Chapter1

#Chapter1

Prologue

I gazed up at the star-filled sky then back down to the ground. Blurry shadows walked past me; their faces unclear to me. My view was hazy. My tear-filled eyes left me blinded and troubled.

A burst of frigid air rushed through me. I wrapped my arms around me tighter. This was my fault! I cursed myself for not being here. I should have been here with her.

My dog ran from the front door and brushed her body against my arm. Her black fur teased my chilled skin. In need of the comfort, I ran my fingers through her thick hair. Feeling a hint of moisture, I pulled my hand away, coming across a spot of blood she may have gotten on her.

Frightened, I pulled away. I brushed my palms against my jeans.

/"Drea?/" She ran to Brent, innocent of the current situation. He walked with her, keeping her busy so she would not demand my attention.

Whispers. Mumbles. I could hear them talking. About what? I’m uncertain. I did not care about what they were saying. Why? Because they had just as many questions as I did.

Many helped. Some had gone to take to the trees and town in search of her. I, vulnerable and in pain, stayed on the stoop of my steps, my mind left to wander.

I could hear little footsteps before a warm presence sat next to me.

/"Why would they take her?/" I looked away from Jess. I had no real answers to give.

They left nothing. Not a note. No item. Just the unsettling yet lingering smell of a vampire's stench that only they could smell.

/"Where is Jason?/" She questioned his whereabouts. I don't know. Wondering the same, I looked around at the many pack members who had come to assist.

I leaped from the step and walked down the pathway.

/"Where are you going?/" Jess called, but I ignored her. I ignored the men and women that questioned my destination. I ignored the eyes that offered me sympathy.

A few sought to stop me.

/"Just...leave me alone./" I uttered under my breath.

I walked down the sidewalk, ignoring the eyes that were following me from the thick tree brush. This was their duty. To keep me safe. What about my mom?

Someone tugged at my sleeve. I pulled away, warning them to leave me alone. Someone tugged once more. Anger brewing in me, I spun around, ready to rip this individual a new one.

He stared down at me. Sorrow and pain hid behind his green eyes. I pulled away; however, he refused to let me go like the others did. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me deep into his chest for comfort. Stop! As much as I wanted to shove him away, as much as I wanted to yelp and scream at him, I was incapable of denying the fact I needed him more than ever....

---------------------

As much as I desperately tried to think positive, I could not stop thinking of the horrible possibility about my mother. I relived the scene of the house over and over again in my head. Each and every time, I had to push back raging emotions.

I picked up my cellphone. Searching through my recent outgoing calls, I dialed my mother's cell phone number.

It rung for a few seconds before her voice echoed, repeating the vivid message I had heard numerous times.

'Hey, this is Terra; sorry, I missed your call. Leave your name and number, and I will be sure to return your call. Bye.'

I disconnected the phone. I began to cry again as I looked down at my outgoing call log. I scrolled down, watching my mother's name with a pink heart emoji appear over and over again.

Did I think calling her phone for the 100th time would work? I believed that maybe, just maybe, I would hear her pick up the phone and say 'yes Aniyah?’

I clicked on her name again. Before I could push the call button, my bedroom door creaked open. I did not care who walked in; however, I had a hunch of who it could be.

/"What is going on?/" I asked, keeping my head low and hidden.

/"I have James and Carlos tracking and the others searching as well./" His voice was low and deep. He desperately tried to sound confident that we would find her, but he has been trying for over two weeks now.

I felt the bed cave beside me before an arm latched around my waist. I leaned into him, resting my head against his broad shoulder.

Where is she? We knew this had something to do with vampires but whom? Where did they take her? Why? Is she still? I did not want to think of such possibilities but I knew it was a chance.

/"We will find her./" He sounded confident.

For some reason, I would see myself growing angry, fuming with hostility every time he said that to me. As many times as I wanted to lash out and scream, I decided to contain my anger. I knew he was doing all he could to find my mother, and I loved him for that.

I looked out of the window. The large moon stood outside of our open aperture. I began to loathe the moon. I swear it only reminded me of another sleepless night I had to prepare for.

I'm tired./" I lied.

Standing up, he pulled the comforter back, allowing me to slip in before he placed the large plush comforter over my weak frame. I turned away from him, hiding my redden face that was preparing for the tears. He slid in behind me and wrapped his arms around my thinning waist.

Finding comfort in his hold, I pressed my body against his and began to shed the tears I had struggled to keep contained throughout the day.