Page 56 of The Alpha's Forbidden Heir

Bane's casual demeanor shifts immediately, his brows knitting. "What kind of situation?"

Rook glances at me, then drags Bane closer, lowering his voice so only he can hear.

I can't make out the words, but whatever Rook says makes Bane's entire body go rigid.

"What?" Bane barks, his voice rising enough to make me flinch.

Rook gives him a look that screams keep it down, but it is no use. Bane's hands clench into fists, and his face turns pale.

"Are you serious?" he asks, his voice low and dangerous now.

Rook nods grimly.

Without another word, Bane storms toward the door.

"Bane!" I call, stepping forward, confused and a little hurt by how abruptly he's left. "What's going on?"

He stops at the door, his back to me. For a moment, I think he might say something, but then he glances at Rook, who shakes his head.

"Stay here, Aria," Bane says without looking back.

And then he is gone, Rook close behind him.

As I step out of the gym, the sight of guards running frantically through the halls immediately catches my attention. Some are speaking into walkie-talkies, their tones clipped and urgent.

"What's going on?" I ask one of them, stepping in their path.

The guard barely glances at me before replying, "The Alpha has instructed us to keep you out of this, ma'am."

"Out of what?" I press, but he has already turned and jogged off, leaving me standing there, confused and annoyed.

I frown and head further down the corridor, determined to get answers. The tension in the air is palpable, and I can't shake the feeling that something is seriously wrong.

Turning the corner, I spot Lila near the infirmary. Her face is pale, her normally steady hands trembling as she speaks into her phone.

"He needs to be found immediately," she hisses, her voice tight with worry. "No, I don't care how many of you it takes. Search the east perimeter and report back!"

"Lila?" I call out, my voice hesitant.

She flinches, spinning around to face me. Her eyes widen, and her lips part slightly, as if she is debating whether or not to say anything.

"What's going on?" I ask again, stepping closer. "Why are the guards acting like the world's ending?"

Lila's gaze darts past me, as if she is checking to make sure no one else is listening. She lets out a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "The Alpha… he's ordered a full search."

"For what?"

She hesitates, her expression tightening.

"Lila," I press, gripping her arm gently. "Tell me what's going on."

Her eyes meet mine, and in that moment, I know it is bad.

"It's Elias," she says finally, her voice breaking.

My grip on her arm loosens, and the water bottle in my hand slips, hitting the floor with a dull thud.

"What do you mean, Elias?" My voice shakes.

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