Steve clenched his phone so tightly, it was a miracle it didn’t crack under the pressure. His body trembled with shock, a mixture of panic and rage coursing through him.
He had to recover, had to stay focused-if not, the worry would kill him before he found Shane.
Pacing back and forth, Steve’s eyes stayed locked on the phone, refusing to let it out of his sight. His thoughts raced uncontrollably, fighting to stay calm. He had to be calm. He forced his breathing to steady, knowing he had to focus.
“Why isn’t he picking up?” Steve muttered under his breath, dialing Shane’s number again. The phone rang endlessly, but no one answered. “Come on, Shane… pick up!”
Finally, Steve couldn’t take it anymore. He scrolled through his contacts and called Thomas, one of Shane’s men. The phone barely rang before Thomas answered, his voice shaking. “Hello, boss.”
“Where is Shane?” Steve barked, skipping any pleasantries. His voice vibrated with barely controlled fury.
“We… we don’t know,” Thomas stammered.
Steve’s eyes widened. “What? How can you not know? You were with him!” His voice grew louder with each word.
Thomas hesitated before continuing, his voice trembling. “Boss, after we set the house on fire like Shane ordered, he disappeared. We looked everywhere, but he’s gone. We thought maybe he went home.”
“You better find him,” Steve snapped, his patience razor-thin. “Don’t bother coming back until you do.”
The line went dead as Steve hung up, his chest heaving in frustration. His mind buzzed with unanswered questions. *Where could Shane be? What happened? Who dared to touch him?*
Steve’s hand trembled as he tossed the phone onto the table. He pressed a palm against his temple, trying to shake off the fear clawing at his insides. His condition wouldn’t allow him to help directly.
His cursed eyes-one red, one grey-had made him a recluse for most of his life. Hidden away, forced to wear contact lenses, he’d learned to keep his identity secret, his power even more so.
He sighed, his thoughts drifting back to Shane. *Shane had to be okay.*
The phone rang suddenly, snapping him out of his thoughts. Steve grabbed it instantly. “Talk.”
“Boss, we found Shane’s phone,” Thomas said, his voice shaky. “It was on the ground by his car.”
Steve’s heart skipped a beat. “And?”
“There’s… blood. On the ground and on the phone.”
Steve felt a chill crawl down his spine. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep his voice calm. “Don’t call me until you find him.”
Hanging up, Steve stared at the phone in disbelief. Blood. Shane’s phone. His mind reeled with fear and frustration. He lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply to calm his nerves. *Whose blood was it?*
Steve couldn’t just sit there anymore. He dialed the facility where they held Hannah and Louis, the two werewolves Shane had been chasing. The guards were swift, bringing them into a secret chamber just as Steve had ordered.
Steve turned on the monitor, watching the two unconscious bodies in the room. He adjusted the microphone clipped to his shirt and spoke. “Can you hear me?”
“Yes, sir!” the guards responded in unison.
“Wake them up,” Steve ordered, his voice firm.
One of the guards stepped forward, delivering a sharp shock to both Hannah and Louis. They jolted awake, eyes wide with panic.
“What-where are we?” Hannah gasped, blinking rapidly.
“Who are you?” Louis demanded, pulling Hannah close.
The guards didn’t answer, standing still as statues, their eyes fixed on the two werewolves.
“Why aren’t they talking?” Hannah whispered to Louis, fear creeping into her voice.
“They can hear us,” Louis muttered. “They’re just pretending not to.”
“But how did we get here?” Hannah asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. “We escaped, didn’t we? Someone… someone was chasing us…”
Louis frowned, trying to remember. “I… I don’t know. Everything’s blank.”
Hannah ruffled her hair in frustration. “This is insane! Why can’t I remember?”
Louis wrapped an arm around her. “It’s okay. We’ll remember soon.”
Steve watched them silently, his fingers tapping impatiently on the desk. He had heard enough. “Listen closely!” he barked into the microphone.
Hannah and Louis froze, their eyes darting around the room in search of the voice.
“Who’s there?” Louis called out, stepping in front of Hannah protectively.
“I’m the one asking the questions,” Steve growled. “Tell me, where did Shane go?”
Louis looked confused. “Shane? We don’t know a Shane.”
“Don’t lie to me,” Steve said coldly. “You were running from him. Where is he?”
Hannah’s hands shook as she glanced at Louis, but he stood firm. “We don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Steve’s patience snapped. “You better start remembering fast, or things will get a lot worse for both of you.”
Terror flashed in Hannah’s eyes as she clung to Louis. “We… we were running, but that’s all I remember,” she stammered. “Please, we don’t know where Shane is.”
Steve stared at the monitor, his jaw clenched tight. *If they weren’t lying, then where the hell was Shane?*
He leaned closer to the screen. “Fine,” he said quietly. “But mark my words, you’re going to help me find him.”
—-
Kimberly’s POV
It’s been three hours since we brought my dad to the pack hospital, and he still hasn’t woken up. Even though we got him here quickly, he’s still unconscious, and I’m growing more worried by the minute.
In two months, my dad will turn seventy. In all my life, this is only the second time he’s ever been admitted to a hospital. He’s always been so active and full of energy that I never imagined he could be feeling unwell.
Right now, a doctor and two nurses are attending to him in his room. I can’t help but feel that something serious must have happened, especially seeing how the nurses keep going in and out of his room. I can’t stand sitting here any longer.
I get up from my seat in the waiting area and walk into the room, unable to hold back my anxiety. “Doctor, how is my father doing right now?” I ask, my voice shaking as I try to hide my fear.
My dad is lying still on the bed, his eyes closed, looking like he’s in a deep sleep.
The doctor stops talking to the nurse and turns to face me. “I’m sorry, ma’am Kimberly,” he says, adjusting his glasses, “but I think Alpha Darwin needs to be in the intensive care unit for now. His condition is severe.”
“Intensive care? Why?” I ask, confused. “My dad’s always been healthy. What happened?”
The doctor hesitates. “There’s a lot going on. I’m not sure how to explain everything to you. We ran several tests, and based on the results, there’s only one course of treatment we can follow. I’d prefer to discuss this with Luna Catherine instead.”
His words make my heart race. It’s obvious my dad’s condition is more serious than I thought. Something is very wrong.
“You don’t need to speak to anyone else. You can tell me!” I insist. “I was the one who brought him here. I’m his daughter, and it’s my responsibility to know what’s happening!”
“I’m sorry, but I really can’t share the details with you,” the doctor says firmly. “Given the nature of the situation, I must speak to Luna Catherine first.”
“What sensitive situation are you referring to?” A voice suddenly speaks from behind me, and I turn to see Luna Catherine standing in the doorway.
I glance back at her as she walks in. I had hoped to see Mona with her mother, but she’s not here. I guess she decided to stay home with Alpha Derrick, as usual. Mona and her mother’s lack of concern doesn’t surprise me anymore.
When my dad collapsed, I shouted for help, but none of them came to assist me. Only a few of the guards came, and we managed to get my dad to the hospital early. And now, after three hours, Luna Catherine finally shows up.
The doctor lowers his head slightly as a sign of respect to her. “Welcome, Luna Catherine,” he says, and the two nurses follow suit.
I’m not in the mood for pleasantries, but I force myself to give a small nod. After all, she is the Luna. I offer her the respect her position demands, though she doesn’t deserve it.
“Thank you, doctor,” Luna Catherine says. “What’s going on with my husband?” She looks at my father lying unconscious, her eyes brimming with fake concern.
The doctor glances at me again, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to discuss it here,” he says.
Luna Catherine quickly catches on to his meaning. “Oh, I see.” She gives me a brief look before turning back to the doctor. “Let’s talk in your office, then.”
“Of course, Luna,” the doctor replies.
Without another word, the doctor, Luna Catherine, and the nurses leave the room. They don’t bother acknowledging me, and I don’t follow them. I stay by my father’s side.
I sit down in the chair next to his bed, taking his hand gently in mine. “I’m so worried about you, Dad. I need you to be strong. I can’t lose you,” I whisper, squeezing his hand.
Tears start to well up in my eyes, and I wipe them away quickly. I can’t stand seeing him like this, so weak and vulnerable. It breaks my heart.
Suddenly, I feel his hand tighten around mine. My heart leaps. I look down at him and see his eyes fluttering open.
“Dad, you’re awake?” I ask, my voice full of hope.
“K-Kimberly,” he whispers, his voice faint. “Are we… in the hospital?”
“Yes, Dad,” I say, leaning closer. “How are you feeling? Are you still in pain?”
He gives a weak smile. “Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. I’m fine.”
“How can I not worry?” I say softly, trying to hide the fear in my voice. “You’ve been unconscious for hours. You have to promise me you’re going to be okay.”
He closes his eyes for a moment, then nods slightly. “I’ll be alright. Don’t worry.”
But I do worry. I can’t help it. My dad looks so frail lying there, his strength drained. It’s like the years have finally caught up to him. I wonder if he still has his Alpha powers. I haven’t seen him use them in a long time.
Suddenly, my dad’s expression changes, and he frowns. “What about the business?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper. “Did… did everything burn down? Is the company gone?”
The disappointment in his voice makes my heart ache.