The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 265

Kidnapped 2

Kidnapped-2

Lori excused herself from the nobles and followed him to a quiet alcove near the back of the hall.

“What’s going on?” she asked, her heart pounding.

Attia’s face was grim.

“Iva’s former Alpha. He was here tonight. He saw you.”

Lori’s blood ran cold.

“He recognized you. And Iva believes he’s planning to use your family as leverage.”

Lori felt the world tilt beneath her feet.

“My parents,” she whispered. “He’s going to hurt my parents.”

Attia’s hands cupped her face, forcing her to look at him.

“Listen to me. I’ve already sent my best trackers to your pack. They’re going to get your parents out. Tonight. Before the Alpha can touch them.”

Lori’s eyes filled with tears.

“What if they’re too late?”

+25 Points/

“They won’t be.” Attia’s voice was fierce. “I won’t let anything happen to them. I won’t let anything happen to you. Do you understand?”

Lori nodded, unable to speak.

Attia pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

“They’ll be safe,” he murmured against her hair. “I promise. Now, I need you to call them and tell them to prepare to leave.”

Lori pressed her face into his chest and prayed that he was right.

The reception was still in full swing.

Music swelled through the grand hall, mingling with the murmur of conversation and the clink of glasses. Nobles swirled across the dance floor in a blur of silks and jewels, their laughter rising above the melody. Torches flickered in their sconces, casting dancing shadows across the ancient stone walls.

Iva stood at the edge of the crowd, her smile fixed in place, her eyes scanning the room.

Something was wrong.

She could feel it-a prickle at the back of her neck, a cold knot forming in her stomach. The sense that she was missing something crucial, something that was slipping through her fingers like water.

4

Kidnapped 2-

Galch appeared at her side, his hand finding the small of her back.

“What’s going on?” he murmured. “You look troubled.”

Iva shook her head, trying to shake off the unease.

+25 Points

“I feel like I’m missing something,” she admitted. “Like there’s something I should be paying attention to, but I can’t figure out what.”

Caleb’s thumb traced small circles on her spine, grounding her.

“Everything is under control,” he said gently. “Lori is here. Her parents will be secured soon. Your mother is here. Your former Alpha and Luna have left the party already. Whatever you’re worried about-”

Iva’s head snapped up.

“My mother.”

Caleb’s brow furrowed. “What about her?”

“I haven’t seen her in some time. She was here, and then she wasn’t, and I-” Iva’s voice caught. “I need to

find her. Now.”

Caleb’s expression shifted immediately. He raised his hand, signaling to the security team stationed around the perimeter.

“Has anyone seen the Princess’s mother?” he asked, his voice low but urgent in the mind link.

After few moments, a guard stepped forward, his face pale.

“Your Highness, I saw her exit toward the terrace about twenty minutes ago. She seemed… distracted. I assumed she needed some air.”

Iva’s heart dropped.

“Did she come back inside?”

The guard’s hesitation was answer enough.

“No, Your Highness. I haven’t seen her return,”

Iva was already moving.

She pushed through the crowd, her gown swishing against the marble floor, her heart pounding in her ears. Caleb was right behind her, his long strides matching her frantic pace.

They burst through the terrace doors.

The night air hit Iva’s face-cool and sharp, carrying the scent of flowers and damp earth. The garden stretched before them, a maze of hedges and stone paths illuminated by the pale glow of the moon.

“Mom!” Iva called, her voice echoing into the darkness. “Mom, where are you?”

Silence.

Kidnapped 2

Caleb’s hand found hers, squeezing tightly.

“Let’s split up,” he said. “I’ll take the east path. You take the west. Call if you find anything.”

Iva nodded, her threat too tight to speak.

She ran.

+25 Points

Her feet pounded against the stone paths, her eyes scanning every shadow, every corner. The garden was beautiful, but now it felt like a labyrinth designed to trap her

“Mom!”

Nothing.

She reached the end of the west path and stopped, her chest heaving, her eyes burning with unshed tears as she tried to call her at the same time.

“Please pick up, please pick up…” Iva prayed.

And then she heard it.

A faint sound, barely audible over the rustle of leaves and the distant music from the castle.

Her mother’s ringtone.

Iva’s heart leaped.

She followed the sound, pushing through a cluster of overgrown bushes, ignoring the branches that scratched at her arms and snagged her gown.

The sound grew louder.

And then she saw it.

Her mother’s phone, lying on the ground.

Iva froze.

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