CALIFF
The reason why I didn’t inform Shadow about our plan was because this was dangerous, and there was a huge chance she would disagree.
“Yeah. We will do the rest here.” I turned to Kain. “But if, even how irrelevant it is, you feel that something is off, abort the mission and run for your life.”
“Got it.”
“I will portal you just outside your apartment.”
“You too, Zarah? So, it’s just me who’s against this plan?”
“We’re running out of time. We need Kain as our inside man. It will work, baby. Trust me. Trust this plan will go well.”
“Then, if he dies, at least my conscience is clear.” She walked out on us.
Once she was far enough, her human hearing could not hear us. I faced Kain, looked into his eyes, and made sure he got my message. “If you want to show Calder you’re on our side, this is your only chance. Don’t screw this up, or I will have my claws in your chest, ripping your heart out.”
“See you on the other side.”
When Zarah created the portal for Kain, I followed Shadow to the kitchen.
“Baby.”
She swatted her hand as she grabbed the jar of sweet tea. “If Calder agreed, who am I to stop it.”
“Zack and I will go to see Claire.”
She put the jar down on the countertop with her mouth open. Then she blinked. “Why in the hell would you do that? We all know Aciano is the bad guy, yet you’re walking into the trap. Are you on a suicide mission or something?”
“I want to know if she knows something.”
“Then I’m coming with you.”
“Baby, I know you want to help, but-”
“But I’m a useless human,” she said in disgust.
“That’s not true. I want you here if Aciano’s men will arrive. Kairo is on the way to bring your cases. Put those big guns to good use, and trust me on this, baby. I can do my job better when you’re with our family.”
“Fine.” I still saw hesitant in her eyes. “Take Lyon with you.”
“That’s the plan.” I closed the space between us and cupped her face. “You’re the badass Luna.” Then I kissed her on the lips. “Be that badass.”
“Do whatever you wanna do, but come back to me alive, Califf, or I will jump over the cliff if you die.”
“Don’t say something like that.” I swallowed hard as the wave of pain settled on my chest.
“Oh, I mean it.” She looked me in the eye, clutching my shirt, showing her vulnerability to me. “So you better come back.”
“See you later then.” I walked away from her with the feeling of emptiness. We always did everything together, but I needed to be alone right now, and she would be safe here.
I met Lyon in the driveway. “We should go.”
“Good luck, Alpha.” Kairo slightly bowed as he took Shadow’s cases inside the house.
“It’s now or never.” Zack went to the back of the SUV. “I’m still finding it hard to believe that a man like Aciano could do something like this for revenge. I mean, reviving an old guild? That’s cool but frightening at the same time, and he’s willing to kill his own kind. That’s ruthless for an Elder like him.”
“Well, he’s consumed with vengeance. He will die in vain.” Lyon drove off towards the main road.
Twenty-five minutes later, we arrived at their house. I couldn’t sniff Aciano’s scent around the area. He took his kidnapping scheme to a whole new level. As I knocked on the door, I instantly sensed Claire behind it.
“Alpha Califf?” She looked surprised to see me opening the door wide to welcome us. How could she not know her mate was consumed with vengeance? How could Aciano keep that from her? Or they were working together.
“I’ve been busy for the past weeks. I’m sorry if I wasn’t there to help you.”
“You don’t have to come over, Alpha. Please, come inside.” She glanced over behind my shoulder. “Lyon, Zack, please.”
“Thank you.” I went over the pictures on the table and walls.
Lyon and Zack sat on the modern couch.
Their house was pretty big for just the two of them. Aciano ran a business on his own. Their son was a few years older than me but hadn’t found his mate before he died.
“Can I offer you some refreshments?”
“We’re good, thank you.” I scanned through the photos and noticed their picture together taken in another property with the countryside house in the background.
“Aciano bought that property a few years ago. It has been back in the market for a few months now.”
“Where is it?”
“Just a few miles away from here. Northpoint Valley.”
I nodded-a good hiding place for his evil plan. I turned around. “Have you heard anything from the local PD?”
She shook her head and dropped her gaze. “I still feel him. He’s alive, but whoever took him did not demand a ransom, so what do they want from my husband?”
“I wish I could tell you. I’ve asked our allies and trusted friends in the PD, but the trail went cold, Claire. I’m so sorry.” I held her hand. “I shouldn’t have asked him to dig into something. Maybe that’s what got him in trouble.”
She nodded. “My mate had been swamped before he went missing.”
I helped her to the couch. “Do you know what he’d been working on?”
“Aciano never brought his work home, and I trusted him, so I never asked.”
“Claire, may I?” Lyon went to the entryway-a lot of envelopes stuck on the table.
“Of course, if it helps to find my mate. Please?”
“Have you received some unknown calls, text messages, or emails dropped on your door?” Zack inquired.
She turned to Zack. “In the middle of the night, I received twice in a week last week, but it didn’t happen again. I thought it was just someone called the wrong number.”
“Have you seen some cars parked near your house or smelled some scents? Something like that.”
“Only dogs and human scents.”
“May I get the address of the property on sale? I’d love to check it out. My mate’s father might be interested in it.”
“I will send you the broker’s address and number.”
“That would be helpful. Thank you.” I rose from my seat and looked at her in the eye. “I will not stop searching for Aciano. He’s our Elder, Claire, and I will make them pay whoever is responsible for taking your mate from you. I swear to you, Claire.”
“What do you have?” I asked Lyon as soon as we drove off the property while Zack stayed, watching the house for whoever went to see her after that.
Not a few minutes later, Zack reached out to our pack link. “Alpha? I wish you were seeing this. Oh, boy. I’d be damned.”