Chapter 24 24
Crazy.
That was the only word that described his state for the past three days all because his little mate had vanished after that kiss.
Fernando was teetering on the edge of madness.
He didn’t know what it was exactly.
The mate bond… or his own damn obsession to own her, taint her, and fuck her until she couldn’t even think straight.
She haunted his thoughts like a curse.
Like some witch who had trapped him under her spell though he knew very well she was nothing more than a fragile human.
The first day, her absence hadn’t surprised him. Of course she would avoid him.
The second day, anxiety had crept in.
Why would she risk her scholarship?
Was she really that foolish?
Then again… staying away from him was the smartest thing she could do.
But fate wasn’t that kind.
No matter what she did, she couldn’t escape him.
That same second day, after work, he’d driven straight to the place she lived.
He already knew a little about her residence from her file so yes, he’d stalked her.
Pathetic.
The neighborhood was a shithole.
Thugs lounged on their bikes, drinking, laughing, playing cards like they owned the place.
It was dangerous as hell.
How the fuck could her grandfather allow her to live here alone, unprotected?
He finally found her apartment inside an old, rundown building.
Fernando waited in the shadows for three long fucking hours.
Nothing.
No sign of her.
As darkness settled in, his nerves tightened with every passing second until his phone rang.
Ricardo.
Jaw clenched, he answered.
“We’ve got a problem. We need you. Same place,” Ricardo muttered quietly.
Fernando hummed and hung up.
He was already pissed at Ana.
Now this shit too.
Sliding into his car, he sped away from her area and headed to their usual secret meeting spot.
A bar.
They never met in the same place twice.
Except here.
Inside, the VIP section was alive with lust and noise.
Women walked around half-naked, some spinning around poles while men lounged with girls draped over them.
A blonde tried approaching him.
One icy glare sent her retreating instantly.
Ricardo joined him on the couch, sighing heavily. The tension in his face said everything.
“Two guards were found dead near the border,” Ricardo said flatly. “They were on patrol.”
Fernando’s jaw tightened.
“Andrés?” he asked.
Ricardo nodded.
“He thinks you’re dead. He’s using it to weaken our defenses trying to scare the pack.”
Fernando inhaled slowly.
“Take care of their families. Give them my condolences. Bury my warriors with honor.”
Ricardo nodded. That was what he respected most about his Alpha his loyalty to his people.
“Their blood won’t be wasted,” Fernando growled. “I’ll make Andrés pay.”
No one would save that bastard.
“What about Bruno?” Fernando asked.
“Nothing yet.”
“Tighten security. Keep women and children away from the borders that’s where the danger is.”
Ricardo nodded again, then hesitated. “The pack deserves to know you’re alive. They’re losing strength without you.”
Fernando shook his head.
“They don’t need me to be strong. They need to learn to fight with or without their Alpha. I want warriors, not cowards.”
He smacked Ricardo’s shoulder lightly.
“And trust me… my pack is full of warriors.”
With that, he left.
That night, he tore through his gym like a possessed beast.
Frustration burned through him.
Frustration from not seeing Ana for two fucking days.
Rage from his men being killed while he had to wait for the right moment.
The next day still no Ana.
He was losing it.
After the academy, he drove straight back to her place and waited again.
And again.
And again.
Nothing.
Did she even live here?
Or had she played everyone like a fool?
His patience was hanging by a thread when, late into the night, he saw someone approaching.
A boy.
Wearing a large hoodie.
Walking fast toward the same building.
Fernando stepped out of his car and followed silently.
That “boy’s” body was too curvy to actually be a boy.
Then the figure walked straight into Ana’s apartment.
What the fuck?
Was that her boyfriend?
Fernando could even catch Ana’s scent clinging to him.
That boy wouldn’t live through the night.
Rage surged through his veins
Until the hoodie slipped back.
Long black hair spilled free.
The door shut.
Fuck.
It was Ana.
His mate.
Why the hell was she dressed like a man?
Every instinct screamed at him to barge inside but he forced himself to leave.
The next morning, instead of heading to the academy, he returned to her area.
Sleep had been impossible.
Questions had tormented him all night.
Tonight, he would get answers.
But first… he needed to know where she’d been disappearing to.
About thirty minutes later, she stepped outside.
Still dressed in male clothes.
He watched as the thugs barely spared her a glance.
And then it hit him.
She dressed like a guy so they wouldn’t bother her.
Smart little thing.
A slow smirk curved his lips.
He liked it.