Chapter 217- Ava And Vikki

Chapter 217: 217- Ava And Vikki

Third-Person pov:

Seven days had passed since Chris and Rick had been tied to that pole, and neither had any idea when their nightmare would end.

They were exhausted, filthy, and miserable. Their backs ached from sitting against the hard wooden pole, and their wrists were sore from the ropes. Although the effects of the wine had worn off, escaping was still impossible.

Every morning, before breakfast, one of the men injected them with something that prevented them from shifting into their wolves or from mindlinking.

Apart from the kicking they’d received on the first day, nobody had physically mistreated them again.

Their captors had explained that they were being held for ransom. Once their families paid the money, they would be released.

The man who appeared to be their leader called Blackthorn every day, demanding payment. And every day, he returned with the same answer.

Their families didn’t have the money. Or maybe they didn’t want to give it. By now, Rick was beginning to lose hope.

He sat with his head lowered, thinking about Vikki. He had betrayed Angela for that woman. He had ruined his marriage, abandoned his responsibilities, and spent years giving Vikki everything she wanted.

And now, when his life was at stake, she wasn’t even willing to spare money to bring him home.

Chris wasn’t doing any better. He had spent the first two days cursing his captors and threatening them with the consequences of kidnapping an Alpha. But now, even he had run out of threats.

What bothered him most was Ava’s response. His Luna, the woman he’d loved since childhood, had apparently told the kidnappers that the pack couldn’t afford such a large ransom.

Chris knew exactly how much money was available in the pack accounts. Surely Ava could arrange something, especially with Dante there to help her.

He had given Ava everything, even betrayed Angela to be with her. And now she couldn’t find a way to bring him home?

Or was it some misunderstanding?

As another day passed without anyone coming to rescue them, Chris was finding it increasingly difficult to convince himself.

***

Arabella’s pov:

"Arabella, I’ve searched through your grandfather’s records, but I couldn’t find anything," Chloe informed me as she entered my room.

I looked up from the documents spread across the table. "Nothing at all?"

She shook her head. "Not a single document that could help us."

"Hmm." I leaned back in my chair, thinking. "Then we’ll have to approach the council directly. I’ll go there on the tenth day. According to pack law, a pack can’t remain without an Alpha or Beta for more than ten days. The council will have to appoint someone, and that’s when I’ll present all the documents we have."

Chloe pulled out a chair and sat across from me. "Do you remember what you need to do that morning?" I asked.

"Of course. Everything will be ready."

"Good. And Chloe, make sure Vanessa stays safe. The injection should only cause enough pain to make everyone believe something is wrong. I don’t want her or the baby getting hurt."

"Don’t worry. I’ve already arranged for a medical team to be nearby in case things don’t go as planned."

I nodded with satisfaction. Chloe knew what she was doing, and I trusted her to handle her part without attracting unnecessary attention.

Seven days had passed since Chris and Rick disappeared, and things at Blackthorn were becoming rather interesting.

Ava and Vikki had started worrying about their mates, who hadn’t contacted them once since leaving for the Royal Palace.

At first, they’d assumed the men were busy enjoying their royal treatment. But as one day turned into two, and then three, their excitement had gradually turned into concern.

Neither woman had any idea where her mate was, and I intended to keep it that way for a little longer.

***

When I went downstairs a little later, I heard raised voices coming from the sitting room.

"I’ve tried at least twenty times since yesterday!" Ava complained. "Chris isn’t responding to my mind-links. This has never happened before."

"Neither is Rick," Vikki replied. "And I’ve been trying since the day they left. Something isn’t right."

I slowed my steps as I approached the room. Both women were sitting on opposite sofas, looking considerably worried.

"Maybe they’re too busy," Vikki suggested, although she didn’t sound convinced herself. "The King must have arranged a lot of activities for them."

"For seven days?" Ava demanded. "Chris has never gone this long without contacting me. And why would his mind-link be completely unreachable?"

I chose that moment to enter the room. Both women immediately turned toward me.

"Arabella!" Ava called. "Have you heard anything from the palace?"

I stopped beside the sofa. "About what?"

"About Chris and Rick, of course. Neither of them has contacted us."

"Oh." I shrugged. "No idea."

Vikki frowned. "But you work for the King. Surely you must know something."

"I’m here to complete an audit, Vikki. I’m not responsible for keeping track of the King’s guests."

Ava looked disappointed, but before she could question me further, Vikki turned back to her.

"I’m sure Rick is fine. The King invited him because he recognized how hard my husband works."

Ava gave her an offended look. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. I’m simply saying Rick has worked harder than anyone else in Blackthorn for years. He deserves this recognition."

"And whatever Rick does, he does under my husband’s authority."

Vikki gave a short, humorless laugh. "Authority? Please, Ava. We both know who actually handles the work around here. Rick was the one the King wanted to honor. Your husband just had to stick his ass into the invitation and accompany him."

"Watch your mouth!" Ava snapped, getting to her feet. "Don’t forget that your husband is still a Beta!"

"And don’t forget that your husband would struggle to manage this pack’s affairs for a single week without mine!"

I watched them arguing over their useless mates. With a sigh, I quietly continued toward the hallway.

Behind me, Ava was still defending Chris’s position, while Vikki insisted that Rick was the one keeping Blackthorn running.