pter 0236 Noah Noahâs knuckles were white as a sheet on the steering wheel as the car sped along the winding mountain roads. His keen eyes scanned the darkness frantically, looking for any sign of the trailhead that Zoe had mentioned, but saw nothing other than dense trees and outcrops of jagged rocks lining either side of the road.
âAre you sure itâs this way?â Noah asked for what felt like the millionth time that night, glancing at Zoe in the rearview mirror.
Zoe nodded, although she looked a little less certain than before. âI think so,â she said, her sparkling red dress catching the light as she shifted in her seat. âItâs been a while since Iâve been here, but I remember it being off this road.â
Drake, who had been silent for the past several minutes, suddenly spoke up. âLook, weâve been driving for almost an hour and have found nothing. Maybe we should turn back, try another route?â he asked.
âOr maybe we should head back to the cabin,â Zoe suggested. âMaybe the police found a lead.â
Like hell Iâm giving up, Noah thought to himself with a grimace, glancing at his phone. If the police had found any leads on where Hannah had gone, one of the girls would have called him. Until that happened, he wasnât going to stop driving, even if it was the last thing he ever did.
Before Noah could respond, his phone rang, startling everyone in the car. Noah fumbled for it, his heart racing when he saw that there was an unknown number on the screen.
âYou should pick it up,â Drake hissed through clenched teeth.
Zoe blanched. âDonât pick up! It could be a trap!â
Noah shot Zoe a withering glance in the rearview mirror, effectively silencing her without having to say a word himself. Swiping to answer, he slowed the car slightly and pressed the phone to his ear.
âHello?â
âNoah!â Hannahâs voice came through, sounding strained but very much alive. âItâs me.â
Noah let out an immense sigh of relief. âHannah!â Noah exclaimed, although there was a heavy dose of fear still churning in his stomach. âWhere are you? Are you okay? Iâll come get you.â
There was a pause before Hannah spoke again. Noah strained to hear, and could just barely make out the sound of rushing water in the background. The waterfall... She had to be there after all.
When she finally answered, her words were slow and measured, and the strained tone in her voice gave Noah pause. âIâm fine.
But... I need your help. The people who have me, theyâre asking for money. Five million dollars, to be exact.â
Noahâs blood ran cold. He exchanged wary glances with Drake, who was leaning close to listen. âFive million? Hannah, whatâs going on?â
âPlease, Noah,â Hannah said, her voice trembling slightly. âThey want you to wire the money immediately. If you do, theyâll let me go.â
1/2 Chapter 05:
+25 BONUS Noahâs mind began to race. Something felt off about this whole situationâand his wolf sensed it, too. Hannahâs voice, the way she was speaking... it didnât sound like her usual self. She sounded almost like she was reading from a script.
Exchanging another glance, even Drake slowly shook his head. He was right; this seemed suspicious. He couldnât just send five million dollars like that, although he had the moneyâhe didnât know if they would actually release her once he did.
But if she really was in danger, he also couldnât risk refusing outright.
âHannah, listen to me,â Noah said carefully. âI need more information. Where are you? Who has you?â
There was another pause, longer this time. When Hannah spoke again, her words seemed even more measured. âI canât tell you that. Just... please, send the money. Itâs the only way. If you donât, theyâre going to... kill me.â
Noah caught Drakeâs eye. Drake nodded, a silent understanding passing between them. They needed to keep Hannah on the line for as long as they could while they continued searching for the trailhead. As long as she was on the phone, then they could ensure that she was still alive.
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