Chapter 0129
“What about Isabella and Sebastian?”
“We located them. They were unconscious in the pantry. They’re both okay, just heavily sedated.”
“But Sophia…”
“We’ll find her. Everyone knows how much she means to you.” He offered a smile, but it didn’t reach his deep green eyes. He was worried, too. He just wouldn’t say it out loud.
‘Someone should inform Julian.’ Nyx murmured.
‘He doesn’t want her. That’s probably for the best.’ I replied.
‘He is still her mate.’
‘Do you think he’ll go after her?’
‘If we tell him, we might finally learn how he truly feels about being mated to her.’
‘She’s just a kid,’ I muttered.
‘I know. So why do you think he really left?’
‘Because she refused his rejection.’
She shook her head. ‘Guess again,’ Nyx said, a hint of amusement in her tone.
‘To wait until she turns eighteen?’
She nodded. ‘She blocked his rejection. He can’t force it without risking her life. Creating distance was the simplest solution. He’s waiting for her to come of age.’
“Talking to Nyx?” Theodore asked.
I nodded.
“Alexander will find Sophia,” he said, trying to reassure me.
“I hope so. Can you do something for me?”
“Of course.”
“Mind-link Julian. Tell him what happened.”
“But he wanted to reject her—” He stopped when he saw my expression. “You have a theory?”
“Please, just link him.”
He gave a curt nod. His eyes glazed over, signaling he was deep in conversation. I watched his face shift through a spectrum of emotions before he refocused on me. “He’s on his way to meet Alexander. It seems Alexander had the same idea. He already told him.”
“We need to alert the pack to keep watch on Ethan,” I said to Sebastian, pacing relentlessly in front of the office window.
Since regaining consciousness, he had remained with me in the office along with Isabella and Theodore. My restlessness was growing.
Sebastian shook his head. “I understand your concern, but Alexander doesn’t want to draw attention to him. It might push him to flee. As far as the pack is aware, Ethan is here for the party. Nothing more.”
“But Sophia—”
“I know. But you must stay calm,” Sebastian said firmly. “If he suspects anything, it could ruin the entire plan.”
Isabella took my hands in hers. “Sophia is like a little sister to you. If I were missing, my brother would be acting just like you are. He’d want to organize a search party immediately.”
“He actually had to do that once,” Sebastian muttered. Isabella shot him a sharp look.
“So I get it,” Isabella continued. “Ethan told you himself she’s safe for now. Alexander and Julian know what they’re doing. They’ll bring her back soon. Right now, you need to stay calm. Protect those nephews of mine.”
“Boys?” Theodore asked, curiosity piqued.
“We’re not certain, but Madame Zora suggested they’re boys,” I told him.
“Like I said,” Isabella smiled gently. “Try to stay calm. Stress isn’t good for you or for them.”
“We also need to maintain normalcy,” Sebastian advised. “Hiding in this office will only attract suspicion. You should stay with one of us. We can keep you updated on Sophia, and it gives you a valid reason to be with each of us.”
“I’m fine on my own.”
He locked eyes with me. “Alexander’s orders.”
“He’s right,” Theodore added. “You can continue your tutoring sessions with me. Spend time with Isabella because of the pregnancy. Sebastian is your designated guard when Alexander isn’t around.”
I nodded silently.
Hours dragged by with no news. Sitting in the hospital with Isabella made me restless. I needed to be doing something, not just waiting.
“Here,” Isabella said, sliding a pack of ginger biscuits toward me. “Alexander had these placed all over the pack grounds for you. Just in case.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“No, but you look like you’re about to be sick.”
I’d felt off for a while. Something was wrong, but I couldn’t pinpoint it.
Rubbing my eyes, I sighed and took the biscuits. “Any news?”
She shook her head. “He’s fine. You’d know if something was wrong. We all would.”
“I thought it was over,” I mumbled. “When I killed Victoria and Dominic, and the other Lycans were eliminated… I thought it was finished. But there’s always something.”
“Unfortunately, that’s part of being a Wolf. Or in your case, a Lycan. Trouble finds us no matter where we are. It’s why Alexander has worked so hard to build our pack the way he has. To minimize the chaos.”
“And I’ve brought more of it,” I groaned.
“Alexander knew what he was getting into. Out of all the women he tried to bond with, none came close to what he shares with you. He could have killed you the moment he discovered the truth about you. But he didn’t. He isn’t concerned about what the pups might be. He’s just happy to be a father.” She smiled warmly. “You make him happy.”
I returned her smile, but a sharp, sudden pain pierced my heart. At the same moment, the color drained from Isabella’s face.
Alexander was in trouble.