In Between The Alphas
Chapter 87

LOGAN'S P.O.V

Anger

Pain

Disappointment Murder

These feelings have been my constant companions for a while. I can barely remember what it feels like when I didn't have these emotions filling up my every thought.

Once in a while I replace myself feeling serene and that's when I burn out and fall asleep. Then, I have a little peace when I dream about Charlotte and I.

When I wake up, the emotions come back in full force. I haven't slept in almost 36 hours. Fatigue is a lot better than realizing that she isn't in my arms and succumbing to the crippling disappointment. Every night by 8 p.m I get a new video from Hunter. Some are already pre recorded and some are live. On some days, he sends me two videos but no day has gone by without me receiving at least one.

It has been exactly 14 days since I received the first one and I can't seem to stop myself from watching them. Jake and Greg don't know about them obviously, I told them Hunter hadn't contacted me but the truth is; I don't want them to see how incapable I am. What kind of man lets his mate get kidnapped from right under his nose and still can't replace her almost three weeks later? Every second I watch those videos despair claws at my throat and helplessness fills me up.

I still haven't stepped foot in the house, I promised myself I wouldn't go in unless Charlotte is with me.

The door to my office creaked open and I didn't need to look up to know it was Greg. He is the only one who doesn't treat me like a ticking time bomb. He situated himself on the chair opposite me but I didn't lift my head from the map I was scouring.

"I actually liked that vase," he began gesturing to the vase I broke in a fit of rage, "I think Charlie did too. She'll be pissed to see that you broke it."

"What do you want Greg?" I finally lifted my head, "You come in here every day and talk to me about her. Have you not considered that I already feel bad enough without you reminding me that she isn't here."

"I'm not trying to remind you that she isn't here; I'm trying to give you a little motivation."

"I have enough motivation from those videos. I have watched them over and over again just to feel a fraction of what she is going through."

"Perhaps motivation was the wrong word. I don't want you to lose yourself while trying to get her back. She wouldn't want that either."

"She can tell me that herself after I get her back."

"Can I see the map?" he asked and I shrugged, "I haven't been there in over ten years but I'm sure a lot of things haven't changed."

I took a step back. It isn't a bad idea to have a fresh set of eyes look over it. I've been looking at it for almost three weeks and I haven't gotten any closer to replaceing her.

"I know she isn't in his pack, that would be stupid but she has to be close enough that he can go to see her and go back to the pack all within a few hours." I said, "I've narrowed it down to three areas; the swamp, the human town not too far and the woods."

"I've had people scouring those areas for almost a week but there's nothing there." I could feel my frustration building up and I clamped down hard on it, I can't afford to lose it right now, "I'm running out of options."

"What about these cliffs a few miles after the pack?" Greg asked and I looked at where he was pointing.

"Those cliffs are practically death sentences," I told him, "And I did have people scout the area, they didn't replace anyone there."

"Did you check murder valley?"

"What's that?"

"It's not too far from the cliffs actually; it's where Hunter used to get rid of people quietly. They would go for a little trip towards the cliffs but they would never get there."

"It's not on the map."

"Of course it's not on the map," Greg muttered almost to himself, "I don't know why I didn't think about it earlier."

He grabbed a red marker and highlighted the area for me.

"I think that's our best bet for where he's keeping Charlotte," he said, "It's close enough to his pack that he can slip in and out but it's also far enough that no one would dare wander. Last I remembered, he had a cabin there." "How do you know all this?" I asked, "And why didn't you say any of it since?"

"Where do you think he tried to get rid of me?" Greg's smile was humorless, "He said we were going on a father-son hunting trip and took me to the cabin. There, he had ordered someone to get rid of me."

"And as for why I didn't say anything; it's because I didn't remember. You'd be surprised at how many things the brain blocks out to avoid pain."

I cleared my throat, "I'll send people to scout the area."

"Don't," he cut in, "He probably has eyes on you at every moment and if he thinks you're getting close to replaceing her then he might take her away."

"So do you suggest I leave her there?"

"I know someone," he gritted the words out, "She helped me get out and her husband has ties to Hunter. She'll help me replace out."

"If her husband has ties to him then what makes you think she would be willing to help us."

"She was the one who got Charlotte out in the first place." He said, "Her name is Aubrey and she was the daughter of the Dark Fangs Alpha; she got married to the Alpha of Strix." "Fine," I forced myself to say, "How soon can she replace out?"

"She'll get you an answer by tomorrow evening." That's two videos away. He stood to his feet and made his way to the door but paused with his hand on the knob. "We'll get her back." "I know; thank you."

"You need to sleep Logan; you're not a machine."

"She needs me."

"You can't save her if you can barely stand," he said, "You smell like a sewer and you look like you haven't had a decent meal in two days."

He's almost right- it's three days.

"When I replace her I'll sleep."

"When you replace her you're going to run head first into a rescue." I kept my face blank, "At least ea something."

"Fine; I'll get something later."

"I already got something; it should be here in ten minutes."

"Thank you."

He tipped his head lightly and walked out.

The meal arrived in exactly ten minutes and I was able to get half of it down.

Anger

Pain

Disappointment

Murder

And now a new feeling was bubbling in my chest; one so fragile but stronger than all the others.

HOPE and drowsiness- why am I drowsy?

Just before everything went black it hit me- Greg fvcking drugged me.