Page 95 of The Alpha's Fated Destiny

I glanced toward the blinds that are closed and feel grateful that Alex had this room soundproofed while we were gone.

“We need to talk. Now.”

*****

Three days is a long time not to look for Alex.

However, three days is a very short amount of time to get everything in order before I leave.

Elsa is busy creating the portal and I pour my magic into it to sustain it. She will be sending us directly to the North Alliance’s border. I can see the strain in her eyes as she pushes herself past her limits to do me this favor.

My mother is looking much better. I know sharing my magic is a temporary solution, but it’s all I have. She hasn’t woken up, but her color is much better, her heartbeat stronger.

Nathan has gone through every computer or laptop that Robert ever owned, looking for any mention of my father. But he’s not been able to find anything. There has been no response from Alex’s spy network as well. Each day feels like a ticking time bomb.

Nobody seems to know where the witch portal took Alex. The spies in Karina’s pack have mentioned their soldiers being moved. Large numbers are moving in two different directions.

“We need everyone to be ready now.” I look at the grim-faced Alphas on the screen. All the Alphas of the South Alliance are of the same mind. We cannot afford a war between the shifters and the humans. They will wipe us out like insects with their nuclear weapons. And if Karina gets control of the human military, the damage to the South will be catastrophic.

There’s no point in hiding that Alex has been kidnapped any longer. Nor is there any point in concealing the disappearance of the witch covens over the past couple of years. With each revelation, the Alpha’s expressions grow more grave.

“What do you want us to do?” One of them asks.

“Begin marching to the North. We’ve managed to locate the city they plan to attack. We believe their target of the village first was a distraction. They’re going after one of the main cities. And they’ll be launching an attack from inside as well. We already have people there, on the inside. They are currently tracking down and dealing with Karina’s men. The intention is tominimize the damage on the inside. I’ve also reached out to the ruling government and let them know of the imminent attack.”

“What was that a wise idea?” another Alpha asks, his voice tense. “They might consider us a threat now.”

Brian, who is standing behind me, speaks up, “We have to let the government know that this is not a coordinated attack from the shifter community. We cannot afford to make enemies of the humans. Our soldiers will start marching tonight. We’ve also contacted the witch covens near every pack in the South. They will be creating portals that allow the soldiers to reach the city outskirts of the human city that is Karina’s target. Her people will launch the attack tomorrow afternoon. Our spies have managed to gather this much intel. The portal should be ready in the morning. Sophia—Queen Sophia—will be departing tonight. Make sure to leave enough soldiers behind to guard your packs.”

“Another thing you should make sure you think about,” I interject darkly, “are your most vulnerable people. Stash them somewhere safe. Karina is not above holding their lives over your heads. I know that every pack has a secret location, bunkers that are used during battles whose locations only the alphas are aware of. Utilize them. Start moving your women and children now.”

The Alphas nod. “You have our full support.”

Once the call ends, I let out a shaky breath. Looking at Brian behind me, I mutter. “I feel like a fraud. I know I shouldn’t, but I do.”

He smiles. “You’re doing the best you can in the situation. And you’re doing a fine job. We are here to support you and guideyou. Nobody expects you to know everything right off the bat. Good leaders aren’t born from arrogance.”

I give him a wan smile. “I’ve never had a cheerleader quite like you, Brian.”

As he chuckles, I get to my feet. “I’ll go talk to the others. Decide who’s coming with me.”

As I head to the door, Brian stops me. “You haven’t asked whether our spies have discovered anything about Alex.”

I hesitate, my hands trembling for a second before I close my fists tightly to hide them. “If there was anything to report, that was the first thing you would have done. I’ll find him, Brian. I will.”

Brian doesn’t say anything, but as I walk out, I wonder how Alex would feel if he knew that I didn’t prioritize him at this moment. Will he hate me? Will he blame me for his suffering?

Deep inside, I know the truth. He won’t. These thoughts are simply fueled by the pain in my own soul.

I can’t feel our bond. But when I search deep inside, I can see it, vibrant as always, which means that he’s unharmed. But why can’t I feel him. I’ve always been able to feel Alex’s bond within me. Now, it’s almost as if a layer of connection between us has been severed. Now I know why he had been in such a state back by the stream when I had begun to block him out. It feels unnatural. My wolf is anxious.

I let out agust of breath before making my way to the edge of the town. Ever since the incident from two nights ago when the rest of the pack discovered the unconscious men in the street, aparticular part of their bodies fried to a crisp, none of them have been able to lift their eyes in front of me. I don’t particularly care.

Jared was true to his word, and he circulated the CCTV video from the closest shop, which captured the entire incident, including the audio. Alex’s pack members were outraged, and it’s taken a heroic effort to keep them at bay. All of them are ready to attack Robert’s people.

Even now, the distinction between the two packs is clear. Even though they have merged, they don’t act like it, and I don’t care enough at this moment to do anything about it. There’s reverence for me in the eyes of Alex’s people, and there’s hidden fear for me in the eyes of Robert’s people. But as I walk along the streets to the edge of the town, nobody bothers me.

I find Logan sitting under the shade of a tree, tossing stones into the pond in front of him.

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