Chapter 05:

Noah’s knuckles were white as a sheet on the steering wheel as the car sped along the winding mountain roads. His keen eyes frantically scanned the darkness for any sign of the trailhead Zoe had mentioned, but saw only dense trees and jagged rock outcrops lining the road.

“Are you sure this is the way?” Noah asked, for what felt like the millionth time that night, glancing at Zoe in the rearview mirror.

Zoe nodded, though she looked less certain than before. “I think so,” she said, her sparkling red dress catching the light as she shifted. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I remember it being off this road.”

Drake, who had been silent for several minutes, spoke. “Look, we’ve been driving for almost an hour and found nothing. Maybe we should turn back, try another route?” he asked.

“Or maybe we should head back to the cabin,” Zoe suggested. “Maybe the police found a lead.”

Like hell I’m giving up, Noah thought with a grimace, glancing at his phone. If the police had found any leads on Hannah’s whereabouts, one of the girls would have called him. Until then, he wasn’t stopping, even if it was the last thing he ever did.

Before Noah could respond, his phone rang, startling everyone. He fumbled for it, his heart racing at the unknown number on the screen.

“You should pick it up,” Drake hissed through clenched teeth.

Zoe blanched. “Don’t pick up! It could be a trap!”

Noah shot Zoe a withering glance in the rearview mirror, silencing her without a word. Swiping to answer, he slowed the car slightly and pressed the phone to his ear.

“Hello?”

“Noah!” Hannah’s voice, strained but alive, came through. “It’s me.”

Noah sighed in relief. “Hannah!” he exclaimed, though fear still churned in his stomach. “Where are you? Are you okay? I’ll come get you.”

There was a pause. Noah strained to hear the sound of rushing water in the background. The waterfall… She had to be there.

When she finally spoke, her words were slow and measured, her strained tone giving Noah pause. “I’m fine. But… I need your help. The people who have me are asking for money. Five million dollars, to be exact.”

Noah’s blood ran cold. He exchanged wary glances with Drake, who leaned close to listen. “Five million? Hannah, what’s going on?”

“Please, Noah,” Hannah said, her voice trembling. “They want you to wire the money immediately. If you do, they’ll let me go.”

Noah’s mind raced. Something felt wrong—and his wolf sensed it, too. Hannah’s voice, the way she was speaking… it didn’t sound like her. She sounded almost like she was reading from a script.

Exchanging another glance, even Drake slowly shook his head. This seemed suspicious. He couldn’t send five million dollars like that, although he had the money—he didn’t know if they would release her.

But if she was really in danger, he couldn’t risk refusing.

“Hannah, listen to me,” Noah said carefully. “I need more information. Where are you? Who has you?”

There was another, longer pause. When Hannah spoke again, her words were even more measured. “I can’t tell you that. Just… please, send the money. It’s the only way. If you don’t, they’re going to… kill me.”

Noah caught Drake’s eye. Drake nodded, a silent understanding passing between them. They needed to keep Hannah on the line as long as possible while searching for the trailhead. As long as she was on the phone, they could ensure she was still alive.