12. Chapter 12 - The Missing Alpha

Chapter 12 - The Missing Alpha

Evelyn

I needed answers, and I needed them fast. After some thinking, I decided it was time to dig deeper. At Karla's place, I got a hunch that something was missing, but hidden in plain sight.

I had this hunch that we needed a closer look at Alpha Mark's body, so I called Alexei. It was too risky to do it with other people, and I didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to the murder again; I didn't want to plant ideas, especially now that I knew we were being watched closely by someone or something.

I called Alexei again, but it went to voicemail, so I decided to leave him one. Maybe he was busy and would get back to me, but I would keep looking for their similarities for now.

"Hey, Alexei, it's me. I've got an idea. Let's dig up Alpha Mark's body and run another autopsy. The first exam was too rushed since we were trying not to let the news leak. We might find something else."

I was still working when the loud shrill of my phone interrupted my thoughts. It was Alexei, and I picked it up before walking into my office for a secure conversation.

"Sorry, I was busy with the Council of Elders. I listened to your voicemail as soon as I finished. Are you sure?" he said lowly as soon I picked up, and I sighed. This investigation was taking its toll on all of us.

"Yes, I am. It wouldn't hurt to take another look would it. It's been just a few days, and we can still find something useful," I replied, hoping he would see my point of view.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, then Alexei's voice came through, determined. "You think it'll give us more clues?"

I nodded, even though he couldn't see it. "Yeah, I do. Meet me later, and we'll drive there together."

"Sure thing, Evelyn. I'll be there."

***

The sun set as we reached the burial site. We exchanged a glance, and without a word, we began digging.

As the dirt piled up beside us, Alexei finally broke the silence. "You really think this will help, Evelyn?"

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, pushing the shovel into the ground. "I don't know, but it's worth a shot. The first analysis was rushed, and we might have missed something."

We worked in silence for a while, the only sound was the rhythmic thud of shovels hitting the ground. As we reached the coffin, a sense of unease settled over me. The lid was open, revealing an empty coffin.

We both stood in shock as we stared at the coffin. Few people knew that Alpha Mark was buried here. This could mean many things. Most notably, things just got a lot scarier.

"He was supposed to be here. What the hell happened to his body?" Alexei asked and I shook my head slowly, dumbfounded. I couldn't find my voice, and knowing someone had just set us a thousand steps back was making me feel dreadful.

I nodded, a sense of urgency coursing through me. "We need to find out who took his body and why. It is the key to unraveling this whole mess. It's even worse because we have no idea what they will use the body for. It could set a lot of things in motion."

"We will talk more when we get home. Let's get out of here first. Right now," Alexei said curtly, and I nodded. Having sensitive conversations in the open like this, especially since someone had been here before us, wasn't the smartest thing to do.

We hastily closed the coffin, shoveling the dirt back on top in record time before leaving the burial site in a hurry. Frustration and helplessness washed over me. "This just keeps getting more complicated," I muttered.

Alexei squeezed my hand. "We won't let this stop us, Evelyn. We'll find out who's behind this and bring them to justice."

I looked into his eyes; they gave me the reassurance I sought. "I know we will, Alexei. We just need to keep pushing forward, no matter what."

As we walked away from the burial site, the darkness of the night enveloped us. The mystery deepened, but so did our resolve. Together, as sheriff and mayor and, more importantly, partners, we would uncover the truth and bring peace back to Harmony Grove.

***

The Sheriff's Department was dimly lit when Oberyn walked in. His eyes, filled with worry and frustration, met mine. He didn't waste any time beating around the bush. I knew he would come here. I just didn't think it would be this soon.

"Evelyn, we need to find Alpha Mark. Some of the pack members are suspecting me, thinking I had something to do with his disappearance, especially with my initial reluctance for the treaty. I need your help. The pack members don't even know the talisman is missing and we have a full moon approaching, we need to find it before then and find Mark too."

I took a deep breath, my mind racing. I couldn't tell him the truth about Mark's death. I had to keep it a secret to avoid chaos within the werewolf pack.

"Oberyn, I'll do everything possible to help you find Mark. We'll prove your innocence and bring your friend home."

He nodded, a mix of gratitude and tension on his face. "I appreciate that, Evelyn. This whole thing is still a surprise to me, Mark isn't a deserter, he would never leave us or the pack. At least not without goodbye. Something is wrong and I can feel it in my wolf."

"We'll find him and the talisman," I assured him, though guilt gnawed at me from the inside. The talisman could be anywhere right now, and Mark's body was missing, too, but here I was, assuring Oberyn that I would find his alpha.

Oberyn's eyes bore into mine. "I've got to clear my name, Evelyn. I can't have my pack turning against me."

"I understand, Oberyn. I've started the investigation; we'll find Mark, and you'll have the chance to prove your innocence."

He nodded again, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Thank you, Evelyn. I'll be waiting for your updates."

As Oberyn left my office, I sank into my chair. The weight of the secret I was keeping from him pressed down on me. I promised to find Mark, but I already knew where he was – six feet under. It was even worse now that his body was missing, and we had no leads on the missing talisman, either.

I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. I couldn't let Oberyn down now that he had come to me directly. The pack was on the verge of chaos, suspicions threatening to tear it apart. I needed answers, and I needed them fast.

The pack dynamics were shifting, and I couldn't help but wonder if the killer was someone within their own ranks. What if Mark had enemies, people who wanted him gone? I couldn't even tell Oberyn that to his face. It just doesn't feel right.

***

The next day, the pack gathered in a clearing, tension thick in the air. Oberyn stood beside me, his gaze fixed on the expectant faces of his fellow werewolves.

"I know you're all worried and anxious," I began, my voice carrying through the silence. "We're working tirelessly to find Mark. It's a complex situation, and we need your cooperation and trust."

Questions and murmurs rippled through the pack, but I held up my hand. "I can't reveal all the details yet, but I promise you, we're making progress. Trust in Oberyn as your beta, and trust in me to bring Alpha Mark back to you."

Oberyn stepped forward, his eyes meeting mine. "I need your support, my pack. We're facing challenges, but together, we'll overcome them. Evelyn is doing everything she can to find Mark, and we need to stand united."

The pack members exchanged glances, but finally a sense of solidarity settled in. I could see the trust slowly building, though the shadows of suspicion still lingered.

As the meeting dispersed, Oberyn approached me. "Thank you, Evelyn. I don't know how much longer I could have held them together."

I nodded, my mind still occupied with the looming truth. "We'll find Mark, Oberyn. I promise."

After the pack dispersed, I returned to my office. The weight of the secret I was keeping from Oberyn and the werewolves pressed down on me like a boulder. I collapsed into my chair, exhaustion seeping into every bone.

The truth was a heavy burden, but I couldn't let it crush the fragile peace we desperately tried to maintain in Harmony Grove. I promised Oberyn I would find Mark, and I intended to keep that promise – even if it meant confronting the painful reality that Mark was gone for good. I was beginning to get an understanding of how Alexei must have felt before when keeping such secrets from me.