After Louise left with Queen Philipa we watched the video feed of four individuals entering Delta Melanie’s house. We all sat there and watched these four individuals walk into Melanie’s house like they owned the place. Then about three minutes later, they all walked out again except one was cradling a carefully wrapped Melanie in his arms.
No one spoke as we watched the scene unfold in front of us. My Dad was the first one to speak after he watched the car with me drive away.
“Tristen can we zero in on their faces to see if we can get a facial recognition hit from our database?” my Dad asked him.
“Yes, Delta Troy, we can zero in on each face. We did actually,” Tristen replied hastily as he showed them exactly what they found. “The first individual-is Raymond Jefferson, 2nd individual-is Xavier Rutherford, 3rd individual-is Tate Windlestaff, and last but not least the 4th individual-is Brock Washington. Raymond, Xavier, and Brock are childhood friends of Prince Michael’s and are known to be very loyal to him regardless of the situation. Tate Windlestaff is an unknown. Where they found him and why he helped them is anyone’s guess at this point,” contended Tristen with a heavy sigh.
“Thank you for your report Tristen. Does anyone have any questions so far,” inquired Alpha Richard to everyone in the room.
No one had any questions for Tristen. But they had plenty for Alpha Richard and King Matthew for what the next step would be.
“So, what are our next steps? What do we do next? I have to admit, I’m freaking out here. My mate is missing. She’s with a person who attacked her and caused her to lose one of our babies already. Now, what is he going to do to her?” growled Anthony to no one in particular.
“Anthony, we share your frustration and anger. We are just as upset as you are, trust me. I can’t believe that Michael would stoop this low as to kidnap her, but to what means? He’s just sealing his coffin. What was he thinking?!” growled a frustrated King Matthew to everyone in the room.
‘Anderson, Noah, Jared, and Tucker, we need to keep a tight hold and watch on Anthony. We need to watch him for signs of any mistreatment against Melanie-we should be able to see it through him as his mate. Watch him carefully,’ commanded Alpha Richard.
‘Yes Alpha,’ they chorused in unison.
“Okay, now we need to figure out how they managed to attack our pack so effectively. How did they manage to gas each individual house and structure if all the windows and doors were secure? Any ideas? Anyone?” questioned Alpha Richard to everyone in the room.
“Delta Troy that sounds like something in your wheelhouse with security. Do you know someone who could possibly supply us with an answer to that question?” inquired King Matthew.
“Already on it King Matthew. I’ve sent a message to one of my Department Heads asking that same question. He said we have such a gas that goes through the air supply system of the house-AC unit, etc.,. All you would need to do is simply spray the gas around the house or in the general area for it to work,” answered my Dad to everyone in the room.
“Is that common knowledge where you work or is that strictly departmentalized? I mean no disrespect. I’m just asking a question for clarity’s sake,” inquired Beta Micah.
“No disrespect taken. It’s departmental knowledge only. These types of things are not common knowledge at the firm. I’ve already asked for a list of those who have knowledge of this. I’m currently waiting for the list of names to be sent to me,” replied my dad.
“Very good. Now we need to figure out where they would take Delta Melanie to hide out. Do any of these individuals have family hunting cabins in remote places or states?” inquired Alpha Richard to Alpha King Matthew and everyone else.
“I’m not sure but we can start checking it out. We can also check out their mates to see if they have something in a remote location as well. We will leave nothing unturned until we find Delta Melanie unharmed along with her baby healthy and strong,” declared King Matthew vehemently. “I think I need to return to the Royal pack along with Beta Walsh and start putting the screws to their families to see where they could have gone. Alpha Richard, do you want any of your wolves to accompany mine to ensure the process? I would not begrudge you the pleasure of inflicting a little pain on the families to derive information from them. Perhaps your Gamma?” wondered Alpha King Matthew.
“Gamma Jacob what about it? Would you like to accompany Alpha King Matthew to the Royal Pack to interrogate these families to see where these individuals may have gone?” Alpha Richard inquired with a smirk on his face.
“It would be my pleasure to accompany Alpha King Matthew to the Royal Pack Alpha Richard. If you give me ten minutes, I will be ready to leave,” replied an eager Gamma Jacob.
With that said, Gamma Jacob left the conference room to take care of his business.
“All right, that’s taken care of. Next item of business, we need that list of individuals from your firm who knew of the gas. Then we need to make sure everyone is not suffering from any side effects of the gas. Did I miss anything?” questioned Alpha Richard.
“I think you covered everything, Alpha Richard. When I get that list, I’ll forward it to you and Alpha Kings Matthew and Friedrich. Then, I will need to talk with the individuals on the list. I will take a few of my trusted inner circle with me, if that is all right with you Alpha Richard,” asked my dad.
“Sounds good Delta Troy. Sounds like everyone has their marching orders, let’s get to it,” commanded Alpha Richard.
“Yes Alpha,” they chorused in unison.
As everyone started to file out of the conference room, my Dad’s phone dinged with a message. Alpha Kings Matthew and Friedrich stopped dead in their tracks. My Dad read the message and his face paled.
“Alpha Richard and Alpha Kings Matthew and Friedrich, it looks like the mystery surrounding Tate Windlestaff has been cleared up. Tate is a member of the Elite Force. He knows of the gas used for the attack. I will go and investigate him,” declared my dad to them.
“Very good Delta Troy. I’m sorry he’s one of yours. Go and take care of business,” advised Alpha Richard to my dad.
“Yes Alpha,” my Dad replied somberly.
Everyone continued to walk out of the room to complete their tasks. Anthony was taken home by Anderson and Noah. Sophia and Mason went with them to keep him company and to help him somehow ease his discomfort.
The day slowly dragged by for Anthony. The day without Melanie was sheer torture. What were they doing to her? What was she having to endure? Where are you, Melanie? Anthony was growing more and more frustrated and agitated by the minute. Mason suggested they go for a run to help ease his agitated state.
By the evening, Anthony was a wreck. He had a short fuse. He snapped at everyone. My Mom suggested he go take a nap or at least lie down so my scent could envelop him. He decided to give it a try. Once he slid into bed, my scent hit him and he calmed down instantly.
‘Melanie, I miss you so much. Where are you? What are you doing right now? Please be safe. I love you so much. Come back to me, please,’ Anthony pleaded in our link before he drifted off to a dreamless sleep.
Anthony didn’t stay asleep for very long. He woke up screaming in pain. Anderson and Noah ran to our bedroom to see what was going on. They found him on the floor clutching his abdomen writhing in pain.
“Delta Anthony, what’s wrong? How can we help you?” demanded Anderson.
“It has to be Melanie. They’re hurting Melanie or the baby!” bellowed Anthony as he continued to writhe in pain.
Anderson didn’t waste any time informing Alpha Richard and Delta Troy of the latest developments. My Mom and Dad arrived at the house within minutes and Alpha Richard wanted to be kept informed of any other developments. Mom went over to comfort Anthony and hold him.
“Shh, Anthony. I know it hurts. I’m so, so sorry. Please, come back to bed. Let’s get you something for the pain,” soothed my Mom.
“If I feel this much pain, how much pain is she in?” wailed Anthony as he allowed my Mom to guide him back into bed.
“Can you feel her through the mate bond? Can you talk to her?” inquired my Mom.
“No, I can’t feel her or talk to her. It’s like she’s still unconscious or something,” cried Anthony as he took the pain pills given to him by my dad.
My Mom and Dad shared a look before Anthony drifted off to sleep once again. Dad gave him a sleeping pill as well to help him get some rest. Anthony didn’t wake up until around noon the next day.
It was decided that Mom, Uncle Vladimir, and the rest of the European Royal family would stay close to Anthony at our house during the day until I was found. Anthony needed the extra distraction and assistance. Everyone noticed that Anthony moved a little bit slower and he kept rubbing the area above his ankles. When they looked at his legs they noticed both legs had a red band above both ankles which meant that silver had been placed on Melanie there.
That raised questions of if it caused red bands on Anthony, what is it doing to the baby and Melanie? Is she well or is she being poisoned by the silver on her body?