The Tormented Mate
Chapter 27

*Braxton’s POV (1 month before Emily gives birth) *

I have not been able to hold or speak to Emily in 8 months. It has been the longest 8 months of my life. The twins are always asking me about her, and I still have not found the words to say to them. I just change the subject. I barely see our kids now. I am constantly following leads on Emily. If it were not for my parents and Emily’s parents, I would not be able to carry on the way I do. I know she is still alive. If something bad happened to her I would feel the mate bond break. Having the mate bond pull still makes me have hope that one day I will replace her. I pull into my driveway from picking up some diapers and replace Connors car sitting there with him leaning on the side.

He wastes no time in speaking once I get out of the car. “One of our pack members went on vacation to another country and she hasn’t returned. Her sister is starting to worry. I was wondering if you wanted to join me in going to search for her. Before you say no, I think you could use a change of scenery and I am pretty sure your dad can handle things here for just a few days.”

“I guess I could ask around some of the packs just to see if they know of or have heard of anything.” I say.

“I thought getting you to go with me was going to be a lot harder than that.”

“I think you’re right. I need a change of scenery and I have not explored other countries yet. How long has she been missing?”

“She was supposed to return 3 days ago. Her sister hasn’t been able to reach her by phone or at the hotel phone.”

“I’ll pack a bag. Let me say bye to my kids and I will meet you in about 20 minutes.”

“Okay. I’ll be waiting at my house.” He says and gets back in his car to drive away.

The twins come bounding into my arms when I walk through the door. It takes a lot not to cry when they get so excited to see me. It makes me think about all the little things Emily is missing. Laura is growing so fast and she looks so much like her mother. She has been walking for quite some time now and she is exploring so many new words. As I put the twins down, I notice her peeking at me around the corner.

“Laura, what are you doing?” I ask her.

“Daddy!” She screams and comes running over to me, carrying her tattered teddy bear.

I pick her up and k**s her head. “You always want to be the last so you can get my undivided attention.”

“I love you.” She says to me sweetly.

I hug her tightly and put her back on the ground. “I love you more baby girl.”

The kids go back to playing and I inform my parents of my plans. I hug my mom and go to pack my bag for my trip. As I am zipping my bag up, I notice my dad standing in my bedroom doorway.

“We will replace her.” He breaks the silence.

“You have said that every day since she was taken.” I say back gruffly.

“I say it every day to remind you that we will replace her. You have to have patience son.”

“Dad, it’s been 8 months! The twins are asking about her less and less and Laura does not even remember her. She has never even said the word mommy.”

He places a hand on my shoulder. “I know son. Maybe this trip will help you clear your mind and give you a new lead. I will call one if the Alphas around there to let them know you are coming and that you request a meeting. Try not to worry too much about here, I’ll take care of everything.”

Hugging him I look at him. “Thanks dad.”

I say my goodbyes to the kids and walk out to my car. I watch in the rearview mirror at my 3 kids as I drive away. It is not long before I pull into Connor’s driveway. He hears me pull up and comes out the door closing it tight behind him.

“You ready?” He asks when he gets into the car.

“You have no idea.” I say to him.

Our flight in uneventful. I sleep almost the whole way. An 8-hour flight. I did not know how much sleep I was lacking. I wake up refreshed and just as I wake up, I see the fasten seatbelt sign. As we land, I am just hoping that this country brings us answers for Emily and the missing pack member. The first thing we do is head to the wolf territory and check into the pack hotel. Next, we meet with the Alpha. He does not know anything of Emily but does remember meeting the pack member we are missing. He claims he hast seen her in a few days and the last time he saw her she was heading into town. I remember that her sister is pregnant, and I ask him where the closest baby store is at. Ending our conversation, Connor and I grab a car and head to the baby store.

Pulling into the parking lot of the baby store I get goosebumps run down my spine. I shake it off and we head inside. I freeze the second I step inside the store. “Connor. It is Emily. She’s been here, and recently.”

“I smell her also.” He says to me.

Finding a manager, I show him the photo of Emily and our missing pack member.

“I have seen them both, but there is something you should know.” Pointing to our pack member he looks at me with sadness. “This woman was killed in this store a couple days ago. Her neck was snapped. I have video footage if you would like to see it.”

“Please.” I say to him.

He pulls the video footage and my heart sinks. I see Emily speaking to her with her hand resting on her very pregnant belly. In a split second I see Zack behind the woman and see her fall to the floor. In the next second, Zack and Emily are gone.

The manager stops the tape and looks at me. “Our cameras malfunctioned, which explains the cut offs but that’s all we got. I am sorry about your friend.”

I am not able to speak. Connor speaks for us both. “Thank you for your help. This is my number if you see the girl again could you call me please?”

Connor pulls me out of the store and into the car. “Brax? Want to talk about it?”

Pulling me from my thoughts I look at him. “He has gotten her pregnant. This is the closest we have been to replaceing Emily and I finally see her, and she is pregnant. He must be mind controlling her. She hates him. We have to replace her.”

“I don’t disagree with you. Do you know what you will do when you replace her? That’s not your child but it is hers.”

“That’s not my concern right now. My concern is replaceing Emily and getting her away from him.”

“Let’s start there.” Connor says and drives out of the parking lot.

I finally see Emily and at the same time my heart feels whole again at the sight of her I also replace out she is pregnant with someone else baby. When we replace her, will I be able to accept this child? I know my Emily would never give her child up and I could never ask that of her. She is an amazing mother. I try to push my thoughts to the back of my mind. Right now, the priority is to just replace her. The first thing I decide to do is start asking around at the doctors to see if we can locate where she is.