Chapter 246 Signs of War

Chapter 246 Signs of War
Hours later, I hunched forward in my seat, studying the scattered photos on the table. Julian paced at the head of our small investigation circle in the private study he'd commandeered for our meetings. Aurelia and Isadora exchanged concerned glances across from me.

"So what you're saying is we've hit a dead end?" I asked, tapping one of the grainy surveillance images showing an elderly couple with what appeared to be twin infants.

Julian ran his hand through his hair, messing up his usually perfect style. "We might have actually taken a step backward. The elderly couple who transported the twins across state lines died three years ago."

"Without leaving any useful information behind?" Isadora's perfectly manicured nails drummed against the wooden table.

"No children, no relatives," Julian confirmed, frustration evident in his voice. "Their house was sold, belongings donated. It's like someone methodically erased their connection to the babies."

My stomach knotted.

"But," Julian continued, pulling up a map on his tablet, "they lived in the same neighborhood for over forty years. They must have had friends, neighbors they might have confided in. People don't usually keep secrets like that completely to themselves."

"Where exactly did they live?" I asked.

"About thirty minutes from here." Julian zoomed in on the map. "I think we should go there tomorrow and talk to anyone who might remember them bringing home two infants."

"I'll help," Aurelia volunteered immediately. "If we wait any longer, it might be too late for me anyway. I'll be eliminated."

Julian nodded, already pulling out his phone. "Let me make some calls to arrange everything. We'll leave early tomorrow." He stepped out, closing the door behind him.

As soon as we were alone, Aurelia slumped in her chair. "I'm not delusional," she said quietly. "I know I'm next to go. You haven't seen the way he looks at you two versus how he looks at me."

I started to protest, but she held up her hand.

"It's fine. That's the game, right? Friends don't go as far as lovers and wives." Her smile was brave but hollow. "I knew what I was signing up for."

"We'll still stay in touch," Isadora said, reaching across to squeeze her hand. "This doesn't have to be goodbye forever."

"That's sweet," Aurelia replied, "but let's be realistic. Once I'm out, I go back to my normal life. You two will be here, in this world of wealth and power. Different spheres entirely."

Her words hit harder than she knew. I wasn't thinking about Aurelia—I was thinking about myself. Even if by some miracle I stayed, as a commoner who'd lost her inner wolf, how long before I'd be pushed back out of this world? Would I ever truly belong?

Julian returned, interrupting my thoughts. "All set for tomorrow. Eight AM sharp." He glanced between us, then focused on me. "Elena, I think you should ask Kane to join us."

"Kane?" I blinked in surprise. "Why would he want to—"

"Because four people searching is better than three, and having an Alpha heir with us opens doors." Julian's expression was deliberately neutral. "And leave Elva here. The subject matter might not be appropriate for a child."

I narrowed my eyes. Julian rarely suggested anything without ulterior motives.

I found Kane at the palace entrance, dressed in running gear. His body tensed visibly when he spotted me approaching.

"I need to talk to you," I said, stopping a safe distance away.

"I'm busy," he replied curtly, adjusting his fitness tracker.

"It's about Julian's investigation. He wants you to join us tomorrow."

That got his attention. His eyes snapped to mine. "What investigation?"

I explained briefly about the elderly couple and the plan. With each word, Kane's expression darkened until his jaw was clenched tight.

"When did he plan this?" Kane demanded.

"Just now. We're leaving tomorrow morning."

"I need to speak with my brother," Kane growled, already striding past me. "Right now."

Something in his tone raised alarm bells. I waited until he was a good distance ahead, then followed quietly, keeping to the shadows.

I pressed myself against the wall outside Julian's investigation room, straining to hear the brothers' heated exchange.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Kane's voice was barely controlled fury. "Taking them out there when you know what's happening?"

"This isn't some recreational outing," Julian fired back. "This could help prevent a war."

"And what if you run into trouble? You're putting civilians at risk."

"We need more people for this search, Kane. It's too important to mess up."

"Then take security personnel, not candidates!"

"Security personnel won't notice the details that matter. Elena has personal stakes, and the others are invested now too."

There was a pause, then Julian's voice, suddenly amused: "I can see your shadow on the floor, Elena."

My heart jumped to my throat. Busted.

Sighing, I stepped into the doorway. "What aren't you telling us, Kane? What danger are you keeping secret?"

Kane shot Julian a venomous look before turning to me. "We've had reports of bears in the area. We don't know if they're shifters or just regular bears that have wandered too close."

"And you didn't think to mention this because...?"

"Because we don't have confirmation yet," Kane said defensively. "I didn't want to worry you unnecessarily."

I crossed my arms. "If this investigation can help prevent a war, then I need to be part of it. Especially if it might help me find out what happened to Elva... and to me."

Kane's expression softened slightly. "Fine. But I'm coming too, and I'm not letting you out of my sight."

I turned to Julian, whose lips were curved in a satisfied smile. "We're in," I confirmed, wondering what game he was really playing.

The next morning, everyone—candidates and staff alike—gathered in the seating room. Elva sat on my lap, clutching the teddy bear with the polka dot bow tie that Kane had given her.

Marcus stood at the front, his commanding presence silencing the room immediately. "I have an important announcement," he began, his voice grave. "We've detected an unusual number of bears in our territory."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. I instinctively tightened my hold on Elva.

"This is not a joke," Marcus continued, his expression severe. "These are not ordinary animal movements. We have reason to believe..." he paused, surveying the room with steely eyes, "that we may be facing war."

The room erupted in whispers. I caught Kane's gaze across the crowd, and the look we exchanged confirmed everything: our investigation tomorrow had just become much more dangerous—and infinitely more urgent.