Chapter 52

Rome's POV

I stormed through the corridors of the pack house, frustration and worry gnawed at me. Silvia's manipulative behavior had always irked me, and now it seemed she was somehow involved in Zendaya's disappearance. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease as I searched for her.

I passed by various rooms, my mind racing with thoughts of where Silvia could be hiding. I couldn't understand her jealousy towards Zendaya, it was as if she saw her as some sort of threat. But why? Zendaya was my mate and she knew nothing about her. Yet Silvia's aggression towards her was visible to everyone, and now I feared it had escalated to something more sinister.

I made my way through the pack house, checking every corner and room in search of Silvia. Her presence felt suffocating, like a dark cloud looming over me. But despite my efforts, she seemed to be nowhere in sight. Where was she when I needed answers the most?

I finally spotted Silvia chatting with some other pack members in the dining room. I should have checked this place first. Without hesitation, I stormed over to her, my expression fierce and my heart pounding with worry.

"Silvia!" I called out, my voice sharp and commanding.

She turned to face me, a surprised expression flashing across her features before she quickly composed herself. "Alpha King," she greeted, attempting to sound innocent.

"What did you tell Zendaya?" I demanded, not bothering with formalities.

Her expression shifted, and a smug smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. "I merely mentioned that you were looking for her," she replied, her tone laced with faux innocence.

"Why?" I pressed, my patience wearing thin.

"Oh, just thought you two might want to catch up," she replied casually, though her eyes gleamed with mischief.

I narrowed my eyes at her, not buying her act for a second. "Where is she?" I demanded, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Silvia's smirk widened, and she tilted her head slightly. "Oh, I'm sure she's around somewhere. You know how she likes to wander," she replied cryptically.

Frustration boiled inside me as I resisted the urge to grab Silvia by the shoulders and shake the truth out of her.

Silvia's insolent attitude pushed me to my limit. I couldn't tolerate her dismissive behavior any longer, especially when it concerned Zendaya's whereabouts. As she scoffed at me, a surge of anger welled up inside me, overpowering my restraint.

"Where is Zendaya?" I demanded, my voice laced with urgency and frustration.

"She always wanders around like she owns the place," Silvia retorted, rolling her eyes dismissively. "I have..."

Before she could finish her sentence, my patience snapped like a taut rope stretched to its limit. My eyes blazed with fury, my hands trembling with the need to grab her and shake the truth out of her. But Silvia's defiance only stoked the flames of my anger, her nonchalant demeanor enraging me further.

With a low growl rumbling in my chest, I issued a final warning, demanding answers before it was too late. But Silvia's casual demeanor only fueled my fury further. She spoke flippantly as if Zendaya's disappearance meant nothing to her.

At that moment, I snapped. My hand shot out, wrapping around her throat in a vice-like grip. Despite my rage, Silvia remained defiant, her gaze unwavering as she challenged me. But she had underestimated the depth of my fury. She didn't realize who she was dealing with.

My grip tightened around Silvia's throat as a smirk twisted my lips. Her feeble attempts to free herself only fueled my determination. The image of Zendaya in danger consumed my thoughts, driving me to the brink of madness. Rationality deserted me as I focused solely on finding her, no matter the cost.

"Are you going to tell me or not?" I growled, my patience wearing thin.

Silvia's futile struggles only heightened my frustration. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air, but no words escaped her lips. It was clear she was playing games, and I wasn't about to let her get away with it.

"Ah! I see you still want to play. Fine," I snarled, tightening my grip until I felt and heard the sickening crack of bone. Silvia's desperate gasps for air only fueled my fury as I hoisted her higher, heedless of the shocked onlookers.

"Alpha King, please, you'll kill her," Alpha Ace's voice reached my ears, distant with concern.

"She should have known better than to provoke me," I spat, my rage unchecked.

"Please, let her speak. I'm sure she has learned her lesson," Alpha Ace pleaded, his desperation palpable.

But there was no mercy left in me for Silvia. Threatening my mate was a transgression that could never be forgiven.

"Threatening my mate is a line that should never be crossed," I declared, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the tense silence.

Gasps filled the room as the revelation sunk in. Only a select few knew of Zendaya's status as my mate, a secret I had hoped to protect. But with her disappearance, secrecy was no longer a concern. I had failed in my duty to safeguard the woman destined for me.

"Please, Alpha King, have mercy," Silvia pleaded, her voice strained and desperate.

But why should I show mercy when she had shown none? I contemplated breaking her neck, but then I wouldn't learn anything about Zendaya's whereabouts.

With a deep breath, I gradually eased the pressure on Silvia's neck until I released her. She collapsed to the ground, gasping and clutching her throat, struggling to breathe.

"Now tell me, or this time, I won't let you live," I threatened, my voice dripping with menace.

I exerted my dominance over the room, subduing everyone with my aura, even Alpha Ace, I waited for Silvia's response. The whimpering and submission of those around me filled the air.

"Where is she?" I demanded, my patience waning.

"I was just playing... I told her to follow the..." Silvia choked out between gasps for air.

My brow furrowed as I waited for her to continue, my patience wearing thin.

"I'm sorry, please don't kill me," she sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

I scoffed at her display. Did she truly believe tears would sway me?

"The path... leading away from the pack... I... I was threatened!" She finally managed to blurt out.