Page 64 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

How could I have been so blind?

Articus's Alpha instincts roared to life, demanding action. He had to find her, had to bring her home, had to make this right.

"Edward," he barked, his voice carrying the undeniable authority of an Alpha. "Call the pack leaders. I want search parties organized immediately."

As Edward hurried to obey, Articus turned to Martha. "Check her room. See if anything's missing, if there's any clue as to where she might have gone."

Martha nodded, her eyes wide with concern, and hurried upstairs.

Articus pulled out his phone, his fingers shaking slightly as he dialed Cassius's number. His cousin picked up on the second ring.

"Art? What's wrong?" Cassius's voice was instantly alert.

"Wren's gone," Articus said, his voice tight with suppressed emotion. "She ran away. And Cass... she's pregnant."

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. "Shit, Art. Okay, we need to think this through. Where would she go?"

Articus ran a hand through his hair, frustration building. "I don't know. She doesn't know anyone here, doesn't have anywhere to go. What if... Cass, what if the slavers got her?"

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Cassius said, but Articus could hear the worry in his voice. "But we can't rule it out. You know how they operate—they're not just wolves. Other species are working for them, making it easier for them to cross the territories. And when she gets too far from her owner, in his case, you, that makes it easy for them to snatch her again."

"I don't care about territories," Articus growled, his wolf pushing close to the surface. "If they have her, I'll tear them apart. If they’ve hurt her or the child she carries—"

"Art, listen to me," Cassius interrupted, his voice stern. "I know you're worried, but you can't just go in fists flying. You're an Alpha. Your actions have consequences beyond just you."

Articus took a deep breath, forcing himself to think rationally. Cassius was right. As much as he wanted to unleash his full power, to let his wolf run free and hunt down anyone who dared touch Wren, he couldn't. The political landscape was too delicate, the potential for all-out war too high.

"You're right," he admitted grudgingly. "But Cass, I can't just sit here and do nothing. She's out there, alone and scared, carrying my child."

"I know, Art. And we'll find her. But we need to be smart about this. If the slavers do have her, they know you're rich. They're more likely to try and ransom her than harm her."

"'More likely'?" Articus repeated, his voice dropping into a cold growl. The mere suggestion that there was even a chance she could be harmed sent a wave of fury through him.

“You can’t storm in there like a wild animal. The slavers operate with more than just wolves. There are vampires, werebears—creatures who don’t follow the same rules we do," Cassius said, his voice firm but calm. "If you start a fight, you risk starting a war that will spill innocent blood. Right now, their goal is to profit, not to cause chaos. You need to stay focused.”

Articus closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath. He knew Cassius was right, but every instinct screamed at him to tear apart anyone who even thought of harming Wren.

His vision blurred with red as his wolf snarled for release, demanding blood. But he forced the rage back, clenching his fists until his nails bit into his palms. He couldn’t afford to lose control now.

"I know," Articus ground out, sighing. "I know. Just... tell me what to do, Cass."

"Get here as fast as you can," Cassius said. "We'll coordinate the search from my territory. I've got contacts on this side of the mountain who might be able to help."

"I'm on my way," Articus said, already moving toward the door. "And Cass? Thank you."

As he ended the call, Articus felt a strange mix of emotions. The Alpha in him chafed at the constraints, at the need for caution and diplomacy. But the leader in him understood the necessity.

He stared at the phone in his hand, his mind racing. He had the power to crush anyone in his way, but he needed to use that power wisely, not recklessly. The stakes were too high—Wren’s life, their child’s life.

He called Rowan next, followed by the other Alphas. “I need all of you ready; Wren is gone, most likely taken back by the slavers,” he said.

“I am going to Cassius, and we’re going to do this peacefully, giving them money. But make no mistake, if they force my hand, there will be no mercy.”

Each call ended with swift agreements. Articus knew his allies were already mobilizing resources, tracking leads, and preparing for the worst-case scenario. Yet beneath the calculated exterior, there was a storm brewing inside him. He would burn the world down if it meant getting Wren back.

He may be limited in how he could act, but that didn't make him weak. He was the Alpha of the White Moon pack. Leading with both strength and strategy was what made him feared and respected. But right now, all he wanted was to get her back—safe and unharmed.

As he finished his calls, Articus called out to Edward, his expression unreadable beneath the storm brewing inside him. He knew time was ticking, but he needed to ensure all avenues were covered.

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