Chapter 41
Leo
It had been the longest night of Leo's life. There was a pain in his chest that he could not explain. It had been such an intense misery that he'd spent most of it curled up in a ball. His heart felt like it was being ripped apart, and it was all he could do to force it back together. It'd been hours since he'd seen Wendi and he knew something was wrong. To make matters worse, his father, who he loved and respected more than anyone in the whole world, was looking him in the eye, and lying.
“What reason would I have to lie?” Adam said like it pissed him off that he was being questioned.
“I know Wendi,” Alex protested. “That doesn't even sound like something she would say. She's not like that.”
“Except that she did say it. Seriously Son, you've known her what, four days. How can you possibly know someone in four days? She's not even a wolf. She not capable of the mate bond.” His father was growling, and his foot began to tap. Leo knew that Adam was getting mad.
“This doesn't feel right. I know that he's lying. I can feel it. I just don't know why.” Leo linked to Alex.
Alex nodded. “Why were you even at the nail salon last night?”
“Oh I wasn't, I actually ran into your little girlfriend when I was on my way to the convenience store. I stopped to pick up a six-pack, and a half a gallon of milk for your mother.” Adam said dismissively. “How could I possibly have known where she was going to be. I don't keep tabs on her. And apparently neither do you.”
Leo shook his head. It was another lie. Adam absolutely did know that Wendi would be at the salon. His father really should know better. His father had been Alpha for years. He knew that an Alpha's could tell when their pack members were being dishonest. None of this made any sense.
“Okay fine,” Alex said. Leo could tell by his tone that Alex also knew Adam wasn’t telling the truth. “What did you say to her? Avery said she ran and jumped in her car. I don't think she would have done that unless you said something to her.”
Adam shrugged again. “I just told her the truth. I called her out. I told her I would tell you everything. I told her it would be better if she went back to that boyfriend and just disappeared.”
Adam reached out and placed his hand on Leo's shoulder. “I'm so sorry, Son. I thought it would be better if she just went away then to see her rip your heart out over and over again by cheating on you.”
Leo pushed his father's hand away. Adam didn't know that the boys had already made the bond. He knew good and well Wendi wasn't seeing anyone else. The only pain he was feeling was coming directly from her emotions. Whatever his father had said, had crushed her.
“Dad, I just need you to tell me the truth. What did you say to her?” Leo was almost pleading. “If you know where she is, please just tell us.”
“I have no idea where she is. I haven't seen her since her and that brunette whipped out of the parking lot like their tails were on fire.” Adam said defensively.
Leo shuffled his weight from foot to foot. That was the first honest thing his father had said since he walked through the front door. Adam really didn't know where Wendi was and neither did he. It was all he could do not to break down crying.
“This is getting us nowhere. He's really not going to tell us what happened.” Leo told Alex as they linked silently.
“I agree. I considered trying to use the Alpha command on him to make him tell us. But since he's a former Alpha, I don't think it would work. Besides I hate forcing people to do things against their will. Especially the idea of stripping it from my own father.” Alex linked. He sounded sad and conflicted.
“It's getting late,” Leo said as he pointed to the clock. “Let's go ahead and head to the office. Maybe Wendi will show up. And if she doesn’t, we can pick this conversation up after work.”
Alex nodded and picked up his keys. Leo didn't even bother to change. He started towards the SUV in the same outfit he had worn the day before.
Alex stopped right before the garage door, and turned to look at Leo. He felt a bit of hope in Alex’s link “I’ve for an idea. Let's have David see if he can contact the girl’s school. Maybe he can get the registrar to give him the address.”
The Twins waited as patiently as they knew how in their office for Wendi. Sadly the hours began to drag by and she did not appear. They tried calling her again but it still went to voicemail. They even had a few people from the office call, just in case she had only blocked them. More voicemail. Leo has picked up pacing the floor along with Alex. He felt like he was on the verge of a full-blown panic attack.
After a few hours, David finally returned the boys phone calls. Sadly his news wasn't any better. The registrar had been completely unhelpful. He had tried internet searches and social media. He could find no residences under Charlotte's name. He hadn't even been successful in finding out the name of Charlotte's parents or Wendi's for that matter. Try as they might, there was no trace of Charlotte or Wendi.
By two am on Wednesday morning, Sam was sitting with them in the CEO boardroom. He had spent most of the day before on the phone, calling every wolf he knew around the city. Since Sam was the Beta, he knew people who weren't in the pack and he hoped one of them might have seen the girls. Sadly, his search had also been fruitless. Leo watched him dial Charlotte's number again, and then shake his head when it went back to voicemail.
It has been over thirty hours since Wendi disappeared. Leo honestly felt like he was dying. He could almost feel the life being leached out of him. He looked over at his brother who looked just as rough. Both of them were pale and shaking. He was about to give up hope when he heard a ding on Sam's phone.