Chapter 7

Alexander

The past days weren't particularly the best days of my life. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't seem to get Hazel out of my mind. And the constant replay of her features in my head made things even more difficult.

Ever since she escaped from the pack, my entire life had been in complete disarray. I had my wolves on a constant search for her, but nothing good came out of the search. It was odd at first than more than fifty wolves couldn't find one girl. But later on, it became a fear I couldn't rid myself of.

"She could be dead." My wolf suggested, but I snapped back at him.

"Don't make such negative assumptions! She's not dead, I know it."

"You're aware that all of this is your fault right? You found a mate, and you just couldn't control your male desires to keep her." My wolf taunted without remorse. It was annoying that my own wolf was against me, but at the same time I couldn't get angry. Everything he said was true, and I just had to live with that fact.

Walking past a clearing of trees, I progressed into a small town just outside the park territory to ask of Hazel. Now it was evidently clear that she was no longer within the perimeters of the packs range, we had to expand our forces and range of search else we might never find her.

The possibilities of her being being dead, or kidnapped were there, but I chose to neglect them. I knew deep within me that she fine. We were mates, I would have felt something had it been she was in danger. And the fact that I didn't feel threatened of her safety, was what kept me going.

"Some locals said they spotted a random woman in the forest about a week ago." One of my subordinates informed.

"Take as much men as you can and search the forest!" I ordered. As for me I will just keep asking the locals here. Maybe one of them had sighted her, and decided to take her in. If she was seen around this proximity, then she couldn't be too far off.

"Let's not get too excited now, she's not been found yet." The sudden surge of adrenaline in my body had my wolf concerned. I ignored his remarks and focused on the task at hand.

After two more hours of futile searching, I decided to call back the team for the day. We've been outside ever since dawn, and dusk was already upon us. Even though we possessed extra strength and stamina as wolves, I didn't want to overwork them especially for my own mistake.

Getting back to the pack mansion, I immediately had my bath. And after a warm dinner that I couldn't even enjoy, I got down to the next activity, work.

Ever since Hazel's disappearance, my schedule wasn't the best. I and the search team left the house at the break of dawn to search for her. And after the day's work, I returned to do the work I missed out on today. It was crucial that I didn't take my work for play, one wrong move and I could be trampled under the competition of the business industry.

Although I was working myself, I didn't really care. It was my fault, and it was a burden I had to carry. If only I hadn't been foolish from the start.

"That's enough, the deed's been done!" I yelled at myself. There was no need getting sad over the past. The main thing I should be focused on was how to find Hazel, and make it up to her.

After more minutes of self condemnation, I finally decided to focus on his job and keep Hazel out of his head for the meantime, but it wasn't looking possible. What had she done to me?

My imagination finally wandered away from her when my phone rang. Letting out a shallow grunt, I picked up the cellphone and answered it. It was my beta, Matt.

"Hello?"

"Forgive me for interrupting your rest, Alpha. But there's an important information that I must have to relay to you immediately." Matt began.

"Go on." I authorized. In that moment my heart began to race, and my mind began going over the possibilities of the information being about Hazel. Matt sounded a bit tensed, so I could guess it wasn't a very exciting news he had.

"It's about the pack." He provided. My racing heart came to a stop, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"What about it?" I asked.

"People from the Eastside of the pack have reported missing cases of their families. And today, it was murder."

"What?!" I exclaimed in shock. I already expected a bad news. But this, this was just extreme. "Is there any lead on a possible suspect?" I inquired.

"Unfortunately not. The locals are afraid of leaving their homes, and if we don't do something about it, they might turn on each other."

He was definitely right. If there was a homicidal maniac inside my pack, then he needed to be found immediately, and put down as soon as possible.

"That's not a problem. I'll meet with them tomorrow, and have a talk with everyone in the region." I assured before ending the call. In a way I felt responsible for everything that was happening. Perhaps I was using up too much of the security in the search for Hazel, and was neglecting the safety of my pack members.

If I hadn't deployed all the guards, and capable wolves to look for my runaway mate, perhaps this potential serial killer would not have to opportunity to make it moves. Once again, my stupid actions had cost me gravely. My problems were piling up day by day, and if I didn't get them solved as soon as possible, I was going to lose my mind.

After taking a deep inhale, I decided to focus on finishing the work in front of me. The company was a major resource for the clan. With the capital gotten from it, I will be able to increase the security around the affected parts of the clan, and save my name from being soiled as an incapable Alpha.

By the time I was done with the work on my system, it was already some minutes past midnight. Considering the stress I went through today, I think it would definitely be good to take a break from the search tomorrow. Instead of using up the Pack's security system, it was best to deploy them to the Eastside of the pack, and begin a thorough investigation on the recent developments.

My mind went rogue with thoughts of Hazel as I sauntered lazily towards the king-size bed before me. I collapsed down onto its soft embrace, and without much effort fell asleep.

Morning came fast, and I was awakened by constant ringing of my cellphone. I had forgotten to set up my alarm, and have obviously overslept.

Making a quick dive for the phone, I quickly answered before it could stop ringing. It was my beta calling, to remind me of today's appointment.

After the call had ended, I proceeded to freshen up for the day, before putting on a black and red checkered shirt over a black Prada pant. Looking as simple as possible was necessary when dealing with the locals of the pack. They might catch a case if I tried to show signs of an extravagant lifestyle. I couldn't be living in luxury, when my subjects were out here losing their lives.

It was a thirty minutes drive, and a very quiet one. All through the journey I was practicing on the words to use when addressing the people. It was necessary that I showed emotions, and sympathy for them.

"Any cases today?" I inquired from Matt who nodded sadly.

"Two more dead bodies were discovered this morning, this might actually be worse than we initially thought." He explained as we walked over to the scene of the crime.

Upon appearing, I was greeted warmly, contrary to what I had in mind. I expected curses from the masses, but they didn't seem to hate me one bit. Matt had already called the police beforehand, and they had already began their investigation.

"What are the causes of death?" I inquired from the officer in charge.

"Blunt force trauma to the head of the first victim, and claw marking on the neck of the second victim. It wasn't that deep, but I presume he died from blood loss." The officer provided.

Now it was obvious a wolf was responsible for the deaths. After a quick word with the inhabitants of the area, I proceeded to chat a little with the police, imploring their aid in this case.

After that I was basically done with the affairs here, and left the remaining for Matt to handle. Now it was time to enjoy my day off. As I approached the place where my vehicle was parked, I was interrupted by a careless driver who seemingly had no regards for the fact that I was an Alpha.

The vehicle intercepted my next step, forcing me to take quick backwards steps to avoid getting hit. My guards rushed forward to apprehend the crazed driver, but I interfered. With one glance at the car model, I could tell who it was. I had gotten this car for one specific person and that was none other than....

"Beth..."