Chapter <b>169 </b>


    Julian’s POV


    I had no real idea of how long Amber would be needed at the hospital yet, so I knew I didn’t have any right to worry. But when hours went by and there was still no sign of her, I couldn’t help the concern that began to w at the inside of my chest.


    By now, I had been to the grocery store and checked in at the hotel. Alice already ate her ice cream and was sitting on the pull–out sofa watching cartoons on the small, boxy television sitting atop the dresser.


    She hadn’t said anything but I could tell she was watching the clock as well. We were both waiting for Amber to join us, or to at least check in with a phone call.


    Unable to sit still with my worry pulsing through me, I stood up from the couch and began to pace the length of the hotel room, checking out the window every time I was near the door. There was no sign of Amber, or of anyone really.


    I was fairly certain that we were the only one’s staying at the hotel. The light was still on in the lobby, so I knew the front desk attendant was still there, still waiting for customers. I had told her to expect Amber, and she seemed excited to meet her.


    Amber was something like a celebrity most ces, but here where disease had be so prevalent, she was even more so – especially with news of the children’s cure spreading now.


    I checked my phone. No new messages, no missed calls.


    I hated to bother Amber while she was working, but I was worried about her. So I found her contact in my phone and pressed call.


    The call didn’t connect, going straight to voicemail. I couldn’t be totally surprised, and I wasn’t rmed. With how long we were at the hospital, her phone likely died without any time on the charger. I wondered if she even noticed.


    Trying not to let my worry overwhelm me, I looked up the number for the hospital and called there instead


    “Yes, hello,” I said, after the receptionist answered. “This is Alpha Julian. I’m trying to get in touch with Healer Amber. Is she still there?”


    “Oh, Alpha Julian! Hello! Uh, no, sir, Healer Amber just left in the car you provided.”


    I paused. “Car? What car? I didn’t order any car?”


    “Oh, but I’m sure you must have?” the receptionist suddenly sounded unsure. “It was one of those sleek luxury sedans Nobody in town has one of those, except for the taxi ce, and they only use it on special asions. We all assumed that you called for it.”


    +15 <b>BONUS </b>


    “I didn’t,” I said, my mind suddenly running a hundred miles a minute. Who else could have ordered that car? The Mayor? The owner of the factory<b>? </b>There could be a lot of people angry at Amber <b>for </b>what she exposed…


    It could have been a good Samaritan, someone who just wanted to be sure that Amber got home safely.


    I had a bad feeling though. Something wasn’t right. There was a nervousness inside of me, pressing ufortably against my bones, itching my nerves.


    “Sir? Should I contact the police?” the receptionist asked, fully rmed now.


    As was I.


    “Yes,” I told her. Hanging up the phone, I looked at Alice. “I hate to say this, Alice, but we need to go out again.”


    Alice looked up. “No more cartoons?”


    <b>“</b><b>Not </b>right now.”


    “Are we going to get Mommy?<i>” </i>she asked.


    A re of determination scorched through me. “Yes.”


    Amber’s POV


    I tried for the handle next, yanking on it, but no amount of force made the door pop open. Giving up on that, I went to the lock again, trying to dig it out from its confinement and force it upright, but no amount of force seemed to cause it to give way there either.


    Then, suddenly, I was pushed back into the seat as the car jolted forward at a new quickening speed.


    The lights of the town disappeared out the window as the car zoomed through the countryside.


    Gods help me, I had no idea where I was or where we were going.


    Leaning forward, I knocked on the partition again, that separated me in the backseat from the driver in the front seat.


    “Hello?!<b>” </b>I called, desperate now. “Please! You have to stop!”


    The driver didn’t listen to my pleas, as the car only seemed to pick up speed, veering through the countryside and into the forest.


    Trapped, I started to feel panic, with fear rising up within me at a record pace, I pressed back into my <b>seat</b><b>, </b>wing at the leather, trying to remain in control of my thoughts and my emotions.


    Like this, I feel too much like I did on the airne as the pilots lost control of the engines. The ne circled, spiraling out <b>of </b>control as it mmed down into the water. I’d screamed then, as did the


    passengers beside me.


    <b>I </b>could hear their same screams now, even as my own was lodged in my throat.


    I wasn’t in the sky<b>, </b>I wasn’t in an airne, but the fear was the same.


    Trapped. Helpless. Just like then.


    What could I do? I didn’t know.


    In the hospital, I always had answers, but out here, barreling toward a fate I didn’t know or understand, I could only feel fear. I was locked up with it, unable to do much more than hold on and pray.


    Moon Goddess, please!


    In my fear, my heart reached out for my mate. Despite all of our problems, despite everything that stood between us and happiness, I still longed for him. To hear his voice, to hold him once more, for him to whisper in my ear, I’m here and I will protect you.


    He had promised. Promised!


    My mate. My Alpha.


    Julian!


    In the distance, I heard a howl.


    It was familiar, one my heart recognized before my mind did.


    It was Julian. He was here!


    I didn’t know how and I didn’t care. My heart continued to reach out for him, begging for him to be nearer.


    Like he could hear my heart’s plea, suddenly there was a loud thud on the roof of the sedan. Four dents pressed down, bowing the inside.


    Another howl sounded, this time so close, that my wolf begged me to answer. Yet, I was too frightened to shift, <i>too </i>trapped in my fear to do anything but cling on and hope with all my heart that Julian would fix this, would save me, would hold me until I felt like myself again.


    The driver started to swerve the car. Not being buckled in, I slid wildly from one side of the car to the other.


    Julian growled loud enough for me to hear through the windows.


    The driver must have been trying to shake Julian off, but Julian wasn’t letting go. He must have shifted, holding on with his ws.


    Don’t leave me! My heart begged. Don’t go!


    I couldn’t see Julian, couldn’t hear more than growls on the wind and the screeching of tires.


    Yet, almost like a whisper in my ear, I still heard Julian’s voice, as if his heart was reaching out to mine.


    Offering a promise.


    <b>I </b>will save you.