Chapter 28

Jake's POV
I paced back and forth, my hands locked behind my back and my head pointed downward. Everyone was on edge, tensely sitting on the sofas with their brows knitted together. And by everyone I meant the kings, the generals, Mark, Alexa and I
This is not happening. This is fūcking not happening, I said to myself over and over again. But it has already happened, Lola went missing and I am the one to blame. She didn't want to come back in the first place but I practically forced her to thinking that it's the best way to keep her safe. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I should have never told her to go back, I should've let her stay in the castle and protected her with my blood. Those bastards were aiming for her in the first place, Vera getting kidnapped only being part of their plan.
We found a letter in her room saying to meet them in the forest at night and threatening her to hurt her loved ones if she didn't abide by their commands.
Of course Lola put her family's safety before her own and went out there because of the fear of losing the people she loves. She didn't want to risk our wellbeing and rationally listened to her heart instead of sticking to her mind.
Any person her place would've done the same, not caring about what happens to them as long as they're sure that their family's safe and sound.
How couldn't I have seen this any sooner? They used Vera to plant fear in my heart –to let me think that the same would happen to Lola, and as a result, they knew I would make her return home. And they strike, it being the perfect opportunity to kidnap the princess in a castle viewed as secure.
I got a call from Mark this morning saying that Lola's nowhere to be seen. They first thought she was in the garden reading like she usually does but when they checked, they didn't find her
When I barged into my father's office, he already had that fearsome look on his face meaning that he knew. I didn't need to be told twice, my father and I heading straight to the demons and witches' kingdom only to find the entire castle in chaos. Penelope looked like she hadn't slept for several nights, her eyes red and puffy. Mia stayed beside her, patting the queen's shoulder so gently murmuring hopeful words in attempt to stop the tear flow but at the same time trying not to break down herself
I banged my fist with full force onto the wall, the wolf inside of me yearning to shred the people behind this into pieces. I could feel their stares on my back but I couldn't care less. My mate is missing, kidnapped. The girl I love is god knows where, in the hands of people that most likely want to hurt her.
A menacing growl tore off my throat and I banged my fist yet again even harder creating a deep hole in the wall
"Son, I understand that you're angry right now but taking out your frustration on the wall won't help Lola." I felt my father's presence behind me as he put a hand on my shoulder.
"My mate is kidnapped; how do you expect my reaction to be?" I bit out, turning around to meet his eyes that were swarmed with sadness. Just as the words were about to come out of his mouth, the office's door barged open
Turning around quickly, I furrowed my brows and changed into a defense position seeing a pale looking Jaxon.
"My kings, I apologize for my sudden entrance but a maid was found lying in her own pool of blood." He breathed out, his eyes focused on Crest in specific.
Crest was on his feet in seconds, rushing towards Jaxon with us following suit. As we passed. Crest walking in front, the people swarming the halls made way for us and bowed, their voices turning into hushed whispers
As Jaxon led us to the crime scene, I froze in shock, my eyes landing on the dead body just a few meters away. A young girl lied lifeless on her back, blood trailing down her split throat. A large circle of blood had already formed beneath her soaking her hair and clothes.
Crest cursed under his breath as he inspected the body, Greg right beside him. I didn't move a limb, hundreds of thoughts running through my head. I matched the points together, my chest heaving up and down feeling a jolt of pain surging through my chest
The sequence of events were all connected and I was positive that those people were behind this girl's murder. The stabbing pain in my chest was there, reminding me with my every heart beat that Lola's in tremendous danger.
"From the fresh blood on the floor, my speculation is that the murder happened no longer than twenty minutes ago." Greg examined, placing a finger on each of her blank eyes and closed them, sighing before he stood up.
"Crest, there's something in her pocket." Roland pointed around, fixatedly gazing at the pocket on her apparel. I followed his gaze and he was most definitely right. Crest and Greg looked at each other for a brief moment before he crouched down and took out what seemed like a folded paper
I impatiently waited for him to open it up, but the feeling in my guts told me that it will make matters worse. My frown deepened seeing Crest's face drain out of color, taking a deep intake if breath
"What does it say?" I demanded shifting closer to him. He said nothing, intently glaring at the paper he had in hand. I marched his way and snatched the paper, surprised that he didn't object but nonetheless went through its written. Now I understood Crest's reaction for mine was mirroring his own. I reread it over and over again, my eyes narrowing into slits
"Jake, you're scaring us here." Mark voiced out. I raised my head, letting out a shaky breath to meet their worried faces, all desperately wanting to know the written of the paper
"We will return with a power able to put you down on your knees. Too bad the princess will have to end up in the same state as this girl once we have what we want."
I said out loud, the words imprinted in my head that I didn't have to read them. The monsters that Greg once warned us from were here, inside the castle, ready to attack when they see an open opportunity
They were saying it loud and clear, making it evident that they're behind the kidnapping and the murder. This poor girl was brutally killed for them to make a point, that they're back and as ruthless as ever. It's a way of them saying that they're ready for the bloodshed
With power comes death, and they'll stop at nothing to reach power even if it means killing millions of innocent lives. They'll burn houses, entire cities, anyone against their ruling
My feelings shut down and my whole body turned numb, not only because of the endless possibilities of the outcomes of whatever is yet to come, but also because of the thought of Lola being in the place of this girl drenched in blood
"Crest, we need to act quickly." Greg stated running a hand through his blond hair
"This is my daughter we're talking about Greg and I'm sure as hell doing as much as I can." Crest yelled throwing his hands up in frustration. I shook my head glancing at Mark noticing the dark expression covering his face. His arms were crossed as he stood like a statue, unblinking
"I know." Greg calmly replied. He understood that Crest was in a very tough situation, with his daughter in the hands of monsters and the world at stake
"We cannot talk here, we still don't know who the traitor is. Let's go back to your office, I have a plan in mind." He stated gaining all of our interest.
That's when hope sparked within me. Angels are known for the wisdom and they're infamous for their intelligence as well. And Greg being the king of angels meant that every word coming out of his mouth is benefiting
"Transport the body back to her town. A decent funeral is to be held there and send her family my condolence." Crest stated, ordering the guards
"The queen is not to know of any of this –"
"Not to know of what?" Crest closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose
"Shit." I cursed under my breath, watching her coming closer. She can't see this, if she does then god knows what'll happen to her. She already dried herself out of tears this morning, nearly collapsing along the way.
"Aunt Penelope, how about you and I go on a walk –"
"I'm not a fool Jake, I know you're hiding something and I want to know what it is." She demanded, her eyes stern. I sighed, I guess I now know where Lola gets her stubbornness from.
She walked past me pushing through Roland and my father.
"Crest, what's going on? Why are you all circled around –Oh my gosh." She gasped, a hand flying onto her lips. She didn't move, staring at the body in complete terror.
And she fell to the ground. Luckily, Roland was able to catch her with his speed before she hit the floor. Crest shouted a couple of profanities, taking his wife into his arms and carrying her away.
I was on edge, needing to take a run. I needed the fresh air to think of a way to find Lola. My wolf wanted to be set free and unleash the anger we were feeling. So without uttering another word, I left. Every step seemed too heavy to take, my lungs not functioning properly, knives squeezing their way into my heart.
Lola.
Time's running short. I have to find her before those monsters fulfill their promise. I let my inner beast take control and I shifted wasting no time in running into the forest's grounds
I howled in agony, in anger, in despair nearing the waterfall where I first told Lola that I love her. My paws dug deeper into the ground and I ran like bolt, the wind slapping my face
It's my fault.
Her smile, her laugh, her softness, her blush. The images kept on flashing in my head. How could I be so stupid?
I howled again
Hearing the water stream, I slowed down knowing that I reached my destination. But I was mentally and physically exhausted, changing back into my human form and falling onto my knees, letting a tear trickle down my cheek
They say men should not cry, men should keep his tough exterior in check. But I am a man with feelings, and knowing that my mate's throat could be split in half just like the girl back there is killing me.
It's eating me alive
A tear led to another, the tears becoming cries of pain and the cries eventually turning into sobs. My shoulders shook as I let the pain out but that's when I saw it
A necklace.
And it was Lola's