Ethan pov
“Clark, have you encountered Alessia or Harper?” I inquired of Clark, my beta, who was busily rummaging through my table in search of a file.
“I’m not certain, Alpha Ethan, about Harper, but I did see Alessia earlier this morning at the swimming pool, engaged in play, ” he replied gruffly, chuckling at the end.
I shifted in my seat, finding his laughter reminiscent of a presentation on a topic I was unfamiliar with. Perhaps he possessed information that I was unaware of.
“Did my sister do anything noteworthy since Harper did not spend the night in my room yesterday?” I raised my eyebrows, directing a questioning gaze at him, though I was genuinely suspicious.
Nothing, Alpha, he responded promptly, preparing to leave with the file when I called him back.
Clark, you are concealing something from me; what is it?
“Your sister took your mate, Harper, to the pub, ” he remarked with a teasing tone. I was aware of Alessia’s fondness for such outings, but I had not anticipated it happening so soon. My heart raced with anxiety, and I felt a surge of urgency to see her.
Heat flushed my face, and my eyes burned with a blend of anger and concern. “The pub?” I echoed, my voice low and threatening.
Clark nodded, his demeanor calm, yet a glimmer of amusement flickered in his eyes. “Indeed, Alpha. Alessia believed Harper could use a night out.”
My thoughts spiraled as I clenched my fists. What was Alessia thinking? Harper was my mate, and I had yet to properly claim her. The mere idea of her in a bustling pub, surrounded by other wolves, ignited a fury within me.
I exited the room abruptly, with Clark following closely behind. “I require Alessia’s presence immediately,” I stated firmly.
“Alpha, it would be prudent for you to speak with her directly; I believe she will heed your words.”
As we approached the swimming pool, I noticed her engrossed in playing with the water, seemingly oblivious to our presence.
I shifted to the side to gain a clearer view of her face, hoping to detect any hint of deception.
“Hey brother! You shouldn’t be giving your sister that look so early in the day,” she remarked in a soothing tone, but I was not in the mood for lighthearted banter.
“Did you take Harper to the pub?”
Alessia’s smile wavered momentarily before she regained her composure. “Oh, Harper? Yes, I did take her to the pub. She needed some enjoyment, and I thought it would be a good idea.”
I narrowed my eyes, my stare intense. “Enjoyment? At the pub? With Lucas’s pack nearby?”
Alessia shrugged, her demeanor casual. “Lucas’s pack was not an issue. Besides, Harper is capable of taking care of herself.”
My frustration bubbled beneath the surface. “That is not the crux of the matter. The issue is that you took my mate without informing me.”
Alessia’s eyes glimmered with mischief. “Oh, come on, Ethan. Don’t be so possessive. Harper is an adult; she is entitled to make her own choices.”
I stepped closer, my tone low and threatening. “You know better than to challenge me, Alessia. Harper belongs to me. And what is this newfound interest in her?”
Alessia’s smile faded, replaced by a flicker of defiance. “Perhaps I am merely trying to help her understand the true you, Ethan.”
I held her gaze, sensing an ulterior motive. “What do you mean by that?”
Alessia’s tone was thick with sarcasm. “Oh, nothing much. Just that Harper appears to believe you are this flawless, brooding Alpha. Please stop making me feel like the villain here, Ethan.”
My patience reached its limit. “Alessia, what have you done?”
Clark stepped in, his demeanor composed. “Alpha, perhaps we should-”
I raised my hand to silence him. “No, Clark. Alessia will explain everything to me.”
Alessia’s smile reemerged, but it was now tinged with malice. “Very well, dear brother. I will share, but I doubt you will appreciate it.”
She paused, allowing the tension to escalate.
“I informed Harper about our mother’s passing. About how you-”
I growled, my wolf instinctively surfacing. “You did not.”
Alessia’s eyes sparkled with defiance. “Oh, but I did not, for I cannot reveal such a horrific event. And Harper will not question your narrative, Ethan.”
“Clark, escort Alessia to her quarters. She is grounded.”
Alessia’s laughter reverberated through the pool area. “Cease this, Ethan. Harper will discover the truth eventually.”
As Clark pulled Alessia away, I sensed my grip on control weakening. The reality of my past, particularly regarding my mother’s death, loomed over me, threatening to unravel everything.
I needed to reach Harper to clarify matters before Alessia’s deceit could taint her perception.
However, as I prepared to depart, I noticed Harper at the entrance of the pool, her expression clouded with doubt.
“Harper?” I called out, my tone measured.
She stepped closer, her voice barely audible. “Ethan, I need to understand… What is truly happening here? Why is Clark taking Alessia away? Why is she grounded?”
She tends to be quite talkative, so I assumed she would be preoccupied with her devices, perhaps her laptop or something similar. I smiled as I observed her still puffy face, gently rubbing the remnants of sleep from her eyes.
“Let us prepare breakfast together, my dear.”
She nodded enthusiastically and immediately embraced me.
“Yes.”
As Harper’s arms encircled me, a sense of relief enveloped me. Perhaps I could postpone her inquiries for the time being.
“Breakfast sounds delightful,” I replied, reciprocating her embrace.
We made our way to the kitchen, where Clark’s subtle nod indicated that Alessia was being managed.
Harper yawned, her eyes still heavy with sleep. “What is happening with Alessia?” she inquired, a note of insistence creeping into her tone.
I diverted her attention with a soft kiss. “Later, my love. Let us concentrate on breakfast.”
Harper raised an eyebrow but chose to let it go, at least for the moment.
As we prepared our meal, Harper’s phone buzzed on the counter. She glanced at the screen, her demeanor shifting.
“What is the matter?” I asked, sensing a change in the atmosphere.
Harper hesitated before responding. “It’s Lucas. He is texting me.”
A growl of possessiveness emanated from within me. “What does he want?”
Her voice was cautious as she replied, “He says Alessia owes him a favor… and that I am involved.”
My expression hardened. Luca’s involvement was a clear indication of impending trouble.
At that moment, Clark made his entrance into the kitchen. “Alpha, we have a situation.”
“What is it now?” I responded with a growl.
Clark leaned closer, his gaze intense. “The individual responsible for overseeing the pack’s watchdog has been killed by the dogs that arrived just moments ago.” I paused, processing his words. “What did you just say?”
I stood frozen, my thoughts racing. “The guardian of the pack watchdog is dead?” I echoed, my tone low and menacing.
Clark confirmed with a nod, his demeanor serious. “Indeed, Alpha. The dogs turned against him. And there is more to this.”
Harper’s eyes widened in shock as she grasped my hand. “What else is there?” I inquired, tightening my hold on her.
Clark took a moment before continuing. “The dogs… they do not belong to our pack. They are from another pack, and they are infected.”
My wolf growled in response, fury surging within me. “Infected with what?”
Clark lowered his voice to a near whisper. “The same serum that was used on the rogue wolves last year.”
Harper’s grip on my hand intensified. “What implications does that have?”
I turned to her, locking my gaze with hers. “It signifies that another pack is attempting to infiltrate and dismantle ours from the inside.”
Without further discussion, I exited the kitchen, with Clark and Harper following closely behind.
We arrived at the pack’s security room, where the security personnel were already scrutinizing the footage.
“Alpha, I have analyzed the footage,” he reported, his complexion ashen. “The dogs were allowed entry by one of our own.”
My eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Who?”
“I am uncertain, but we will soon uncover the truth; however, it is imperative that we conduct an analysis promptly.” He spoke in a composed manner, while my gaze remained fixated in shock on the lifeless body, which had been savagely mutilated.
I sensed Harper’s grip on my arm intensify as she absorbed the horrific sight. “Oh my god,” she murmured.
Lucas maintained a serene demeanor, yet his tone conveyed unease. “Alpha, we must review the footage and determine the identity of the traitor.”
With my eyes still fixed on the disfigured corpse, I affirmed, “I concur. Clark, enlist our top technician for this task. I demand answers immediately.”
Clark acknowledged my command and quickly left to execute my instructions.
Harper’s voice quivered as she spoke. “Ethan, this is unimaginable. Who could commit such an atrocity?”
I drew her closer, wrapping my arm around her. “We will discover the truth, my dear. And they will face the consequences.”
As we scrutinized the scene, I observed something unusual-a small symbol etched into the victim’s forehead.
“Excuse me, what is this symbol?” I inquired, my thoughts racing.
His eyes widened. “That signifies the lunar pack.”
My wolf growled, sensing the presence of an adversary. “An unknown pack is certainly involved.”
Harper’s eyes gleamed with resolve. “We must inform the pack.”
I nodded in agreement. “Gather the pack. We will confront this issue collectively.”
As we proceeded to the gathering hall, an air of tension enveloped us.
The murmurs of the pack quieted as I ascended the stage.
I hesitated to deliver such alarming news, fearing it would instill terror regarding the impending pack attack. Standing tall, I gazed at them before retreating to my chamber. Harper followed closely behind.
“What’s the matter, Ethan? You can’t just walk away from them like that. Even if you’re overwhelmed, you must maintain composure,” she exclaimed, her voice rising. I turned to her, surprised by her intensity.
“Nothing, Harper. I just need some time to clear my thoughts.”
Harper’s expression hardened, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Time? You believe you can simply rest while our pack is in peril?”
I gritted my teeth, striving to remain calm. “Harper, I require a moment.”
However, Harper was undeterred. She entered my chamber alongside me.
“You are the Alpha, Ethan. You cannot abandon your pack. They rely on you.”
I turned sharply, my eyes blazing. “I am aware of that, Harper.”
Her gaze remained steadfast. “Then behave accordingly.”
At that moment, Clark burst in. “Alpha, we have discovered evidence of the betrayal.”
My anger flared. “What is it?”
“No, I am not interested. Just take the body away; I don’t care where, just do something,” I snapped, my voice laced with fury.
Clark’s eyes widened, clearly taken aback by my reaction. “Alpha, I understand your frustration, but-”
“Just tell me what you found, Clark,” I growled, my patience rapidly diminishing.
Harper advanced, her tone resolute. “Ethan, maintain your composure.”
I cast her a warning look, yet she remained steadfast.
Clark paused before addressing us. “We have discovered a concealed journal belonging to one of our pack members. It seems they have been collaborating with the rival pack.”
My frustration surged. “Who is it?”
I rose abruptly and stormed out of the room, my thoughts in disarray. I walked with a sense of trepidation, my eyes flickering toward Alessia’s room. Feeling vulnerable, I turned to Clark.
“Should I release her?” he inquired, observing my expression. I could hardly bear the thought of my sister’s tears.
“Provide her with something to eat, but do not release her. Making decisions without my consent always provokes my anger.”
“What?”
“Alpha Ethan, are you merely going to offer her food? I believed you were kinder than Lucas, but now I see no distinction; you are even more unyielding than he is,” Harper remarked, tears streaming down her face as she retreated before exiting the room.
“Please, bring Alessia out of her room. I declare her free; she is no longer grounded,” I stated calmly to Clark, Harper’s words weighing heavily on my heart.
“I apologize, Harper, if you are hurt. I am merely trying to help Alessia understand that you are not a mere pub wench,” I thought to myself as I stared blankly at my sister’s door.
“Release her, Clark.”
“Understood, Alpha.”
He replied with a bow, and I snapped my fingers to capture the attention of the pack guards who were gazing at me with unwarranted interest.
“Let us proceed.”
I need to witness the situation firsthand.