* I came to in a dark room. The only light filtered through a small window that was covered with frost. It was cold in the room as I shifted my legs and feet. I was sore all over my body. My head pounded in pain and I was so thirsty. My hands flew to my belly in a bid to feel the baby as everything rushed back with clarity. Tears flooded my eyes when my hands felt nothing. I sat up, trying to get up from the cot. A small ripple moved through my abdomen and I breathed a sigh of relief as I felt a definite kick. The baby lived. Eli did not. I sobbed, pressing my hand against my mouth. Someone had taken me and killed my mate. The room I was in was small and concrete. There was only a cot, which I had been laying on. My clothes were stiff and I looked down to see that my sweater had been removed. I made my way to the door, reaching for the door knob. It was frozen in my palm as I attempted to turn the knob. It didn't budge. I moved to the small window and grabbed the concrete ledge with my fingers. My boots tried to find purchase on the wall so I could look out. I slipped but tried again. My arms shook as I tried and I ended up in a heap on the floor.

* I came to in a dark room. The only light filtered through a small window that was covered with frost. It was cold in the room as I shifted my legs and feet. I was sore all over my body. My head pounded in pain and I was so thirsty. My hands flew to my belly in a bid to feel the baby as everything rushed back with clarity. Tears flooded my eyes when my hands felt nothing. I sat up, trying to get up from the cot. A small ripple moved through my abdomen and I breathed a sigh of relief as I felt a definite kick. The baby lived. Eli did not. I sobbed, pressing my hand against my mouth. Someone had taken me and killed my mate. The room I was in was small and concrete. There was only a cot, which I had been laying on. My clothes were stiff and I looked down to see that my sweater had been removed. I made my way to the door, reaching for the door knob. It was frozen in my palm as I attempted to turn the knob. It didn't budge. I moved to the small window and grabbed the concrete ledge with my fingers. My boots tried to find purchase on the wall so I could look out. I slipped but tried again. My arms shook as I tried and I ended up in a heap on the floor.
"Think, Grace. Think." I whispered, my breath coming out in thick plumes. It was freezing and I chafed my arms as I stood up, moving around to try and gain some heat. The baby was flipping within me, and my stomach grumbled with hunger. I heard heavy foot steps and voices and tensed as the door knob moved and the door banged open. The light coming in the doorway blinded me at first and then I saw two men coming in and closing the door.
"Hmm, cold in here." The first one said, shrugging his shoulders as he ducked further into his coat. I didn't respond and watched as they came in.
"Hello, Gracie Jericho." A man with a neatly trimmed goatie sat on the cot. I remained silent as he got comfortable. He had a triple seven tattooed above his left eye.
"You don't know who am I. But I believe you know my partner here, Junius Cantwell."
I looked to the clean shaven man standing against the door. My mind raced but I recognized neither of them.
"I think she's mute. Or you knocked her stupid when you let those idiots in your pack grab her." Junius Cantwell was a dick and I didn't like him.
"She's neither of those things, are you darlin'?" The man with the tattoo said softly. I didn't like the way he said my name. His eyes traveled my body and settled on the noticeable swell.
"It's a shame about your mate, and I do apologize for that. My men were a bit over zealous in their orders." Tears filled my eyes and I backed away.
"No, no, come on now. Don't be afraid. I may still let you keep your baby." My hands flew to my belly.
"Who are you?" My lips were so dry and cracked that I was hardly able to speak.
"Donovan Wilson, at your service." He reached for me and caught my wrist, tugging me closer. The man known as Cantwell watched me closely.
"She's way more timid then her sister." My eyes met his at that comment. Donovan pulled me down beside him, tucking me into his side.
"Cantwell here fought with your sister. Gina, wasn't it?" He turned to Cantwell, who nodded.
"I did. Too bad she lived." My eyes darted between the two men.
"Don't fret, she lives. At least, that's the word we've received." I didn't like being close to this Donovan Wilson and I didn't like Cantwell.
"I bet you're wondering what any of this has to do with you, aren't you?" I didn't think he expected an answer. "See, we're looking for Quinn Cooper. And he's disappeared off of our radar. But intelligence shows that he's most likely with your brother and sister."
"Which is why we've relocated you here. We need to speak with your brother." Cantwell finished. I knew they were lying. I would stake my life on it, and I just might have to.
"I haven't spoken to my brother or sister in months." I whispered, leaving Gillian out of the conversation. They had only spoken of Gina and Gabe.
"So, are you saying that your brother would not care to know that you are in the middle of a turf war between two alpha's, and unless he brings forth the coward Cooper that he hides from us, you will die?"
"My brother and I aren't close." I told them. I startled when Donovan grabbed my upper arms roughly, jerking my face inches from his.
"Listen to me, and listen to me well, little Gracie Jericho. I will force you to drink a mixture of Misoprostol to begin your labor. We all know that little pup you carry won't be able to survive. I will send his rotting corpse to your brother with a note that you're next if he doesn't produce Cooper. I care little for you and nothing for the babe you carry. This is between Cooper and I. So. I'm going to bring a satellite phone down, and you're going to call him. And you're going to find out where he is. Are we understood?" I swallowed and the sound was loud in the small room.
"Bring her some water, Cantwell." I shook my head. I wouldn't drink anything they gave me. He'd threatened my baby, the only thing I had left.
"Just bring the phone and let me go. I have nothing to do with this. I don't know any of you."
"I can't let you go, Gracie Jericho. Once Cooper knows I have you, he'll come for you."
"Especially knowing how he fucked over Gina - literally - he won't risk his best friend, his blood brothers baby sister." Cantwell added. Donovan patted my cheek.
"Be a good girl. Make the phone call. I'll have food, drink and a blanket brought to you, then we'll make the call." They both left the room and closed the door. I sat stunned. How the hell had I even become a pawn in this game? Eli was dead because of a turf war? We were so far removed from the pack that I had no idea Quinn's father had passed on. And now, I was being used to win the war. My stomach roiled - whether from hunger or fear - I didn't know and I leaned over and retched onto the floor. I was shaking when it passed and I laid back down on the cot, stunned. My mind clicked off and I stared at the cracks in the concrete as I waited for the men to return. *