Chapter 48

Chapter 48
 Matteo:
  My head’s a damn war zone.
  I’ve been pacing this room so much I’m surprised the floor hasn’t given way. Every thought is a mess, colliding into the next, and none of them gives me a shred of peace.
  It’s been hours; long, brutal hours since Anika went missing, and I swear I’m not myself anymore. My warriors and I tore through every inch of our pack lands, even crossed into a few neighboring territories, hoping we’d catch the bastard who took her.
  Nothing. We came up empty. Not a trace. 
 I couldn’t even pick up her scent, and the mind link… shut tight like a locked door.
  Something in me says it’s Hunter. I can feel it in my bones. But how the hell could he have taken her when Liam swore he wasn’t part of the alphas who staged that attack?
  I know it’s probably stupid, but the only reason I haven’t stormed his pack yet is because I refuse to look like a weak Alpha. One who can’t even protect his own mate.
  I might go there and not find her, and then he’d have the satisfaction of mocking me.
  But screw that—mock me or not, I’m done waiting. I’m going to his pack first thing tomorrow morning.
  I know he’s the one. 
 I definitely do. 
 My instincts have never failed me…
  Well, except for that one stupid time Dylan pulled a trick on me.
  I’m halfway through another lap across the room when Damon’s voice cuts through the haze, sharp and urgent over the mind link.
  ‘Alpha?’
  I don’t know why, but my heart skips a beat. ‘Yes, Damon. Tell me you have something about the search. Any updates?’
  ‘Unfortunately, no. We have none.’ He sighs. ‘We’ve done as you’ve instructed. Thoroughly combed through every pack tied to the alphas that were found dead.’
 ‘Every single one?’
 ‘Yep. Well, except Hunter’s. Do you want us to hit his pack? I mean… Liam says Hunter didn’t join the attack, but you and I both know how cunning he is-‘
  My jaw tightens. I stop pacing, staring at the wall like I could burn a hole through it.
  Hunter is cunning. And dangerous. 
  I know that.
  Letting out a slow and heavy sigh, I drop into the chair, elbows braced on my knees. ‘Yeah… he is. We raid his pack at dawn.’
  ‘Perfect,’ Damon says without hesitation.
  ‘How are the injured warriors, though? And Leah?‘
  ‘The warriors are fine. They have just a few scratches and bruises which would heal soon. The nurses have patched them up.’ He pauses. ‘Leah’s recovering, too. Miranda removed the silver bullet and is treating her. She’s stable now.
  I blink. ‘Miranda?’
  ‘Yeah. She doesn’t know much, but she managed to help.’
  I groan, dragging a hand over my temple. I’m glad she was able to do something, but I still don’t like her being in that hospital—especially not in charge of someone’s life. She swears she has no hidden agenda, but trust isn’t something I hand out lightly.
  I don’t care if she’s Damon’s mate. Honestly, I hope he doesn’t make the mistake of accepting her.
  ‘Alpha?’ Damon’s voice cuts in again.
  ‘Yes?’
  ‘Uh… someone wants to see you.’
  ‘No, please. I told you I’m really not in the mood to see anyone. They can wait until—‘
  ‘It’s Jenny and Isabel.’
  I’m on my feet before he finishes. ‘What? Let them in!’
  The mind link cuts off, and a minute later the door bursts open.
  “Alpha!” Isabel comes running toward me, clutching a lollipop in her small hand.
  As soon as she reaches me, I can’t help but smile. I scoop her up and settle her on my lap. “How’s my baby doing?”
  “I’m fine!” she chirps, but then her face crumples. “I just miss Mummy. Is she not coming home tonight?”
  My chest tightens like a vice. I glance toward Jenny, who’s still by the door, silently watching us. I’d already told her not to say a word about Anika’s disappearance.
  I turn back to Isabel and force a smile. “Of course she is. You don’t have to worry, okay? She’s just… at the hospital, working. She’ll be home soon.” I ruffle her hair gently. “Now that you’ve eaten, why don’t you go get some sleep?”
  “Okay, Alpha.” She wraps her little arms around my neck for one more hug before hopping off my lap and leaving with Jenny.
  The second the door shuts, I let out a low growl, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. Lying to her feels like tearing out my own heart, but I don’t have another choice.
  I just hope Anika’s safe wherever she is. The thought of her hurt or scared is enough to make my chest ache.
  I never thought a few hours without her could tear me apart like this, but here I am… pacing, restless, and on the verge of losing my mind.
  The sharp trill of my phone suddenly cuts through my thoughts, making me flinch. My heart lurches into my throat.
  I snatch it off the table without a second thought, my eyes narrowing at the unfamiliar number glowing on the screen.
  I don’t hesitate.
  I swipe to answer. “Hello?”
  “Oh, hi!” A voice comes through immediately. “This is Alpha Matteo, right?”
  “Right. Who are you?”
  “This is Beta Kyle of the MoonStone Pack.”
  That makes me sit up straighter. My jaw clenches, heat rising under my skin. “Okay… and what the hell do you want?”
  “Nothing much,” he says. “I just wanted to let you know your Luna is here with us. You can come pick her up.”