Page 43 of Whisper of an Alpha
As we pull up to Rachel’s parents' house, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come. I can’t allow my emotions to cloud my judgment. I need answers, and I need them now.
I bang my fist against the door, the sound echoing in the stillness of the evening. It swings open almost immediately, revealing Lena, Rachel’s mother. Her eyes are red-rimmed, tears evident on her cheeks.
“Alpha, what do you want?” she asks, her voice shaky.
“Where is Rachel?” I demand, my tone sharp. “I know she’s involved in Octavia’s kidnapping.”
“Wyatt, please!” Lena’s voice trembles as she steps back, her fear palpable. “You don’t understand!”
“Try me,” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “Tell me where she is, or I swear I’ll?—”
Just then, Eugene, Rachel’s father, appears from behind her, his expression darkening as he sees me towering over his mate. “What the hell is going on here?” he growls. “Alpha, why are you yelling at Lena?”
“Because your daughter has kidnapped my mate!” I bark, the fury bubbling to the surface. “Now, unless you want me to make this worse, you better start talking.”
Lena breaks down then, her sobs echoing through the entryway. “I—she sent me a letter. She said she needed help escaping. She made me think it’s all a mistake. That Octavia put her in that cell out of jealousy.”
I scoff, incredulous. “Jealous? Rachel is a lunatic. She’s delusional if she thinks she can just take Octavia’s place at my side.”
“She’s breaking down, Wyatt!” Lena cries, reaching for Eugene’s hand. “She thinks you’re hers, that you belong to her. I’m scared for her, for both of you.”
“It’s not about Rachel!” I shout, frustration boiling over. “It’s about Octavia. Your Luna! Where did she go? Did she mention anything?”
Eugene steps forward, trying to shield Lena from my wrath. “You need to calm down. This isn’t helping anyone.”
“Calm down?” I can feel the heat radiating off me, my wolf clawing at the surface, desperate to be unleashed. “You’re protecting a kidnapper!”
“Wyatt, please,” Lena pleads, tears streaming down her face. “She could have gone to our old hunting cabin. It’s on the other side of Shelby. Not many people know about it. It’s abandoned, but Rachel — she loved it there. That’s all I know, I promise.”
The mention of the cabin sends a rush of adrenaline through me. “That’s it. You have to tell me how to get there.”
Lena hesitates, looking to Eugene for support. “It’s been years. I don’t remember exactly how to get there.”
“Then I’ll figure it out,” I growl. “If you’re lying to me?—”
“Wyatt, I swear on my life, I’m not!” Lena interrupts, desperation lacing her words. “Please, just find her. She’s not well. If she thinks you’re coming for her?—”
I cut her off, “I don’t care what Rachel thinks. I care about Octavia.”
Without another word, I turn on my heel, storming out of the house. “Dalton, get the warriors ready. We’re heading to Shelby.”
“Right behind you,” Dalton replies, moving with purpose.
As I climb into my car, the engine roaring to life, I can feel the weight of urgency settling in my chest. Every moment counts. Octavia is out there, and I’ll stop at nothing to bring her back. The image of her warm smile flashes in my mind, a beacon of hope in this dark time.
“Hold on, Octavia,” I whisper to the empty space beside me. “I’m coming. I won’t let you down.”
23
MISSION
Wyatt
The road stretches ahead,a winding path that leads me closer to the hunting cabin where we think Rachel’s hiding. With every mile I drive, I can feel the tension building, the anticipation swirling in the air. I won’t allow Rachel to win. I won’t let her take everything from me.
As we near Shelby, the landscape shifts, the trees giving way to open fields. I push the accelerator down, the car surging forward, fueled by determination.
“Wyatt, are you sure this is the right way?” Dalton asks, glancing at the map spread across his lap.
