Chapter 131: Next Trail

Chapter 131: Next Trail
Xavier’s POV

That night, the cold air was filled with the scent of pine and soil. After a long while, the car finally rolled past the border, its tires crunching on the narrow road.

The silence inside was heavier than the hum of the engine. After all, everyone knew it was time.

Xavier sat silently in the front seat beside the driver, his sharp eyes scanning the road ahead, hoping he might at least glimpse Meredith.

In the back, Magnus slouched, crossing his arms. He tried to appear calm but was repeatedly tapping his boot against the floor. Meanwhile, Dr. Alexander sat stiffly beside him, his hands folded in his lap, bearing the weight of the warriors’ glares.

Two of Xavier’s most trusted warriors filled the remaining space. They stared blankly outside, as if sensing any potential threats.

Unfortunately, and according to the plan, Damien was not there. Their Alpha had stayed behind to keep the pack together. Though Xavier knew it burned Damien to remain in the pack house while his brothers hunted for the Luna.

“I know you want her as badly as we do…” Xavier’s jaw tightened. “But be patient, Damien. We’ll bring her back to you no matter what.”

When the car finally slowed, the headlights cut across the quiet stretch of the nearby village. Wooden houses lined the narrow lanes, dim lanterns flickering in a few windows. It was a humble place to live, Xavier thought, almost a world away from theirs.

They finally disembarked in silence. They stayed in their human forms, resisting the urge to shift.

“Stay in your human forms,” Xavier’s voice was low as he gestured to his men. “These people are not our enemies. We should move quietly and without being seen by anyone.”

The warriors bowed their heads in acknowledgment.

Magnus let out a shaky laugh, rubbing his hands together beside Xavier. “Feels weird, really. Sneaking around like thieves. Usually we just… you know, kick down the door and take what’s ours.”

Xavier’s gaze cut to him sharply. “And that’s why you’re just the Gamma, Magnus. Not the Alpha. We must do this with as little error as possible. If Meredith really wanted distance from us, barging in like wolves will only drive her farther.”

Magnus sighed, but he nodded, his grin faint. “Fine. Quiet. No mistake. Noted, Sir.”

Alexander cleared his throat softly. “Her house is down this way. Third lane, last on the right. I’ve been here before.” He paused as most of the gazes fell on him, as if collectively asking him why he would know that. “Well, I just want to make sure she’s safe, that’s all…”

The warriors tensed at his words, sensing something about them. But Xavier just lifted a hand. “Lead us,” he commanded.

The path was narrow, the night still. When they reached it, Xavier felt it before he even saw it. The faint hum of the bond, like a ghost tugging at the edge of his chest. His pulse quickened.

He thought, I can feel her somewhere... When he glanced at Magnus, he realized he was experiencing the same.

Magnus had already moved forward a few feet, as if wanting to end this once and for all, as quickly as they could.

They soon followed him, and then finally, it was there.

Meredith’s little house. A modest wooden home, painted in muted tones, a small garden patch in front. It looked fragile, ordinary—almost like who she was.

Xavier’s heart clenched painfully. She lives here? he thought. Alone?

He stepped closer, his boots crunching on the dirt path. His hand rose to knock on the door. But he hesitated, while his wolf strained against his skin, wanting to smash it down right away.

Magnus moved past him, grinning nervously. “No need for knocking,” he said. “I’ll just—”

“Stop.” Xavier’s voice was loud enough for everyone’s heart to stop for a second. He immediately extended his hand, palm flat against the door.

The wood was surprisingly cool beneath his touch. He closed his eyes, sharpened his senses, and listened carefully.

He waited for a few more seconds. But there was nothing but silence. No sound of footsteps inside. No scent of fresh breath or heartbeat. Only the faintest trace of her scent, clinging like dust.

His chest went hollow. He lifted his gaze to search for any faint light inside, but there was none.

“Damn it,” Xavier muttered through clenched jaw. “She’s not here…”

Magnus’s grin vanished. “What do you mean she’s not here? This is her house!” He stepped forward, sniffing the air around. “Her scent’s here,” he argued. “I can feel it!”

He did what Xavier had done, sharpening his senses. After a while, though, he couldn’t help but sigh heavily. "You're right..."

“Hours,” Xavier muttered, his eyes narrowing. “She left just a few hours ago...” He then turned toward Alexander, his gaze sharp as a blade. “Where is she now?”

The doctor looked stricken, his lips pressed into a hard line. “I… I don’t know,” he answered, looking around. “She’s supposed to be here right now…”

Magnus’s fist slammed against the door, rattling the hinges. “Damn it!”

Xavier’s wolf growled low in his chest, frustration clawing at him. “Then we’ll wait here.” He forced his voice steady. “We’ll watch. She lived here once. She may return later.”

He then turned to the warriors. “For now, you must spread out. Keep the perimeter safe. No one in or out without us knowing. Go!”

The warriors nodded immediately and vanished into the night.

Magnus leaned his forehead against the door, whispering hoarsely, “Where are you, Little Wolf?”

And Xavier, though his heart ached, steeled himself. The hunt had only just begun. And it was harder than he had initially thought.

Later, Xavier stood rigid before the little house. Its wooden frame was too quiet against the noise swirling around in his mind. After a moment, he turned to Alexander and the driver.

“You two stay outside. Keep watch. If Meredith returns, or if my warriors catch the smallest hint of her, you report to me immediately. Do you understand?”

Alexander bowed his head quickly. “Yes, Beta.”

The driver swallowed hard, his hands fidgeting. “Yes, sir.”

Satisfied, Xavier turned back to the door. The faint hum of Meredith’s scent still clung to the frame, enough to twist the knife in his chest.

He nodded once to Magnus, who was standing nearby, already restraining himself from breaking the house apart.

“Open it,” Xavier ordered.

Magnus grinned faintly. “My pleasure…”

One kick, and the lock gave way. A sharp crack echoed so loudly that Xavier briefly thought the nearby houses heard it.

The door swung inward, and the two of them finally stepped into her world.

It was smaller inside. A house full of little human touches. Folded blankets on the couch, books stacked by the wall, a teacup still sitting on the table as though she’d left in a hurry before the night even arrived.

Her sweet scent was everywhere, filling Xavier’s lungs until his chest ached. He reached out and touched the edge of a scarf draped on a chair. His hand lingered, trembling.

Gorgeous Mate...

Magnus moved noisily, brushing his fingers along the shelves, smiling faintly at trinkets and tiny ornaments.

“She really lived here,” he said softly, almost in wonder. “Our Luna. All by herself, in a shitty place like this.”

Xavier forced himself to focus on the matter at hand. “Look for clues,” he said. “Anything that might tell us where she’s gone.”

“All right,” Magnus answered.

They then searched carefully but thoroughly. Drawers, cabinets, corners. Every item spoke of her. But none of them really spoke of where she had gone.

Then Magnus’s urgent voice broke the silence. “Beta Xavier,” he called. “Come here...”

Xavier followed Magnus upstairs. He entered a small room, bare except for a desk, a nearby bed, and a few boxes stacked against the wall.

He saw Magnus kneeling by one, his hand holding something delicate.

When Xavier finally drew closer, Magnus handed it to him.

A photograph.

Xavier’s breath caught as the dim light revealed it more clearly to him.

Meredith was there, smiling softly in the frame. Beside her stood a girl, with the same eyes and almost the same smile.

“Could she be her sister?” he wondered.

Behind them, two older figures stood.

Xavier stared at the picture, his chest tightening until it hurt.

Magnus cleared his throat. “Her parents...”

Xavier instinctively glanced around the area, noticing more frames on the wall. More traces of faces he had never known but should have.

His stomach twisted. Of course. She went back for them. To the ones who shared her blood, not her bond. Even though they were already dead. Except, perhaps, her sister.

He tightened his grip on the photograph and clenched his jaw. “So, that’s probably where she’ll be,” he muttered, almost to himself. “If she isn’t here, then maybe she’s looking for her.”

Magnus nodded slowly, his eyes burning. “Then that’s our next trail,” he said.

The two wolves stood in silence, staring down at the frozen image of Meredith’s sister. Who might now be holding the key to finding their Luna.

“And it seems we’ll need Alpha Damien this time,” Xavier added.