Chapter 72

NATE

Sleep and food did the trick, and I felt like a new man.

It had been a few days since Miles left with his mate and Anna, but there was still no word from Mila.

I was walking toward my office when I saw my father walk toward me. "Morning son," he said with a smile. "You look more human."

I nodded. "Sleep; a hot shower and food would do that to you," I said.

My father nodded as we both headed into the office.

We both planned to finish off paperwork and make some calls to make sure to get the pack secure and ready for Mila, well, whatever comes.

We started on the paperwork, but after a few moments, there was a knock on the door, and in walks Dane.

I looked up at him, but I couldn't help but frown. Everyone was on about me for not sleeping; Dane looks like he hasn't for months, especially with the black bags under his eyes.

"Man, what's up?" I asked as I placed the pen down and leaned back in my chair. My father stared but never said anything. Dane walked to the chair in front of the desk and let out a big sigh. "I'm exhausted," he said as his eyes met mine. "Emily is suffering terrible guilt, and the grief for her mother is intense. It is all taking its toll on her. That's not including Mila leaving hasn't helped either. She can sense the built-up in Mila's magic through their bond. Gloria has been trying to help, but she is struggling too. I don't know what to do to help them."

I stared at my best friend; I wished I could help him, but what the hell could I do?

My father cleared his throat and looked between us. "I think both of you should take a break," he said. "I mean, have an afternoon in the games room. Get Eric to tag along; he must be feeling left out or something as he hasn't been around."

Thinking about it, Eric has been nonexistent lately, which is not like him.

I looked to Dane. "Come on," I said as I moved away from the desk and headed toward the office door. "Let's go in the games room, we can have a break, and after not thinking for a while, we both may come up with things to help you."

Dane doesn't say anything, only follows me out through the door. I opened a mind link to Eric. "Where are you, dude?" I asked. "Do you fancy having a few hours in the games room with Dane and me? Dane needs to clear his mind for a bit."

"Sure, I will meet you there in five minutes," he said.

We head to the games room on the floor above us.

There was no one there as we walked in. Dane set up the pool table as Eric walked in. He looked like he had been in the shower. He glanced at me and smirked. "Your mates finally let you out to play," he said as he went to the fridge to get a drink. He pulled a bottle of water, took the cap off, and drank some.

His eyes never leave mine, but I shrug it off.

I have known Eric for as long as Dane. We all have been best friends since high school. Dane and I are closer as our fathers were close. But Eric was someone who liked to be the life and soul of the party.

Dane glanced at me. "Who's playing first?" he asked.

Eric walked up to him and nodded. I sat on the stool by the side while the two started playing.

After a few moments, Eric looks at me. "So, where's Mila?" he asked as he takes his shot. I glanced at Dane, who stared at me. We promised not to say anything about Mila being gone, which meant not telling anyone outside the circle, which meant Eric couldn't know. I trust him, but it would be hell for her if someone found out she was not here.

"She has been busy," I lied.

Ox was close by at the mention of Mila, but he cocked his head and sniffed the air. "Something is off with his smell," he said as he scrunched his nose.

I couldn't help but breathe in his scent, and Ox was right. Eric's scent was off; it smelled like gone-off cheese. Dane could see what I was doing, but he furrowed his eyebrows. "What the hell is wrong with his scent?" he asked through mind link.

I didn't answer him.

Eric looked at me. "You talking to Ox," he said. I nodded. "Yeah."

I watched my friend shoot some more pool, "so is Mila going to be at lunch?" he asked.

"I don't think so," I said.

"Seriously dude, she is to be your Luna," he said as he turned to look at me. "We all need to meet her; I mean, she will need to be there for pack members."

I could feel the anxiety come off Ox. "He's asking too many questions about mate," he said with a low growl.

Wonder why? I thought.

I glanced at Dane. I opened the mind link just for him. "He has been on about Mila a lot, don't you reckon?" I asked.

"Yeah, and not once about Emily," he said.

Eric won the game and placed the cue on the table. He walked over to the window and stared out. "So, where is Mila?" he asked as he stared.

I groan.

"Dude, what is with all the Mila questions?" I asked. "Mila has been resting and helping members of the town out."

Eric turned to look at me, but something was off. "Pathetic," he said. "I thought we were friends."

I looked back at him, confused. "What the hell, man?" I said. I got off the stool and stood not far from him.

Eric glared at me. "What are you hiding? I mean, where is precious Mila to?" he said, venom spitting out.

"I don't need to tell you shit," I said. He glared back at me, but something changed. "Sorry man," he said. "I didn't mean to act stupid. I just wanted to get to know her; she is your mate after all."

He side-stepped me and walked toward the door. "I best get going," he said as he opened the door. "I have training."

Eric walked out of the room and slammed the door behind him.

I glanced at Dane. "Something is up with him," I said.

He nodded. "What do you want to do?" he asked.

Ox was on all fours, staring at the door. "Why is his scent smell bad?" he asked.

He has a point.

"I wonder why his scent smelled off," I asked. "It smelled like gone off cheese or moldy milk."

It was hard to place the scent, but it was rotten to the nose.

"I agree," he said. "I could ask Gloria to help me figure it out."

I looked at him and nodded. "Why not ask Emily?" I asked. "It will keep her focused on something else. Besides, she is the only witch who may know more about magic besides Gloria."

Dane looked at me, worry in his eyes. "I will try and ask her," he said.

Dane and I played pool for another few hours and even asked for food to be brought to the games room for us. I have to admit it was nice to have some alone time with my best friend.

We talked about pack business and everyday things and even came up with ideas to get Emily back. Well hopefully.

As it was getting dark, Dane decided to leave as he wanted to check on Emily and Gloria.

We both said our goodbyes, and I turned around to face the room. It was so quiet in here. I made sure the room was put back in the right place. I know the omegas would do it, but I needed to be on my own before returning to the office to do more work.

I was placing a few fresh bottled drinks of water in the fridge when I glanced out the window. There running into the forest clearing, was Eric. He was acting weird.

He stopped short and looked around. I made sure he couldn't see me and watched him leave from the side of the window.

Eric seemed like he didn't want to be followed.

"We need to keep an eye on him," said Ox, as he stared out of my eyes. "He is up to something. We need to make sure he not up to anything bad, and not after mate."

I could feel the pit in my stomach turn at the thought. Eric hasn't done anything to Mila, not even gotten to know her. But something was telling me it was terrible whatever he was into.