Kael’s POV.
As I took the letter, the blood scent hit my nostrils, making my stomach churn. It was familiar, yet I couldn’t quite place it. Whose blood was this? I felt a shiver run down my spine as I opened the letter, my heart racing as I hoped for the best yet prepared myself for the worst.
“Kael, what is it?” Zephyr asked, his voice laced with concern.
I scanned the letter, my eyes widening as I read the words. “It’s a warning,” I said, my voice low. “Someone’s threatening to kill Akira if I don’t keep her under control.”
Zephyr let out a low throaty growl. “What? That’s ridiculous. Who would do such a thing?”
I shook my head, feeling a surge of anger and a hint of panic set it. “I don’t know, but I plan to find out.”
The letter was brief, but the words sent a chill down my spine. “Keep your mate on a leash, Alpha Kael. If she continues to snoop around, she’ll be dead within the week. You can’t protect her from everyone. Not even you can stop the inevitable. And her death if she keeps this up will be inevitable.”
I crumpled the letter in my hand, feeling a wave of fury wash over me. Who dared to threaten my mate?
“This is Keiran’s doing,” Zephyr growled, his eyes flashing with anger. “He’s trying to get in your head, Kael.”
I looked at the crumpled letter in my hand. “Maybe. But what if it’s not? What if someone else is playing a game here?”
Zephyr’s expression turned thoughtful. “We need to investigate. Find out who sent this letter and what they want. Also whose blood is this?”
I nodded. “Agreed. I’ll assign some wolves to look into it. In the meantime, I need to talk to Akira.”
Zephyr’s eyes narrowed. “Kael, be careful. If someone’s threatening Akira’s life, we can’t take any chances.”
“I will. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
As I turned to leave, Zephyr’s voice stopped me. “Kael?”
I turned back, my eyes on his. “Yeah?”
“Be honest with her, Kael. Tell her what’s going on. She deserves to know.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath. I knew Zephyr was right. It was time to trust Akira, to let her in on the secrets and fears that had been holding me back for so long.
“Let’s go,” I said, my voice firm.
I walked towards Akira’s room, Zephyr by my side. My heart was racing with each step, my mind filled with thoughts of what I needed to tell her and how to tell her.
But as we reached her door, I sensed something was off. The air carried something different with it, and I could smell the faint scent of blood, the same scent that was on that letter.
I pushed open the door, and my worst fears were confirmed. Akira was nowhere to be found, but on the floor, there was a small map of blood. The same blood that had been on the letter.
My heart stopped. “Akira!” I roared, my voice echoing off the walls.
Zephyr’s eyes widened in horror. “Kael, oh no…”
I rushed to the puddle of blood, my mind racing. Had someone taken her? Had they hurt her?
I followed the trail of blood, my heart pounding in my chest. It led me to the window, which was open, l.
I felt a chill run down my spine. Someone had taken Akira, and they had left a trail of blood behind. Was this a warning or was this goodbye?
Zephyr’s voice was low and urgent. “Kael, we need to find her. Now.”
I nodded, my eyes scanning the room. I could smell Akira’s scent, mixed with the blood. I knew I had to follow it.
“Let’s go,” I growled. I would find Akira, no matter what it took.
As we rushed out of the pack’s gate, I scanned the area, my heart racing with worry. But then, I saw her. Akira was walking towards us, her clothes crumpled and stained, blood on her face and arms.
My relief was short-lived, however, as I saw the injuries and blood stains on her face. “Akira, what happened?” I demanded, rushing towards her.
She stood tall, her eyes blazing with rage, but she showed no sign of pain despite the blood that seeped from the wound in her arm. “I caught someone sneaking into my room,” she explained, her voice low. “We fought, but they were masked and managed to get away.”
Zephyr’s eyes narrowed. “Did you see anything? Any features? A mark? Or scar?”
Akira shook her head. “No, nothing. But I did manage to wound them. That’s my blood, but also theirs.”
As I looked at her, I realized that this was more than just a random attack. This was someone playing mind games with me, with us. The letter, the blood, Akira’s disappearance… it was all connected. The person had me worried for a minute and I left everything behind and rushed out to find her, leaving the pack exposed.
“Akira, I need to tell you something,” I said, my voice low and urgent. “I received a letter earlier, threatening to kill you if I didn’t keep you under control.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “What? Who would do such a thing?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know, but I think it’s the same person who attacked or who sent someone to attack you. They’re playing games with us, Akira. Trying to manipulate us.”
Zephyr’s expression turned grim. “We need to increase security, Kael. This is getting out of hand.”
I nodded, my mind racing. I knew I had to protect Akira. I have to keep her locked up …always in sight.
“Akira, I need you to be careful,” I said, my voice softening. “I know you can take care of yourself, but I also know you’re not invincible. Please, stay close to me, to Zephyr. We’ll figure this out together.”
Just then a figure raced past us, it was too fast for me to even make out any detail… but I got the message.
We were not alone…