Alpha Kael’s POV
I walked back into the pack’s headquarters, my face schooling a frown caused by disappointment. Another day, another failed search. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was running out of time.
As I entered my chambers, I spotted Akira pacing back and forth, gently biting her fingers, her eyes fixed on me. I knew she was worried, but I didn’t have any news to calm her down.
“Kael, how was the search?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.
I shook my head. “Nothing. We found nothing.”
Akira’s face fell, but she nodded. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy.”
I took a deep breath, remembering the information she had given me days ago. “Akira, you mentioned that the females who were taken had a regular pattern of visiting the waterside. Do you think that’s a coincidence?”
Akira stopped pacing and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t think so. I think whoever is taking them is targeting those who go there regularly.”
I nodded, a plan forming in my mind. “I need to talk to the others, and see if they’ve noticed anything.”
I gathered a few pack members, including Zephyr, and asked them about the missing females. “Did any of them have a regular pattern of visiting the waterside?” I asked.
One of the pack members, a young female named Luna, spoke up. “Now that you mention it, Kael, I think they did. They would go there every full moon to bathe and socialize with the neighboring pack’s females and pups.”
Zephyr’s eyes lit up. “That’s it! I knew it. The ones who get kidnapped are the ones with a regular visiting pattern.”
I nodded, slowly processing the information. “This is our lead. We need to figure out who’s targeting them and why.”
The pack members began discussing, and bringing up ideas and theories. I listened, taking it all in, trying to piece together to solve one part of the puzzle.
As the conversation continued, I couldn’t help but notice Akira watching me, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and something like admiration. I knew she was worried, but I also knew she trusted me to get to the bottom of this.
“Alright, let’s summarize,” I said, holding up my hands to quiet the group. “We know the missing females had a regular pattern of visiting the waterside. We know whoever is taking them is targeting those with a pattern. Now we need to figure out who and why.”
The group nodded.
“Alright, let’s get to work,” I said, looking around the table. “We need to find the next females with a regular pattern and keep an eye on them.”
Zephyr nodded. “I can start asking around, see if anyone knows who’s been visiting the waterside regularly.”
Thane stood up. “I’ll double-check the patrol logs, and see if we can identify any patterns.”
Lyra spoke up. “I can talk to the females, and see if they’ve noticed anything unusual.”
“Good,” I said. “Let’s move quickly, but quietly. We don’t want to alert whoever is doing this.”
Zephyr asked, “Do we know how many females are at risk?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. Let’s focus on finding the next ones with a regular pattern and go from there.”
Thane asked, “What about Akira? Should we involve her in what we’re doing?”
I hesitated. “Not yet. I don’t want her to worry, and I don’t want her to unknowingly piss off whoever is doing this.”
Lyra nodded. “I agree. Let’s keep this between us for now.”
Zephyr spoke up. “I’ll start asking around, see what I can find out.”
Thane said, “I’ll get started on those patrol logs.”
Lyra stood up. “I’ll go talk to the females, and see what they’ve noticed.”
I nodded. “Keep me updated. Let’s move quickly, but carefully.”
Zephyr asked, “What’s the plan if we find the next female with a regular pattern?”
I thought for a moment. “We’ll keep an eye on her, see if anyone suspicious shows up. If they do, we’ll be ready.”
Thane nodded. “I’ll make sure the patrols are ready to move at a moment’s notice.”
Lyra asked, “What about the waterside? Should we increase the security there?”
I nodded. “Yes, let’s increase the security around the waterside, especially during the full moon.”
Zephyr spoke up. “I’ll make sure to let the guards know to be extra vigilant.”
Thane said, “I’ll review the patrol routes, and make sure we’re covering all our land.”
Lyra asked, “What about the females who have already been taken? Should we try to find them?”
I hesitated. “Not yet. Let’s focus on preventing any more females from being taken. Once we’ve done that, we can focus on finding the ones who are already gone.”
I stood up, my mind still racing with the plan to protect the females and hopefully bait the abductor to us. “Alright, let’s get to work. Keep me updated on any progress.”
As I turned to leave, I suddenly remembered the elder’s visit. “Wait, I just remembered something. Elder Thorne wanted to speak with me earlier.”
Zephyr’s eyes narrowed. “What about?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know, he didn’t say. But I should go see him now.”
Thane nodded. “Go, we’ll handle things here.”
I made my way to Elder Thorne’s office, my heart beating slightly faster. What could the elder want to speak with me about?
I knocked on the door, and a low voice told me to enter. I opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind me.
Elder Thorne sat behind his desk, his eyes fixed on me. “Ah, Alpha Kael. Thank you for coming.”
I took a seat in front of his desk. “Of course, Elder. What did you want to speak with me about?”
Elder Thorne leaned forward. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the pack’s future, Kael. And I think it’s time we discussed… ”
He paused, taking time to select his next words. I leaned forward, my heart pounding with anticipation.
“Why did you want to meet with me, Elder?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Elder Thorne’s face was expressionless.
“Council.”