When her phone buzzed, Lauren was in her room with Lia. Both girls were on the bed, their feet propped up beside each other. 
Lauren liked this comfortable silence with her friend. At least she didn't have to worry about the problems that seemed to take up space in her head. For a long while, all she had done was worry. But for now, Lauren wanted to be at peace.
Peace. Even the concept made her snort in laughter.
Lia turned to her. "Is something funny?"
"No, not really." Lauren sighed. "It's amazing how we can sit like this and not worry about anything for a few hours. Another battle with my monster father is very very imminent, I have this chunky death bracelet around my wrist that seems to grow heavier by the passing day, my best friend is angry with me because I kissed my boyfriend—"
Lia's head shot up. "You and Aidan—"
"Yeah." Lauren muttered. "We're a thing now."
Another minute of silence passed before Lauren spoke up again. "I wonder if Eric would ever really forgive me. Do you think I should go to him—"
"No!" Lia blurted, then stuttered. "No, I think that's a very terrible idea."
Lauren studied her friend. Lia seemed to be looking everywhere but directly into her eyes. She wondered if something was wrong with Eric, but she knew he was as safe as he could be. Her father thought Eric was dead, which means that he would never go for him again.
But she could not shake the feeling of foreboding that settled in her chest like a roosting bird.
She opened her mouth to speak, then a loud buzzing interrupted her.
Lauren jerked her head towards the direction of the sound. "Did you hear that?"
"Yeah," Lia, who was already on her feet, whispered. "I think it's your phone."
Lauren waited silently for another buzzing, but it seemed the phone had suddenly gone silent. She could not remember where she'd seen the device last, as she hadn't needed it in the past few days.
"There!" Lia called out, then leaped across the bed and moved towards Lauren's bookshelf by the window. The source of the loud buzz was her phone.
Lauren picked up her phone and turned it on. The first thing she saw was a text from an unknown number. Her brows deepened in a frown as she stared at the phone's screen.
"Here, give it!" Lia muttered in impatience, pulling the phone from Lauren's grasp. She tapped on the screen, opening the message.
Lauren watched her friend as her eyes roamed over the screen of the phone, silently mouthing the words. Lia's eyes widened a fraction as she read whatever the text said. Her fingers began to tremble as she held the phone, and Lauren did not miss the way her eyes darted upwards, then back to the screen.
"Let me see that!" She snapped, reaching for the phone. Lia darted backwards, but Lauren was faster. She grabbed the phone from her friend, the metal bracelet on her wrist jangling.
Slowly she read, her eyes taking in the message on the screen. The first thing Lia noticed was Lauren's shaky fingers.
And in a moment, the phone slipped from her grasp and landed with a dull thud on her carpet.
Together, both girls glanced up at each other. "Eric!" They both exclaimed.
They bolted for the door and rushed out, clambering down the stairs. The adults were still seated around the kitchen table, and all their heads shot up as they rushed in.
"Girls!" Katherine exclaimed. "What is the matter?"
"It's Eric, mum!" Lauren whispered, her heart constricting with pain. "He just sent me a text from some unknown number. He said he has been kidnapped by my father. We have to help him!"
"And how can we be sure this is not just another trap?" Axel chimed in. "I would not put it past your father to do such a thing. And since you said this...message was sent to you from an unknown number, what's to say that it wasn't sent by Doctor Makovsky himself?"
"Axel has a point." Beth added.
Lauren clenched her fists as she stared at each of the faces she'd known and loved for so long. "I know Eric," she started, voice tremulous. "I have known him for four years of my life. I know the way he thinks, the qay he types. This is his hand, and I am sure of it!"
"Still, we have to be careful." Katherine spoke up. "If your father truly kidnapped your friend, then this would be like walking into a well-laid trap. I am sure he did it to lure you in. You cannot give in to his scheming, Lauren—"
"No!" Lauren yelled. "If there was even the slimmest of chances that I could save Eric, then I'd gladly walk into any 'well-laid' trap to do so!"
She turned to Beth. "Are you taking me to Perkins, or do I have to steal your truck key from you?"
Beth's brow furrowed in worry for a moment. Then she sighed and folded her arms. "Meet me at the truck."
"Good." Lauren turned to the rest of the group. "None of you will risk your lives by coming with me. This is a battle between myself and my father alone!"
Immediately she spoke, a flurry of protests rose up. Lauren silenced them by raising her hand, and turned to Aiden.
"Aiden, I want you to do something for me. Can you?"
"Anything, princess." Aiden replied. 
"I want you to go with Axel and Lia to the pack in the forest. Find Raven and gather what's left of the pack together. Get the Council of Alphas away, no matter what. We might have to go back to Perkins."
Aiden nodded and led the way to the screen door of the kitchen, with Lia and Axel in tow behind him.
Lauren closed her eyes and took several shaky breaths. She knew she had to stay calm, but the thought of Eric being in danger kept seeping into her head.
She took a step backwards, and felt a pair of strong arms encircle her. "Whoa, there. Be careful."
Lauren opened her eyes to find her dad—Mike—standing there. He was staring at her in concern, but she could see the sorrow behind his eyes.
Mike's eyes were redrimmed and swollen. His shoulders were slumped, as though a heavy weight had been dumped on them. Lauren even though she could spot tear-streaks down his cheeks.
"Mike..." She whispered in question.
Mike opened his mouth slowly, and then spoke. "I killed my own best friend. I killed Scott."