Chapter 168 168

Chapter 168 168


Aeson's POV

An hour ago, I had walked off, my jaw tight, my fists clenched at my sides. I didn't want to hear whatever Mandy had to say about Arielle. Just hearing her name had pissed me off—the way it stirred something inside me I didn't want to acknowledge. So I had cut her off mid-sentence and left, my footsteps heavy, my mind churning.

Now I was driving, the road blurring beneath the wheels of my car. The silence of the evening pressed against the windows, but I couldn't escape the weight pressing down on my chest. Then it hit me—a sharp, tugging pain, like something was being ripped out of me. I slammed my fist against the steering wheel, the impact jarring through my arm. The pain was relentless, gnawing at the edges of my consciousness.

My wolf was trying to break through the block I had put up in my mind. I had sealed him off, locked him away, refusing to listen to his urgings. But now, it was like he was clawing at the walls, desperate to reach me.

My phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen. Jace.

"Did you find it?" I answered, my voice clipped.

"Yes, Aeson. But this is the last portion. It might take decades—maybe even a century—for another to be created. You know what that means?"

"Jace," I cut in, my voice hard. "Send it. Immediately."

"Aeson, your life—you might need this in the future."

"Do as I say, Jace." I ended the call before he could argue.

I inhaled deeply, trying to steady my racing heart. My hand hovered over the ignition, ready to drive off, but then I stopped. Mandy's words replayed in my head. She had looked disturbed, her voice laced with urgency.

"See, it's… Logan. I mean Arielle and…"

I had shut her down. But now, the words lingered like a splinter, burrowing deeper the more I tried to ignore them.

Was Arielle in trouble?

I grabbed my phone and called Mandy.

"What is it?" Her voice was sharp, offensive. She was still angry.

I ignored her tone, feigning to be unperturbed. "Where is Arielle?"

"She's in the café she works at. Don't bloody ask me where." She hung up before I could respond.

I growled, the sound low and frustrated. I continued driving and was heading back to the pack, but at the next turn, I changed direction, heading toward the café where she worked. The streets blurred past as I drove, my grip tight on the steering wheel.

I parked across the street, my eyes fixed on the glass front of The Brewed Leaf. I watched, waiting to see her walk past, to serve a customer, to catch a glimpse of her face. But she didn't appear.

I grew impatient. I got out of the car and strode toward the entrance, pushing the door open.

A girl turned to face me, her smile bright and practiced. "Welcome to The Brewed Leaf—" She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as she recognized me. "Alpha Aeson!" She bowed quickly, her cheeks flushing. "I'm honored to—"

I took a step, my eyes scanning the café. "Where is she?"

"Uh?" She blinked, confused.

"Arielle," I said, my voice flat. "Where is she?"

She stared at me, flustered. "Um, Alpha Aeson, I don't know whom you're talking about. I just started working here today, and I feel truly blessed by the goddess to behold you—"

I cut her off, my voice sharp. "Where's the owner of this café?"

She pointed toward the back, her hand trembling. I pushed past her and headed to the counter, where a woman stood, her eyes wide as she saw me.

"A-Alpha Aeson?" She stammered, bowing repeatedly. "Welcome, Alpha. I'm honored to—"

"You're the one who called last night," I said, recognizing her voice.

She blinked, her face a mask of confusion and feigned obliviousness. "Called? I don't—"

I slammed my fist on the counter, the sound echoing through the café. Heads turned, but I didn't care. "Do you think I'm here to kid around?"

She gasped, falling to her knees. "Please, Alpha, forgive me. I take back everything I said. I didn't mean to be rude last night. I was just—"

I grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet. "Where is Arielle?"

"Arielle?" She blinked, her fear palpable. "I gave her the day off. I felt bad for how I spoke of her last night, and since you were together, I thought she could rest today, you understand."

I looked at her skeptically, my eyes boring into hers, and she trembled under my gaze like a leaf in a storm.

"I swear, Alpha, I'm not lying," she stammered, her hands shaking as she pulled out her phone. She scrolled frantically, then turned the screen toward me. It was a message she had sent to Arielle, and beneath it, Arielle's response from thirty minutes ago. "Okay, I'll take the day off. Thank you."

The woman continued, her voice a frantic rush. "I even hired someone else today so Arielle won't feel too burdened when she resumes. Your subject is open to showing great care for the one that matters to you, Alpha." She looked at me with flattery, a desperate attempt to curry favor, but I released her arm without a word and turned, my steps quick as I headed for the door. Something was wrong. I could feel it in my bones.

I left the café, the cold night air hitting my face. Arielle hadn't shown up. Mandy had said she was here, which meant Arielle had lied to her. She had told Mandy she was coming to work, but she wasn't here. Where had she gone?

I sat in my car, staring at the steering wheel, my mind racing. If she wasn't at the café, then where was she? The question gnawed at me, sharp and relentless.

I shut my eyes, trying to think, and then I heard it. His voice. Tyson.

"Our mate is in danger."

My eyes snapped open. "What?"

"She's in the west part of the woods. Go there. Now!"

I didn't question him. I started the engine and drove, the car tearing through the night. The woods loomed ahead, dark and foreboding, and I barely stopped before I was out of the car and running.

Her scent hit me first—faint, laced with fear. I followed it through the trees, my legs burning, my heart pounding. Then I heard the growls, the jeers, and I saw them. Four wolves circled her, their eyes gleaming with malice.

I moved faster than I ever had, my body a blur of fury and eliminated all. I would have set their bodies on fire and spared just their ashes if I had time to spare.The clearing fell silent. She was there, collapsed on her knees, her body trembling.

I rushed to her side, my hands steadying her. "You're safe now," I said, my voice low. "I've got you."

Her lashes moved weakly, and she looked at me. In her eyes, I saw it—relief, trust, and something I couldn't name. For the first time in what felt like a long evening, she believed it. That was the expression in her eyes.

Then she slipped into unconsciousness.

"Arielle!" I shook her gently. "Arielle?!"

She didn't wake up.

I lifted her into my arms, cradling her against my chest, and walked quickly through the trees. I needed to ensure she was unharmed. Through the darkness, I spotted a small cabin. I didn't know who owned it or how far we'd wandered from my pack's territory. I didn't care. She needed shelter.

I ran toward it, kicked the door open, and swept my gaze across the dim interior. Empty. No immediate threat. Good enough.

I carried her inside and lowered her onto the worn bed, careful not to jostle her more than necessary. Her face was frighteningly pale.

Damn it.