Chapter 39

Kieran

My brother and I tore through the pack complex searching for Zara. Lucian appeared as icy and controlled as he ever was, but I could feel his frantic worry through our link. It echoed my own emotions.

According to the tower guard, Zara had escaped during breakfast. It was nearly noon, so she’d had hours to gain distance or find a really solid hiding place.

“Should we check her cabin?” I asked.

“No,” Lucian said. “I sent a guard, but she won’t be there. She won’t make the same mistake twice.”

He was right. Zara learned quickly. If she wasn’t so damn stubborn, she’d be a good pet. As it was, she was nearly impossible to train. She fought every little thing.

“Are you sure the guard was telling the truth?’ I asked. “I mean, a hybrid with an Alpha voice? Who ever heard of something like that?”

Lucian shook his head. “The guard was telling the truth, at least as far as he knew it.”

“Okay, but why would Zara run again?” I asked.

“We didn’t tell her she was in danger,” Lucian said. “And that’s my fault. I insisted.”

“Why?” I asked.

Lucian sighed. “Honestly? Because I didn’t want to frighten her.”

“Oh,” I said, shocked. Lucian didn’t want to scare our pet? Since when did he care how anyone felt, himself included?

“Clearly I miscalculated, and now she’s run off,” Lucian said.

And now he was admitting he made a mistake. Today was just getting weirder and weirder.

“Maybe,” I said, “and maybe not. What if someone else got her out of that tower, say another Alpha. They could have used the Alpha voice on the guard, and ordered him to lie to you.”

Lucian hummed. “I suppose that is a possibility. Though how would an Alpha get into the tower with no one noticing him, and escape with an uncooperative prisoner, still without drawing any attention?”

“Isn’t it just as likely as Zara suddenly developing Alpha powers out of nowhere?” I asked.

“True. I’ll speak to the guard again. I’ve got him leading the search.”

“Why?” I asked.

“I thought it was only fair to give him the opportunity to redeem himself for his failure. Whether it was Zara or an unknown intruder, he was compelled to act against orders against his own will.”

And now Lucian was giving a second chance to a wolf who’d failed him. I wasn’t sure what was going on with him. Was Zara more than a distraction to him?

“All right,” I said. “I’m going to talk to Zara’s sister.”

“Who?” Lucian asked.

“Chloe Sawyer. She’s actually her half sister, and I think there’s some drama there, but she might know more about Zara than she told me last time.”

Lucian shrugged. “I suppose it’s worth looking into. Even if they don’t get along, they’re sisters. Just don’t get too distracted.”

I scoffed. “Please. I have standards.”

“No, you don’t,” Lucian argued.

Jerk. I rolled my eyes and left the office. I did, in fact, have standards. They weren’t as high as his, since he rarely even took a lover. But still, it wasn’t like I jumped into every bed available.

I wasn’t sure where Chloe would be at that time of day. What were her duties in the pack, anyway? I honestly had no idea. But I knew where she lived, and her mother should be home. Charlotte had become sort of a recluse after her husband lost his Challenge.

I think she was mainly hanging around to see her daughter settled with a mate. I could respect that. If she petitioned us to leave the pack after her daughter chose someone, I’d convince Lucian to allow it.

I went to the cabin and knocked on the door. Charlotte Sawyer answered almost immediately.

“Alpha,” she said, bowing. “I did not expect the honor of speaking with you again so soon.”

“Don’t worry about the formalities,” I said. “I’m just here to speak to your daughter.”

“Oh, you mean Chloe! Yes, of course, please do come in. Chloe is not here at this exact moment but she should return soon.”

“Where is she?” I asked.

“She took an early delivery to one of our trade partners,” Charlotte said. “She should be back soon. May I ask if this is a personal matter?”

“I was hoping to talk to her about Zara,” I said.

“Z-Zara?” Charlotte stammered. “Why would you want to talk to Chloe about her?”

Why did the mention of Zara make her nervous?

“Just trying to figure some things out,” I said.

I wasn’t about to admit we’d lost her. The fewer people who knew, the better.

Before Charlotte could question me any further, the door opened and Chloe entered.

“Well she’s…” Chloe stopped speaking and bowed. “Alpha Kieran, it is an honor. I didn’t know you were here.”

“He wants to talk about Zara,” Charlotte informed her.

“Oh,” Chloe crossed the room and rested a hand lightly on my chest. “Why would you want to talk about her?”

Because she was missing, but I couldn’t say that.

“I’m just trying to understand the dynamics of this pack,” I said. “In order to properly integrate you all into the greater pack my brother and I are building.”

“That’s wonderful,” Chloe simpered. “I love that you’re working so hard, meeting us all personally.”

“Well, I haven’t had a chance to meet everyone,” I admitted.

It was a large pack. I’d met most of the guards, and every available she-wolf. I was working on meeting everyone else.

“And you took the time to visit us twice,” Chloe purred. “I am honored.”

“Sure,” I said. “Could we, ah, talk in private?”

I figured she wouldn’t want to share any confidences about her sister with her mother watching.

“I would love to,” Chloe chirped.

“I’ll go take a walk,” Charlotte offered. “What with the full moon, we all have extra energy to burn off.”

She left, and Chloe turned back to me with a sultry grin.

“So, Alpha, now that we’re alone, why don’t we find something more interesting to talk about than silly old Zara?”

She leaned close and wrapped her arms over my neck. In another situation, I might have found her interesting. She was pretty, and obviously she wanted me.

But I didn’t have time to waste. Zara was missing, and I needed to find her.

So I gently pried Chloe’s arms off of my neck and stepped back.

“I think I’ve given you the wrong impression,” I said, “I’m not here for that.”

“You’re here for her,” Chloe said, crossing her arms defensively. “Why? What’s so special about Zara? I’m literally twice the wolf she is.”

I shook my head. “I just need to find… need to find out what’s going on with her,” I said.

“Why? She’s gone,” Chloe muttered.

“What?” I stepped closer. “What did you just say?”

“Nothing,” Chloe stuttered. “She’s going away, you put her in that tower, she’s practically banished already. Isn’t she?”

“That’s not what you said,” I growled. “You said she was gone, why?”

“I, Alpha, I can explain,” Chloe stammered.

“You damn well better,” I said. I stepped forward. She staggered back until she was pressed to the wall. “Tell me the truth,” I ordered.

I didn’t use my Alpha voice, but I would if she kept refusing to answer.

“I… I tried to help her,” Chloe whimpered.

“Help her how?” I asked.

“I drove her out of our territory,” she said.

“Why would you do that?”

“I thought if she was gone, it would clear the way for other she-wolves. More worthy ones,” Chloe said. “We don’t understand why you and your brother give her so much attention when we’re here!”

“That is none of your concern. Tell me where you took Zara.”

Chloe shook her head once, and whimpered.

“Tell me, or you’ll tell my brother,” I said, “and he will not ask so nicely.”