chapter 5

EAMON'S POV

My heart raced as I continued my desperate search for Isadora, her scent lingering in the air, leading me deeper into the forest. I couldn't bear the thought of losing her, not when she held the key to my throne. The prospect of finally finding her filled me with both excitement and anxiety.

"She can't be far," I muttered to myself, my breath visible in the cold night air. "I can feel her presence."

The chase had taken an unexpected turn, and I knew that time was of the essence. With every step, the connection between Isadora and me grew stronger.

As I followed the trail, I came across a man who seemed to be in a hurry. His eyes darted nervously as he spotted me. He had a look of triumph in his eyes, as if he held the key to my salvation, and before I could say a word, he blurted out, "You're Eamon, the soon-to-be Alpha King, right?" He said it with a smirk.

I nodded, trying to contain my impatience. "Is there a problem?"

The stranger's smile widened, and he crossed his arms confidently. "It's I who can help you, dear Alpha. I might know a thing or two about your Isadora's whereabouts, but I'd like to receive the reward money first, just to make sure," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.

My heart leaped with hope. "Victor, bring the reward money."

I commanded, turning around and gesturing with my hands.

"Tell me where she is, and you'll have your reward," I said, turning my attention back to the stranger, trying to keep my voice steady, but he stood silent, saying nothing.

"Alright, then fine, hand him the bag," I said, gesturing for Victor to step forward.

Victor shot me a disapproving look, clearly unhappy about the situation, but he handed over the bag of gold bars to the stranger as per my orders.

"Now, tell me everything you know," I demanded, my patience waning.

The stranger counted the gold bars with a satisfied grin before speaking. "She's not too far from here," he said, pointing in a direction.

I felt a surge of excitement and urgency, my heart pounding with anticipation. "Take me to her now," I said, my voice commanding.

Victor, however, was not convinced. He pointed his finger at the stranger's face, his expression fierce. "This better not be a joke or you'll have me to deal with," he warned.

The stranger scoffed, seemingly unfazed by Victor's threat. "You have nothing to worry about. I know what I saw," he replied confidently.

I didn't have time to waste on further discussions. I had to find Isadora, and every second counted. "Let's go," I said to Victor, determination burning in my eyes.

The adrenaline coursed through my veins as we followed the young man closely in correlation with Isadora's scent trail; everything just seemed to make sense. My heart pounded in my chest with a mixture of desperation and hope. I couldn't bear the thought of losing my baby, and I vowed to do whatever it took to bring Isadora back to safety.

As we arrived at the cabin where he claimed Isadora was hiding, my anticipation grew. My pack members were on high alert, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. I gripped my fists tightly, trying to contain the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

Bash!!!

We broke the cabin's door down in a flash, and to my dismay, it was empty. The flickering torches outside the cabin were the only signs that someone had been here recently, although Isadora's scent felt stronger. My heart sank, and a surge of anger washed over me.

"Where is she?" I demanded, turning to face the young man, my blood boiling. "You said she was here, right?"

He cowered under my intense gaze, stammering, "I don't know! She was here, I swear!"

In a fit of frustration, I couldn't help but give him a resounding slap across the face that sent him flying a few meters back, tumbling on the floor to Victor's foot. His words seemed like lies to me, and I couldn't tolerate any deception when it came to finding Isadora.

I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. "If you're lying to me," I warned, my voice low and dangerous, "you'll blame yourself."

Just as my patience wore thin, Luka, one of my loyal pack members, stepped forward. "Alpha, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I don't think he's telling the truth."

I turned my attention to Luka, intrigued by his words. "Explain."

"I know this man; he's just a cunning rogue who goes about stealing from the defenseless," Luka explained. "I have seen him before, and I think he's only greedy for the reward money, that's all."

As Luka's words about the young man's deception sank in, anger surged within me. The betrayal stung, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of fury and frustration. I turned my steely gaze toward Victor, my beta, who shared my feelings of betrayal.

"Strip him of the reward money," I commanded, my voice firm.

With swift efficiency, Victor grabbed him by the neck, lifting his foot off the floor, and the rest of my men disarmed the young man and took back the gold bars he had deceitfully received.

"Somebody fetch me a casket. I'm thinking of converting this cabin into a funeral home; it's only appropriate," Victor yelled. His eyes flashed with fury as he glared at the man already looking lifeless in his grip. As a few of my men dashed out and came back with a wooden box almost immediately, it was too quick for me to react. I was stunned. How did they manage to manufacture a casket out of nothing?

I knew Victor wouldn't tolerate any deception that could jeopardize our search for Isadora; besides, he has never been the forgiving type.

"You've played a very dangerous game," Victor growled, his voice low and menacing. "And now you'll face the consequences."

The man's bravado wavered, and he tried to plead for mercy.

"Please, please, Alpha Eamon. I'm sorry; please forgive me. I'm just a good-for-nothing rogue. Don't stain your hands with my miserable blood. Please, Alpha, please, for the sake of your baby on the way, have mercy upon me. Don't let them hurt me."

He pleaded, almost drowning us in his tears, but his plea fell on deaf ears like water poured on a rock. Victor had seen enough deceit in his time as my beta, and he wouldn't let this man's lies go unpunished.

With swift and decisive moves, Victor delivered a fierce beating to the man. Blow after blow, he made sure the man understood the gravity of his actions. The sounds of fists meeting flesh echoed through the forest, a stark reminder of the consequences of betrayal.

I watched the punishment unfold, conflicted by the violence before me. While part of me wanted to take over and unleash my own anger, I knew that violence wouldn't  lead us to Isadora. We needed to stay focused and find her, and I couldn't let my emotions cloud my judgment.

"Enough," I finally said, stepping forward to stop the beating. "He's not worth it."

Victor obeyed my command, and though I could see the lingering frustration in his eyes, he really wanted to take this man's life. The man lay on the ground, battered and broken, his deceit laid bare for all to see.

"You have one more chance," I warned, my voice firm. "Tell us the truth about Isadora's whereabouts, or the consequences will be even more severe."

The man gasped for breath, his face contorted in pain, and finally he relented. "She was here, but I..." Finally, he passed out.

"Grab him and store him in the dungeon," I commanded, and a few of my men stepped forward and carried out my instruction immediately.

"Luka, you're in charge of him; as soon as he's conscious, extract as much information on Isadora's being as you possibly can; the rest of us will push forward while you guys go back to the pack."

I lit up my cigarette as we continued our search, taking our leave from the cabin.