**CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN.**
I nodded slowly. “He picked her up from the hostel this morning for breakfast. I haven’t heard from her since then. Her phone’s off now, and… I don’t think she realizes the kind of danger she’s in.”
Brianna stood, her face pale but determined. “So, what do we do? We can’t just lounge around when one of our kind is in danger. She might not be our friend, but a friend of Eline is technically our friend.”
“Draken and I already searched every place I can think of,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I was touched by Brianna's words. Touched by her enthusiasm to help search for Karina. “There’s no sign of her anywhere near campus. We even checked the cafes—nothing.”
Draken’s hand rested on my shoulder, grounding me. “We have to keep looking. If Tyler’s involved… she might not have much time.”
Killian uncrossed his arms, stepping forward. “We’ll split up, cover more ground. There’s got to be a trail somewhere, even if it's faint. Thankfully werewolves got the best of noses.”
“Even if we find her,” Links spoke up cautiously, “what if… what if we’re too late? You know we can’t take this to the police. This isn’t normal ‘missing person’ stuff.”
I flinched at the thought. I couldn’t bear the idea of losing Karina, of not being able to save her in time. My mind flashed to the worst-case scenarios, but I shoved them away. There had to be hope. There had to be something we could do. Even if we couldn't involve the police, I had a feeling we were going to find her.
“We have to try,” I said, my voice cracking. “I’m not giving up on her.”
Draken squeezed my shoulder gently, his voice low but firm. “Neither am I.”
Topper stood up, his usual easygoing expression replaced with something more serious. “We’ll find her. We’ll find Tyler too, and if he’s behind this…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear. If Tyler was a hunter—if he had done something to harm Karina—he wouldn’t get away with it.
“This would be a lot easier if we just call Drake,” Killian chimed in, breaking the tension just as we were about to move out.
I noticed the brief flicker of confusion on Topper’s face before he composed himself. “Do you honestly think he’d care enough to help us?”
Killian shrugged. “There’s no harm in trying. He’s the only one who can get us to her in minutes, if she’s still—”
“Karina isn't dead,” I snapped at Killian, zeroing my eyes on him. “I can feel it. And what do you mean Drake can get us to her in minutes?”
From the corner of my eyes, I saw both Links and Hannah turn to Draken, eyebrows raised. “You didn’t tell your mate about Drake yet?”
Draken shrugged casually, like it wasn’t a big deal. “I didn’t think it was important.”
“What isn’t important?” I asked, still completely in the dark, my gaze darting between everyone in the room.
“Remember that night that I told you about the things that happened to me as a kid and I told you Drake is kind of different from a normal shifter?” He said in one breath.
I nodded, resting my gaze on him as I remembered our conversation from that night. “You said you couldn't tell me yet.”
“Well, here’s the part I didn’t mention—Drake isn’t just any normal shifter. He’s a medium.”
My jaw dropped. “Like…like a witch?” Someone stifled a laugh at my question, but I couldn’t care less who it was.
Draken shook his head. “Not exactly, but close enough. Drake can access spirits, manipulate energies, and pretty much harness any power he can imagine. He’s also…well, he’s a walking, breathing GPS.”
The revelation hit me like a tidal wave. Drake could help us. We weren’t out of options after all. And with every second counting, Drake might just be the key to finding Karina before it was too late.
“He can also copy powers,” Links added.
Meanwhile, I was in awe. I always knew Drake was different…kind of special, but I didn't know he was that SPECIAL! It fascinated me to know just one person could wield the power of imaging.
“Call him,” I whispered, my voice barely holding steady. “If he can find Karina…we need him. He’s the only one that can help us. Please.”
“I can't assure he'd even help us, Eline. He's a bit stubborn,” Draken said.
“There's no harm in trying.”
Draken hesitated for a moment, his gaze locked with mine as if searching for reassurance. I nodded, urging him on, and he reached for his phone. With a few quick taps, he was calling his brother.
The line rang, each second stretching like an eternity. Finally, a click.
“Drake,” Draken said, his voice sharp, but not unkind. “We need your help.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could faintly hear a low, soft voice responding. I couldn’t make out the words, but Draken’s posture stiffened. He exchanged a glance with me before continuing.
“It’s urgent. A shifter is missing, and we think she’s in danger. We think a Hunter took her…yes they're back — no, just listen to me. You’re the only one who can track her.” Draken paused again, nodding slightly as Drake seemed to be saying something. “We don’t have much time. If you can get here, we’ll explain everything. I promise.”
He ended the call and turned to us. “So?” I asked, hopeful. “What did he say?”
“He’s on his way.”