NovelEnglish
#Chapter 30 Kidnapping
Mom is sitting up now, leaning against my side with comforting warmth – though I’m not sure if this was
her intention, or if she’s simply too weak to hold herself upright. “You helped dad lead the pack for 30
years,” My hand dwarfs hers as I squeeze her bony fingers. “You have experience and insight I don’t.
Please say you’ll help me.”
The limp hand beneath mine twitches, then slowly turns over to return my squeeze. “I know what you’re
doing.” She scolds without conviction. Smiling tremulously, she adds, “What kind of mother would I be if I
refused you?”
“A very, very bad one.” I tease.
A noise somewhere between a hiccup and a sob escapes her lips, “Of course I’ll help you.”
It seems no matter how small the victory, none can stand in this horrible new world order. No sooner had
leased my immediate concerns for my mother’s state of mind, than a new disaster unfolded. I was on my
way back to my office from mom’s bedroom, when Aiden’s voice burst to life in my head. We have a
problem.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtStopping in my tracks, I braced myself for the inevitable. Tell me.
A patrolling enforcer found Arabella’s car abandoned down by the lake. He relayed. The scene appears
to indicate foul play. All her belongings were still there, the doors open and signs of a struggle blood on
the seat.
What?! I thunder internally, my heart struggling to beat.
You need to get down here – now. Aiden answers. By the marina. We’re not going to be able to keep this
quiet for long.
I’m on my way.
From there I stormed back to the top-floor apartment, gathering up a very confused Selene and
sequestering her and mom in a secure room with four of my most trusted guards. The emergency plan
has been in place since the morning after my father died. I was prepared for another attack on the family,
especially one targeting my wife and mother, but I never even considered Arabella.
I can’t believe how stupid I was. Of anyone, Arabella is the easiest target to reach: she doesn’t live at the
pack house and doesn’t have a standing guard, and everyone knows how important she is to me.
If she dies I’ll only have myself to blame. As if it wasn’t bad enough that I killed my best friend, now I’m
going to have his baby sister’s murder on my conscience too.
Goddess, I hope I’m not too late.
If I go the rest of my life without walking into another crime scene, it won’t be soon enough. The sight of
yellow caution tape and evidence markers is becoming so familiar to me they’re beginning to lose their
shock value.
Unlike her car, which looked like the site of a bar room brawl, Arabella’s apartment seems completely
untouched. Her furniture is upright and her belongings tidy, all surfaces clear and clean. If it weren’t for
the dishes in the sink, it would almost look unlived in.
“Anything look out of place?” One of the investigators is asking.
I rub my jaw, “I haven’t been here in a long time, I don’t think I would be able to tell if it was.”
The enforcer’s eyebrows raise, but he doesn’t share his thoughts. Not having any patience for
withholding, I infuse pure dominance into my tone, “You doubt my honesty?”
“No Alpha!” He insists instantly, shrinking in on himself.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
“Then what?” I demand.
If he were in wolf form his tail would be between his legs. “It’s just that the word around the pack is that
Ms. Winters is your mistress.”
“Excuse me?” I snarl, my fangs elongating.
“We all thought that’s why you’re rejecting Mrs. Durand.” The man’s partner speaks up, redirecting some
of my ire onto himself.
It’s no surprise that the pack gossips, and knowing our history, the theory even makes sense. However
the idea that such vicious lies have been circulating around my mate makes my blood run cold. I’d like to
find the person who came up with the story and rip
them apart – very slowly
“I assure you, you’ve been misinformed.” I growl.
The lead investigator clears his throat, “Then this may be difficult to explain.” He says, holding out a
piece of stationary
I snatch the paper from his hand, my eyes flying over the page with increasing disbelief. There, clearly
scrawled in Selene’s handwriting, is the message:
This is your final warning. If you want to live, stay the hell away from my husband. I will know if you see
him, and you will pay.
– Selene
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
