Chapter 133 — Two Mornings, One Storm
After I finished bathing, I stood in front of the mirror for a few seconds, staring at my reflection.
My hair was still damp, falling over my shoulders in soft waves. My skin looked warmer from the hot water.
Even while drying my hair with a towel, Felix's face would not leave my mind. I made up my mind, if Felix is alive–I will definitely find him.
After I established that in my mind, there was something else rising in me now.
Excitement. Edward had really called designers to bring their collections to the mansion.
For me. I shook my head slightly, a small smile forming despite everything.
It felt unreal. For most of my life, clothes were about survival. Now someone was asking stylists to dress me.
I reached for my phone without thinking and dialed Seraphina. She picked up on the first ring.
“Elara!” she sang. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I replied, unable to hide the smile in my voice.
“You sound happy,” she said immediately. “What happened?”
“I have news.”
“Oh?” I could almost hear her sitting up straighter. “Tell me.”
I lowered my voice dramatically. “Edward called several boutiques and clothing brands to bring their collections to the mansion today.”
There was a pause. Then–“What?!” Seraphina practically screamed.
I pulled the phone slightly away from my ear, laughing softly.
“It’s true,” I said. “They’re coming with everything. And their stylist.”
“Stylist?” she repeated, breathless. “Elara, are you serious?”
“I am.”
“Oh my goodness,” she said, already sounding excited. “What time are they coming? Should I come now?”
I laughed again. “Calm down. I just finished bathing.”
“So that means I should start getting ready,” she said quickly.
“You haven’t even asked if you’re invited,” I teased.
She gasped dramatically. “Elara.”
I smiled. “Of course you’re invited.”
“Can I pick what I want too?” she asked hopefully.
I hesitated playfully before answering. “Yes. Edward said we can pick anything we want.”
There was another small scream.
“I’m coming,” she declared. “It’s a fashion emergency. I don't even care what I was doing. I’ll finish up quickly and head over.”
I shook my head fondly. “Come when you’re ready,” I said.
“I’ll be there soon,” she happily said.
The call ended, and for a few seconds, I just stood there holding my phone.
After everything that had happened, this small moment of excitement felt like breathing fresh air.
I put my phone down and stepped out of my room.
I decided to make Edward breakfast before he left. Even if he was leaving early, he should at least eat something.
The kitchen felt warm and peaceful. I tied my hair back and began preparing something simple.
As I cracked the eggs into the pan, I thought again about the dream.
Where could Felix possibly be? And who had enslaved him?
I forced myself to focus on the food. There would be time to think later.
For now, I just wanted to make Edward’s breakfast. After a few minutes, I heard voices from the hallway.
Edward and Titan.
I quickly placed the toast on a plate and wiped my hands. They were heading toward the main entrance. My heart jumped.
He was leaving already. I rushed out of the kitchen.
“Edward!” I called.
He turned his head slightly.
“Elara?” he said.
I hurried toward them.
“You’re leaving already?” I asked.
“Yes,” he replied gently. “I told you I had to be in the office very early.”
“I made breakfast,” I said quickly. “At least have something before you go.”
He smiled at me. It was soft. Warm.
“I appreciate that,” he said. “But I really need to leave now.”
“It will only take a few minutes,” I insisted.
Titan looked between us quietly. Edward’s expression turned apologetic.
“I don’t want to be late,” he said. “There are things that need my attention before noon.”
I hesitated.
“You can eat in the car?” I offered weakly.
He chuckled.
“I’ll grab something at the office.”
“You promise?” I asked.
“I promise.”
I stepped closer to him.
“Don’t skip breakfast,” I said softly.
“I won’t,” he assured me.
There was a brief silence between us.
Then he added, “Enjoy your fashion parade today.”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “It’s not a parade.”
“It will be once Seraphina arrives,” he teased.
I couldn’t help laughting.
“Be careful,” I said quietly.
“I will.”
Titan opened the door.
Edward looked at me one more time.
“I’ll call you later.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
They left.
I stood at the doorway, watching as Titan carefully helped Edward into the car.
The engine started.
The car drove away.
And just like that, the mansion felt quieter.
Damien’s POV
The woods were empty. Or at least that was how it felt. We searched for hours.
The sun was fully up now, casting harsh light over the trees and dirt paths.
My men moved through the forest in their wolf forms, sniffing the ground, scanning every corner.
Nothing. No clear scent.
No broken branches that led anywhere useful. It was as if the fourteen had vanished.
I stood at the edge of the woods, my jaw clenched. Garrett approached me carefully.
“We checked the riverbank again,” he said. “Nothing.”
“And the quarry trail?”
“Nothing.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
How could fourteen people disappear like that? They were barefoot. Weak. Recently restrained. They should not have been able to get far.
Unless someone helped them. I opened my eyes.
“We’re running out of time,” I muttered.
Garrett nodded.
“If we don’t find them before tonight…”
He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to. Tonight was the full moon.
And if those Gifted Betas were still free by then–It would be much harder. My phone rang.
I looked at the screen. Kian. Of course. I answered immediately.
“Damien,” he said. “Where are you?”
“I’m at home,” I replied.
“We need you at the office,” he continued. “We have to finalize the strategy for the raid tonight.”
My chest tightened. If only he knew.
“I’ll be there soon,” I said.
“Don’t take too long,” Kian added. “Time is important.”
“I know.”
The call ended. I lowered my phone slowly.
I turned to Garrett.
“Listen carefully,” I said.
“Yes, sir.”
“Tonight, before sunset, burn this warehouse.”
His eyes widened slightly.
“Okay Sir”
“Make sure there is nothing left. No documents. No chains. No evidence.”
“Yes Sir”
“And make sure,” I added, “that it looks accidental.”
“Understood.”
I stared at the building. If the raid happened and they found nothing but ashes…
There would be questions. But it was better than them finding proof.
Garrett hesitated. “What about the fourteen?”
I inhaled slowly.
“We find them.”
“And if we don’t?” He asked.
I looked at him coldly.
“We will.”
But inside, I knew this was slipping beyond my control. I stepped aside and pulled out my phone again.
There were people I knew. People who owed me. People who could find things that others could not.
I scrolled through my contacts.
Then selected a number. It rang once. The line connected.
“Hello?” a voice answered on the other end.
I lowered my voice. “I need a favor.”