Hidden Park: Freeing Londyn (Hidden Park Series Book 1) Page 3

  "What's going on Aria? What aren't you telling me?" She looks behind her, rushes to the door, sniffs, and looks around, then scrambles back to me. "I overheard devil dad," She hates her father and doesn't even like calling him her dad, so she's named him devil dad, of course, she never says it to his face. "He is moving up my mating ceremony; they are going to leave in the morning to talk with my buyer. He wants an alliance, and he's going to sell me to them to form it. He wants the bond to be done by the end of this month. That's less than two weeks away Londyn, I can't...Please, I can't go through that!" She whisper-yells at me.

  No, two weeks, that isn't enough time. "You need to run." I fumble under my pillow and hand her the doctors’ card. "Go here, Doctor Jennings will help you; I know she will." I start to push her out the door. "Londyn, I will not leave you here with him. If I run, you are running with me. They are out celebrating right now; they think they have me already sold. Let’s go now, together. I can sniff those stupid drunk bastards out, and we can avoid them. I have already stolen some money from the devil dad. Time is running out." She grabs my hand and pulls me. I wince at the pain in my wrist from my last cuffing.

  "I will slow you down; I'm still hurt." I can't risk her. "Then we will run slowly, but you are coming with me. Now move!" She grabs my hand and gently pulls me behind her. This is really happening. We are able to avoid all the guards who are too drunk to notice us. Aria must have a route mapped out in her mind, she's moving fast are sure, I just follow. I'm in pain; my body aches, my head hurts, but I won't stop I will ensure she is safe.

  Thirty minutes later, we are sitting on a bus heading out of Phoenix. This bus is going to Los Angeles then we take another bus somewhere else in Utah, then from there we will get another bus to Montana. It's finally happening Aria, and I will be free. With that last thought, I lay my head on the window and fall asleep.

  Chapter 6

  Tristan

  After Sophia did all her testing, last night and scrambled my brain with words that made no sense. We decided she would call Damien this morning and try to get invited back to Phoenix's pack and while we’re there, we would stage a rescue/kidnapping. I’m restless and a little anxious on how this call is going to go. Giving up trying to sleep in on a Sunday I figured I would get up and head over to Sophia’s for the call.

  It's just passed dawn, and I'm knocking on Sophia's door; I know she's awake; she wakes early like me, although she usually gets ready for work. I know she isn't going in to work today since it's Sunday. Finally, after forever, okay maybe a minute, she opens the door with two cups of coffee.

  "You have company?" She looks at me like I'm an idiot. Today I would agree with her. "I knew it was you, here drink up." She says as she hands me a large coffee, black just like I like it. "It is too early to call Tris, you know, that right?" I don’t know why I am so uptight about getting these girls out.

  "I know; I was a little edgy this morning and thought I’d come spend time with my adorable baby sister." I say knowing she hates being called both adorable and my baby sister.

  “You call me that again, and you will be enjoying your second cup of coffee at your own house.” She growls at me. I laugh; she's about as fierce as a puppy to me. If we fought, she could definitely give as well as she got, but I would never fight her.

  “So, tell me what’s going with you, are you dating anyone?” I hate the thought of Sophia dating, not because she doesn’t deserve happiness, but because I don’t know if there is anyone out there that is worthy of her. I would have to beat the hell out of any man who hurt her.

  “Really Tris? You want to know if I’m dating someone? Why so you can go kill him?” She says, maybe I projected my thoughts. “I would not kill someone for dating you, Soph. I’d kill them for hurting you, big difference.” I say smirking.

  “Well no impeding death for any poor souls. I am not seeing anyone and have no plans to anytime soon.” She says almost a little sad. “I’m too busy with the clinic and helping with the pack. Plus, I haven’t met anyone who stops my heart.” She says wistfully.

  “Stops your heart? That is called death Soph, I don’t want anyone to do that to you.” I joke. “Seriously though Soph, I can give you more time off away from pack duties if you're overwhelmed?” I want her to have a balance. I don’t want her unhappy or stressed.

  “No, I like to stay busy Tristan. I guess I’m holding out, hoping to meet my life-mate. I know it’s so rare, but I want what our parents had. They were so in love and happy.” I know what she means, I was just thinking that too. “I understand that Soph. I won’t settle down unless I had that also. I don’t want a mate just for status or an alliance. I want the whole shebang, so I get it. However, you can still go out and have fun.” I don’t go out as much as I used to, being I’m almost 30, and I have to be more serious and at least have the appearance of being settled.

  “I’m just not the type Tris, you know I’m more serious than any of you boys. I may be the baby, but I am the most mature.” She says with pride. I laugh; she is so right. “Of course, baby sis. You take care of us and make sure we stay in line. You’re our mini mom.” We all miss our parents but are lucky to have each other. “Mama and papa would come haunt me if I didn’t.” She says, and we laugh together.

  Sophia knows how hard I took our parents deaths; they were all too young to remember them. At the age of 10, I was the next Alpha. Luckily, our pack stood together, and everyone helped groom me to be the Alpha I am today. No one tried to challenge me. It was times like this that I really missed them and wish they were here, so I could have their advice.

  “We need to talk more often Sophia; I'm sorry I’m always so closed off. I think I have to hold things in, and you help keep me grounded.” I tell her honestly. There is something with this rescue that has me really missing our parents.

  “You are a great Alpha. Our parents would be so proud of you. You are the Alpha they would have wanted you to be, whether you have a Luna or not. You make this pack what it is because you treat everyone as family, and that is what this pack is, a family.” She tells me confidently. I really needed to hear that.

  I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Honestly, Soph, since yesterday I don't know what I am feeling. Knowing how Phoenix Pack is treating women. I know they aren’t our pack, but no pack should be like that. It has been all messed up. If that was you there, I would be there killing that bastard. She doesn’t have anyone fighting for her, and that doesn’t sit well with me.” There is something with that woman there that is really bothering me.

  "Well I should call Damien now." Sophia throws it out there before I even realize it has been over two hours. "Can you put it on speaker, I want to hear him." She looks up at me considering what I'm asking. "I will if you promise to be quiet. We don't want him to suspect anything and hurt her." I frown at her, contemplating. "Of course, Soph. Come on give me some credit.” I say with a half laugh.

  "Hi Damien, this is Dr. Jennings. I just wanted to call and let you know I have a colleague that has a fertility drug that I can give to your mate which could help...." He quickly cuts her off and starts yelling "WHERE ARE THEY!! YOUR PACK WAS THE LAST ONES HERE. YOU TOOK THEM DIDN'T YOU, DAMN IT TELL ME!!!" Sophia looks at me shocked.

  "Mr. Johnston, I was just calling to check in with you and your mate about a fertility drug. Who is them? Is your mate ok?" Sophia is playing calm really well. I would have cussed him out by now. "My daughter and my mate are missing. You were the last one to see that whor...my mate. Some guards saw my daughter yesterday evening, now they are both missing. So, you better tell me if you have them unless you want to start a war!" He has the gall to accuse us, to accuse my sister.

  We may have been planning on taking them, but we haven’t done anything yet. I am quickly losing my temper and struggling to keep quiet. "Mr. Johnston, I promise you I have no idea where your daughter and mate are, neither does anyone in my pack. We arrived home yesterday only a couple of hours after leaving your lands." I ca
n tell she wants to offer help, but she's holding back.

  "You better not be lying to me Dr. Jennings. If I find out you took them or know who did, I promise, I will bring hell to your door." The call ended abruptly. Sophia's stunned eyes met mine. "Do you think they escaped or were taken?" She quietly asks me.

  I don't know what to think. Part of me is happy they are no longer there but not knowing where they are, that has me concerned, and I know it has Sophia concerned. "Fuck." I whisper. We don't know how long they have been missing, since that asshole didn't say, and we couldn't interrogate him like I would have wanted, that would have only made him more suspicious of us. "We need to find them. I'll get Xavier and Cole to look at their computer shit to see what they can find, they are good at that." I just hope we can find them before Damien does.

  Chapter 7

  Londyn

  We have been on bus after bus for what feels like weeks, yet it has only been a couple of days. But, at least no one has caught up to us yet. We have changed buses so many times I don’t even remember all the cities we stopped at. It wasn’t a vacation; I just remember going from Phoenix to LA, then I think we went up to San Francisco, afterwards I gave up paying attention.

  Aria was my rock; she took charge and got our bus tickets each time. Sometimes snacks, I barely ate. I was nervous and still scared that at one of the stops Damien was going to find us. Now, we are on our final bus going to Wolf Creek, Montana. Fitting.

  This is still not where we are stopping, we still have to find a way to some small town that so far no one has heard of. We just know it's Northern Montana. Dr. Jennings's card says Hidden Park, MT. Aria and I did try to Google it before we tossed her phone but even then, it didn't come up. We figured once we got to Wolf Creek, we could find a pay phone and call Dr. Jennings and maybe she could help us. So, for now we were living on hope and prayers.

  We haven't showered or had a real meal in days. I was used to one meal a day, that was all I was allowed. Aria needed more strength, which is why I let her eat most of the snacks we got. We didn't have much to spend; I was grateful to anything we got because Aria was the one that stole the money. Without her, we wouldn't be here; I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be free. I just hoped we got help from Dr. Jennings's pack.

  We slept off and on, wanting the time and miles to fly by but still neither of us relaxed. We were always watching everywhere, waiting to be found, waiting to be taken back. We knew we weren't safe until we got into the Hidden Park Pack. I might not be safe even then. I was human. Worthless to shifters except as a breeder. I didn't know what this pack would be like, I just hoped they could help me and Aria enough until we could figure things out. Most likely, Aria could stay with this pack. I wouldn’t make her leave if she was happy there. I just hoped it was better than Damien's pack. We would find out soon since we were pulling into the Wolf Creek station.

  Aria and I both were rushing to get off; we wanted to be safe as soon as possible. Neither of us said anything as we ran to the lobby looking for a pay phone. Finally, we found one on the opposite side of the building. It looked like there was a wall of them at one time, but now only one stood while the other cubicles had plugs and spots for people to charge their cell phones or laptops.

  I stood there staring at the phone, with the card in my hand wondering if I should call or Aria should call. "I think you should call Londyn. She has never met me. I just know about her." Aria says quietly, knowing what I'm thinking. I take a deep breath and start filling the phone with quarters. Shaking I start dialing the number and on the first ring, I stop breathing. After only two rings she picks up, "Dr. Jennings."

  I can't make words come out, and Aria looks at me like she's going to panic if I ruin this. "Hello, is anyone there?" Dr. Jennings says. I find my voice, barely. "Hee..llo, Dr. Jennings. My name is Londyn. I'm Damien’s....you saw me a few days ago at Phoenix Pack; you gave me your card?" I question because I don't even know if she remembers me, she must see tons of patients; she looks like she cared, but maybe I read it all wrong.

  Then I hear a loud male voice in the background before she can even reply, "Is that them?" It's not Damien’s growl, but it still scares the shit out of me and Aria if her widened eyes are to be read right. What if they give us back to Damien. "I... I’m sorry I shouldn't have called." I'm just about to hang up when I hear Dr. Jennings's voice come through, "Wait, wait! Please! Londyn, are you still there?" She sounds frantic but not threatening so I pull the phone back to my ear.

  "Yes." I almost whisper, but I know her wolf hearing will pick it up. "I'm sorry if you heard my brother, he isn't going to harm you or give you back. I promise, I told him about you and Aria, and he wants to help; he is the Alpha of our pack. He's was worried Damien might have found you before we could." Hearing her explanation doesn't even make sense. Why would her brother care what happened to us? She sounds sincere and I look over at Aria, and she nods her head, she can tell when someone is lying just by their voice. "Umm...Aria and I ran away. We are at a bus station in Wolf Creek, do you... do you think you could help us?" I stutter out.

  Now that we are here, I'm unsure of anything. Is it too much to ask for help, will they let us come stay with them? Will they really help us? All these questions swirl in my mind. "Londyn, of course. Of course, we will help you. My brother is calling to get our helicopter prepped. We will be there shortly, wait in front of the bus station and will find you; we will keep you safe; I promise." I'm still scared but, relieved; Aria is nodding her head yes, telling me she's being honest, and she's smiling.

  "Dr. Jennings, will you come, please? We don't...umm, know anyone else." I want to be sure someone is there that won't hurt us, even though I trust Arias "gift" I just want someone somewhat familiar. "Absolutely, we are leaving now and will be there soon." I whisper a quick, "Thank you." Then hang up. I look up at Aria's smiling face, "They have a helicopter?" That is the first real smile I have seen on her face, and it makes me smile. She's excited, with all we have been through, she can still get excited. That right there makes is all worthwhile.

  Chapter 8

  Tristan

  We were heading to our private airport and helicopter to go get them. Within seconds of Sophia hanging up the phone, we were out the door; she called Xavier and Cole to meet us at the helo pad. "Tristan, I think you should wait here." My head snapped to her so fast if I was human it probably would have broken.

  "Excuse me? Why would I do that?" She looks at me like I should get it, really, I don't. I’m Alpha of this pack. Why would I not be there to meet these women? Sophia takes a deep breath and slowly exhales, "Tris; she has just been abused for two years by the evilest shifter we know. You scared the hell out of her over the phone when you yelled. She almost hung up. How do you think she will react to you being the overbearing, controlling Alpha you are? She's been nothing but controlled with Damien. I love you, but you are a bit intimidating to new people. You will frighten her. Do you want that?"

  Well when she puts it that way, I want to help these girls not traumatize them more than they already have been. It’s not my fault, I look the way I do. "Fine." I grumble out; I have been on edge since these girls went missing and something about it that made me anxious.

  "Bring them back to the packhouse, can you stay a few days to help them settle? I’m sure they wouldn’t be comfortable with just me and the twins." Sophia’s house is closer to town but much smaller since it’s just her there. Our house can house pack members temporarily, or outside allied shifters coming through town. So, we have plenty of room for two girls.

  "Yes, you big baby, I will stay to help them settle and get them comfortable with you and the others. Why don't you get them some of my clothes together; they will be a little snug on Londyn but should fit Aria. We can take them shopping tomorrow to get them anything they need. Right now, they are probably both exhausted and hungry. So, fix their rooms up, get the clothes and get dinner set. That will be your job until we are back." This isn't the first time she has o
rdered me around but every time she does it makes me smile.

  "Yes, little beta." She gives me the evil eye at the nickname I give her; she hates it almost as much as adorable baby sister. I give her a small smirk, as we pull up to the helo pad. Xavier and Cole are already there, thankfully.

  "So, what's the plan ya'all?" I'm about to issue orders; however, my little sister takes over. "You two are coming with me to get the girls; Tristan is going to get their rooms settled, as well as clothes and dinner for us all. So, let's go." They stare at her stunned by her take over, and it cracks me up a bit. As the baby, as well as the only girl, I think she is looking forward to having other women to look after instead of us looking after her.

  "Well, you heard her boys, move it. Take care of them and be polite, no flirting or being your usual asshole selves!" I order them; I don't know what these girls look like, but the twins will flirt with anyone, and I know that will probably make them both uncomfortable. I’m unusually excited to meet these girls and glad they are coming to us for help. Even if I can’t help the rest of the women, I will be able to help these two. For the first time in days, I relax.

  Chapter 9

  Londyn

  The entire time waiting at the bus station, we got either dirty or leering looks. What man in his right mind would want a female whom you can tell hasn’t showered in days, and had bruises on her face, neck and wrists? Our clothes were dirty, and we probably smelled, since I don't think, I showered since last weekend. Eww. Sometimes I got deodorant. Usually only if Damien was coming to "woo" AKA rape me. I always wished I could get the bath stuff after, then I could wash the feeling and smell of his touch.