107

107
Isla’s POV

I remained in the nursery, my mind racing with fear, anger, and hope. Sasha held me close, her presence a soothing balm for my troubled soul. "We'll find her, Isla. We won't rest until she's back safe with us," she whispered, her voice filled with determination.

The room felt suffocating, the air thick with worry and despair. We had been waiting in the nursery for what felt like an eternity, anxiously anticipating any news about the disappearance of our precious daughter, Carrie. The clock on the wall seemed to taunt me constantly, echoing my heart's racing.

My mind was clouded with fear and uncertainty, and each passing second gnawed away at my resolve. Where was Carrie? What had happened to her? The questions swirled through my head, tormenting me without mercy.

Sasha sat beside me on the nursery rocking chair, offering me solace in this moment of darkness. Her warm and understanding eyes held a mixture of concern and trying to remain positive, mirroring my turbulent emotions.

"Isla, we'll find her. We must believe that." Sasha's voice held a soothing tone, a balm to my frazzled nerves. "Alpha Aaron is doing everything he can, and we have the entire pack searching. We won't rest until Carrie is safely back in our arms."

I nodded, attempting to draw strength from Sasha's words. Deep down, I knew she was right, but the overwhelming fear of the unknown clutched at my heart, threatening to consume me. I was a mother consumed by worry, consumed by the haunting thoughts of what might be happening to my innocent child.

As we awaited news from Alpha Aaron, Sasha reached out and gently placed a comforting hand on my trembling knee. "Isla, I know it's hard, but we must stay positive. Carrie needs us to be strong for her. We've faced challenges before, and we have always come out victorious. The pack is behind us, and we will bring her home."

Her words were a lifeline in the darkness, and I clung to them desperately. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to find a shred of peace within the chaos of my mind. Sasha's touch was grounding, reminding me of the bond we shared, the bond that would help us weather any storm.

Finally, the door swung open, and Alpha Aaron stepped into the room, commanding attention and respect. His eyes carried the weight of responsibility, but a flicker of determination sparkled within them.

“Have you found her?” I exclaimed, unable to stand the wait any longer.
"Luna Isla, Sasha," he addressed us steadily, conveying sympathy and resolve. "No, we have not found her yet. We have received some leads. I have sent out more search parties, and our scouts are combing the territory. Beta Nigel and my father have
called upon neighbouring packs. We will not stop until we find Carrie.”

Relief surged like a shockwave, a ray of hope cutting through the darkness. Alpha Aaron's words were a lifeline. I stood up, my legs shaky from the hours of waiting, but my spirit filled with a sense of purpose.

"Thank you, Alpha Aaron," I said, my voice steady despite my turmoil. “I should help look, though.”

Alpha Aaron shook his head, his face mixed with sympathy and sadness. "I know you want to, Isla. But it would be best if you remained here. I do not wish for any harm to come to our unborn or you. Please. Stay strong, and remember, we are all here for you. The entire pack and hybrid community is behind you, and so am I.” he leant over to kiss me and stroke my growing baby bump. I gave him a small smile and lowered my gaze.

I felt useless in all of this. I was supposed to take care of Carrie. She may not be mine by blood, but she meant everything to me, and I loved her like my own.

“Mrs Jenkins has someone working with her,” I said, and Aaron looked back at me with a frown.

“Isla, she is currently locked up. She can not have taken Carrie herself. We have to remain hopeful and positive.” he told me. “I will return as soon as I have any more news. Please remain here and wait for me. My Luna, you must trust me. Leon and Emma are on the way back here to help.”
With a kiss on my forehead and a gentle touch on my growing baby bump, he left the room, leaving me alone with Sasha. I couldn't shake the inklings of doubt about Mrs. Jenkins having an accomplice, but for now, I would heed Alpha Aaron's advice and trust him.

As the door closed behind him, I vowed to remain strong, to fight against the darkness that threatened to steal away our daughter.

As the weight of uncertainty pressed upon us, I couldn't help but replay the events in my mind repeatedly. The phrase "If only Olga had not taken her eyes off Carrie" echoed in my thoughts, filling me with anger and sadness. Though Olga was distraught over what had transpired under her watch, locking herself away in her bedroom, I couldn't forgive her. If anything were to happen to Carrie, I couldn't help but hold her responsible in my eyes.

"Luna, it was an accident," Sasha's voice broke through the turmoil that consumed me. Her words carried a sense of reassurance, an attempt to ease the burden of blame from my shoulders. "Whoever took Carrie would have planned this meticulously, being clever in their actions. You can't blame Olga for what happened."

As Sasha's words began to take root in my heart, the nursery door burst open, and Emma rushed into the room. She came to my side instantly, her face filled with concern and sorrow. "We just heard what happened, Isla," she said, her voice shaking. "We came back as soon as possible to help with the search. Leon is assisting Alpha Aaron. Your mother and Aaron’s father are all out looking. Oh, Isla, I am so sorry that this has happened."

Her words washed over me like a wave, reminding me I was not alone in this desperate search for Carrie. The support and love of our family and pack members rallied around us, reassuring me that we would leave no stone unturned until Carrie was safely returned to us.

"Thank you, Emma," I managed to say, my voice choked with emotion. "Your presence here means the world to us.“

Emma nodded. "We won't stop until she's safe, Isla. I promise you that. You're not alone in this, and we will do everything possible to find her. Whoever took Carrie will regret it.”