Page 143 of The Alpha's Cursed Queen

“I—” She is almost incoherent. “I—I met them for lunch yesterday. Dad was finally going to retire. We celebrated. We—How could this happen, Alice? They weren’t supposed to die like this. Why did this have to happen?”

My eyes burn. “Tell me what to do. Tell me how I can help.”

“I wish you were here,” she whispers hoarsely. “I need someone calm right now. Someone to lean on. I—Mira is with Mary and Jimmy. My house is going to be filled with visitors soon, so they—they’re taking her to another location. I’m going to the morgue as soon as we get off the phone. The police called me from there. I—I can’t help you with Mira right now. Please understand.”

“Of course!” I cover my face with my hand, my heart hurting for my friend. “Of course, Katherine. Don’t worry about it. Lookafter yourself. As soon as the situation over here is resolved, I’ll come to you.”

I hear her sob again, and I wish I knew what else to do. Despite how fraught her relationship with her parents was recently, my friend loved them. To lose them has to be beyond devastating for her.

When she ends the call, I sit on the edge of the bed, my heart heavy. But there’s nothing I can do right now. Is there?

I quickly dial Mary’s number. She doesn’t pick up. No luck with Jimmy, either.

I stare at the phone. Katherine clearly just got the news; Mary and Jimmy must be busy getting Mira settled elsewhere. They probably don’t have the time to answer their phones. I should wait.

But I also need to tell Darian. He must still be out with his soldiers.

I head out of the room and run into the butler on my way to the training grounds. Brian looks surprised to see me at this hour. “Can I help you with something, Your Majesty?”

“You don’t have to call me that, Brian. Alice is fine.”

He gives me a blank look, as if unable to comprehend what I’m saying. “But you’re the future queen. I would never dare.”

I don’t have the time to argue with him. “Do you know where Darian is? I need to talk to him.”

“His Majesty has just left the royal palace. He said there was news of Thomas Elvin, and he’s gone to investigate.”

“I’ll call him, then.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” the butler says in an apologetic tone. “He left his phone here. I was just coming to give it to you. He must’ve forgotten it.”

I stare down at the phone in his hand. “Well, what about whoever went with him? Do they have a phone?”

“He went alone. He’s driving one of the cars himself.”

I’ve never wanted to smack Darian so hard before. He just took off?! Without so much as a word?!

Trying to curb my temper, I say tightly, “When he comes back, can you tell him I need to see him urgently?”

I hurry back to the suite and try to call Mary again. No response. At least half an hour has passed at this point. Even if they’re in the car or they have gotten to the new place, she should be able to answer the phone by now. I try to call Jimmy next. Nothing. I don’t know how to contact the Black Arrows. Darian is the only one who knows how to get in touch with them.

What is going on? Mary knows that she has to have a phone on her at all times. Why is she not picking up?

Pacing, I curse Darian under my breath. He should have taken his phone with him. I know forgetting it must have been a mistake, but I’m still frustrated. I can’t get in touch with anybody. There’s only one way around it.

Grabbing my coat, I head downstairs.

“Brian!” I call out.

Brian appears out of nowhere. “Your Majesty?”

“Where did Darian go?”

“He went to Alpha Rodriguez’s house. It’s an hour’s drive. Do you wish to go there?”

“Yeah. Is there a car I can borrow?”

“I’ll see if one of the drivers is available.”

---