Chapter 18

"Where are you?" Jessie whispers as she searches even under the bed. Emily has to be somewhere in the house, or did she sneak out?
No, that wasn't an option. With a bandage-like that on her head, she can't just up and leave the estate. Except her injury is already dried up and she is only pretending -another fraud!
Convinced Emily isn't in her bedroom, Jessie runs out of the confined space and goes in search of Emily. She tries to make her feet as quietly, trying to imitate Peter. She headed to the sitting area first, that's where most of the expensive paintings in the house were.Emily
On getting there, Jessie discovers that Emily isn't in the sitting area either. It is as empty as her room.
"Could she have gone out?" She wonders out loud. "No, it is very late for her to go anywhere. Where is she then?"
She checks her time to confirm if it is indeed too late, and truly it is. It is already some minutes after six o'clock in the evening and no girl in her right senses will want to go out. Except Emily isn't in her right senses.
Jessie refuses to relent. Emily is definitely in the house, she only has to find her and make sure she is not stealing from Kain.
She goes in a deeper search, moving around the house like a police detective. She searches every room, every corner of the house for Emily but the little street rat is being invisible.
Jessie is already giving up when she opens up the door of the last visitor room and finds Emily.

 **

Peter knocks on Kain door before pulling it open. "Alpha, " he bows slightly as he finds him sitting on his bed going through his phone.
"Peter, I haven't seen you today. How did the visit go?"
"Well, that's why I am here, we have a situation." Peter has never been one to be sarcastic. If he says something is wrong or there is a situation, then whatever it is, is bad. Kain drops his phone and gives him his full attention.
"What did Mike say?" Kain says moving to a seat on the edge of the bed.
Peter looks into Kain's eyes and says, "wolves have been dying, Kain and it's not a disease or a phase."
Kain raises his brow and stares back at Peter. "Wolves have been dying?"
"Yes, Kain and it's not looking good at all. You have to go see it for yourself."
"Did they call the physician? It might be the water or something they ate," Kain says as he rubs a finger to his jaw.
"I told Mike the very same thing but he insisted it was none of those."

"If it is none of those, then what does he propose is happening?" Kain wonders out loud. This isn't the first time they were dealing with a situation like this. Infections and diseases happened all the time in wolves and humans alike. It had to be something they are reacting to.
"Mike thinks it's a curse," Peter says firmly and for the slightest second, even Kain gets worried.
Kain starts pacing as he thinks about the situation carefully. Peter doesn't joke around with the packs. If he believes Mike, then there has to be some truth in it. Mike himself was not one to believe in curses, yet he is classifying this one as such.
"We should go there and find out the extent of the spread."
"I can't let you do that, Alpha," Peter says as he glares at Kain. "Didn't hear any of the words I said? That place is too dangerous."
"Peter I heard everything you said and I understand the situation perfectly. Do you expect me to just seat my ass here while the people I swore to protect die?"
"Let me do the dirty job. That's my job to do, not yours!" Peter's gruff voice fills the room as he gets really sensitive when Kain becomes stubborn.
"Peter, I am their Alpha! You are forgetting it is my job to protect them." Kain growls coming to a stop in front of Peter.
"And it is my job to protect you! What if you go there and you get infected too," Peter retorts. "Yes, you are the Alpha and the people will love to know their leader is with them through the good times and the bad times. But we also need you alive. If something were to happen to you, I'll never forgive myself." Peter sighs.
Kain knows well enough that what Peter is saying is the truth yet, as the Alpha he jas to do something. He has to find a solution not hide behind his beta. He takes out his phone and dials Mike's number.
"Alpha, it's a pleasure to hear from you." Mike starts the moment he picks the call.
"Peter just informed me of the death. What's the toll so far?" Kain demands in a firm voice that vibrates through the call.
"About forty-three sir," Mike responds and Kain kisses his teeth in frustration.
If the number is that high then there is truly a problem and no matter what Peter says he will have to go there to solve it himself.
"Let's keep this between us, I'll be there by first light in the morning and we will find a solution together,"  Kain says as he moves to his wardrobe.
"Thank you, Alpha," Mike replies from his end before the call goes dead.
Kain drops the phone back into his pockets and takes out a bag from his wardrobe to start packing a few things he will be needed for the journey.
"You are not going to listen to me, are you?" Peter asks, seeing how determined Kain is to leave. Kain says nothing, he only continues to pack his belongings.
"If it is this way you want it, then I have to come with you. Let me go pack as well." Peter starts walking to the door but Kain's next words stop him.
"You are not leaving."
Peter turns back to stare at him with a slight frown on his face. "What are you saying? Why should I stay when you are going?"
"Because it is the smart thing to do. The businesses here will not run themselves. The people here also need coordination and guidance. We both can't leave!" Kain tells him.
"Kain, I have a bad feeling about this. Let me go with you." Peter pleads with him. Aside from the fact that he wants to protect Kain, he hated staying confined in one place. He will rather be out there finding a solution than staying here to manage a business.
"I would have loved your company Peter, but I will work better knowing you are here. Remember Emily is sick, I can't leave her here alone with Jessie. I need you to keep an eye on her." Kain puts the last of his t-shirts in the bag and pulls the zipper close.
At this moment he doesn't care about the business, what he needed Peter to stay was to protect his mate. He can't leave her alone unprotected in the house.
Peter feels weak as he has no choice but to accept the task in front of him. He releases a long sigh and taps Kain's shoulder. "Fine, but if I don't hear from you every day, I'll come down there myself."
Kain smiles and pats Peter's hand on his shoulder. He will do just as he said if Kain forgets to call.
A knock comes at the door and they both snap their necks to it. The door opens gently and the maid pops her head inside. "Sir, dinner is served."
"Thank you, Mary. We'll be down in a minute."
She nods and disappears behind the door, closing it softly behind her.
"Come, let's go eat. We can discuss more on the matter later." Kain says as he starts walking to the door.
What could be wrong with the pack? What sort of curse killed them and where did it come from? Who had cursed them? His pack was powerful but they weren't ruthless. They gave refuge to all, whether it was a rogue seeking a place to stay or a wolf in search of a new pack, Kain's pack welcomed all. They were known to the surrounding cities of the werewolf as the generous pack. Who then could have cursed his people to be dying?
They get to the dining and meet Emily and Jessie already seated. The tension is as thick as a wall between them as they glare at each other for reasons, Kain didn't have the time to ask.
"You both look happy," Kain begins with sarcasm. Jessie rolls her eyes and turns them away from Emily.
Emily says nothing but Kain can tell there is something on her mind. She looks uncomfortable as she turns her focus on the maids placing the food on the table.
"I'll be traveling for a few days to the province down south..." Kain says as he passes the soup to Peter.
"Why?" Jessie whines and Peter narrows his eyes at her.
"There is a situation he needs to solve there," Peter explains in a bored tone. Like Emily, Peter was never a fan of Jessie, no matter how hard she tries to get close to him.
Kain notices that Emily is barely paying attention to the conversation. "Emily are you alright?"