Saving Tragedy Chapter 101

**Ashton's POV** 

The sunset settled over the yard, as Tommy and Zander continued to wrestle - their other friends watching on and choosing not to participate. 

"Why did we both have to have two wild sons around the same age?!" Lydia exclaims, turning to Rose as they  both clink their wine glasses with a shake of their heads. 

"Two strong sons!" Hunt adds, as I turn to find him looking as smug as ever. 

"I don't think the pair of them ever seem to run low on energy!" Rose comments, as I can't help but laugh in agreement, seeing Zander flipping Tommy over his back and on to the grass with a grunt. 

It was humorous to watch, the way they would both struggle against one another before breaking apart for short moments to catch their breath, before going right back to it again. 

It was a mirror image of Hunt, Sawyer and I's youth, having done the exact same thing in our parents gardens at that age. 

When it first started up last year, when Zander was having a sleepover at our place with Tommy, Rose had completely freaked out and lost it, lining the pair of them up against the wall to lecture them on how wrong fighting was... but that was before I walked in. 

Seeing Rose's hair splayed everywhere, as though it had been her that the pair of them had been fighting, I couldn't help but laugh as she explained what the two of them had been up to. 

It was simple after that, I asked the kids if they were just playing or whether they were actually having a disagreement, to which they said they were just having fun. 

I told them both that it was fine as long as neither of them ended up seriously hurt, telling Rose that it was good practice for when they got older. 

Rose, of course, wasn't happy with me for weeks after that, cringing every time the two boys would get together and tussle, but eventually, she just got used to it.

"How's the pack going anyway Sawyer?" I spark up a conversation, as the girls talk amongst themselves - quickly racing to learn everything and more about Sawyers mate Millie - the newest addition to our circle. 

"Pretty good, though we've picked up on a few rogue scents near to our borders that I'm investigating, but nothing close to becoming a serious problem as of yet." He shrugs, as my brows furrow curiously.

"Have you tried contacting your neighbouring packs to see if they've had any problems or threats lately?" I suggest, as he takes a swig of his beer. 

"Not yet, but I'll do that once I get back home, it wasn't long after the first border report before Millie went in to labour!" He laughs, as I smile and nod. 

The dude had quite literally just gotten his first child, yet here I was questioning what he had done so far about the rogues... 

Sawyer chuckled, taking another sip of his beer, while Hunt clapped him on the back.

"Well, you've got your hands full now, Sawyer. Rogues can wait — fatherhood can't." Hunt grinned and announced, raising his bottle in a mock toast.

"Tell me about it," Sawyer groaned, but his smile betrayed the pride he felt. "Little Elsie doesn't give us much sleep, but Millie's been amazing. Makes me wonder how we even deserve them."

"Hard work and patience," I offered, my eyes flicking toward Rose, who was laughing at something Lydia had said. For a moment, the soft hum of conversation and the boys' laughter on the grass made everything feel... perfect. 

Peaceful.

That was until the back door of the house slammed open, and three of my guards came rushing out onto the porch.

"Alpha!" The sharp edge in Caleb's voice snapped my attention to him instantly. His face was pale, his chest heaving as he skidded to a stop.

"What is it?!" I asked, my tone low but cold, already bracing for whatever news had them in such a state.

Caleb glanced at the others before stepping forward. "It's Jacob. He's escaped from his cell."

The words hit me like a bolt of ice, freezing me in place for half a second before my temper flared. "What did you just fucking say?!"

"Jacob is gone," Caleb repeated, his voice tight. "We've searched the  prison compound and he's nowhere to be found. We also alerted the patrol guards and they've began searching beyond the territory. We tried to mind-link you but we couldn't get through. We discovered he was gone at the start of our shift!" He updates at record speed. 

"That's impossible!" My voice was a snarl now, and I took a menacing step toward him. "No one gets out of that place. No one. Not without help!"

The other guards exchanged uneasy glances before one of them, Matt, cleared his throat. "He definitely didn't get out on his own, sir. He had help — someone from the inside."

The air seemed to crackle with tension, and my vision tunneled. I clenched my fists, fighting to keep my temper in check. "So who is the bastard snake?!" I demanded, my voice like a whip. "Who the fuck was foolish enough to help him?"

"We've already began investigating," Marcus said carefully, as though he knew he was walking a thin line. "But he was in no condition to escape alone or on foot. The medics said he'd barely been able to stand after his latest punishment. He must've been transported."

The world around me blurred for a moment, my rage building to the point where it threatened to spill over. Sawyer looked just as pissed as I was- 

"I'll have to get back to my pack immediately! Do you think he would even attempt to go back there?" Sawyer questions, as I shake my head. 

"No, they will hide him somewhere or ship him abroad to wherever his family went! But whoever helped him get out, obviously wanted him out for a reason!" I spit out in distaste, eyeing the array of horrified faces around me. 

"Ashton..." Rose's soft voice cut through my anger like a blade, drawing my attention. She was standing now, her hands clasped tightly together as if trying to keep them from trembling.

"Not right now, Rose," I growled, the harshness in my tone making her flinch although it wasn't meant - I was simply stressed beyond belief.

A small voice broke through the thick tension next, tentative but steady. "Daddy? Why are you mad?"

I turned to see Tommy staring up at me, his wide eyes filled with worry. "Are you mad at Mom?"

For a moment, my anger wavered, guilt creeping in at the sight of my son looking so small and uncertain. I crouched down, forcing my voice to soften. "No, I'm not mad at Mom or at you, Tommy. Something very important has happened, and I need to fix it. But I promise, everything will be okay."

He nodded slowly, but the fear in his eyes remained. Behind him, Rose's lip trembled as she fought to hold back tears. 

The sight only stoked the fire inside me.

"Rose, take the kids inside. I'll join you in a minute." I demand, as she quickly nods and scoops Tommy up in to her arms - despite stumbling slightly from his weight as Lydia and Millie follow her lead. 

I straightened, turning back to the guards. "I want answers and I want them now. Check every record, every camera, and every damn vehicle that's left this pack. Locate them. Find out who helped him, and bring them to me. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Alpha," they said in unison before rushing off without another word. 

I stood there for a moment, my jaw clenched so tightly that it began to hurt. Jacob had escaped, and someone had betrayed us to make it happen. 

Whoever it was, they were going to pay a deadly price. 

This was far from over...