The Heart Sees
Chapter 21

Troy's P.O.V

I went with the warriors up towards the mountains and was about halfway up when I smelled Lu. I sniffed around the ground until I realized that it was her blood that I was smelling.

'Terry! Liam!' I called and they came running over.

'Is that....' Liam asked sadly.

'Yes it's Lu's' I sighed.

'It looks like the drips leave a trail. We could use this to replace her' Terry replied.

'What if she is badly hurt?' I whimpered.

'Or she did this on purpose to help us replace her' Liam said and I gazed in his direction. 'She might be trying to leave us clues' he explained.

'That could be...it's a pretty neat trail and there are no huge amounts of blood. I think Liam is right' Terry agreed and I felt pride that my mate was so clever.

'She can't keep it up forever... the blood loss will make her weak. We have to follow the trail quickly' I ordered.

I lead the way, sniffing the trail that would hopefully lead to Lu. 'Mate is smart... and she is still alive, I can sense her wolf' Brax said hopefully.

The trail eventually lead us to a small building of some sort. It smelled like wood mixed with Lu's blood. I was the first one in and all I could smell was blood and her scent mixed with the alpha's. I froze... does this mean he mated her? 'Terry!' I shouted through the mind link as I smelled him enter with Liam.

"Oh God..." Liam said through a cracked voice.

"What do you see?" I asked Terry.

"There's blood on the floor but most of it is on the bed. The blankets are thrown on the floor and there is a dirty bowl beside the bed. It looks like Lu was here and that she was fed something" Terry explained.

"So you smell the mixing of their scents too?" I asked desperately.

"Yes" Terry answered honestly and my heart broke as I rested my hand against the wall to steady myself.

"I was too late... I couldn't stop hin from... she must be so scared... this is all my fault" I said through a cracked voice, willing myself not to cry.

"None of this is your fault" Terry said as he placed a hand on my shoulder. "She is strong, she'll get through this as long as you stand by her" he said sadly.

"I won't ever leave her... I know it's not her fault that this happened... I hope she isn't blaming herself" I said worriedly. "I will always want her... mark or no mark she is my mate" I said as I pushed myself off the wall.

"We should keep moving" Liam said sadly as I nodded at him. I could tell that he cared for Lu a lot, and if he was interested in women I would be worried he had a crush on her.

We walked out of the shack and picked up the blood trail again when I remembered the strange wolf that helped us was at my pack house. 'The information was right. See that the new wolf gets set up in our pack' I mind linked one of my warriors.

'Yes alpha' he replied as I focused back on the blood trail.

'It looks like it leads through this valley and back down the mountain" Terry informed me.

'Do you see them?' I asked.

'No 'he replied sadly. I nodded as we continued our pursuit.

Every so often we would replace Lu's scent brushed on some trees or large rocks as we made our way down the mountain. It gave me hope that she was still alive and that she was still leaving clues for us. We followed the trail as fast as possible when it began to get dark. "I think we're close" I told Liam and Terry as we approached a small clearing at the bottom of the mountain.

'It's some sort of building and the lights are on' Terry said happily.

'Brax is going crazy, they must be in there' I told them and Liam's wolf yipped happily in my mind.

'Surround that building, we believe that the Luna is inside. The goal is to get her out safely and take Chase into custody. But if he has to be killed that is fine too' I mind linked the warriors and heard some light rustling.

'In position alpha' I heard one of them respond after a few minutes.

'Terry, take the back of the building and Liam and I will go in the front' I ordered and they started to move.

I followed Liam's scent and the smell of Lu got stronger as we got closer. When I tapped Liam's shoulder, I shouted 'now!' Through the mind link and the warriors approached from all sides as we burst through the door.

I followed Lu's scent when Liam's arm stretched in front of me. 'There is trip wire about inches off the ground' he explained and I nodded.

I stepped carefully over the wire and walked towards Lu. The smell of blood flooded my nostrils as I reached my hands out. 'Any sign of Chase?' I asked.

'No. He must have left to get food or something' Terry replied.

'The house is rigged, everyone be careful and watch for traps' I warned everyone through the mind link as I shifted back to my human form.

'Liam what do you see?' I asked.

'Alpha I....' Liam hesitated, his words coming out in choked sobs.

"What do you see!" I yelled.

"Troy there is a large gash on Lu's head that is bleeding a lot. She seems to have hit it hard on something or been attacked. She is unconcious, but with the blood loss she might not make it if she doesn't receive medical care soon" Liam explained. "She is naked and her body is pretty beat up... she seems pale but she is alive. We have to get her back to the pack doctor as soon as possible...." he added, but I could tell he was leaving something out.

"And?" I asked.

"It looks like he had just mated with her before he left but there is no mark" he said hesitantly as I growled angrilly.

"We have to go! Now!" I yelled loud enough for everyone to hear as I gently picked Lu up. She seemed even lighter than I remember. I would check her body for injuries later, for now we just have to get her back.

"Terry, Liam, stay here in case Chase comes back. Capture if possible, if not kill him. If you are outnumbered then retreat" I ordered. "Also help me strap Lu to my back after I shift. I'll be faster in wolf form" I added before I set Lu down carefully and shifted.

I felt them set Lu on my back, hardly weighing anything as some straps went tightly around my stomach. "Okay go, and try not to shake her too much. I have her head secured but any sudden movement could cause more damage" Terry said and I bolted as soon as he was done talking.

I followed the blood trail back to the enemy pack and then was able to replace the rest of the way there myself. Even though I had not slept in days I pushed myself hard until I got to the hospital. 'I need a doctor now!' I growled through the mind link and heard footsteps approach as soon as I entered the building.

I felt them unstrapping Lu and once she was off the doctor said, "prepare the operating room! We have to get to this head injury!" Then I heard retreating footsteps. I shifted and someone handed me a pair of clothes as I slipped them on.

I made my way to one of the chairs and fell into it, feeling exhausted. I prayed to the moon goddess, begging her not to take Lu from me, as I waited for news.

********before Lu was found*********

Chase's P.O.V

I buckled up my pants and sighed as I looked over Lu's naked frame on the small bed. I wanted her to fight but with how weak she was I didn't expect her to be that violent. I had no choice but to knock her unconscious. In the heat of the moment I had picked up the lamp beside the bed and bashed her head, causing a nasty head wound.

I wish that she would just cooperate and adjust to her new life already. I will have more of a chance when that alpha is dead.

I looked through the cupboards and growled when I saw that there was no food. I hunted around for other supplies and decided to make some traps. If I was going to leave the cabin I wouldn't want Lu to be taken. I set up a trip wire and some silver nails by the windows. I wasn't planning to be long but this should work to stop a blind alpha... he won't see the traps.

I needed to have a word with the rogue leader who had allowed me passage through his land and the use of this cabin. Maybe he could lend me some wolves to fend off the Evergreen pack.

There was no point in dressing Lu because I would be back for another round later. I took one last look at her before leaving the cabin and shifting into my wolf. I ran several miles to meet with the rogue leader and managed to catch a few rabbits that I could collect on my way back.

I shifted back when I came to the rogue camp and a few of them recognized me. "I need a word with your leader" I shouted. They nodded and lead me to him a bit reluctantly.

"What brings you here?' Their leader asked.

"I have a problem. The Evergreen pack is proving to be a challenge. The alpha won't let my mate go. I need some wolves to help fend them off" I explained.

"I don't want to risk the safety of my wolves over your mate. Evergreen is a very powerful pack and I don't have the numbers. If they come for us I need all of my wolves here to defend" he growled.

"What if I offer supplies from my pack?"

"My answer is no. We will provide you land and lodging but I won't supply my wolves" he shook his head.

"You'll regret this!" I shouted before I stormed out of the tent. I know I can't leave Lu for long so I shifted and ran back, collecting the rabbits.

'The alpha is here!' My beta mind linked me. I had him and a couple other warriors I trusted watching the perimeter.

'See what he does and keep me informed' I replied.

'There are too many wolves with him for us to fight alpha. He is taking the omega' my beta said a few minutes later.

'We need to regroup!' I growled as I pushed myself to run faster.