“It means they must reach their destination within a limited timeframe,” I explained. “We know the kidnappers are Daniel, Dennis, and Ella. The brothers may be strong, but they’re not clever strategists. Ella isn’t particularly bright either. They’re unlikely to employ complex anti-tracking measures.”
I turned to Ryan.”Immediately assemble three tracking teams.Have them search for the vehicle model, tire tracks,and especially Daniel and Dennis’s scents.We werewolves don’t hide our scents naturally. They must have left traces.”
“I’ll handle it, Alpha Draven,” Ryan nodded, already mobilizing warriors through the mind-link.
Kyle hesitated before speaking. “Alpha Draven, there’s a complication. It rained last night, which has diluted many scents. And besides the three main roads, there are at least five smaller routes they could have taken.”
My heart sank. Using the smaller roads would expand our search area tenfold.
The investigation had hit another roadblock.
I sat back in my chair, rubbing my temples in frustration. “Proceed with the search as planned.”
If the car is difficult to track, then they should look into these people.
I turned to Leo with a serious look. “Dig deeper into Daniel, Dennis, Ella, and Linda’s backgrounds. Howard has fled. That means his mistress Linda is probably involved in the kidnapping.I want everything on her.Call records, bank accounts,social connections. Everything.”
Just then, Eleanor noticed Nate’s phone light up. “Nate, you have a message.”
Nate glanced at it. “It’s from my mom.” He started to put the phone away.
“Check it,” Eleanor urged. “Don’t make your parents worry.”
Nate opened the message,a photo. He looked at it briefly before trying to put his phone away again. “Just my mom’s gossip. Caroline’s ex-boyfriend with his new lover. Mom wanted Caroline to see what that jerk looks like now.”
The words “Caroline’s ex-boyfriend” made me freeze.
Eleanor looked speechless. “First that bitch Serena. Now a new lover. What is wrong with him?”
“Wait,” I walked toward Nate. “Let me see that photo.”
The picture showed a familiar man sitting with a blonde woman at an ice cream shop. I recognized him immediately. It was Marcus, Caroline’s ex-boyfriend whom I’d met in Maplewood while looking for Caroline.
In that moment, the familiar voice from the phone call crystallized in my mind.
“That’s him!” I nearly shouted. “The voice on the phone was Marcus!”
Ryan leaned in to examine the photo, his expression suddenly changing. “Moon Goddess, Alpha Draven, look at who’s with Marcus.”
I focused on the blonde woman in the photo, my heartbeat accelerating.
“That’s Linda!”
Draven’s POV
On the screen was a photo that made Alaric growl in fury. It showed Caroline’s ex-boyfriend Marcus. The caption read, “Look who Marcus’s new girlfriend is.”
“Nate, that’s Linda,” I said.
“But how does Linda know Caroline’s ex? How did they end up together?” Kyle wondered, studying the photo.
“Linda? The Linda we’re looking for?” Nate asked, confusion evident in his tone.
“Damn, you’ve never met her. But your mother definitely would recognize her,” I explained. Linda had worked as my father’s company assistant and would have attended various pack gatherings and business events.
Nate’s mother, being Luna of the Starlight Pack, would definitely know her face.
“Eleanor!”
I showed Eleanor the photo, and she unleashed a string of colorful curses before immediately taking charge of the situation.
“Nate, forward that photo to me right now. Ryan, call your investigator in Maplewood and put him on speaker.” I had to admire how efficiently she commanded the room.
“This is Jace, who’s calling?” The investigator answered on the second ring.
“Jace, how are you?” Ryan greeted warmly.
“Ryan? What an honor, twice in less than a week,” Jace joked.
Ryan had told me that Jace was a friend from his training days who preferred tracking and investigation to warrior duties, eventually becoming a freelance detective.
“Brother, the honor is all mine to call you friend. I need your help, and it’s urgent,” Ryan replied, his tone serious.
“Just tell me what you need. I’m still in Maplewood,” Jace said.
“That’s exactly what we need.” In less than five minutes, Ryan and Eleanor had briefed Jace on the situation.
“I’ll contact the Maplewood police station immediately with this photo and information,” Jace promised before ending the call.
Shortly after,Eleanor turned to me.”I’ve informed Sebastian. He says he’ll immediately search the territory for Marcus and bring him in for questioning.”
Eleanor’s brother was the Alpha of Blood Moon Pack. I’d wager that if Eleanor had been male, she would have made an exceptional Alpha herself.
I nodded quickly. “Tell Alpha Sebastian my search teams are almost there too.”
“Kyle, when this is all over, remind me to send Nate’s mother a gift. Tell her I’m grateful, Nate.” This was our first real lead since the nightmare began.
“Don’t worry, Draven. My mother is happy to help,” Nate replied as his phone rang. “Hi, Mom?” He listened briefly, sighed, then put the call on speaker. “Mom, what are you saying?”
“Oh, Nate, you’re too slow! Put Eleanor on!” Nate’s mother demanded impatiently, making me smile despite everything.
“Mom, you’re on speaker,” he informed her.
“Hi, Mother-in-law. You’ve helped us tremendously, thank you,” Eleanor greeted warmly.
“Elle, I’m worried about Caroline.Something’s happened-maybe nothing, but I thought I should tell you.”
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