By the time our people got set up and got the drones going, it was early morning. The Wild Tail territory is pretty expansive, and it would take a while to get the footage we need. We are recording the footage, but the men on the ground are also checking the footage live. We are trying to find where the cabin is, as well as where the guards are throughout the territory. I barely slept during the night, extremely anxious about my mate. I know I need to rest up and be prepared to get her back, but it’s hard to be without my mate right now. Lennox chose to take over morning training, and I’m grateful for that. I don’t think I could be focused on training, and I’m not skilled enough to take Zahara’s spot. I go through the day in a funk. I try to focus on some of the work that Zahara had on her desk, but it is all Greek to me. I have been training with Luna Amara and then Alpha Byron. I know some of the ins and outs of running a pack, but I could use a lot m
~Nona~ I creep down the hall that leads to the front of the house. I was up using the restroom when I heard a sound. It was a soft clicking, and if I had been asleep, I wouldn’t have heard it. I try not to go too far down the hall because I don’t want my scent detected too soon. I bet my mate is here, but I don’t hear any voices. I stop walking and stretch out a bit to see around the wall, and I was right. Laslo is sitting in the armchair across from the couch where Zahara is asleep. He is just sitting there, watching her. It is actually pretty creepy, and it makes me wonder if he has ever done that to me. He has. Nero has mentioned it a few times when he has been trying to talk to me. A shudder goes down my spine. How creepy is it to know that someone has sat and just watched you sleep? It’s different if it were after a lovemaking session and one party wakes up early and basks in your radiance. We are talking about creeping through a house in the dead
~Laslo~ My anger is taking over, and I can feel Zahara’s breath leave her. I could snap her neck right now and end her life. A part of me would be satisfied if I were to do so, but the bigger part of me needs her by my side. I use my free hand and stroke Zahara’s face while I squeeze tighter with my other hand. I feel Zahara’s body go limp in my hand, and I let her fall to the floor. A warrior walks up to us and injects Zahara as she lies on the ground. Another warrior is carrying Nona’s limp body down the hallway. This is not how I wanted things to go. I definitely didn’t think that I would be found. They were smart enough to fly drones over my territory, and I feel stupid not considering that to be a possibility. I follow the warriors out of the cabin, and we make our way across the forest. “Did you get the two that the elders left?” “Yes, sir, they are enroute as well.” I nod in acknowledgment and watch my group head out to my
~Lennox~ I send men after Laslo, but I know they will come up empty. He was ready for us; he had time to move Zahara. This pack is lost to Laslo, so I don't hesitate to send warriors on a search. I want anything and everything that may be a clue or may have to do with where he could be. Cory's anger was already building from the moment we found Laslo in here alone. I know it's only a matter of time before he flips out completely. Because of Zahara's scent, Cory searches the room we found Laslo in. Wherever she is now, she spent some time in this room. The more Cory searches, the more prominent the changes become. I can see fur sprouting from his arms and legs. I notice that his claws are coming out. I mindlink the team to leave the cabin at once, and I take a step out of the room. I make it just in time to see the TV ripped from the wall and flung across the room. Most of the furniture follows the same fate. The books are being ripped in ha
~Zahara~ “Where are the elders' spies?” “I left them in the cells.” “Do you think that was wise?” “What else would you have me do, mother? They had to be somewhere they couldn't contact the elders, and it’s best if they stay out of sight.” “Watch your tongue. You may be the Alpha, but I’m still your mother.” My head is pounding, and the loud voices are not helping the situation. I move slightly, and there is nothing but hard ground under me. Wherever I am, I’m sure it is not even close to being comfortable; forget about luxury. I try to move my arms, but they are tied at the wrist. I go to move my legs, but they are tied at the ankle. “I wouldn’t bother; you won’t be able to get free.” I adjust my body so I’m lying on my side. I don’t make a sound while I do so, even though I’m in a good amount of pain. “Nothing to say? You weren't so tight-lipped when you were telling me how much you’d rather die than be with me.”
~Laslo~ I didn't return to Zahara; I couldn't. I couldn't face her, knowing she knew my secret, a secret I had hoped would die with me. The night of the party, my intent wasn't to force myself onto Zahara. I had wanted to talk to her and just give her the opportunity to get to know me. I don't know why I did what I did, but I am thankful I was stopped before it went too far. I wonder how she realized it was me. I kept my scent hidden and stayed behind her the entire time. I didn't think anyone had any idea that it was me that night. It would have been a major scandal had it gotten out that a future Alpha forced himself on a she-wolf or attempted to. I took great care to make sure that it became a dead issue. It helped when Zahara didn't make any type of report. I always assumed it was because she didn't have anything to go on. The sun comes up quickly as I run through the woods. I know I can't stay away forever. I have to make sure everything is running s
We make it there in record time. A warrior is at the backdoor of the packhouse, holding out shorts for myself and Lennox. We grab the shorts, placing them on as we walk. We are led up the stairs and to an office that has been torn apart. My warriors made good work looking for any and everything that could be hidden here. “Cory?” I look up and into the eyes of a man I haven’t seen in a long time. He could have been a second dad to me if he had been given the opportunity to do so. He was always sent away on diplomatic missions, and I always suspected that was because it was found out that he was trying to help me with food, chores, and anything else he may think I needed. “Beta Cyrus.” He grabs me and engulfs me in a bear hug. I haven’t laid eyes on him for so long, and he was truly missed. “When I heard you were gone, I hoped that wasn’t true. I hoped that you had gotten away from your horrible family and found a better life for yourself.” Cyrus
~Laslo~ I left the ladies alone after that. I just couldn’t stomach arguing with either of them anymore. I spent a few hours making sure everything was taken care of at the satellite location and getting in contact with my people at home. I needed to make sure everything was still running smoothly. Hopefully, it won’t take long to get Zahara to get on board and then I can bring her back as the Luna. In the meantime, I will have to go back home to keep up appearances and make sure everything is okay.Alpha, we just got word that Elder Langston has been on the premises. What is he doing there? Has he been to the cells?No, it seems the cells have been untouched, but he is asking about you and his people. I sigh. I wasn’t ready for this yet, but I guess it’s good that I get to dictate the narrative.Make the call….better yet, make it a video call. Let’s go ahead and get this over with. Hopefully, we can get him to go home quickly. I make my way to the SUV we have in