breathlessly and almost incoherent said. ‘I want my mate. I want Johnathon.’ Tears start to form and leave me eyes softly. As my eyes close, I think of nothing but Johnathon holding me close.

‘Timber, can you hear me? Please Timber answer me.’ I hear a faint voice in my head.

‘Johnathon?!’ Am I hearing things now? No, I must be delirious.

~ Johnathon’s POV

‘Timber, can you hear me? Please Timber answer me.’ I try one last tiresome plea through our link before heading up the rescue party.

‘Johnathon?!’ I sat up straighter not realizing how much I was slouching from despair of not finding Timber, my love, my Luna… my… second chance mate.

‘Timber can you hear me?’ I asked in disbelief. ‘Oh, Goddess Johnathon please help me. This guy wants to mate with me for my powers!’ I could hear the desperation, fear and weakness in her link.

‘I’m coming baby, where are you?’ sending her my love and reassurance ‘I don’t know, in the prisons I think….’ Just like that the link was severed. My blood started to boil, my eyes turned black with fury and I got up to get the rescue started.

I thought of Timber in hopes I would be brought to her but nothing. Then I felt a tingling in my neck before power raged from within me and then... I disappeared from the camp.

‘Timber!’ I whisper yelled as I looked at her chained to the wall like a dog. My mind ran with such grief. Anger. Pain and disbelief. How did I get here? Trying to figure out how this happened again.

I thought of her with strong controlled emotions… and then I was here. That must be the key to using the powers effectively.

She was out. She must have passed out from weakness. I can’t break the chains. Silver. I thought to myself. Of course! I couldn’t find her. Her Wolf was pretty much near death from all that poison. I assessed the situation and made a mental note of everything. I felt urgency and need, filling me as I thought about needing to tell Andrew…. And I was gone from her.

“Alpha!! Where did you come from?” he looked at me bewildered as I just popped up in front of him. “I saw Timber. I couldn’t get her out, she chained with silver in the prisons.” I said with determination running through me more now than ever. It broke my heart seeing my love like that. Sadness crept into my eyes just as quick as it left and replaced with loathsome determined fire like fury.

“How?! Where? What’s the plan?” understanding it was urgent and I had a plan.

“I was able to link to her, she’s been poisoned with wolfsbane and it wore off enough for me to go to her. She’s weak from the lack of food and water.”

“Now, let’s get the men ready in fighting positions and set out. Remember to be on guard, all senses on high alert for strong scents and temperature changes.” I said with authority and precision.

“Yes Alpha! Let’s go, men! We are retrieving our Luna from Kronin. Kill any all on site, no holding back. Remember your training and we will win this one!!” Andrew spoke out to the men as they cheered for victory and excitement for retrieving their Luna back.

The men moved slowly and carefully as we approached the dwelling place. I could tell their training paid off because not only were they aware of their surroundings they looked gracefully invisible in their movements. I was very pleased with what I saw from them.

They divided into four teams and swept across the dwelling on all four sides like hungry cats hunting their prey. Quickly and quietly, I watched my men kill rogue after rogue as they snuck up on them. I couldn’t be prouder of their skills and stealth from our new training grounds in the South. Mental note… visit the Southern Training grounds with gratitude and approval concessions.

Thinking of only Timber again I disappeared.

“Timber… my love. We are coming. Be patient and strong my love.” I kissed her forehead as I stroked her hair. A smile crept on her face as she continued to sit there with her eyes closed too weak and tired to move from the lack of nourishment as the wolfsbane was slowly leaving her body.

I appeared again next to Andrew. He was startled to have me appear again like that in front of him. I chuckled a little thinking that one day he’ll get used to it.

‘How is she Alpha?’ he mind-linked me ‘she’s still half out from the lack of nourishment. But she’s alive. The wolfsbane is slowly leaving her’ Smiling as I said this, making him also smile and nod in agreeance.

Each team was now at their respectable places to enter the dwelling. ‘Men! Your Luna is alive in the prisons. Do what you’ve been trained to do. Let’s get in quickly… not giving them a chance to understand what happened!’ I spoke proudly and authoritatively to each of them ‘Yes Alpha! For Luna!!’ they linked back all at once.

We stormed the dwelling killing rogues everywhere. They didn’t know what happened when we were done with them. Kronin was found in, what I can assume was his office. Unaware of the massacre occurring outside.

“Is she willing to obey now?” he growled thinking it was one of his men.

“I hope not.” I growled back at him as he lifted his eyes to see me standing there. He was indeed surprised to see me. I swear I saw a hint of fear in his eyes before they furrowed. Bane is now trying to take full control, but I wouldn’t let him just yet. My eyes blackened with rage snarling at him for even thinking he could have my mate.

When his eyes met mine, he stood up quickly and in jerky movements. His eyes darkened as he smirked. He lunged at me while shifting and Bane took full control. The power filled me, and blue energy surrounded me as waves of it flew at him knocking him down. Poor idiot. Didn’t even stand a chance.

Bane ripped off his arms like they were paper and through them across the floor. Then he ripped off his legs. Kronin was howling in pain not understanding how he was being torn apart so quickly and effortlessly. He was bleeding everywhere but Bane didn’t care. He wanted Kronin to feel every ounce of pain he felt when his mate was taken. When he couldn’t reach her. Feel her. Link to her.

Andrew walked into the room just as Bane tore Kronin’s head from his body, dropping it to the floor. “Alpha?!” Bane turned to look at Andrew, then back at what was left of Kronin and howled loudly in delight. “Bane?! Let Alpha Johnathon have control. Kronin is dead and we are in the prisons now. We need Johnathon back.”

As Bane reluctantly and slowly eased back from control, and I could still feel his rage and lust for killing Kronin in such a painful and gruesome manner. Bane felt such accomplishment and was more than gratified with Kronin’s horrible, antagonizing yet slow demise. I was finally starting to catch my breath as I saw the men moving towards what must have been the prisons.

Thinking of only Timber, I appeared back by her side. I knelt down beside her. “My love I’m here.” Caressing her face with the back of my fingers in hopes she’ll wake up while holding her close. “Johnathon? Is that really you?” she said with a raspy whisper as she leaned in closer to me. “Yes, baby it’s me. We are getting you out of here. Kronin is dead.” I smiled at her sweetly as she leaned more into me with relief filling and tension leaving her fragile body.

As I was comforting her Andrew and the men came around the corner with the key to the silver chains. “Alpha?!” looking at her appearance they didn’t know how she managed to still be alive. She really is a strong one they thought to themselves. Trying not to look directly at her, out of respect for their Luna being partially clothed only in her undergarments.

They unlocked the prison door and then the chains from off her arms. Timber fell onto me as they unchained her in complete lethargy from the mixture of lack of nutrition, the silver chains and the wolfsbane Kronin injected into her body.

As I held her in my arms once again bridal style, she held on to my neck and cradled her head on my chest. I smiled at her with genuine love and relief that I had her back in my arms again. While breathing her in, I gently squeezed her closer to me as my only thoughts were of her and the safe haven of our home. Then. We disappeared. Together.