Stefan's jaw clenched. His fists trembled at his sides. He couldn't stop the worst-case scenarios from crashing into his mind. Ruby tied up somewhere. Ruby bleeding. Ruby calling for him. Ivy trying to hurt her.
His chest heaved, the panic clawing at him. He couldn't afford to think like that. He couldn't afford to fall apart now.
He had to stay sharp.
He had to get her back.
But deep down, a part of him—terrified and wounded—kept whispering… What if you're already too late?
Walter's eyes flicked to Stefan, catching the torment in his expression. "We're going to find her. Ivy won't get far."
But Stefan barely heard him. His thoughts were with Ruby.
The woman he loved.
The mother of his unborn child.
And she had been taken, right from under his watch.
"I was right there," he murmured, his voice breaking. "I was right beside her."
