72
Liv's POV
I returned to my room. I couldn't stop thinking about Frank, no matter how hard I tried to concentrate on something else. The thoughts of him kept imploding my head.
There wasn't anything to do in the new place I was brought to. Except sleeping and waking up. The only thing I did was stand near the window, leaning my body on the frame.
I watched the soldiers. They were getting prepared for what was about to attack them, nothing more. Despite being left alone I knew for a fact Callum and Ryder were still around me. They kept checking up on me to know if I was fitting well into my new unfamiliar space.
I gazed up at the sky, I noticed the clouds changing it's colour but the thought of Frank wouldn't leave my head. I craved to see him in front of me, perfectly okay. I wished to kiss him, to feel his lips on mine, something I never thought about doing. To feel the warmthness of his body in mine.
The sound of my room door alerted me. I turned to the direction of the sound. Someon was trying to twist the knob open. I was meant to be scared but I wasn't, there was a feeling of safety I felt. I believed no one could harm me here, I was in my safe place.
I walked towards the door but it was pushed open from outside, instantly snapping me off. I released a gasp of relief.
"Did I scare you?" Ryder asked. I wondered if my looks expressed fear or he just knew I tend to always appear scared.
"No you didn't".
"The door wasn't opening so I pushed hard, I thought it scared you" he responded with a pale look.
"That's not a problem. By the way what are you here for? To check up on me again or something else?" I questioned, sucking in my cheeks.
"Yes there's something else, less I forget" he said, scratching his head. He released a yawn. I stepped closer to him, cupping his chin.
"You're stressed Ryder" I muttered, gazing into his eyes.
"I can't rest, not untill everyone around me is safe, I'm meant to get worried about it"
"It's your duty. I couldn't be more proud of you" I assured, his lips curved up in a light smile.
"Thanks Liv, your support means a whole lot to me" he answered in a low voice, patting my right cheek.
"You were about to say something before I got you interrupted" I reminded.
"I came to inform you I'm going out with some of the troops to have a look around. We are also going to draw nearer to the pack to see what information we could all gather" he informed. I licked my lips, twisting my mouth to the side.
"Can I ask you for a favor?" I queried. Ryder cupped my chin, titling my face up so he could properly look into my eyes.
"Sure you can"
"I'll tell you what I want on one condition" I pronounced in a soft voice.
"Blurt it out" he urged. I sucked in my lower lip, biting on it.
"No matter what I ask of you, you won't refuse me" I divulged, Ryder scoffed at my words.
"Is that just it?" he inquired at me. I nodded my head in approval. "I promise I'll do whatever you ask of me. You clearly know it's hard for me to say no to you" he spoke. A bright smile beamed up my face, I straightened up myself, taking a deep breath.
"I want to go with you. Wherever you're going to, can I please follow you?" I pleaded in a soft whisper, pouting my lips at him.
"The place I'm going to might be dangerous. I don't want you to hurt yourself" he voiced out. My face dropped in disappointment, I turned my back against him with a frown creased on my forehead.
"You promised not to refuse me but it doesn't matter."
I felt a light pat on my shoulder. Ryder turned me to face him, I folded my arms across my chest not gazing into his eyes.
"Drama queen there's no need to display this much. I can't bear to see you sulking so you'll accompany me" he declared, my face litted up in excitement.
Ryder stood beside me, holding my hands. We glanced at each other, he intertwined his fingers with mine.
We left with six men, including myself and Ryder. All I inwardly prayed for was to see Frank, not just that. He must appear before me alive. We arrived at the pack. There were some men protecting the territory, one mile away from the pack.
"Who are those people?" I asked.
"Max is fuckinhg a coward. He wants to make sure I and Callum don't attack, so he assigned guards to guard every corner" he explianed. I became more disturbed, biting on my nail.
"What are we going to do now? the guards don't look like people who would leave anytime soon" I aired out.
"You all should listen to me very carefully" Ryder alerted.
His men swiveled their heads towards him.
"We can't just leave here empty-handed, we are going to take one of the men, bring him back to the base and torture him to spew out some information" he added. They all nodded their heads, paving ways to move.
I stepped in front. My wrist was gripped tightly, I turned to see Ryder. I raised my eyebrows at him.
"I don't think it's a wise decision to take you along with me. Wait here while we go" he stated.
"Alright, please be safe" I responded. Ryder thrusted his hand into his pocket, he brought out a small sharp knife. He opened my palm, placing the knife on it.
"Use this for self defence" he said. I nodded my head, folding my palm into a balled fist. I watched them move away from me, transforming into their wolf forms.
They began to fight Max's men who were protecting the pack. They were a lot of them against Ryder's men, no stone was left unturned by Ryder who brutally murdered them.
"Catch him! he's running away!" one of Ryder's men alerted. Ryder raced towards the man who was limping away, covered in blood.
Ryder grabbed the man by the hem of his collar. He locked his hand around his neck. The man was lifeless but still very much alive as they turned back into their human form while Ryder strode towards me.
He handed over the lifeless man who worked for Max over to his men. They placed him over their shoulders, I knew they were going to torture him for more answers. That was what Ryder wanted.
We made our way back to the base. We were met by Callum who stood outside with a worrisome expression. He was waiting for us and the moment he saw us, he frowned in a displeased way.
"Why did you take Liv out? don't tell me you don't know how dangerous it is?" Callum questioned with anger visible in his voice.
"She is not a fucking baby. she can protect herself" Ryder voiced out. Callum stared at him intensely without saying a word.
I inwardly wished for a fight not to start, especially at a time like this. I clearly didn't want to be the reason for any more mishaps.
Callum stepped closer to me. He took my wrist in his, taking me inside. He began to inspect my whole body for injuries which he couldn't spot.
"Callum I'm fine. There's no need to look so worried" I aired out. Callum didn't utter a word, it dawned on me he was mad. He was trying so hard to control his temper.
"Where did Ryder take you to?" he asked. I explained everything to him. Anger rippled through him, he gulped hard with veins bulged on his forehead.
He balled his fists in anger. Ryder stepped into the room and Callum immediately rushed towards him.
"How dare you!" Callum voiced out with rage. His voice thundered in the room. I was taken aback in fear, he was angry.
"Watch your tone! you're talking to me!" Ryder flared up at him. Callum grabbed his collar with resentment. "You know dangerous it was to take her anywhere near the pack, but you fucking did!"
"She wanted to come along!" Ryder fired back
"And what would you do if Max had seen, taken her. Do you think we would be having this conversation!"
A troubled soldier ran inside, interrupting the whole commotion. Callum instantly let go of Ryder's collar, straightening it.
Ryder glared hard at Callum in anger. He turned to the young guard who looked like he had seen ago.
"Speak boy!" Callum shot out impatiently.
"There is something you need to know. Max knows about this place. He is plotting to bring this place down as we speak"