Chapter 74 Chapter 74
The trees in the forest blurred into almost nothing from the speed Reynard was running through the forest. The cold air felt like he was swallowing sharp blades with each breath, but he didn’t care.
He had to get to the house.
He had to get to her.
As he approached the Twyla mansion, he sensed someone on the other side of the forest. Looking that way, he saw Brendan speeding equally as fast towards the home.
A lump formed in Rey’s throat as he saw the front door of the home wide open. He mentally prayed to the Moon Goddess that they weren’t too late.
He rushed through the door and listened for any movement.
Nothing.
“Suki?!” he called, rushing from room to room, examining all the damage but finding no one who may have caused it. “Suki!”
Brendan followed into the house not long after Rey. He touched into their bond briefly to see which rooms Reynard had checked, and he hastened to check the ones not yet searched. “Suki! Say something,” he yelled.
Then, he caught a scent – her scent. It was so faint that it was hard for him to focus on it. Something was blocking his senses; he couldn’t understand why it was feeling so difficult to detect his own mate, even with the temporary block to their bond. He should be able to feel her.
Following the scent, he paced into the home office of Suki’s father. On the ground was her phone, shattered into thousands of pieces. “Fuck…”
He continued following the scent, rushing down a hallway and stopped suddenly when he stepped on something. His gaze dropped to the ground, and a hollow sickness plunged his stomach.
“Reynard,” he cried out.
With rapid speed, he appeared instantly beside him. “You found something?” he asked, scanning the room hopefully.
“She’s not here…” Brendan knelt and picked up her necklace, presenting it to Rey.
Rey’s chest tightened as he held out his hand for Brendan to place the necklace in his palm. He stared at it, refusing to look away. His eyes became dry from even refusing to blink – if he blinked, then this would all be real, he would have really lost his best friend and mate.
Brendan spoke warily, “It must’ve broken off when she was fighting to get away. I mean, we know she–”
“Never takes it off,” Rey finished for him, his body finally relaxing as he comes to terms with the situation. He closed his eyes and his fist around the necklace. “I can’t feel her, I can barely smell her… How the hell are we going to find her?” he asked weakly.
“Hey,” Brendan grabbed his shoulders and made him face him. “Suki is a smart and strong woman. She’ll be fine – hell – she’ll fight herself out if she has to, but we will find her. You’re not alone, you have me.”
Reynard looked up and met Brendan’s gaze. The pull they shared made him want to lean into him, yearning for comfort in his moment of pain, and to comfort Brendan in his, but another part of him felt guilty for wanting to be close to Brendan when his mate was in big trouble.
Brendan growled, “Stop it.” He cupped Rey’s face in his hands. “Stop beating yourself up.”
“Get out of my head,” he muttered, his eyes pooling with tears as he fought not to let them fall.
“I’m not in your head,” said Brendan, his gaze softening. “I can see the pain in your eyes.”
His shoulders slumped as he frowned. “We have to find her.”
“We will.” Brendan rested his forehead against Rey’s. “I promise.”
Reynard allowed the closeness for a moment, knowing that they both desperately desired more, but neither of them would allow it until their mate was back with them, sharing the moment with them.
The screeching of a car coming to a stop drew them back to reality. The pair took one step away from each other as they heard footsteps running towards the home.
Upon seeing Machiavelli Twyla speed towards them, Reynard stepped in front of Brendan protectively.
“Where the hell are all the guards?” he roared. The Beta wolf stood over Reynard, his eyes seething with mixed emotions. “Where is my daughter?”
Rey fought hard to keep his expression calm, holding himself tall even though, in his mind, he was falling apart. “She’s gone.”
✧ ✧ ✧
In the security room of the Twyla estate, Machiavelli and Reynard sat by the monitors to review the tape of the night’s horrid events.
Brendan kept himself on the other end of the room, leaning against the wall, keeping his distance from the Beta wolf, who still isn’t fully on board with him being mated to his daughter.
“There,” Reynard said, pointing to the screen. “All the guards ran after something in the forest.”
Machiavelli hummed, “It appears to have been a huge threat if they all dispersed after it. That guard there who turned back to tell the other one to stay, I know him – he’s the head guard for the estate.”
They continued watching until the intruders walked towards the home, and the remaining guard tore off his armour and walked away.
“Whoever that guard is, he’s a traitor to our pack. He must be found,” said Machiavelli, slamming his fist on the table.
“He’s not a traitor,” Brendan mumbled.
Reynard and Machiavelli both looked at him – Reynard concerned for him speaking up, and Machiavelli furious that he had.
Machiavelli snarled, “I beg your pardon?”
“A warrior not knowing how to wear his uniform properly is not normal. Even younglings know how to wear their attire.”
“How dare you, of all people, speak on this topic?”
“Sir, I actually think he’s right,” Reynard chimed in before the conversation got more heated. He tapped away at the computer, replaying the scene before the intruders infiltrated the grounds. “Look, he’s tugging at the uniform, as if it wasn’t fitted for him. All our warriors have custom uniforms made to fit their bodies perfectly for comfort and smooth movement. That man is not one of ours.”
Looking at the screen concerned, Machiavelli’s voice oozed with concern as he spoke, “Then, who is that man? And who took my daughter?”