Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty Two

"Get down, immediately," one of the masked men in front of them ordered.

"What's happening here?" James asked, still in shock about the sudden men surrounding them.

"Get down before I pierce my arrow through your stupid skull," the man replied, more vehemently than when he spoke the first time. "Now!" He yelled in an impatient anger.

Karen whimpered as she got down from the carriage. James followed too, a blank expression on his face, as he refused to portray a look of fear to his abductors. He looked over at the coachman seat, and he saw him laying dead on the ground.

The masked men led Karen and James to another carriage at the other side of the woods, and as they forced them into the carriage, they rode towards a different direction. Totally different from the road that led to the Crystal Moon pack house, and it finally dawned properly on Karen that they were being kidnapped.

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The next morning, Mia walked down the stairs, and as she approached the dining table and her eyes met Alex, she immediately felt abashed as she recalled that he had seen her nakedness. As she got seated, she was all of a sudden conscious around him. The previous day that it had happened, and she went to him like it was nothing, she had not thought of it much that day, not until she woke up this morning, and it sank in her head that a man who was not her mate had seen her nakedness. A man whom she was married to, but does not like her presence, had seen her nudity. She had almost screamed at the thought.

"Good morning," she greeted him. He was the only one at the table. Hendrix was not present.

"Morning," he replied without any enthusiasm.

She heaved as she picked up her spoon and began eating. There was no one to converse with. She knew if she started a conversation with him, it would irritate him and he would retreat to his room. She decided against speaking, which was something she has never done in her entire life.

"I want to apologize," Alex finally spoke, unable to steady his pricking conscience.

"Uh?" She said, looking dumbfounded in his direction. Was he really talking to her without her having to start up a conversation? She wondered, as she stared at him like he had grown two horns.

Alex cleared his throat without looking at her. "I apologize for coming into your room unannounced," he said apologetically.

Mia stared at him, and then broke into a smile at how thoughtful he was to apologize to her. "It's okay, I hold nothing against you," she replied.

"Alright," he said, and focused on his meal.

"I wanted to ask you about what happened at the river. Are you okay?" She dared to ask, pushing her luck. It seemed like the perfect time to ask him.

He ignored her. He should have known speaking with her will result in her asking him unnecessary questions. Questions he could not possibly answer.

"Alex?" She called him, trying to get his attention.

"About the mystery behind the deaths of the red wolves, I have come up with an idea of us visiting the households of the victims affected," he said, changing the topic immediately before she could pester him more about last night.

"It's a good idea. They could tell us what happened before the death took place. But, will they be ready to speak? They are still hurt and mourning their loved ones," she stated the obvious.

He nodded. "They'll have no choice. We are trying to seek justice for their untimely death," he responded.

"You're right. When are we leaving?" She asked him.

"After breakfast," he replied, and said nothing to her again.

•

After breakfast, they set out to visit the families of the victims. They were seated in a carriage, and with each bump on the carriage due to the steep road, Mia fell on Alex's body every now and then.

He stood rigid, shooting her a blank look each time she fell on him. "Sorry," she apologized to him, but he did not respond to her.

She looked out the window of the carriage, staring into the woods, as she watched trees roll by.

They arrived at the first victim's house, and the coachman pulled the horses to a halt. Alex alighted from the carriage, and Mia followed suit.

As she was coming down from the carriage, she missed a step, and she gasped, afraid to fall flat on her rear behind, but instead, she fell on Alex.

Her fingers pressed into his shirt, and she slowly opened her closed eyes. Her eyes met his green ones, and they locked with his for a few fleeting seconds.

He let go of her, and turned towards the direction of the house. Mia could feel butterflies dancing in her belly and she wondered why.

She followed behind him and they got to the front door of the house. Alex knocked on the door gently.

After the second knock, a woman opened the door. She gave a small smile. "Alpha, greetings," she greeted in respect.

"May we come in?" Alex asked her.

She opened the door widely. "Yes," she replied, and Mia and Alex got into the house.

"How're you doing?" Mia asked her as she got into the house.

"Surviving," she responded with a sad smile. "Please sit," she offered them the seats in her little home.

Mia and Alex sat down. "What brings you here, alpha?" She asked them.

Alex exhaled inaudibly. "You're well aware that we were united to find a solution to the problems in the pack, right?" He asked her, and she nodded. "We want to know what happened on the night of the red moon, before the death took place," Alex added.

The woman shook her head. "I really cannot recall," she said.

"Please, what's your name?" Mia asked the woman warmly.

"Nita," she replied, smiling back at Mia.

"And the son you lost?" Mia asked her.

"Turner, my lady," she responded.

"I'm so sorry for Turner's death, Nita. But, in order to vindicate his death, you'll have to recall what happened that night. Did anything strange happen before the red moon?" Mia asked her, and Nita looked deep in thought. "Please, think properly, Nita. Whatever you remember can help us in a long way," Nita urged her.

"I remember something," Nita finally spoke after a long while.

"Tell us," Mia urged her as both her and Alex listened with keen interest.

"A particular dish was served that night in the carriage, alpha. Everyone had the dish, alpha. That's all I can remember," Nita explained as she placed her hand on her forehead. Trying to remember that night was causing her a migraine.

"That's enough. Thank you very much, Nita. You've been of great help," Alex said to her, and got up on his feet, so did Mia. "We'll be on our way now," he added.

"Thank you for coming, alpha," Nita said, and turned to Mia. "Thank you," she appreciated with a smile, and Mia smiled back at her. Nita watched as Alex and Mia walked out of the house.