Chapter 9: Taken Hostage - Part 1 of 2

Rhydian waited impatiently at Bernie's. He was getting tired of the owner's curious looks. I guess they don't have many newcomers in this town. He had already memorized the random posters on the wall, which just added to the café's old, cozy feel as weak sunlight filtered through the clouds. He took a sip of hot cocoa and tried to let the chocolaty goodness soothe his impatience, except the infusion of sugar just made him that much antsier. Damn it, it can't take that long to walk from Bradlington High. Is Jana in trouble? Did she and Maddy get into an argument? Maybe Maddy doesn't want me in her territory after all? Doubts and worries dovetailed so effectively that Rhydian didn't even notice when a certain wolfblood trio strode right through the café's front door.

"Rhydian!" The wolfblood boy stood up, grinning instinctively as he saw Maddy rushing for him.

The brunette practically leapt at him. She gave him a fierce hug that Rhydian returned with just as much force.

Maddy hadn't meant to be so…enthusiastic. When she'd seen the blue-eyed wolfblood, she just hadn't been able to help herself. Mads, you're in public. The girl's human side struggled to refocus her awareness even as her wolf blissfully took in Rhydian's scent and felt strangely giddy. Her human snapped her out of it though, and for good reason—the three K's, the queens of sniping gossip and feminine cruelty at Bradlington High, held court in the far corner, whispering furiously amongst themselves. Maddy leapt back the second Rhydian's hold loosened.

"Good to see you too," Rhydian said, still sporting a face-splitting smile. It wavered into a slight frown. "Why's your hair all damp? Did you just get out of the shower or something?"

Maddy bit her lip and looked away, trying not to blush. "It's a long story. You can ask Jana about it later," Maddy finished with an accusing glance towards the redhead.

"Shall we sit?" Jana said, trying to get Maddy to relax. Matei took up a chair beside Jana, and Maddy sat next to Rhydian.

As soon as they sat, Bernie rushed over to get their orders. After the heavyset man had retreated to a safe distance, the wolfbloods felt comfortable enough to talk openly.

"So, Maddy…" Jana began. "I was hoping you could tell us a little more bit about your family."

Maddy nodded. "My mum's name is Emma, and my dad's name is Dan. Emma is the alpha in our family. That's where I get my bossiness from."

Rhydian's eyebrows quirked. "You, bossy?"

Maddy elbowed him hard—tried to, anyway. He shifted, easily dodging the blow. Instead, with his playful wolf clearly in control, Rhydian looped an arm around Maddy and pulled her onto his lap.

"Let go of me," Maddy protested. But the self-confident wolfblood boy wouldn't give up that easily. He rather liked the feel of Maddy sitting on his lap, her hair smelling like it belonged to a goddess as her took in her scent.

"Stop squirming," Rhydian said. The young wolfblood sensed Maddy tensing up as her gaze slid over towards the three K's in the corner. Their furious whispers were now flying back and forth at blistering speed.

"Rhydian, stop," Maddy grumbled, but her tone didn't have the bite she'd intended. Rhydian whispered in her ear, not caring who saw them. His wolf had unexpectedly come roaring to the forefront, and it wanted to make one thing clear—this female wolfblood was his. Yep, in the primitive mind of his wolf he was staking a claim, and he didn't care who saw it—in fact, the more, the merrier.

She stilled on his lap as Rhydian's arms looped around her front, holding her tight. "You shouldn't care what other people think, Maddy. If you really want me to let you go, I will. If you're only saying it because we're in public, because you're letting your human side do all the feeling for you and not listening to your wolf, then…well, I'm not budging, smelly girl. Not even a little."

Maddy relaxed in his arms. Deep down, she had to admit—I don't want him to let go. But this is so embarrassing! She decided for a compromise, with a little of her alpha's temper coming out.

"If you let me go, I'll let you kiss me later. Otherwise you have five seconds until I slap you in the face. Five, four, three, two…"

Rhydian's arms flew outward as Maddy gratefully shifted back into her chair. She glared at Rhydian. Rhydian kept a carefully neutral face, but his eyes were laughing at her.

On the other side of the table Jana and Matei had watched the two younger wolfbloods with interest. A few silent looks, and with it unspoken questions, had passed between them. Finally Jana got Maddy back on track, getting her to tell them all about her family, about how the Smith clan had lived in Stoneybridge for generations.

First Jana coaxed a few answers from Maddy about Emma's attitudes, wanting to know what kind of alpha she was. Matei decided to cut to the chase.

"As you can probably tell, Maddy, what this all comes down to is this; do you think your mum will be supportive of having Rhydian stay in your territory? Do you think she'll support having Rhydian be part of your pack?"

"Let's not get carried away," Jana bristled. Her eyes flashed at Matei. "All she needs to do is tolerate Rhydian in her territory. There's no need for him to officially become part of Emma's pack." The temperature in the air around the table might as well have plummeted. Before she knew what she was doing, Maddy was reaching under the table and squeezing Rhydian's hand in hers.

"I don't see the problem with it," Maddy challenged. "I mean, why can't he be part of my family's pack? He's the only other wolfblood in Stoneybriddge, so we should look out for each other, and being officially part of the same pack will make that easier, yeah? Plus, Mum will be a lot more likely to be comfortable with Rhydian staying in our territory if she knows that Rhydian will listen to her as his alpha. It makes sense, Jana."

"First off, I didn't ask you," Jana said, her lips pursed into a thin line of disapproval. "Even if Rhydian lives among humans, I've still adopted him as one of my own. He's still part of my pack. Just because he's moving to a different town doesn't change any of that."

Seeing the situation start to unravel, Matei jumped in. "Why don't we hear what Rhydian has to say?" Maddy and Jana were glaring at each other like knives might fly from their eyes any second.

"Jana, I appreciate everything you've done for me," Rhydian began. "You taught me everything about what it means to be a wolfblood. You were family to me when I'd never known what it meant to have someone who gave a damn in my life. I'm grateful to you for that. For you—that you came into my life. And I always will be." Was that the beginnings of a tear on the wolfblood boy's face? He wiped at his eye before looking at Maddy, then at Jana.

"But you have a real pack, a wild wolfblood pack to care for, Jana. You and I both know that I've always been a sort of quasi-member of the pack. I know you mean well, but with me living in Newcastle apart from my mum and the rest of the pack, even if I'm technically part of your pack, in reality I've often felt, I don't know, like I don't really belong anywhere." Maddy and Jana's animosity vanished, forgotten as they listened to Rhydian pour out what he truly felt.

"I think Matei's question is a good one. Me actually being able to live near other wolfbloods is something that makes me almost, I don't know, happy…in a way I can't even describe." Maddy felt Rhydian's hand squeeze hers now. "If Maddy's mum accepts me, I'd like to become a full-fledged member of their pack." Jana opened her mouth to protest. "Maddy's right, Jana. Her mum will be more likely to accept me if we do it this way."

Matei put an arm around Jana's shoulders and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "He's right, Jana. I know you care about Rhydian and I know the temptation is not to ever let him go. But that's what we have to do here; this is Rhydian's life. We need to…you know, let him live it."

Jana's eyes were suddenly brimming with tears. She and Rhydian had been through so much even in the year and a month since they'd met. To have Rhydian leave her pack…it was like losing a beloved brother. Saving Rhydian from Alric had awakened Jana's potential, had taken her on the path that had made Jana the strong alpha she'd become. Having Rhydian in my pack reminds me of why I've come to this point. He represents where I want wolfbloods to be in the future, living alongside humans without fear. I don't want to lose that. To lose him. Jana tried to unscramble her disjointed thoughts.

As if reading her mind, Matei gently pulled her back into the present. "Jana, you act as if you're losing Rhydian by having him join another pack, but you're not. Rhydian will still be the same Rhydian. He still won't be too far away for you to visit him whenever you need to. You two will always be as close as any pack-mates."

Maddy gently raised her and Rhydian's joined hands onto the tabletop for Jana to see. "I'll look after him, Jana. I'll make sure he can make a good home here, do whatever I can to help him. You have my word on it." Maddy's beautiful face just looked so innocent and sincere, Jana's many misgivings couldn't stop from crumbling into a million pieces.

"You promise?" Jana said, swiping angrily at her newest tears. "You won't let anything happen to him? You'll be good to him?"

Maddy nodded vigorously. "I promise." Rhydian reached his other hand across the table, snagging Jana's as the three wolfbloods—Maddy, Rhydian and Jana—were briefly connected with Rhydian as the common bond between them.

"Please don't cry. Alphas never cry," Rhydian teased, grinning as Jana smacked him on the arm.

"Oh, shut up. This is so embarrassing," Jana groaned, snagging the tissue Matei offered as she blew her nose.

"He's already embarrassed me," Maddy chimed in, "so welcome to the club." Jana's eyes softened at Maddy's words and she nodded at the brown-eyed girl.

"I'm sorry I was so abrupt with you earlier…" Jana looked down at the table.

"No," Maddy quickly threw back. "It's all right. I know it's hard to say goodbye to someone you love, even if it's just temporary. I suck at goodbyes too."

Matei put a finger underneath Jana's chin, turning her head towards him as he gave her a soft yet insistent kiss. He could smell the fresh tears on her cheeks, and he didn't let it hold him back. He could feel the pull of her scent, the warmth of her breath. As he deepened the kiss he just wanted her to know Some things change, but other things never do. I will always love you, Jana. And I will always be here for you. When Matei finally pulled away, Jana's tears were completely gone. Her eyes were bright. Her breathing was steady and strong. She snuggled up beside his chair, and that was perfect timing because right then Bernie brought the four wolfbloods their food.

Down the street six wolfbloods strolled together, dressed like typical humans, vigilant. Waiting…

A/N - Hey wolfblood fans :) The next chapter will get posted soon (it's already written, just need to edit). Please post a review/comment. I'm building up to the brutal moment we saw just a glimpse of in the last chapter, with Maddy helpless and fighting for her life. I can't wait to get the next part posted and see what you guys think :)