"What do you know about Victor Langston?" With a voice that broke the uncomfortable calm in the room, I demanded. Rogan's head jerked up, his face vacillating between astonishment and caution.
"Why do you want to know about him?" He spoke in a low, circumspect tone.
I crossed my arms in an attempt to calm my racing heart. Because his name keeps popping up, both in warnings and in whispers. And I have a feeling that he's more than simply a renegade Alpha stirring up problems beyond the pack's domain. I moved in closer. "He has something to do with Aria, doesn't he?"
Rogan's neck muscles were clearly flexing as his jaw tightened. "Don't get involved in things you don't understand, Ava."
"Don't belittle me," I said, feeling my chest boil up. "Rogan, you've been hiding things. Furthermore, I'm sick of being the one in the dark. What role did Victor Langston play in Aria's disappearance, please?
I briefly believed he wouldn't respond. His eyes shifted to the window, where the moonlight streaming in sharply highlighted his profile. At last, he spoke, his voice laden with an emotion I couldn't quite identify—perhaps regret. or anxiety.
Rogan started, "Victor Langston used to be an Alpha of a strong pack to the north." He was intelligent, charming, and merciless. Above all, he valued power, and he didn't care who he had to harm to obtain it.
I felt a shiver go down my spine as I swallowed hard. "And Aria?"
Rogan paused. "There was a connection between Victor and Aria. prior to our relationship. His pursuit of her was unrelenting. It was messy when she picked me. Victor takes rejection very seriously.
My stomach turned over. "Are you suggesting that he might have been involved in her disappearance?"
Rogan's silence was sufficient response.
My thoughts were racing as I turned away. Langston, Victor. I had only heard the elders of the pack mention this name in whispers. An Alpha rogue known for causing havoc. And now, a specter from Aria's past who may have contributed to her separation from us.
"What kept you from telling me?" My question was hardly audible above a whisper.
As his voice grew softer, Rogan explained, "Because I didn't want to drag you into this." It's impossible to reason with Victor, Ava. He poses a threat. For years, I've worked to keep him at bay in order to keep the pack safe. to keep you safe.
Anger rising to the surface, I turned to confront him. "Keep me safe? By not letting me know? by allowing me to believe that Aria's departure was an inexplicable mystery?
"You believe I desired this?" Rogan's voice rose and he snapped. "You believe that I wished to endure the shame of failing to save her? Of being aware that I might have been the reason Victor took her?
As the weight of his words settled between us, the room became quiet. I gave Rogan my whole attention and could see the anguish engraved on his face. Despite his strength and confidence, he was a man plagued by his own shortcomings.
However, I was determined to uncover the truth regardless of his guilt. Not right now. Not with how near it felt.
I stated in a firm voice, "I need to know everything." "If Victor Langston is involved, if he poses a risk to Aria, the pack, or us... I must know.
Rogan's expression was impenetrable as he gazed at me for a long time. Then he gave me a grudging nod, acknowledging the resolve in my voice.
He stated, "Victor doesn't work alone." He has wolves for followers who share his goal of supremacy and power. They are devoted to him and will comply with his requests. He is not the only person we are dealing with if he is connected to Aria's disappearance. It is a whole network.
My blood froze at the mere concept. Why would he bring her along? What would make him return after all this time?
Rogan gave a headshake. "I'm not sure. However, I am aware that Victor Langston never acts aimlessly. He must have something to gain if he has made a move.
I nodded, options immediately rushing through my head. Finding Aria wasn't simply about getting her home if Victor was involved. The goal was to avert a danger that would split the flock.
"What should we do next?" I inquired.
Rogan paused. "We require additional details. We must gather evidence whether Victor is involved. And we must locate it quickly.
"After that, we begin excavating," I stated firmly. "I will not wait for answers to come to me in a passive manner. I will track down Victor Langston if he is out there and has Aria.
A glimmer of appreciation appeared in Rogan's eyes as his gaze softened. "Ava, you underestimate how courageous you are."
I looked him in the eye, and the tension between us changed to something cozier and more comfortable. Additionally, you underestimate your strength. Rogan, we'll get through this. Together.
A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he nodded. However, the moment was short-lived, and the truth of our circumstances returned.
I was about to leave, resolved to begin solving the mystery of Aria's and Victor Langston's disappearance, when I heard a knock on the door. We looked at each other cautiously, and then Rogan stepped forward to respond.
A wolf I didn't recognize stood in the doorway, his eyes wide with terror and his face pallid. "Alpha," he murmured in a shaky voice. "You must watch this."
With my heart thumping in my chest, I followed Rogan outside. We followed the wolf to a message left at the boundary of the pack's domain.
One ripped piece of blood-stained cloth was affixed to a tree. Below it, a name was scribbled in ragged letters:
Langston, Victor.
A shiver went down my spine as my breath held in my throat. Rogan's fists clenched at his sides as his jaw grew stiff.
Rogan remarked in a low, angry voice, "He's sending a message."
"What does it signify?" My question was hardly audible above a whisper.
Rogan's eyes grew gloomy. "It indicates that he is no longer hiding."
The atmosphere around us was tense and thick. The puzzle was starting to fit together, but each solution raised new queries. What was it that Victor Langston desired? What lengths would he go to in order to obtain it?
One thing became evident to me as I stood there, gazing at the blood-stained cloth and the name that appeared to pulsate with menace:
The fight for the truth was only getting started.