Destined

Reed

"Alpha, the men would like to know when we can head back?" my eyes drift to the person who just addressed Asher, but his face isn't familiar.

For the first time, in I don't even know how long, I look around. My eyes scan over about twenty men lounging around the area before settling on a pool of blood where Jaclyn had been.

Where is she and how did I not notice sooner that she was gone?

"Where's Jaclyn?" my voice is hoarse from crying and I have to clear my throat.

Asher and my dad share a brief look, but I can't tell what it is that passes between them. I can almost see the words floating behind their eyes but whatever it is, they're hesitant to share it with me.

Asher gives me a small smile before taking a deep breath.

"Dylan got her breathing, but just barely. He ran her back to the pack to see the doctor." I can tell by his voice that he is trying to remain emotionless, but it isn't working.

I could only imagine that he and Dylan are just as close as Jenna and me. Usually, that's how it is with the children of the Alpha and Beta. We're raised next to each other, almost like siblings and had it been Jenna who was trying to save Ian, I would be emotional too.

"Nick's right though, Jared. We can't stay here forever. We should head back to my p-"

"No! Reed is still out there!" I cut off Asher and try to push away from my dad.

I've been trying not to think about the fact that Reed isn't back yet. The only thing that makes it easier is the fact that Harley isn't here either. As long as Harley stays away, then I know Reed is still out there.

I know he is.

But that doesn't mean we can just leave him out here. What if he is injured and needs help getting back to Asher's pack? What if after we leave, he comes limping through the trees looking for us, but finds it empty?

"They're right, kiddo. We need to head back." a strangled cry leaves my lips as my dad reaches to pull me back into his arms.

I try to fight off the feeling of being betrayed but I don't need Alpha Jared, I need my dad. The man who should be on my side when I'm hurting. I want him to see that I'm not trying to stay out here selfishly and keep all these men from their families.

I want to go home too, but I can't just leave Reed. My bottom lip begins to tremble and tears flood my eyes, blurring the world around me as my head unconsciously shakes side to side.

"Dad-" my voice breaks off from the weight of the emotions riding on it and my dad pulls me tightly into his arms.

"I know, Aspen, I know." he coos, as he takes a step back and then another.

We can't leave our mate! Rose shouts, fighting me for control.

"No, I can't leave him!" I struggle with my dad's grip, but his arms tighten around my middle.

"Dad! No!" I kick, claw and scream but it's no use. His grip never loosens.

My eyes search for someone, anyone, to be on my side, but every single person looks at the ground like we are walking through a minefield.

"Please, Daddy," I beg, watching as we get further and further away from where we were.

"I'm sorry, Kiddo," he says simply and in the instant, I stop struggling in his arms, allowing my feet to leave a trail behind me. I don't have the strength to fight him off anyway.

I kept thinking that Reed would appear out of the trees and run towards me. He would kiss me and reassure me that Harley was no longer a threat; that he was my mate and my mate only.