Page 136 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

I squeeze her hand reassuringly. “I don’t know, Mom. Let’s not jump to conclusions. We’ll figure it out.”

Dad nods. “You’re right. No need to panic. We’ll just have to go check it out ourselves. Just give us a few minutes to get ready, son.”

I head back to my car to wait, tapping my fingers anxiously on the steering wheel. A few minutes later, they emerge, ready to go. They tell me they’ll take their own car, and I nod, leading the way.

As we drive, I shoot a quick text to Selene, letting her know my parents and I are headed to Alyssa’s.

She sends back a thumbs-up emoji, which helps ease my worries. She’s okay.

But as we approach Alyssa’s house, my stomach churns with unease. Something is seriously wrong, and I can only hope we’re not too late to stop what’s coming.

As soon as I am in the driveway, I shut off the car and jump out, racing towards my aunt, who looks utterly distressed. She’s crying hysterically, and my mother is hot on my heels.

After all, they’re best friends.

“I am so sorry I was not here earlier. What’s wrong, Alyssa?”

“It’s Lennox. Jade! They took my wife!” Alyssa cries out.

“Who took her?” my father asks.

“I don’t know,” Alyssa says, her voice breaking. “They came here with masks on and just... took her. I couldn’t do anything. My phone has been jammed the entire time. The moment I could, I started calling you guys.”

My father nods solemnly. “We didn’t have a signal either.”

I turn to Alyssa, my heart sinking at the desperation in her eyes. “Did you see anything? Any details that might help us find them?”

Alyssa shakes her head. Her breath is coming in ragged gasps. “They said that it was... it was payment for something,” she manages to say.

My mother’s eyes widen in alarm. “Have you called for reinforcements? Other police officers?”

Alyssa shakes her head again, her hands trembling. “No... You were the first people I called. I... I’m pretty sure the people who took her were vampires.”

”Vampires?!” Mom exclaims. She sounds afraid and angry.

I wrap an arm around her shoulders. “We’ll figure this out, Mom. We’ll find Lennox and bring her back.”

“Yes, Liam. We will,” she says stoically.

But even as I say the words, I have the same sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that I have had all night.

I picture a younger version of my mother going through this exact thing. The thought of her in the hands of vampires sends a chill down my spine. She must be remembering that time long ago, reliving this nightmare.

”Alyssa, how long ago was this?” I ask.

“I don’t know. Like two hours. I wanted to drive and come looking for you, but I also wanted to stay here in case Lennox found a way to escape. I wanted to be here.”

“We need to call for backup,” my father says. “We can’t handle this on our own.”

“Do you also think it’s vampires?” Alyssa asks.

“Probably,” I say honestly. “But there is no smell at all. I can’t scent them at all. I don’t get it.”

“This just means they are not working alone. They are masking their scents,” Mom replies.

“Yeah. I’m sure you’re right.”

“I will contact the other council members, see if anyone has an idea on what is really going on,” Mom says. “We need everyone.”

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