Chapter 237 + 25 Bonus

“Okay, Hannah,” Noah said, trying to keep his voice calm to avoid raising suspicions as he accelerated. “I hear you. But five million dollars is a lot of money. I need time to arrange the transfer. Meanwhile, tell me more about what happened. Are you hurt?”

As Hannah began to speak, her words halting and unnatural, Drake pointed out the window. “There!” he mouthed.

Noah squinted into the darkness. He saw a wooden sign marking a trailhead. Fresh tire tracks in the mud led up the path. Hannah had to be there.

“Noah?” Hannah’s voice came through the phone. “Are you still there?”

“Yes,” Noah said quickly. “I can send the money, but I need to move some accounts around to get that much this quickly. It’ll take a little time.”

Muffled speaking filled the background before Hannah said, “Okay. They say you have one hour. If you don’t send the money, they’re going to…” Her voice trailed off; Noah heard a choked sob. His chest clenched; he knew he had to act fast.

Noah took a deep breath, his mind racing as he pulled the car to the roadside. “Okay. One hour. But I need to know you’re safe. Call me back in thirty minutes. If I don’t hear from you, I won’t send the money. Understand?”

Another pause, more murmuring. “Okay. They agree,” Hannah said. “Thirty minutes.”

The line went dead. Noah lowered the phone, his hands shaking. “They have her hostage up that trail,” he said, nodding toward the marker. “I heard running water. We need to move fast.”

Drake opened his door. “We can’t take the car further. They might hear us.”

Zoe leaned forward. “What’s the plan?”

Noah’s expression was grim. “We go on foot. We should shift.”

Zoe’s face paled. “Oh, um… I’ll stay here,” she said. “With the car. In case you need a quick getaway.”

Noah nodded, ignoring her odd behavior. Drake was already outside, examining the tire tracks. They needed to move quickly.

“Alright,” Noah said, opening his door. “We’ll be back within the hour. Stay down, and keep the car off.”

“Okay,” Zoe replied quietly, already sliding down between the seats.

As Noah stepped out, he felt his wolf stirring. The urge to shift, to run on four legs, was overwhelming. His mate was nearby, in danger. He needed to reach her. And then, he would make her captors pay.

Noah and Drake moved away from the car. Noah closed his eyes, focusing on the transformation. He felt his bones shift, muscles stretch and reform. Fur sprouted; his senses sharpened dramatically.

When he opened his eyes, his perspective was lower, but far more acute. Drake had also shifted; his dark fur contrasted with Noah’s silver coat.

Noah’s keen senses picked up various scents: damp earth, pine, and… something else. A faint trace of Hannah’s scent, mixed with fear and… blood. Yes. She was near.

A low growl rumbled in Noah’s chest. Drake’s ears perked up, and he bounded into the woods, followed by Noah.