Page 53 of Rejected Bullied Mate

"It's okay," I said, reaching for the trap. "I'll get you out. It's going to be okay."

The metal was rusted, and it took a few minutes of struggling, but I finally managed to pry the trap open. Nayeli screamed, and I winced. My hands were scraped raw from the rust and the force of trying to get the trap open. Once it was loose, she pulled her foot free, clutching her ankle to her chest.

"We've got to get you out of here," I said as I fumbled through my pockets to find my phone. "I'm going to call—"

"Kiera," Nayeli screamed, "Behind you."

I whipped around, magic gathering in my palms, but just as I focused my power, a sharp pain exploded in the back of my head. Staggering forward, my vision blurred. Everything was spinning, and before I could make the call that would have saved our lives, the world went dark.

Chapter 22 - Samson

I checked my watch again, my stomach tightening with each passing minute. Kiera was late. More than late, actually, and she was never late. I'd tried calling her, but she hadn't picked up, and the sinking feeling in my stomach only intensified. We had plans. A date. Kiera was never this bad about keeping in touch.

For a horrible moment, I wondered if she had finally run away, back to Portsmouth, but one glance at the little boy coloring in the living room told me that was an impossibility. She would never leave Kit behind.

So, where in the hell was she?

Something wasn't right, and my instincts were already screaming at me to move.Do something. Find my Omega.

I headed to the living room, where Gwen was sitting with Kit. The plan was for her to take him to Nayeli's so the three of them could watch a movie...

Except Nayeli was late, too.

"Everything okay, Sam?"

"Kiera's late. I can't reach her. And Nayeli should have been here by now, too."

Gwen's brow furrowed. "Do you think something is wrong?"

"...I don't know." I gestured for her to come to the other room with me, away from Kit, "Look, can you stay here with the boy? I need to find the two of them before I lose my cool, and I don't want to upset Kit. He'll worry himself sick if he knows both of them could be missing."

She gave me a tight smile. "You've got it, boss. I'll make sure he's distracted."

"Distracted from what?"

I groaned, dragging a hand through my hair. Kit apparently hadn't been content to wait by himself.

"Nothing, kiddo," I said, shooting Gwen a warning look. She nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I'm just going to head out for a bit, okay?"

He looked between us, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You're gonna go find Mama, aren't you? Can I come with you?"

Gwen shot me a pleading look, and I sighed, stepping toward him.

"It's a little grown-up stuff, buddy," I said, ruffling his hair. "You don't need to worry. I won't let anything happen to her, okay?"

Kit's expression fell. "You promise?"

I hesitated. I wanted to assure him, but didn't want to lie to my son either. If there was something wrong with Kiera and Nayeli, then I would need to take action, and there was no guarantee I could make any promises.

"I'll do my best," I said finally, crouching down so we were eye-to-eye. "I swear it."

That seemed to appease him, and he nodded slowly. "Okay." Then, swiftly, as if he wasn't sure how I'd react, Kit threw his arms around my neck. "Be careful."

"I will," I lied, swallowing down the lump in my throat. "I promise."

Minutes later, I turned the key in the ignition. There was still no word from my cousin or my mate, and I was certain it wasn't a coincidence. I could feel it deep in my bones. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. There was no point in panicking. I dialed Waylon as I turned onto the road, and he picked up on the second ring.

"Waylon, I need you to meet me at Joe's shop. Kiera was supposed to be home from work an hour ago, and I can’t find her anywhere. I’m going to check with Joe, see if he knows anything."

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