Chapter 219
Ethan 4 (POV)
(Knuckles turned white. “She’s at the training camp with Zee: 1 just
iwin la punt. We’ve found the
The
clipped and professional despite the gravity of his woods. “Toe reported that Aria disappeared after being escorted
the detention
shoulder hitting the
feet. I staggered Nick.
my grandmother’s porch with enough force to rattle the windows whatever my grandmother was saving as she rushed to my side.
the phone, my vo
- barely recognizable even to my own ears. “Use every resource we have. Lock down all pack, borders tem or leaves without direct authorization from you on
d immediately dialed Aria’s number, my fingers fumbling with the screen. The call connected, but only rang endlessly before going to vocem tried again, And again. Each unanswered ring driving the knife deeper into my chest.
happened!” My grandmothers vole cut through my panic, her weathered hand gripping
ig my arm with surprising strength.
“Ania k missing.” I managed, already moving toward my car. “Someone’s taken her–taken my pregnant mate. I’ll send warriors to help with the search,” my
Thank you” I replied automatically, my mind already racing ahead to what needed to be done. Lucas. I needed to get to Lucas |
first. If they
hey’d taken Aria, B
The drive to Lacass school was a blur, every red light an eternity, every car in my way
- way a personal affrent. I instructed David to mobilize search parties and question everyone who seen Aria at the training camp. No detail was too small, no lead too insignificant.
By the I reached the school, most of the children had already been picked up. Lucas sat alone on a bench near the entrance, his small shoulders hunched as he clutched his backpack to his chest. The sight of him–so vulnerable, so precious–nearly brought me to my knees.
When be spotted my car, his face brightened instantly. He leapt from the bench and ran toward me, his backpack bouncing against his shoulders with each
face twisted the knife in my chest. He had no idea his mother was missing, that our world was crambling around u
“Dad” he called, finging himself into my arms as I crouched to receive him. “You’re late! Where’s Mom? She usually picks me up on Wednesdays.
I held him tightly against my chest, breathing in his scent. How could I explain this to him? How could I tell my six–year–old son that his mother had been
“Mami having dinner with Aunt Zoe,” I lied, forcing a smile that felt brittle enough to crack my face. “I’m sorry I’m late, buddy. I got caught up with some pack business. Forgive me?
Locas pulled back, his green–gold eyes–so like my own–narrowing as he studied my face. The intensity of his gaze reminded me so much of Aria that it physically hurt.
“You re lying” he declared, his small hands gripping the front of my shirt. “Something’s wrong with Mom, isn’t it? I can feel it.” His voice dropped to a whisper, fear threading through his words. “Is she sick again? Like before?
I couldn’t be to him—not when he was i
s looking at me
me like that, not when he’d already sensed the truth with that uncanny intuition he inherited from both
“I don’t know exactly what’s happened,” I admitted, choosing my words carefully. “Mom went to the training camp this morning, but she… she’s not answering her phone now. I’m going to find her, Lucas. I promise you that.”
His small jaw set in a determined line that was so familiar it made my chest ache. “I’m coming with you,” he declared, not a request but a statement of fact.
“Lucas, I need to go look for your mother. It could be danger-
“Im coming” he repeated, his voice hardening with a stubbornness that was
spate A
amy mom. And if she’s in trouble, I need to help i
shein Lind her.”
I hesitated, weighing my options. I couldn’t leave him alone–not when I had no idea what we were dealing with or who might come after him next. I couldn’t spare anyone to guard him at home either; every able body needed to be searching for Aria
“Ainight,” I conceded, lifting him into my arms. “But you stay where I tell you, understood? No arguments, no wandering off.”
Chapter 219
He nodded solemnly, his small arms tightening around my neck. “I promise.”
The drive to headquarters was tense, the silence broken only by my periodic attempts to reach Aria’s phone and Lucass quiet sniffles from the back seat. I caught his eyes in the rearview mirror occasionally, noting how he’d blink back tears before jutting out his chin in determination. So young, yet already trying to be strong.
When we arrived at the pack headquarters, the place was buzzing with activity. David stood at the entrance, his posture even more rigid than usual as he barked orders into a radio. Leo paced nearby, his normally cheerful face drawn with worry. They both straightened when they spotted me.
“Any news?” I demanded, setting Lucas down but keeping him close at my side.
“We’ve questioned everyone at the training camp, David reported. “The last person to see Aria was a young guard who escorted her to the detention area, Apparently, Sarah requested to speak with Aria directly, claiming to have information about Emma that she would only share with her.”
“Sarah?” I frowned, connecting the pieces. “The one you arrested for collaborating with Emma?”
David nodded grimly. “That’s the concerning part. I never authorized any such meeting, nor did I send a guard to escort Aria,”
A cold weight settled in my stomach. “It was a setup.”
“Yes, sir,” David confirmed…
Leo stepped forward, his usually jovial face taut with tension. The warriors at the training camp said the fake guard told Aria you and your father were at the hospital. That’s why she didn’t call to confirm.
My jaw clenched so hard I could hear my teeth grinding. They’d used my father’s condition against us, knowing Aria wouldn’t question the story given the circumstances. I would make them regret that cunning when I found them.
“Alpha!” A breathless warrior burst through the doors, his eyes wide with urgency. “We’ve tracked Aria’s scent! Someone’s moving her north, toward the border. They’re heading into rogue territory.”
Chapter Comments
Visitor
What uncanny intuition he inherited from you two ?? If he did it skipped y’alls generation
