“Thank you for your statement ma’am. This should help us in locating the culprit.”
The questioning room was small and dark, a white overhead bulb casting weird shadows over the officer’s face.
Karne knew they would never find the culprit. What they were chasing was far greater than them. A creature they tagged as fantasy. She turned to Kai behind her and he gave her a small smile. She didn’t believe the humans.
But she nodded.
“I just need my son to be found, and who ever did this to be brought to justice. Amanda was the sweetest person I ever knew. And she’s just gone…. like that.”
The officer nodded curtly. “Rest assured, we are doing our very best to track your son as we speak.”
“Maybe you should try harder.” Kai snapped.
Karen sighed and turned to him. “They’re doing the most they can. We just have to wait.”
“I’m really sorry” the officer said. “You may take your leave now.”
It had been a day after the incide. Karen had to go to the police station to give them her statement. Kai had offered to come with her which she accepted. She knew it was a bit pointless, unless the humans could find their way into their realm, there was no hope for them finding the culprit.
Karen thought of poor Amanda who had done nothing wrong to deserve such a painful death.
“Karen!”
Karen looked up to see Beulah. Her eyes were bloodshot from the number of times she had cried. She ran up to Karen and hugged her tightly.
“I’m so sorry about David!” Beulah sobbed into her shoulder. She looked up and stared into Karen’s eyes. “What did they say? Any luck yet?”
Karen shook her head. “Nothing yet. But we haven’t given up hope.”
Beulah turned and looked at Kai. “Mr Sylvester?”
“Hello, Beulah. I’m sorry for your loss. I hear about what happened to Amanda”
“It’s sad.” She said and wiped her tears. “I hope they find who ever did this and crush them.”
Kai and Karen exchanged looks that Beulah didn’t see. “I hope so too ”
“Are you going home now? The place is still sealed for investigations, you can come with me. I don’t mind”
“Don’t worry beu, there’s no need.” Karen held her hand, “I’m staying with Kai for the meantime.”
Beulah’s brows shot up. Then she smiled. “Oh, that’s good. I’m happy for you ”
Karen laughed a bit. “No, it’s not like that.”
“It’s like that” Kai said and put a hand on Karen’s shoulder.
“Anyway, I have to go now. I’ll call you, okay?”
They hugged one last time. “Be safe okay?”
“I will ”
They separated. Karen turned to Kai and nodded. They headed out of the police station to Kai’s car where Nicolas was standing wait.
“Any updates?” Kai asked.
“Yes. A lot of them. From the scouts report, they did indeed see asher at her house.”
Karen gasped, color draining from her face. “He has my son…”
“Unfortunately, yes. And he also killed your nanny.”
“We have to go. Now.” Kai said. “We don’t have much time left ”
“Go to crest pack” Nicolas scoffed. “Do you understand what you’re saying? We’ll be walking into enemy territory.”
“I don’t care. This nonsense has gone on for far too long. I’ve been kind and patient with Asher out of respect and this is how he choose to treatme.”
“Verena will be there too.” Nicolas said.
“Now that’s a tough one.” Kai hissed under his breath. “Fine. For the time being, I will pardon her.”
“You mean we’re going back to the pack now?” Karen asked.
“Yes.” Kai replied. “We can’t waste anymore time.” he held the car door open for her. “Get in. I’ll send someone for whatever we need along the way.”
“I’ll join you guys later.” Nicolas said. “There’s a few things to be done here.”
“Very well.” Kai replied.
Karen got into the he car, Kai joining her not long after. She felt her heart racing in anticipation. She hadn’t imagined she would return to the realm any time soon. She hadn’t imagined it would be under these circumstances.
“Relax okay?” Kai said to her as he started the car and drove out of the station parking lot. “We’ll find him. And Asher will pay for this.”
Karen had no choice but to believehim.
****
The drive to the portal gate was a long and tiring one. Karen felt exhausted but unable to sleep due to the adrenalin pumping in her veins. She Could feel Kai’s tension too, his knuckles white with how tight he held the steering wheel
They arrived at the gates four hours later, the world it opened to up to reveal an ethereal place. Karen felt a wave of calm wash over her. No matter how much terrible memories she had of this place, it was home. The human world wasn’t home at all.
The wolf realm was like a civilization on its own . Of course there was technology, cars and all that, but it wasn’t entirely necessary.
“Crest pack isn’t that much far from the gates.” Kai spoke to her since the tip had started. “We should be there in a few minutes.”
“Okay,”
Karen wished she could admire the sceneries , but her tension didnt let her. About fifteen minutes later Kai pulled up in fornt of pack house. It was noticeably smaller than Kai’s pack house, but what drew her attention were the five men waiting in fornt.
“Verena’s brothers” Kai offered an explanation as he killed the engines and they stepped out of the car.
Karen felt her heart drop into her chest. They walked to the front door her eyes scanning the five brothers. They looked terrifying to say the least. One of them, presumably the eldest stepped forward with a cocky grin.
“Wow, who would have thought we would see you under these circumstances, young alpha ” He said rasing a hand to touch Kai’s shoulder . Kai grabbed his hand and twisted it.
“Don’t touch me.” He hissed, his eyes flashing red. He pushed him away, the rest of the four coming to stand behind their brother.
“You’re dead meat.” He hissed and spat on the floor.
“Just as you will be. Where is Asher?”
His eyes lit up. “Oh he’s waiting for you” he turned to Karen and his eyes flashed lustfully. “And her too”
Kai grabbed Karen and pushed her behind him. “Touch her and you’d he dead.”
The man raised his hand in surrender. “Right this way, father is dying to meet you.”
Karen glanced at Kai worriedly as they walked into the pack house. He had her move close to him in case anything happens he could easily protect her.
The five brothers led them to a dining room. Asher was having his dinner with there very beautiful she wolves. The sounds of their laughter filled the air, along with the sound of Cutlery.
Asher noticed them. And stood up, spreading his arms as if expecting a hug. “You made it! Young alpha I was starting at I wonder if I had misread the room.”
“Where is the boy?” Kai spat, taking a step forward. The brothers stood around their father protectively, glaring at Kai. Asher gestured to the women to leave. They ran out of the room, giggling among themselves
Asher tilted his head to the side, a pout on his face. “I can’t understand why you care so much for a son that isn’t even yours.” He turned to Karen with a devilish smile. “Am I right? Alpha’s slave?”
Bring referredd to as slave after so long triggered something in Karen.
“It was you in those gardens all along!” Karen spat. “you… what did I do to you?! Give me back my son!”
“In the gardens?” Kai asked, turning to Karen with a worried loom. “He was the one you were spotted with in the gardens?”
Karen nodded, her eyes on Asher “I didn’t know he was Verena’s father. ”
Kai chuckled, his voice deep and dark. “Ah, that explains a lot of things. You had a hand in what Verena did, didn’t you?”
Asher sighed and rolled his eyes. “What did you expect? I raised that girl.. if only she hadn’t had to turn out to be a disappointment, but that’s beside the point .”
“Where Is the boy?” Kai asked dangerously.
“If you think I’ll hand him over to your just because you asked, you’re really dumb. All you had to do, was follow instructions as you were told. And that was all!”
“I never loved Verena.” Kia said. “I respected you, and I believed I owed you my life. Yet look at how low you’ve stopped to.”
“Oh please. You don’t need to love a woman to marry her. You just do it!”
Kai scoffed. “I’m not like you.”
Asher’s the yes darkened to a dark brown. “You’re such an ungrateful lad. For a moment there I regret pulling you out of that place. Maybe you should have suffered some more!”
“What?” Karen whispered. “How could you…”
“And her,” He pointed to Karen. “How could you let the enemy so close to you! You and Verena would have made a perfect match! And yet you chose this….”
“Watch it,” Kai hissed, his eyes flashing red. “Watch your next words carefully.”
The door was thrown open and Nicolas and Verena rushed in, eyes darting around the room.
“Ah, the whole party is here.” Asher said and clapped his hand. “My darling flame princess, have you finally come to your senses?”
“I couldn’t ever be part of your wicked plans again!” Verena spat. “Return Karen’s son. Now.”
Asher rolled his eyes. “Another ungrateful brat. I was going to give you the world!” He roared. “All you had to do was do everything I said! And you would have been a very powerful Luna!”
“I didn’t want it anymore!” Verena cried out. “I’m perfect, I’m happy! why can’t you accept that?!”
“Accept it?! you just laid to waste years of patient and meticulous planning; everything I did, I did it for you so you could have a fighting chance!”
“What are you talking about?!”
“Did you really think I rescued your little alpha boyfriend out of the kindness was of my heart?”