Chapter 32 The Edge Of Restraint
Zayne's POV
“Alpha, I think I found something,” Xavier announced, coming into my office without knocking.
I sat upright as he placed the file he was holding in front of me. At this point, I was desperate for any type of lead that'd give me a clue about what I was looking at. This was the first time a case was taking way too long, so anything was welcomed.
“What am I looking at?" I asked, my eyes skimming through the documents.
“Our culprit came last night," he started, and I frowned wondering why I was only finding out now. “But whoever the person is, made a mistake by letting their scent slip…it's not just a rogue like we originally thought, I think it's someone higher."
I massaged my temple softly, "someone higher?” I asked, "have you figured out who we're talking about?”
There was no doubt that a lot of other Packs were envious of what we had, but none of them were crazy to try anything stupid.
Xavier shook his head, “we're on it," he replied. “Tristan is having the trackers look into the scent, it shouldn't be long now.”
I nodded, running a hair through my hair. I swear, I'm going to go crazy if I don't get to the end of whatever this was.
Xavier went on about another report I needed to go through and also my meetings with the elders that were supposed to happen the following week. And also how the paperwork needing my signature also needed to be sorted as soon as possible.
“I swear, one minute I have everything under control and the next, I have no idea what I'm doing.” I told him.
He chuckled, “It was never a problem before now."
“He didn't have Luna Ally before." Tristan said, strolling in casually, causing me to raise my brow. "Whatever do you mean?” I muttered.
Kael snorted, "there's no use denying it, everyone can see how much we've changed since we found her.”
As both of them joked about my inability to concentrate on anything that wasn't related to my mate, I just listened, a part of me feeling like I was forgetting something.
“Have you spoken to my mom?" I asked and the guys turned to look at me, not hiding the confusion on their faces.
“I respect Luna Valerie, but she scares the hell out of me." Tristan said and Xavier agreed readily. “Whenever she stares at me, it feels like she's staring into my soul.” He said, and I chuckled.
She was my mom but I understood where they were coming from. And since our last conversation, I expected her to be back and probably with my father, to tell me I was going to ruin everything they've worked for. But there was nothing which was even more suspicious.
“Are you worried about Luna Alyssa?" Tristan asked.
“I'm going to deal with my mom." I replied instead, standing up.
Excusing myself, I went towards the childcare. It was already evening and I hadn't seen Red, so it wasn't surprising that I wanted to see her. But as I drew closer, I couldn't smell here which was weird seeing how she was always here.
“Good evening Alpha," one of the Pack members helping with the children, greeted, bowing her head.
I nodded sharply, “Where's my mate?" I asked, my eyes scanning the room, and I failed to catch sight of her.
She looked around, “Luna Alyssa isn't here." She replied, “She left with Aria and Aileen about an hour…two hours ago.”
I turned to leave, ignoring the nagging feeling in my chest. "Red, where are you?” I called through our mindlink but there was no response.
I swallowed hard, not wanting to jump into conclusion but it was easier said than done, as my feet moved towards my sister's room, praying to the moon goddess that it was nothing like I was thinking.
Her scent was stronger here but that was all. The door was locked and so was Xavier's room.
This time, I was full blown worrying, I ran back to the office, ignoring the stares being thrown at me as I ran.
I pushed the door, my facade quickly crumbling. “Can you reach Aria?" I asked Xavier. He didn't need to ask why, the worry in his eyes suggested he had an idea.
“I can't reach her." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Have all the warriors look into it, find her.” I ordered, and the two of them swung into action.
My wolf was growling for her to be found. Thirty minutes later and her whereabout was still unknown and I couldn't feel her emotions to know if she was hurt…that wouldn't happen until the mating bond was completed.
“Alpha," Lori's familiar voice called, jolting me back to the present. “I saw Luna Alyssa going towards the garage…she was dressed and–”
I didn't let her finish before dashing towards the garage, mindlinking the guys as I went. They were there within a few minutes, looking equally stressed.
“I-I didn't, I-I….” The warrior in charge of the garage stammered. I was on the verge of losing it completely. Struggling to keep Kael from taking over was like fighting a different battle entirely.
Tristan, who was busy typing away on his phone, finally looked up. “Found them." He announced, and Xavier wasted no time in grabbing a car key.
“Step on the fucking gas!” I growled.
“Yes Alpha." He murmured, as the car took off.
Every minute in that car felt like a lifetime. My wolf paced restlessly, claws itching to tear through anything in our way. If anything happened to her…
The car came to a stop about an hour outside the Pack and in front of a club. “A fucking club!" I swear, she was going to the death of me.
The bouncers moved out of the way…wise decision, as I entered the brightly lit room, my eyes scanning the room for her.
It didn't take long before I recognised her red hair in the crowd. The worry and fear I felt just a few minutes ago all disappeared as I watched her dance effortlessly, the flashing lights made her skin glow like temptation itself. My pulse thundered in my ears, and Kael growled inside me, low and warning.
Mine.
I pushed through the crowd, every step heavier, rougher, my jaw locked tight. People moved out of my way instinctively.
But before I could reach her, someone else did.
A man. Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing that kind of smile that made me want to rearrange his face. His hand slid over her waist, pulling her against him.
I didn't think, every rational thought snapped clean in two.
The bass from the speakers faded into a dull hum under the roar in my head. Kael surged forward, and I didn’t even try to stop him. I crossed the distance in seconds, my hand clamping down on the stranger’s wrist hard enough to make his bones grind.
He choked out a startled sound, his grin falling away when he looked up at me.
“Take your fucking hand off my mate,” I growled, my voice barely human.
I let Kael take over, throwing several punches to his face before Xavier held me back to take over.
Wrapping my arms around Red who giggled like she was watching the funniest thing. “That was so hot," she whispered, giggling.
I swallowed hard, ignoring the warmth spreading through my body, as I carried her in my arms and out of the club, straight to the car.
The ride back was chaotic, I wondered how many bottles of beer she took to make her this drunk.
“Take care of Aileen." I ordered, immediately we got to the Pack house.
Tristan nodded, “Yes Alpha."
Red had her hand wrapped around me, murmuring incoherently which I would figure out once got her settled and out of this dress.
“I h-had the best time…” she slurred, "I danced v-very well, do you want t-to see?” But before I responded, she started moving her body in what was supposed to be a dance.
"Red…" I groaned, “let’s get you out of this dress.”
She slapped a hand over her mouth, “are we going to have sex? I-I have t-the perfect outfit."
I let out another groan, if I survived tonight, I would definitely survive anything.