“Alpha, the Howards have escaped! We went to bring them in as ordered, but they’d already fled their residence. There’s no trace of their scent beyond the garage,” he reported breathlessly.
“Son of a bitch!” I broke away from Clara’s embrace, running both hands over my face in frustration. “This is blatant pack desertion!”
Arthur’s expression hardened. “Time to go on the offensive. We need to round up everyone involved in the company fraud and bring them in for questioning. They are clearly organized and working together.”
“Perfect,” I growled. “Kyle, put the company building on lockdown immediately. No one enters or leaves. Bring all senior management to the pack house interrogation rooms. I want every last traitor in my company and pack identified.”
Kyle immediately started barking orders through her mind-link to our warriors stationed at Thorne Enterprises.
Eleanor continued coordinating the search parties while I paced the room, my mind racing through scenarios of what could have happened to Caroline and Liam.
I walked over to Robert and Lena, who were sitting together looking completely defeated. I could see how worried they were just by looking at them.
“You both look exhausted,” I said gently. “The day is almost over, but we’re still working. I’d like you to go to my house and get some rest. You’ll be more comfortable there, and you need to keep your strength up to help when we find them.”
“I don’t know what to do, Draven. My only daughter and grandson… I want to help, but I feel so helpless,” Robert admitted, his voice breaking.
“Look, I don’t know either. But Eleanor has taken control of the search operations, and you know how efficient she is.We have pack warriors, human police, private investigators, and teams ready for anything we might need. But I need you both to be well so you can help me take care of Caroline when this is over,” I said honestly.
“You’re right. Eleanor will steamroll over everything like a tank!” Robert managed a weak laugh. “I think we’ll take you up on your offer. You’ll call immediately if there’s any news?”
“Of course,” I promised. I turned to my house staff who were helping with the search coordination. “Carlos, Mabel. I want you both to go home with Caroline’s parents. Get some food and rest. When Caroline and Liam return, they’ll need all our support.”
“Of course, Alpha,” Carlos nodded.
“Mrs. Payne, please go with them too. Stay at my house. I’ll feel better knowing you’re not alone while Alpha Gerald is helping Arthur with pack matters,” I said to Eleanor’s mother.
“I’ll accept your hospitality, Draven. I want to support Lena and Robert. And truthfully, I’m not being useful here right now,” Mrs. Payne decided.
“Thank you. Carlos, do you need a car?”
“No, Alpha. I drove here. Shall we go, ladies, Robert?”
After they left, I went to the main hall where Ava, Ruby, and Kyle were still managing communications.
“Ladies, you should go home to rest too…”
“Absolutely not, Draven! You’re not getting rid of any of us!” Ava interrupted before I could finish.
“We’ve organized shifts, so we’re all getting some rest,”Ruby explained.”Alpha Arthur asked for one of us to help him,so Kyle’s heading there.I’ll be providing administrative support for Eleanor, while Ava and Nina will handle any company matters that come up.”
“Nina?” I asked, vaguely remembering the name when I heard a voice behind me.
“Hey everyone, I’m here! Ready to take on twenty rogues if I have to!” A petite, energetic woman approached, her movements quick and determined.
“Nina! Thank God you’re here,” Ruby greeted warmly. “This is Nina,Alpha Draven. She works at Puma Global. She’s the employee that Joseph met at the mall.”
“Of course, Nina. I apologize that my head is elsewhere right now,” I acknowledged. “But seriously, I can reassign pack members. You all should take breaks.”
“You can’t, Alpha,” Ava said firmly. “Right now, you’re not entirely certain who’s trustworthy in your company or pack. We’re being careful about who has access to the pack house and what information they receive.”
“You’re right, Ava,” I conceded. “Alright, ladies.I appreciate your dedication.Nina, thank you for being here. The others will bring you up to speed.”
“Don’t worry, Alpha,” Nina responded.
“Joseph, thanks for sending Nina our way,” Ruby said to my friend who had just arrived.
“No need to thank me. Whatever you need.” Joseph put his hand on my shoulder. “And you, my friend, what do you need?”
“You’re all already doing everything possible. Thank you.” I started toward my study but turned back. “Ava, is there anything urgent from the company I need to handle?”
“No, Alpha, everything’s under control. All meetings have been postponed until next week, clients have been informed of the situation and have offered their support. Ryan is handling documents that need signatures, and Clara is managing other department issues. You just need to stay focused on finding Caroline and Liam.”
“You’re all amazing. Thank you!” I headed to my study with Joseph.
Draven’s POV
Joseph followed me into my study.The room had turned into a command center. People were everywhere – working on computers, talking on phones, searching for Liam and Caroline.Eleanor stood in the middle of it all.She was organizing everything that came in. Ryan was giving tasks to the team members.
I saw Nate hunched over a laptop.His fingers were flying across the keyboard, working with Leo’s IT team.
“I didn’t know Nate was so good with computers,” I said to Joseph.
“Oh yeah, he’s been building some tech startup on the side. Eleanor mentioned he’s developed tracking software for pack patrols. Guess those skills are coming in handy now.”
I sat in the chair in my study, forcing myself to stay calm.The series of blows hit me hard. Liam and Caroline’s disappearance. Learning my parents’ deaths were murders. All of it had my emotions in turmoil. But I knew that keeping a clear head was the only way to save my mate and child. The only way to avenge my parents.
Alaric paced restlessly within me. “We will find them. We will tear apart anyone who dared touch our mate and pup.”
As everyone worked around me, I replayed Ella’s phone call in my mind. The male voice in the background was distinctly familiar, yet definitely not Daniel or Dennis, nor her lover Bruno. I was certain I’d heard it before, but where?
Leo hurried over, interrupting my thoughts. “Alpha Draven, we’ve managed to crack Caroline’s phone encryption and obtained footage from surrounding buildings. We’ve also identified the license plate of the vehicle used in the abduction.”
Finally, some good news.My tense feelings eased a little.
“Have you tracked their direction?” I immediately stood up.
Kyle shook her head. “The plate was fake, but we’re matching vehicles of the same model and color. Problem is, the car drove straight out of Harbor Bay. Once they left the city, there’s no more surveillance.”
I walked to the large map on the wall, my finger tracing the main roads. “Three possible directions after leaving the city. North takes them two hours to Maplewood in Blood Moon territory. East leads to Pinewood Valley of the Starlight Pack, and south goes toward Willowbrook in Silver Creek territory.”
Ryan and Joseph joined me at the map, studying my analysis.
“According to pack territory rules,we can’t search other territories without permission,” Ryan frowned.”The kidnappers choosing to leave our territory means they understand our limitations. But it also means…”
“Means what?” Joseph asked, confused.
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