Nicklaus’s POV
As I cleaned, I noticed some minor damages in the room. It was likely caused the night Gabby brought me here to check on our daughter, so there’s probably nothing to worry about. I completed the task in under an hour and left her room to check on my mate before heading out to investigate the situation with my beta.
A call from the pack informed me that my beta still hadn’t returned. I hadn’t seen him in this town either. Could something have happened to him? Would he venture out alone? No, that’s not like Martins. He usually discusses his plans with me before acting.
“We have a problem, Alpha. One of our territories was seized, resulting in many casualties. When will you return, Alpha? Without you or the Beta, we feel vulnerable,” the pack member on the other end of the call said.
“I will be back with the beta, I promise. Stay strong in your defense. I’m with you, and we can’t let the enemy prevail again. Too many lives have been lost. Let their sacrifices not be in vain,” I assured.
“Understood, Alpha. Your wish is our command. I’ll inform the others immediately.”
“Yes, please do. And one more thing, when the beta returns, don’t hesitate to contact me.” After getting his agreement, I ended the call.
Operating as an alpha from a distance isn’t practical, and the fact that my beta has been missing for days without any leads is concerning. I hurried to the woods, meditated for a moment, and attempted to mind link with Martins. Unfortunately, I couldn’t establish a connection. This was perplexing-how was this possible?
Trying repeatedly yielded the same result. Should I ask the witch to help track his location? But what if she’s aligned with the enemy and uses this opportunity to exploit my vulnerability? I can’t risk it.
I considered Jessica, the witch who’s in love with Martins. While she might be willing to help, she’s also impulsive. If she learns Martins is in danger, she might act recklessly, endangering herself as well. She isn’t the best choice in this situation.
So, what’s my next move? I need Gabby awake to assist in finding Martins. Attempting another mind link, I finally heard his faint voice. “Martins, where are you?”
“It’s too dark,” he replied, and then communication ceased. I let out a howl of frustration. Repeated attempts resulted in the same outcome-my beta’s in trouble, and I’m powerless to aid him.
I contemplated privately recruiting a few trusted individuals to search for Martins. If word gets out that my beta is in peril, it could undermine my authority as an alpha. Quickly, I returned to my fatherly duties. Deeply troubled within, I masked my emotions. Estella needed her father’s happiness, and that’s what I would show her.
“Dad, can I go be with Mom?” Estella asked, and I nodded in agreement.
“Yes, after you freshen up,” I replied, and she beamed with happiness. She must have so much to share with her mom, and I hoped Gabby would wake up soon.
The following day, lost in thought about what to do next, I felt a growing weakness with each passing day of staying here. It was wrong for an alpha to feel this way. Glancing at my mate, who appeared content, I drew a little encouragement from her presence.
Once again, I gently touched her face and ran my fingers through her hair. “Darling, I feel weak. I don’t know if I’ve lost my alpha touch. I wish you could guide me. Please wake up so I can go out and search for my beta, Martins. He’s like a brother to me,” I confessed, a tinge of sadness in my voice. She smiled again-was this her way of responding indirectly?
I pressed my lips to hers, and to my surprise, her eyes opened. It felt like a dream. My mate was finally awake. “You’re finally awake,” I exclaimed, excitement bubbling within me. I didn’t know whether to hug her, kiss her again, or sweep her off her feet in my arms.
“What do you mean?” she questioned, her tone reflecting disbelief. I understood that she found it hard to accept that she had been asleep for five days.
“It’s hard to believe, I know. But I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this. I was so worried at the beginning. Your steady breathing gave me hope that you were fine,” I assured her, my attempt at comfort not being the most eloquent. Still, she believed in my honesty, knowing that I’d never deceive her.
Sensing that she needed rest to fully recover, I tried to maintain a cheerful facade, not letting her glimpse the turmoil-like the unexpected attack or my beta’s disappearance-that had transpired in her absence. “If you’re feeling weak, a little rest might be a good idea.”
“I’m okay,” she declared with newfound resolve.
“You should be, now that you’ve had enough rest. I’m thrilled to see you looking so healthy this morning,” I added, a genuine smile gracing my face. However, she seemed to brush off my comment and left the bed, heading toward the mirror. I wondered what she was up to.