Betrayal 143

Posted by Adminh, Released on January 6, 2025

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48 Find the Pups

+8 Point

48 Find the Pups

Matilda POV

“What the hell are you thinking,” Cora growls in my head. “You heard that old witch. When

David finds out that Liam has mated with Jasmine, he will use the pups to hurt her and my

brother. You know how evil he is. I can’t let those two innocent pups suffer like I did.”That’s

great Matilda, but where the hell are you going to take them to keep them safe” she says.

“I don’t know, but right now, I just need to get them out of the castle. I will think of a safe place

Just have some faith in me. When Liam comes back, I’ll tell him about the vision she had, and

he can protect his mate and pups along with Lily. She seems strong, although David seemed

to be interested in her.“This has nothing to do with me having faith in you,” she says.

“I still don’t understand what possessed you to sneak into the cells in the first place,” Cora

says. “You know how much time we spent in those cells with mom. It’s the last place I saw

her. I still miss her every day. Seeing that carving on the wall makes me feel closer to her. Th

guards are idiots. They don’t even wait for their relief before they leave their post. Normally,

the place is empty but a few beaten elves. I wasn’t expecting the old witch and the mute to be

down there when we entered the hallway.”

“I don’t trust her. You know as well as I do, she was in the castle to help David. Jared talked

about the only reason she was alive was because of her visions,” Cora says. “You don’t know if

it was of her own free will. We had to make that damn potion for Jasmine because if not,

Jared would have tortured us again. I thank the goddess every day that our pup didn’t survive.

She whimpers but she knows I’m right. Losing our pup was devastating, but having to watch

it grow with those two monsters around would have been far worse. “It made me sick because

of what we had to do. I would never have made the elixir for her to have another pup for him it

I truly had a choice. Maybe the old witch was in the same position. Besides, she seemed

genuinely worried about the pups. She even called them her grandchildren.”

“I know you were young when you were taken, but you can’t be this naive Matilda. These

ba**ards have abused you and still you want to believe there is good in them. We should wait

for Liam to return,” she says. “I won’t chance their safety. For all we know, David may have

already realized it. You have seen what he is capable of first hand or do you forget the nights

that Jared dragged us to him.” I put a block up because Cora is wrong. I’m not naive. I don’t

trust her, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Even if the old witch is lying, then the kids will never have been in danger, but if she isn’t, then

1/4

9 Points

48 Find the Pups

they will be safe. I make my way through the castle following their scent. I smile when I see them sitting at the counter with one of the older servants. I remember her because she helped Jared treat my wounds once. He said I didn’t deserve to go to the royal hospital because I was a pathetic mutt. I shake the memory away and move toward the pups.

When they notice me, they both smile. They don’t realize it yet, but they became my family the minute Liam and Jasmine accepted each other. I would die to protect them. I would die to make sure they don’t have a moment of pain or suffering. “Matty, did you come to help us

bake cookies,” Daniel asks. I smile at their use of the nickname they heard from Liam.

“Actually, I thought maybe we could spend some time together this afternoon going for a walk and picking berries. Maybe we can bring them back and make a pie later.” “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. The queen left them in my care,” the older woman says. “I have already spoken with the queen, and she thought it was a wonderful idea. You’re welcome to check

with her, but I believe she is busy with the king.“I see the flash of fear in her eyes at my

mention of the king before she finally nods her permission.

“Alright, let’s go grab some baskets.” They both squeal and jump off their stools. As we make

our way through the castle I remember one of the few times Jared took me away from this

goddess awful place. There was a small cottage that he said belonged to the old hag as he

and David referred to her near the berry bushes. I can’t imagine anyone would look for us

there. She must have provisions, but I’m hoping we won’t be there long.

I’m sure Liam is missing his mate. I wonder what the true bond feels like. The minute I

realized that I was mated to Jared, all hope I had of love died a miserable death. He laughed in

my face and beat me so badly I thought I would die. I can still remember how my mother’s

cries were the last thing I heard before I fell into darkness.

She died trying to stop him from taking me away. When I woke up in that room, I’ve called

home since that day. He made sure I knew just how alone I was. He told me I would be his toy and my behavior would determine how I got played with. I shutter at the many ways he stayed true to those words. “Matty, we’re ready,” Diane says, and I smile. My only thought is making

sure these pups one day get the same chance that my brother has.

Liam POV

This can’t be happening. Matilda would never hurt my pups. “You don’t know that. We haven’t

seen her since the day you turned eighteen. She was only fourteen at the time. She endured years of unspeakable things. She isn’t the sweet girl that you remember,” Ottis says. “Enough, I don’t care what she has been through. I know her heart and she would not hurt my pups.”

+B Point

48 Find the Pups

Jasmine hasn’t moved since we took a seat in the waiting area outside Myra’s room. She wanted to go look for the pups but when she let it slip about being pregnant, I insisted she let Colton and Vincent lead the search. I wanted to go, but I couldn’t leave her here alone with the

state she is in. She hasn’t moved since we arrived. Colton is keeping me updated, but I wish I

was out there. What if something happens to the pups or Matilda?

“What if Matilda does something to our pups?” I block Ottis out before I say something we will

both regret. I know he has accepted Diane and Daniel just as I have, but Matilda is our family

too. I still can’t believe that Jasmine’s pregnant. Finding out should have been the happiest

day of our lives, but instead we are in the hospital praying for Myra and wondering where our

pups are?

The door to the hospital bangs open and Drake rushes inside. He nods when he sees me.

Jasmine doesn’t move from her position with her head buried in my chest. One of the nurses

rushes over to him. “Can I help you, my king?” “Take me to Myra” he says. “The slave that was

just brought in a few minutes ago,” she asks. “Her name is Myra. Now take her to me before I

lose my patience with you” he says, and she practically jumps out of her skin. He quickly

follows her down the hallway.

I’m not sure how much time passes when the doors to the hospital open again. Artruo,

Auriela, and Canius step inside. “Liam, what’s going on? Where’s Arina” Canius asks. I give

them the short version of the events I know. “Arina must have gone with Colton, but honestly, I

was so focused on Jasmine I can’t be sure.

“I’m sure he’s right, father. I know I would be wherever my beloved was if there was trouble. You know how stubborn Arina can be,” Artruo says. Canius nods but I can see the worry in his eyes. At the end of the day, even if she is grown and has a mate, she is still his pup. I know I

would be the same way with Diane, Daniel, and our new pup.

The feeling of Colton linking has my heart racing. “Liam, we found them, but I thought you might want to be here, so we haven’t approached. Maybe you can talk her into giving us the pups without anyone getting hurt. She has them in a dingy cottage not far from where Drake created the portal. Your sister’s scent was easy to catch because she is still rogue,” Colton says. “I’m on my way. Don’t do anything until I get there.” I cut the link and look down at

Jasmine.

She must have felt my fear through the bond because her eyes are now focused on me. “What’s going on, Liam?” “Colton has found them in a cottage not far from the castle.” “It has to be that b**ch’s cottage. She is the only one that lives this close to the castle,” she says. A

mix of anger and fear in her eyes.

3/4

+8 Point:

48 Find the Pups

“Colton is waiting for me to arrive before he and the others approach. I’m going to go and get

our pups back.” “What about your sister, Liam? She needs help” she says. Goddess, I love this

woman. She is worried about my sister even though she is the one that took the pups. I just

prayer I’m right and there is a reasonable explanation. “Stay here with Canius, Aureila, and

Artruo. I’ll make proper introductions when I get back.”

“I’ll come with you” Artruo says, and I nod. I press a quick kiss to Jasmine’s lips before we

make our way out of the hospital. I head in the direction that Colton told me, and it doesn’t

take long for me to pick up my sister’s scent. “Liam” I hear Colton whisper. Him, Arina, and a

group of ten warriors are hidden in the trees. I’m surprised that Matilda hasn’t scented them. I

can only guess the smells in the rundown cottage are strong enough to mask our scents.

Without warning, the door to the cottage opens and Matilda steps out sniffing the air. I move off behind the trees and Matilda looks shocked to see me. She quickly moves toward me when I hear the sound of movement at my side. I look in time to see one of the warriors aiming a hand bow at my sister. “No,” I scream just as the arrow leaves the weapon.