Chapter 95
I forced a steady breath, moving through the pack house as if I had control. The truth was, I was hanging by a thread. The whispers had started early in the morning — concerned voices, eyes darting with fear. People knew something was wrong. Jake had been gone too long, and there was no word from him. When I stepped into the main hall, I saw Chris standing by the entrance, his face grim.
“Chris,” I called, walking over quickly. “Any news?”
He shook his head, his jaw clenched tight. “Nothing yet, Priscilla. We’ve sent out scouts, but there’s no sign of them.”
I nodded, trying to hide the tremble in my hands. “We can’t let the pack see us panicking. We need to stay strong.”
Chris gave a short, humorless laugh. “Easier said than done. The pack is already on edge. They’re afraid, Priscilla. They need their Alpha.”
And so did I. The thought of Jake hurt — or worse — made my chest feel like it was being crushed by a boulder. But I couldn’t let that fear consume me. Not when the entire pack was looking to me for leadership in his absence.
“I need to address them,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “We have to keep everyone calm.”
Chris nodded, giving me a look that was almost pitying. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
I straightened my spine, lifting my chin. “I have to be.”
The sun was dipping below the horizon as I stepped out onto the raised platform in the pack’s gathering area. The crowd was larger than I’d expected, the anxious energy buzzing like static in the air. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to project strength. Fatima stood beside me, a silent pillar of support, but even she couldn’t hide the worry etched into her features.
“Everyone,” I called out, raising my hand to quiet the murmurs. “I know you’re all concerned. I am, too. But I want you to know that we are doing everything in our power to find the Alpha. We have sent scouts and search parties. We will not rest until he is home.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd, less relief and more doubt. I could see it in their eyes — the fear, the mistrust. They needed reassurance, but all I had were words. One man stepped forward, his face twisted with worry.
“Where is our Alpha, Luna?” he asked, his voice cracking. “How can we believe everything is okay when he’s not here?”
My heart sank. “I understand your fear,” I said softly. “I feel it too. But Jake is strong, and he will come back to us. Until then, I need you all to trust me, to stay calm. We will get through this together.”
There were more whispers, but no one argued. They simply nodded, exchanging nervous glances. It wasn’t enough, but it would have to do for now.
Later, as the crowd dispersed, I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Fatima, her brow furrowed with concern.
“You handled that well,” she said, though her tone was laced with unease.
“Did I?” I asked, rubbing a hand across my forehead. “Because it feels like everything is falling apart.”
Fatima’s eyes softened, and she pulled me into a hug. “You’re doing your best, Priscilla. But we need to talk.”
I pulled back, sensing the seriousness in her voice. “What is it?”
Fatima hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but maybe Jake was right. Maybe you need to leave, at least until we know more.”
My stomach dropped at her words. “No,” I snapped, stepping away from her. “I’m not leaving, Fatima. I can’t. I won’t abandon him.”
Her eyes filled with sadness. “I know you don’t want to, but think about the babies. If whoever is behind this comes after you next, what then? What if you’re captured, too? You need to consider their safety.”
I clenched my fists, frustration boiling over. “You think I haven’t thought about that? Every moment, it’s all I can think about. But if I leave, it’s like admitting defeat. It’s giving them exactly what they want.”
Fatima sighed, rubbing her temples. “I get it, I do. But if something happens to you, Jake would never forgive himself. We need to be smart about this, Priscilla.”
I stared at her, feeling the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I hated this. I hated feeling so helpless, so torn. “I can’t leave,” I whispered. “Not yet. I need to know he’s okay.”
Fatima nodded, though the worry didn’t leave her face. “Okay. But promise me, if it gets worse, you’ll at least consider it.”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Instead, I just nodded, knowing it was a lie I couldn’t commit to.
By the time night fell, I was restless. I couldn’t sit still, couldn’t shake the feeling that time was slipping away. I gathered a small group — Chris,Curtis, and a few of our best trackers. We had to find them, and I couldn’t stand by and wait any longer.
“Are you sure you want to come with us?” Chris asked as we prepared to head out. “It’s dangerous, Priscilla.”
I gave him a sharp look. “Do you think you could stop me?”
He sighed, shaking his head. “No, I don’t suppose I could.”
We headed into the forest, the cool night air biting against my skin. The darkness seemed to swallow us whole, the only sounds the rustle of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. We moved quickly, the trackers following the faint scent trail left by Jake’s group.
After what felt like hours, we stumbled upon a clearing. The moonlight illuminated the scene, and my heart dropped. Bodies lay scattered across the forest floor, the unmistakable scent of blood filling the air.
“Oh my God,” I breathed, rushing forward.
Chris grabbed my arm, holding me back. “Careful,” he warned. “We don’t know if it’s safe.”
I pulled free, falling to my knees beside one of the bodies. It was Edwin, one of Jake’s closest men. His throat was slashed, his eyes staring sightlessly up at the sky.
“No,” I whispered, a sob building in my chest. “This can’t be happening.”
I pressed a hand to my mouth, fighting the wave of nausea. “Where’s Jake?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Chris looked around, scanning the clearing. “I don’t see him. He’s not here.”
Hope surged through me, mingled with dread. “Then he might still be alive,” I said, getting to my feet. “We have to keep looking.”
Chris nodded, but his face was dark with worry. “Priscilla... if they have him, we need to prepare for the worst.”
“I’m not giving up,” I snapped, wiping the tears from my face. “Not until I find him.”
We pressed on, deeper into the woods. The scent trail was faint, almost nonexistent. Whoever had taken him had covered their tracks well. But I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop until I had him back.
Because without Jake, the pack would fall apart. And so would I.
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