Jaded Hearts
Chapter 53

Taylor

Matt and I were lying in bed, and I couldn’t take my eyes off my ring. It really was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, and I was amazed that it was mine.

“The way you’ve been staring at your hand for the past three hours tells me that you like the ring?”

“You know I do. I couldn’t have picked anything more perfect.”

He pulled me onto his chest and ran his fingers through my hair. “Mom is going to be so happy to see you wearing it. She hasn’t seen it since I added the emeralds, so I’m interested to see what she thinks.”

“Hmmm.”

I was in heaven, listening to his heart beating under my head and feeling our daughter moving around in my belly. Now it was time to move forward and make our family official. “So, I know that I’ve been stalling because of Drew still hanging over our heads, but I think I’ve picked a wedding date.”

“Is it tomorrow? Please say that it is!”

“Sorry handsome, but it’s not tomorrow. I was thinking the middle of April. I think the weather would be perfect for a beach wedding.”

“About six and a half months. That seems doable. Are you sure? Because once we tell everyone, it’s going to be hard to change our minds.”

“I’m sure. And my mom’s birthday is April 11; she could spend it in Italy. She’d love that.”

Matt grabbed his phone from the nightstand and pulled up the calendar. “It’s a leap year, so the eleventh is on a Saturday this year. Why not just make that the wedding day?”

“You’d do that? You wouldn’t mind sharing our anniversary with my mom’s birthday?”

“Not at all. If it’s what you want, then it’s what I want.”

I thought about it for a few moments before I made my decision. “April 11 it is. I’ll tell our moms tomorrow, so they can get everything started.”

The room went quiet, and I could tell that Matt had something on his mind. “What’s wrong? Do you want to change the date?”

“No, baby. It’s perfect.”

He sighed and wrapped his arms right around me. “Taylor, I’m so sorry that we haven’t found him yet. I feel like something big is coming, and it’s all my fault. I just wish I had done things differently that night.”

“You can’t change what’s been done, so don’t continue to beat yourself up. You guys will replace him. He’s just having a streak of good luck that’s keeping him hidden.”

He sat up and took my hands in his.

“Thank you for standing by me through all of this. It’s been hell trying to not take responsibility for his escape, but you’ve never once blamed me. It means so much to me.”

“I’d never blame you, Matt, none of you. The only person at fault is whoever freed him. Now, let’s stop talking about him and move forward. I’m excited to finally be Mrs. Stone, and not even a psychotic stalker is going to stop me.”

* * *

Unknown

I was growing tired of waiting. Patience was never a virtue of mine, but that tends to happen when you grow up getting everything to want, exactly when you want it. My father was a feared and powerful man, and after his death, the responsibility to uphold his reputation and legacy fell to me.

Although I still live a pampered life, I must work a bit more for the things I want now, and I was currently working on a plan that couldn’t possibly fail. I had been following him for a while; years actually. I knew everything there was to know about Andrew Witt; all the trouble he caused, his rejected mate, his obsession with the girl, and all the trouble his actions had currently placed him in.

He was a rebel like me. He wanted what he wanted, and he was not one to take no for an answer. He was just like me, and he would be the perfect face of my revenge campaign.

“Sir? The omegas have sent the report you requested.”

My lieutenant and only confidant, Lawrence, walked into my study, pulling me from my thoughts.

“What is it?”

“Andrew has finally healed, but he’ll have permanent disabilities due to his injuries. His left hand seems unusable at this time, and he’ll require a prosthesis for this right arm. He will likely have a limp as well once he gets back on his feet, as his knee caps were badly damaged. Also, his wolf is still missing. They do not believe it to be dead; however, it seems that the trauma of the incident with Blue Moon has sent it into hiding.”

“I was afraid of that. How is he? Does he know who I am, or why or how he was saved?”

“From what I’ve been told, he’s angry because of all that he’s lost, and it has made him even more violent than he usually is. And no, none of the omegas have revealed your identity. He asks daily, but they’ve stuck to the regulations you’ve laid out for them.”

“Good, good. I can handle angry and violent, that’s not a problem. Have him moved to the new location tomorrow. He’s been in the cabin for long enough, and it’s a wonder that he hasn’t been found yet.”

“Sir, if I may ask, why are you helping him? By all accounts, he seems to be extremely unstable. His own pack has banished him, and he’s being hunted by Blue Moon. Why involve yourself in these affairs? The Blue Moon pack is not one that you should stand against, so please help me to understand the logic here.”

“That’s none of your concern right now, Lawrence. When the time comes, you will know everything, but for now, just do what you have been told and have him moved. The same rules will apply at the new location. He’s still not to know anything about where he is or who I am, but we need to get physical therapists into the rotation to help him regain as much of his strength as possible.”

“Yes sir, I’ll make the arrangements now.”

Lawrence was the only person I trusted, but not even he could know my true intentions. Not until I knew everything was in place.

It had taken much longer than I anticipated, but it was finally time to move forward with my plan for Andrew. The loss of his wolf was a major setback that I didn’t know if we would ever overcome, but it wouldn’t stop me. I would get my revenge on Blue Moon if it was the very last thing I did. Vengeance would be mine, and Andrew was the vessel to lead me to it.

I needed him alive, and I needed him healthy. I needed this man more than I wanted to admit. He just didn’t know it yet.

* * *

Drew

Today was a strange day; I could feel it. There was much more commotion outside my door than usual, and for the first time since I woke up, my breakfast was late.

Just when I was about to yell out for someone to explain what the hell was happening, a tall, skinny man with long brown hair and pale skin walked into the room.

He wasn’t an omega; this much was clear by the way he carried himself and the fact that he never once avoided eye contact with me. His dark clothing and general presence created an aura of importance and authority that was eerily calming and terrifying at the same time.

“Good morning, Mr. Witt. I hope you don’t mind the intrusion, but it’s moving day, and I’m here to make sure you are safely transported.”

Transported? What am I, a f*****g couch?

“What do you mean ‘moving day?’ Where am I going?”

“That information isn’t important and cannot be disclosed at this time. But don’t worry, you’ll be much more comfortable in the new location.”

This was all too weird. I couldn’t get a read on this guy. Since Killian was gone, my sense of smell was no better than a human’s, so I couldn’t pick up a scent to figure out who or what he was.

“Who are you, and why are you so concerned with my safety and comfort?”

“My name is Vincent, Mr. Witt, and I’m not concerned with you. Not at all. I’m just doing the job I was told to do, which forces me to look after your wellbeing.”

“Are you a wolf?”

“I am a Lieutenant.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that I am in charge unless I’m not. Now that we’ve been properly introduced, it’s time for you to sleep so that we can get going.”

Nothing he said made any sense. He spoke in circles and riddles and made me uncomfortable. I didn’t like the feeling. I was nervous having him so close to me, but I tried to hide it. I wouldn’t be weak, no matter what physical state I was in.

“I’m not in the mood for your cryptic answers, Vincent. So, either tell me what I want to know or get the hell out.”

“Of course, Mr. Witt.”

He reached in his pocket, and as soon as he pulled his hand back out, he blew a handful of some strange powder in my face. Once it made contact, my body instantly went numb, and I could feel my lids becoming too heavy to stay open. I tried to stay awake to see what was happening to me, but it was a losing battle.

“Just relax, Mr. Witt. Don’t fight it, and I’ll make sure your trip is as comfortable as can be.”

Those were the last words I heard before I was completely unconscious.