Chapter 77

Chapter 77
Marcello pov

"Rebekah!!" I bellowed her name again, the sound ricocheting off the plastered walls and mingling with the cacophony of laughter and music in the air. Frantically, I swept my gaze across the crowded room, a sea of unfamiliar faces blending into a blur as I searched for that one familiar figure. With each passing moment, the rising tide of panic washed over me, my heart pounding like a frantic jackrabbit trapped in a snare. I cried out for her once more, my voice laced with urgency. "Rebekah!!"

Driven by a force beyond my control, my feet propelled me forward, weaving in and out of clusters of partygoers lost in their own revelry. The pulsing rhythm of the bass thumped heavily in my chest, and the idle chatter around me faded into a dull, disorienting hum. Desperation clawed at my insides, tightening its grip with every heartbeat. Where was she? Why wasn't she responding to my calls?

I navigated through the throng, feeling the warmth of bodies brushing against mine, the scents of cologne and spilled drinks filling my nostrils. Each moment felt like an eternity as I scanned the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of her unmistakable dark curls or the bright smile that usually lit up her face. The anticipation became a weight, pressing down on me as I strained to hear any sign of her in the overwhelming noise.

Just as I was on the verge of calling out her name once more, a young maid hurried past, her delicate frame struggling to balance a tray laden with an array of crystal glasses filled with vibrant, colorful beverages. The clattering of ice and the soft tinkle of the glasses echoed in the grand hall, drawing my attention. Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face me, urgency evident in my voice. “Have you seen Rebekah?” I demanded, my grip firm yet cautious, hoping not to alarm her too much.

The maid’s eyes widened in startled surprise; they flickered with a mixture of fear and confusion. “N-no, alpha. I haven’t seen anyone by that name,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, as she instinctively looked down at the floor, clearly intimidated by my fervent inquiry.

I loosened my grip on her arm, but my gaze remained fixed on her, searching her expression for any hint of insincerity or concealment. Yet, all I found reflected back at me was a genuine bewilderment, her brow slightly furrowed and lips pressed together anxiously. With a curt nod, I released her and turned away, the name “Rebekah” escaping my lips once more, echoing through the expansive room. “Rebekah!!” My voice rang out, filled with both hope and desperation as I scanned the room for any sign of her familiar figure.

The maid's gentle whisper of "I'm sorry, alpha" barely registered as I pressed on in my search. Each heartbeat felt like an eternity, the weight of desperation coursing through my veins. My phone buzzed insistently in my pocket, a stark reminder of the outside world, but I pushed it aside, fixated solely on finding Rebekah. When it buzzed again, more forcefully this time, I knew I had no choice but to answer. 

With a sudden rush of frustration, I retrieved my phone, my eyes narrowing at the name flashing on the screen—Vincenzo. My grip tightened around the device, knuckles white as a wave of irritation surged through me. I swiped to accept the call, the air crackling around me with intensity.

"What do you want, Vincenzo?" I growled, my voice low and menacing, resonating with a threat that hung in the air.

"Marcello," Vincenzo replied, his smooth voice laced with a patronizing amusement that only fueled my anger. "I was just calling to check in. How’s life treating you?"

My fury simmered just below the surface like a boiling pot about to explode. "Return Lyra to me, Vincenzo. Now." Each word was a command, sharp and uncompromising, the tension palpable as I awaited his response.

Vincenzo let out a booming laugh, one that echoed off the walls and sent a chill down Marcello's spine, as if he had just been dealt a stinging blow. "Oh, Marcello," he said, his tone dripping with condescension, "you must know by now that I don’t take orders from you. Why on earth would I willingly part with something that is rightfully mine?" His eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and defiance, making it clear that he relished the power in this moment.

"She doesn't belong to you," I snarled, my grip on the phone tightening. "You have 24 hours to return Lyra to me. If I don't see her safe and sound by then, there will be consequences."

Vincenzo's laughter cut off abruptly. "Or what? You'll come after me? Please, Marcello. I've been waiting for you to make a move. Bring it on."

The line went dead with an abrupt click, leaving me staring at my phone in disbelief. Anger and frustration surged within me like a tempest, and I violently shoved the device back into my pocket. My gaze darted around the lavish room, searching desperately for any sign of Rebekah. "Rebekah!!" I shouted again, my voice strained and raw from the relentless cries.

The guards and maids, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern, began to turn their heads toward me, their faces blurring into a hazy backdrop of indifference. I felt an overwhelming surge of determination. I wouldn't stop until I found her. "Rebekah!!" The name echoed in the grand hall, bouncing off the ornate walls adorned with gilded decorations.

I pushed through the sea of guests, my heart pounding in rhythm with my restless feet. The chatter around me morphed into a dull roar, but all I could focus on was the urgent need to locate her. Where could she possibly be? Why wasn't she answering me? A whirlwind of questions spiraled through my mind, each one feeding my growing desperation. 

The lavish decorations and the clinking of champagne glasses faded into the background as I maneuvered through the throng. I had to find her. My mind was set; the stakes were too high. I could feel it—something was wrong. My resolve only strengthened with each frantic step. I would find her. I had to.

"Rebekah!!" I screamed her name again, my voice cracking with emotion. I wouldn't stop. I wouldn't rest. Not until I found her.