Page 74 of Fallout

This isn’t how I wanted to spend the night of my engagement, but I won’t let Blaze take away my happiness.

Parker’s coming. I just have to be patient.

Parker

I wake up with my heart pounding faster than I’ve ever felt before.

Disoriented, I sit up and look around the room to see what’s caused my panic.

There is nothing. I’m alone in my bedroom. But a noise at the other end of the house causes me to jump up from my bed.

Henley.

This is her. This is her fear that I’m feeling.

I throw open my door and run through the house, not bothering to muffle my steps. I want my family to hear. I may need their help, especially my father.

As I race down the stairs, I hear my parent’s bedroom door open.

“Parker,” my father calls.

I don’t slow my steps. Instead, I run straight for Henley’s room on the first floor. I throw open the door and find her room completely empty.

“No!” I growl out the word.

Where is she?

I run my hands through my hair and force myself to take a deep breath. My father comes into the room, but I ignore him and try to focus.

My mate is gone and she’s frightened. Because we haven’t completed our mate bond, it takes me a few seconds to track her. My stomach drops when I realize that she’s over three hours away.

“The phoenix,” I manage to ground out. “He took her. She’s somewhere over three hours away. We have to go.”

Dad puts his hands on my shoulders. “Breathe, son. You need to calm down.”

“Did you not hear me?” My breath is coming frantically now. “The phoenix took Henley.”

“We will go get her.”

I nod. “Yes. Let’s go.” I turn to walk to the door, but my father stops me.

“Parker, stop.” My father’s command washes over me.

I turn to him, unable to continue walking to the door. He hasn’t commanded me like this since I was a kid. “Dad, don’t make me fight you.”

“Just stop and listen for a second.” Dad turns to face me. “We will go and rescue your mate, but we aren’t going with just the two of us. I will call the pack. We’ll go with our elite fighters. You’re not alone and we will not leave you to fight this phoenix on your own.”

I nod.

He’s right, of course.

I take a deep breath and slowly exhale. “Okay. Let’s get a group together. I want to be on the road within the hour.”

Dad nods. “Of course, son. Go get dressed. Meet me in the living room when you’re ready.”

I rush to my room and get dressed as quickly as I can. The entire time, I can’t stop worrying about Henley. But she’s strong. She’s going to be okay.

Will and Blaine were right to teach her how to fight. When this is over, I will teach her myself. I will make sure that she’s strong enough to protect herself no matter what happens.