Maya's POVPure terror gripped me as my eyes darted around the small cubicle for some kind of weapon and once again landed on Theo’s lifeless body.Was I going to be next?Helpless tears streamed down my cheeks as I scratched, bit and kicked, thrashing against the vicelike grip on my mouth and arm. I used all my might but it was fruitless.Behind me my captor— a male if I were to guess from his body— tightened his hold on my arm and I groaned in pain. Still in this position, he steered us out of the restroom and into the café.In there, I begged with my eyes for someone, anyone, to interfere but the few gazes that met my pleading one quickly flickered away. A new paralysing fear kicked in and I shook with the realisation that I was truly on my own.No one here was going to help me. This was the neutral zone where people minded their business and stuck to their lane. I could be dead by sunrise and nobody would give a shit.I tried to shift but my captor sensing this twisted my arm fur
Maya's POVTo his credit, Chase did not react rashly but as our bond opened up, I felt the panic and anger rolling off him. I knew a good part of that anger was directed at me. Rightfully so.Still, concern brimmed in his gaze as it met mine.‘Are you okay?’ His voice in my mind was like a caress and it made me feel worse. If only I had listened.I didn’t ask where he had been or why he was in such a ragged state. I didn’t ask how he had found me.I had no energy to.Dropping back to the ground, I said hoarsely– “Theo is dead.”Chase’s eyes widening was the only visible reaction I got to my sombre announcement. Through our bond, however, I felt some of the shock and sorrow that consumed him.Shame filled me.He followed my line of sight to the café I had peacefully been seated in only minutes ago. By the time he finally regarded Ashton, his gaze had become artfully blank.“Ashton.” He acknowledged.The bastard nodded respectfully. “Alpha Chase.”“Is Genevieve aware that you are here?”
Maya's POVToday was filled with a lot of firsts for me.It was my first time questioning an accidental informant.My first time seeing Wolfbane.My first time accusing and punching someone I suspected of murder.And my first time ransacking the pockets of a dead person.The last one topped the list.With nausea rolling in my stomach, I hastily turned out Theo’s pockets. My newly found hope quickly dwindled with each empty pocket I checked.Chase remained frozen by the door, gaping at me as my hands rummaged in search of the card. His trancelike state was broken when Ashton joined him at the door.The impudent Shadow said–“It won’t be there.“At the same time, Chase whispered “Stop.”Instead of doing that, my search became desperate as I searched her pockets again.I could have missed it the first time, I had to be sure.“Maya, stop!” Chase yelled and ripped me away from Theo. “Stop it!”Beside him, Ashton looked away, his throat working.I shook my head and with power I didn’t know
Chase's POVI had come to the same conclusion the minute Ashton pointed to the deactivated cameras so I wasn’t surprised. However, I glanced at Maya to see her reaction to this revelation but she remained impassive.My gut twisted.I wasn't ashamed to admit that I had been terrified from the moment I heard her scream through our bond. The haunting sound still echoed in my mind.Ron and I had been returning from a meeting with a nearby pack and were almost at our border when we sensed a rogue attack.A group of rogues rushed at us and that was when I felt the first spike of fear. At first, I was confused. Dealing with rogues was hardly something to be scared about. Then I realized the emotion wasn't mine but Maya's.The dread which that realization brought was very real and very much mine.We had been outnumbered, the guards stationed there were few so pulling back to find Maya would have given them an opening.I couldn’t risk letting my focus slip by responding. Therefore, the only wa
Chase's POVI was unable to move for the duration of the video, afraid that if I did, I would miss a part of their conversation. Yes, it could be replayed but logic had escaped me so I didn’t think of that.My heart slowed to a stop in some parts. And in other parts, it broke all over again.How ironic was it that I could actually visualise Theo bounding down to the kitchen in search of a bottle of grape juice? It was one of the very few things which she and Aubrey disagreed on. My sister could drink anything else but the thought of grape juice made her gag. I still remember how hilarious Theo found her hatred for the drink.Listening to Theo made Aubrey’s loss feel raw once again.Further into the conversation, I heard how it had all gone wrong. The root of the problem which we had searched so hard for but couldn’t find.‘Later on, I realized that among the things I had told her, was the name of the road which Aubrey was to travel on.’A burst of air left me as I exhaled sharply in d
Chase's POVThunder clouds filled up the night sky and wind whipped viciously as I listened to the male's scratchy voice over the phone.“I'll be there in a few minutes.”Ending the call, I reached out to Ron in my mind and offering him only a summary of what had happened, I asked him to come over and discreetly take care of the body.My Beta, as usual, asked no questions and simply said he was on his way. Some of the weight on my shoulders lessened. I was forever thankful for Ron, I had no idea what I would do without him.I swallowed at the thought of reaching out to Theo's parents. I'd explain what happened to them and help organize a befitting burial for their daughter.I stayed out in the cold for a minute longer to allow my mind to quieten down before returning to the shelter of the cafe.Ashton's inquisitive gaze snapped to me as I walked in but it wasn't him I cared to see. Across from me, Maya's gaze stayed blankly fixed on the wooden table top and I silently urged her to loo
Chase's POV“I'll come back and get you all when your time is up.” Sylvanus mumbled his announcement as we stepped into the control room and then he scurried off.I scoffed.“Was that necessary?” Maya asked. Ashton was already heading to the countless rows of screens which went all the way up to the ceiling and displayed the live feeds of all the surveillance cameras placed in the zone.I turned to Maya. Those were the first words she had spoken since we left the cafe. The only light in the broad room came from the screens and it cast a blue light on Maya making her skin appear gaunt.“It was the most effective way considering the little time that we have on our hands.”She acknowledged this with a disgruntled sound. Before she could walk past me, I caught hold of her hand and gently lifted her chin so that her eyes met my worried ones.“How are you holding up?” I asked softly. “Don’t hide from me, sweetheart. We’ll weather this together.”For a split second, almost like it was an ins
Maya’s POVSomething in me awakened as I saw the footage. Blanked screens stared back at us.This was the person who had killed Theo. My mind snagged on this and anger pushed through my numbness.“Go back.” I said to Ashton. “Start from where we spotted the shadow then replay it at the lowest speed.”Ashton obliged instead of calling me out for making demands and Chase didn’t react to my renewed vigour either. Like me, they were both reeling from this unexpected revelationAshton was right. How had we not realized it sooner? Probably because I was busy pointing my finger at the wrong Shadow.A knock sounded on the steel door, creating a loud echo that made me jump. Chase looked at the time on his watch and cursed.The male who Chase hadn’t bothered to introduce us to poked his head through and his anxious gaze landed on Chase.“You have only five minutes left, this is the longest I can keep my colleagues away. They will return soon.”Chase’s gaze didn’t leave the screens. “Stall for u