Chapter 80 - The Alpha King and the Shadow
Alaricks POV
I wake up to unbearable pain across my abdomen. I quickly lift up my shirt and see nothing. The pain quickly subsides, but I am left confused.
“Mate. That’s mate’s pain. We need to get to her!” Onin starts screaming at me trying to take over.
“Alrick what’s wrong? I heard you scream.” Maleena bursts through the door looking for danger.
“Something is wrong with LeeAca. I woke up to a horrible pain going across my stomach.” I say and I get up and start pacing the room. Where the hell is she?
“That’s.. That’s not possible. LeeAca never gets hurt like that when she goes hunting.” Maleena says, sounding like she is trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
“Maybe she got caught this time.” I say trying to put the pieces together myself.
“NO. She has been doing this for 4 years. The only way to get caught is if….” Maleena trails off and her eyes go huge.
“IF WHAT?!” I yell starting to panic.
“If she wants to.. “She says just barely above a whisper. My heart stopped and all of a sudden I felt the same horrendous pain across my back, making me fall to my knees and grunt in pain. Maleena runs over to me and as soon as she reaches for me the pain goes away.
“What was that?” She asks almost in a scarred voice.
“That is what they are doing to LeeAca. Where is she, Maleena?” I ask her seriously.
“I was so sure yesterday that she was out hunting. I have no clue where she is!” She yells then gets up and starts going through drawers frantically, throwing things all over the place. It doesn’t take long for me to realize she is looking for a clue of where LeeAca might be.
After a couple of minutes, she completely stops and starts walking toward the closet. Before I could resume looking through her things Marcus, Amara, and Lucas run in.
“What the hell are you doing Alarick?” Amara shrieks. I look at them standing there with looks of disapproval and when I go to speak a wave of pain goes through my body. Starting at my head then working its way down to my toes making me fall to the ground.
“ALARICK! What’s wrong?!” Marcus yells, coming over to my side.
“Something is wrong with LeeAca.. He feels what is happening to her.” I hear Maleena say from just outside the closet. I hear gasps and realize that the commotion has also brought in her brother Sebastion and his mate Redna. All of the packs were supposed to have left this morning, but I am guessing he stayed to help his mate.
“What do you mean Maleena? LeeAca has never… No. Not unless… No.” He says pacing around. When my pain stops I stand up and look at everybody.
“If anybody has any idea of where she is you need to start talking now.” I ordered. Nobody says anything. I huff in annoyance and realize that Maleena went back in the closet. I follow to see what is taking her so long. It isn’t a big closet. It’s not like she could get lost in it. When I walk inside I see another door that is open.
“Sh*t.” I hear Maleena whisper yell. When I walk into the door where she is I get confused. It is full of maps, pictures and a double computer screen on a desk. What is this place?
“This is LeeAca’s safe room. I call it that because it is where she does her planning on how to keep people safe.” Maleena says. Glancing at me then back to the computer.
“What are you doing?” I ask as she is massaging her temples while staring at the blank screen.
“I need to try and figure out her password. It won’t be easy, so I am trying to put myself in her shoes.” She says. As soon as she is done speaking Marcus walks in.
“Try December 12, 2017.” He says while looking down in a sketchbook he is holding. I hear typing as I go to grab the sketchbook he is holding and look down. There is a picture of two children laying on operating tables, both in awkward positions. Something inside me stirs and I am not sure why. On the digital clock the date reads DEC 12, 2017 18:53.
“Didn’t work. I only have one attempt left.” Maleena says frustratedly.
“December 12, 2017 18:53.” I say and lay the book down in front of her. She types cautiously and hits enter. The screen lights up. It worked.
“Thank goddess.” I hear Maleena whisper.
After a few seconds and click later.
“No. No No No.” Maleena keeps repeating while shaking her head. “She can’t be so stupid.” She says while still shaking her head. Dread fills me as well as impatience.
“WHAT IS IT?!” I yell and she snaps out of her trance.
“She went after the doctor.” She says. Like I am supposed to know what the hell she is talking about.
“SPEAK CLEAR MALEENA! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?” I yell again and Lucas comes in and growls. I glare at him and he bares his neck. This room is surprisingly big. It fills all of us with room to spare.
“The doctor who works for the hunters, more specifically, her doctor. She was in a rush and forgot to close her tabs. How can she be so stupid? Why now? Why?” Maleena rushes out as tears start to well up in her eyes. My anger starts to drain as realization hits me. She was taken by hunters before. Despair starts to work its way into my system. I am a horrible mate.
“WE NEED TO GO NOW! WHERE DOES It SAY SHE WENT?” I order and she frantically writes something down and hands it to me. Coordinates. I start to walk out of the apartment after I mindlink 20 of our best warriors to meet me outside ASAP. Everybody from the apartment begins to follow me and I turn around.
“NO. Marcus, and Lucas you may come but the rest stay here.” I say and everybody looks down. Well everybody except Maleena I see her face getting red.
“I AM ONE OF THE BEST TRACKERS YOU HAVE! I AM COMING WITH YOU WEATHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!” She yells.
“Maleena!” Her brother yells at her. I just huff and turn around.
“Let’s go then we are leaving as soon as everybody is briefed.” I say and I hear an exhale.