Chapter 250
Jaselyn's POV
Rion’s face tightened, and he took a deep breath before speaking. “Jas… Isla took him. We searched everywhere, but she managed to flee with Celio before we arrived. I’m so sorry.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I felt my legs go weak beneath me. I staggered backward, my vision blurring as tears filled my eyes. “No… no, this can’t be happening,” I choked out, my voice breaking with despair. “Not again… please, no.”
Larose quickly stepped forward, catching me before I could fall. She held me tightly, her arms steadying me as I began to sob. The weight of the news crushed me, and I buried my face in my hands, unable to hold back the flood of tears.
Rion reached out, his voice firm but gentle. “Jas, I promise you, we will not stop until we find Isla and bring Celio back. Even if we have to search every pack, every corner of this world, we will find him.”
His words were like a lifeline, and I forced myself to take a deep breath, to steady my racing heart. I knew Rion meant every word, but the fear and helplessness I felt were overwhelming. I had failed my son once again, and the thought tore me apart.
“I’m a horrible mother,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I couldn’t protect him… I couldn’t save him.”
Rion stepped closer, his eyes filled with determination. “No, Jas. You are not a horrible mother. You are a strong, brave woman who has been through hell and back. We will get Celio back, and we will make sure Isla pays for everything she’s done.”
I nodded, trying to push away the crushing guilt and focus on his words. I needed to be strong, not just for myself but for my son. “You’re right,” I said, wiping away my tears. “We’ll find him. We have to.”
Rion gave me a small, encouraging smile. “We brought prisoners from the Black Moon Pack. We’ll get answers.”
At his signal, Erik called over one of the warriors, who emerged from the crowd, dragging Blade behind him in chains. Blade was forced to kneel before us, his face a mix of defiance and fear.
Rion turned to me, his expression serious. “I’ll get the truth out of him, Jas. I swear it.”
I nodded, feeling a flicker of hope in my chest. Blade had betrayed us once, but maybe he could be of some use now. “Thank you, Rion,” I said quietly. “I just want my son back.”
“And we'll get him back,” he assured me, turning his attention back to Blade. “We’re also going to invade the Rain Forest Pack tomorrow. There’s a chance Isla might have gone there, thinking we wouldn’t search a place that obvious.”
I frowned, doubt creeping into my mind. “Do you really think Isla would be that foolish? She’s cunning, Rion. She wouldn’t make it that easy.”
Rion nodded thoughtfully, his brow furrowed as he considered my words. “You’re right. Isla is very clever—devious, even. She’s not someone who makes rash decisions without thinking them through. But sometimes, being too clever can be a person’s downfall. She might believe hiding in plain sight is the last thing we’d expect her to do. That’s why we need to check the Rain Forest Pack.”
I could see the determination in his eyes, the way his jaw tightened with resolve. “Hadrian is Isla’s cousin and the current Alpha of the Rain Forest Pack,” he continued. “They’re close, like siblings. Even if Isla isn’t hiding there, Hadrian might know where she’s gone. And besides, we have scores to settle with Hadrian as well. He’s involved in all of Isla’s schemes, and he’s been more than just complicit. He’s a key player in their deception, and he’ll have to answer for that too.”
I nodded, the logic in his plan sinking in. It makes sense to cover every possibility, no matter how obvious or unlikely. Isla has proven herself to be unpredictable, and we can't afford to leave any stone unturned. “Alright, then. Let’s do it,” I agreed. “But we have to be careful. Isla won’t go down without a fight. She’s desperate now, and that makes her even more dangerous.”
Rion’s expression hardened, his eyes darkening with a fierce determination. “Agreed. I won’t underestimate her, and neither should you. We have to be prepared for anything. This is our chance to bring Celio home, and I won’t let it slip away. And whatever happens with Isla, Hadrian will face justice for his part in all this.”
A chill ran down my spine at the thought of facing Isla again, knowing the lengths she would go to protect herself and her twisted plans. But the thought of holding Celio in my arms again gave me strength. I'll do whatever it takes to get him back.
“But there’s one more thing you need to know,” Rion added, his voice turning serious as he looked into my eyes, as if preparing me for another blow.
“What is it?” I asked, bracing myself for whatever news he had to share.
Rion took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto mine. “We brought Nae back with us, but she’s in a very critical condition. She’s dying, Jas. She has systemic lupus erythematosus, and she’s in the final stages. Her organs are failing, and she doesn’t have much time left.”
My heart tightened at his words. Nae, the woman who had poisoned me and played a part in so much of my suffering is now at death’s door. “And why should I care?” I asked, my voice colder than I intended. “After everything she’s done, why does it matter?”
“She has a young daughter, only a few months old,” Rion explained gently. “And the only thing she keeps pleading for is to speak with you. She says she has something important to tell you...”