Chapter 42 Forgetting something

Chapter 42 Forgetting something

\-Lucien’s point of view_
\-Alpha Hall-

It was yet another day without concrete answers to the troubles in my pack with questions piling up with no clarity in sight. 

And as if that were not enough, Mikael Moore’s impending arrival loomed over us like a gathering storm. He would not be an ordinary guest. 

His presence alone might shake the very core of my pack.

“Alpha, are you absolutely certain about this?” Hector asked again, looking concerned.

He had repeated the question so many times that I no longer needed to count.

I looked at him and and gave a firm nod. “I know exactly what I’m doing, Hector.” My tone left no room for doubt. “When did Nadia say she would arrive?”

Silas closed his eyes briefly, concentrating as he reached outward with his senses. After a moment, he opened them. “She’s here.”

I shifted my attention to him. “And the matter at Oakspire? How is it progressing?”

Silas lowered his head, frustration etched across his features. “I failed, Alpha. I still haven't been able to figure things out with the key and the tunnel beneath the forest. And the trees…” He hesitated. “I cannot figure out how they respond to me.”

I let out a quiet sigh. I was disappointed, but I wasn't surprised.

“It was never supposed to be easy anyway,” I said. “But you must push further. I need answers, Silas. Whatever lies beneath that forest is not random. The elders want it for a reason, and I intend to know why.”

Before he could respond, the door swung open.

Nadia entered first, and Brennan followed close behind her, their mutual hostility practically sparking in the air between them. 

However, that wasn't my problem.

I leaned back against my chair, studying her carefully. “You returned without warning, claiming you had something urgent to discuss, Nadia,” I said evenly. “I trust it is worth the disruption.”

Nadia released a slow breath as she moved to stand off to the side, and I could see her usual confidence was dimmed by hesitation. 

It was going to be something bad then.

“Alpha, I am not sure how helpful this will be,” she began carefully, “but I followed your orders and went to the Moonlit Pack. When I arrived, I discovered that Alpha Connor had been killed.”

My eyes lowered at once, my thoughts turning inward as I weighed the consequences of that single statement. 

Connor Vale was not a small piece on the board and could possibly accelerate whatever schemes already in motion.

“Dead?” Hector’s voice sharpened with disbelief, a deep frown carving across his face. “How the hell is he dead? Silas?”

Silas met Hector’s gaze without flinching. “I left him alive. Very much alive. I have nothing further to add.”

Brennan let out a dry scoff, folding his arms across his chest. “This is not complicated. Alpha Connor Vale was compromised. After Silas met with him, the elders must have learned about it. If they believed Connor was no longer useful to their cause, they would have removed him without hesitation.”

The room grew heavier at that conclusion.

I turned my attention back to Nadia. “Continue the investigation,” I ordered, my voice steady but firm. “I want something tangible. Anything. So go back to Moonlit and get it.”

Nadia nodded.

My gaze shifted to Silas. 

He sat unnaturally still, his posture rigid, his expression distant, as if part of him had already retreated somewhere far beyond the walls of this room.

“Is there something you need to tell me?” I asked quietly.

Silas lifted his eyes to mine at once and for a moment, his face revealed nothing at all. Then he answered, “Yes, Alpha. But not now.”

A pause lingered between us before I nodded. “Very well.”

I straightened in my chair, letting my authority settle over the room once more before sayinh. “You are all dismissed.”
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\-Third Person point of view-

During the meeting, Silas sat still. He felt a faint but persistent sense that he was missing something. Something important.

It lingered at the edge of his thoughts like a word he could almost remember.

Then it struck him.

His eyes blinked rapidly as realization dawned on him.

Because of how occupied he had been, he had completely overlooked one critical detail. 

Alpha Connor’s pregnant mate, Nina, was actually here. 

And he had failed to inform the Alpha.

The weight of that negligence pressed heavily on his chest.

‘I should have reported it immediately,’ he thought. ‘That is not a minor detail. Not with Connor dead.’

He let out a slow breath. ‘Later. I will tell him later. But first, I need to speak with her and let her know about the current situation.’

Once they were dismissed, Silas made his way home and when he reached the door, he pushed it open without knocking.

The moment he stepped inside, a sharp sound echoed through the quiet house.

Retreating footsteps.

His body stiffened. “An intruder?” he muttered under his breath, his instincts sharpening instantly.

He closed his eyes briefly, focusing his senses. The faint rhythm of movement carried upward.

They are heading up the stairs.

In the next second, he vanished.

He reappeared at the top of the staircase, directly in front of the fleeing figure, his hands already extended and poised to strike.

“What are you doing?!”

The sudden scream cut through the tension like a blade.

Silas froze.

His awareness snapped back into place, and his eyes widened as recognition dawned.

“You?”

She stood before him, clutching a towel tightly around her body. Damp strands of hair clung to her shoulders, droplets of water trailing down her skin. It was obvious she had just stepped out of a bath.

For a brief, dangerous second, his gaze almost drifted downward.

“Do not!” she snapped sharply. “Please. Keep your eyes up here. Do not blink. And do not look down.”

Silas immediately fixed his stare forward, rigid as stone. He did not blink. He did not move.

Without another word, Nina carefully sidestepped him and continued up the stairs. As she passed, she kept glancing back, wary, making certain his eyes remained exactly where she had commanded.

They did.

Not once did he move.

‘He’s weird,’ she thought and quickly entered her room.

Silas released a slow breath, only then realizing he had been holding it because of her.

What just happened?

The thought genuinely unsettled him.

Shaking it off, he decided not to dwell on it and walked back down the stairs.

Nina followed shortly after and found him standing in the middle of the living room, staring into empty space as if frozen in thought.

He’s definitely strange, she mused again.

Clearing her throat, she crossed her arms lightly. “You almost killed me back there, didn’t you?”

Silas turned toward her and gave a small nod. “Yes,” he admitted without hesitation. “My mind went blank. I didn’t expect you to run, so I assumed you were an intruder.” His gaze sharpened slightly. “And your concealed scent didn’t help.”

Nina bobbed her head with a soft smile. “I suppose that makes sense. What kind of pregnant woman runs anyway?” she muttered. “Since you left me here, you never came back. Don’t you even live in your own house?”

“I’m too busy to stay here,” Silas replied flatly.

Nina simply smiled and said nothing.

There was a brief silence before Silas spoke again, his tone blunt and unfiltered. “I came to tell you something. Your mate is dead.”

Nina’s brows knitted together. “What?” She let out a soft, disbelieving laugh and shook her head. “That’s impossible. He can’t be dead.”

Silas studied her carefully. “You’re in denial,” he said evenly. “He was your mate. Mates love each other.”

Nina scoffed lightly. “No. That’s not what I mean.” She exhaled. “Connor was not an easy man to love, no matter how hard I tried. I’m not denying anything. I’m saying he’s not dead.”

“I’m telling you he is,” Silas insisted.

She shook her head firmly. “No. If he were truly dead, I would have felt it.”

Silas frowned as realization dawned on him.

The mate bond.

So… he’s not dead?

Nina let out a tired sigh as Silas turned and walked away without another word.