Chapter 204

“There is more Gabriel, Audrey is missing as well, that is the only reason Jay even returned his cell phone, but he didn’t bring back Jayda and Jaxon,” wait hold up! Nonno stopped letting that sink in. it can’t. Why would he take the kids, but leave them somewhere? What if he was extricating his family one by one, Rian next? More importantly… Audrey? Why? She’s human? Weak. My face screws up in confusion. “Is – what do you think that has to do with Chelsea?” my voice frigid, was this just another distraction to throw us off? Take time to seek Audrey out so whoever could make off with my mate. “Well if they are following Lore, they think Chelsea is a White Wolf, then surely Audrey is one too, then they’d have everything they needed-” I scoffed, “they wouldn’t need to even bother with Audrey,” I blurted out, catching myself quickly. I didn’t have time to even widen my eyes at my stupidity when Nonno shot up and surprised me. “Say no more Gabriel, You need to let me enter your pack!” “What?” I said taken aback. “When I go back the Elders will know what I know. They cannot read the minds of anyone that belongs to your pack. What you have revealed to me… should not be information they obtain,” he said before briskly walking into the house and returning with a sharp, but small knife. I looked up at him skeptically, unsure of what was really going on. Was this a trap? Would he report back to my old pack? Betray me? I shook my head; I didn’t know who to trust besides Max, Kai and Remington. “My bonds are old. This is the way to keep them severed and tied to you and your new pack,” he sliced his palm handing me the knife. Following his lead, we place our palms together as he pledges his loyalty to me and my pack, and Chelsea. I could feel the absorbed strength that wrapped around my pack. At the same time, I knew that Nonno Sabastian had felt us as well; he rubbed his hand over his chest, as if that would ease the ache he felt. But it wouldn’t and he knew why. Only Chelsea could release me from what I was feeling now. Finding her and holding her in my arms as her scent calmed me, the scent that helped to assault the demons I hid inside myself. I couldn’t go back to being the same person I was before, empty. “We will find her son,” Nonno whispered, his voiced pained. “Bet you regret your decision now don’t you?” I tried to joke but it came out sounding weak, halfhearted and more like a whimper than a joke. The chuckle I added at the end even worse. Nonno grimaced. “Save your energy-” he starts but is cut off, I hold my breath hopeful that my father has news since I told them I’d give Scar and Ames back when I had Chelsea. “Clara…” he continues but I don’t listen after he says Nona’s name, she felt his bond shift and was worried. I walked back inside and sat at the counter, hungry. . . . Eating an apple, Nonno comes back in, no longer on the phone, “Nona is on her way,” he tells me. “Anything new?” I ask but no longer putting hope into my voice, or questions, especially when they hadn’t got a thing from Madeline… this Robert guy, he played her well. Nonno shakes his head, “No, but many want to leave your fathers pack. Not those involved in the family business but others. It’s no secret that many have thoughts on the work your father does, those that now know of your gift… they think you’d be a better leader, willing to accept Chelsea…” I already knew that. Anyone in the pack under 35 years old have continuously told me I should take over sooner than later. While the old fashioned thought my ideas were too radical, they stuck to the idea that it worked for so long, why change? Apparently evolution wasn’t a word they knew. “I can’t think about that now,” I had enough to worry about. “Many want Ames and Scarlet released especially Ames because they have no Beta right now,” I shake my head. “Not going to happen,” Nonno nods. “And your sister?” “Injected my mate with a needle, then hauled her body out… she’s as responsible as Madeline,” I say bitterly. I don’t have many regrets but not leaving when Chelsea and I first met, is now at the top ten of my list. If I had, I wouldn’t be feeling this pain, I wouldn’t feel so dreadful. Max who was normally upbeat, around and commenting on everything had turned inward. Hiding himself. I could force a shift but it would be difficult when he was pushing me to remain human. He didn’t want to be around when his mate was missing. “What-” Nonno stopped and went to my mind-link, bush has ears son, he thought. What do you mean they wouldn’t need Audrey? He asked. Chelsea has two wolves... I begin to tell him different things but still remain selective in my revelations. I trusted Nonno. How many people know this? He asks when I’m finished. Chelsea’s pack. “This is a mess,” I don’t reply. The clock rings and my eyes burn, it’s almost 3am. I show Nonno where he and Nona caN rest before heading to my and Chelsea’s floor. I stand outside of our room, willing myself to enter our room. I can’t, I know that her scent will assault my senses, I step back and walk to my office. I lay on the couch there, and try to sleep, just a few hours. As my mind wanders I pray that when I wake up again, that today was just a complete nightmare that never happened. I drift off but not before shouting out a call, CHELSEA! Sleep takes me waiting for a response.