Chapter 11

11

Gideon's heart pounded as he and Caleb raced through the dense woods surrounding their community. The scent of pine and damp earth filled his nostrils, but there was no trace of Liza's scent. His wolf's senses were heightened, his ears straining to catch any sound that might lead them to her. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig set him on edge, but none of it was her.

Something caught his eye—a small, flickering light, faint against the shadows of the trees. He surged forward, his heart leaping into his throat as he saw the lantern lying on the ground, its glow dimming but still visible. Liza had made this lantern back at the festival.

"Caleb, over here," Gideon called, his voice rough with desperation. He pushed through the underbrush, his keen eyes scanning for any sign of her.

Caleb appeared beside him, his face tense. "Anything?"

"She was here."

Gideon knelt beside the lantern, his fingers brushing over the cool metal. He inhaled deeply, trying to catch her scent. The scent was gone. Vanished, as if she had never been there at all.

Gideon's mind raced, trying to make sense of what he was experiencing. It didn't make any sense. Scents didn't just disappear like that.

"It's like she's being masked," Caleb said, his eyes narrowed, scanning the area with the same intensity. "Is this Rob bastard an Alpha?"

"No," Gideon replied, shaking his head. "At least, it didn't say so in the information on him."

Masking a scent like this required something more—either an Alpha's strength or something darker, something twisted and unnatural. Had Rob contracted a witch or a wizard? None in this area would dare. But there were unscrupulous covens out there.

Gideon clenched his fists, frustration and fear bubbling up inside him. His eyes swept the area again, desperately searching for any clue, any sign that might help them. But the forest was silent, offering no answers, only the oppressive sense of something wrong.

The brothers continued their search, moving deeper into the forest. Gideon's senses were on high alert, his muscles coiled and ready to spring. The bond he shared with Maize was like a constant ache in his chest, a reminder of his failure to protect Liza. He couldn't bear to face Maize again without bringing her sister back.

"She's not here," Caleb said, his voice low. "We've covered every inch of this place."

"We can't give up. She has to be somewhere."

Caleb placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm. "Gideon, we've been searching for hours. We need to regroup, come up with a new plan."

Gideon shook him off, his frustration mounting. "We don't have time for that. Liza's out there, and she's in danger. We need to find her now."

Caleb's eyes softened with understanding. "I know. But running ourselves ragged isn't going to help her. Let's head to the community center, see if anyone else has found anything."

Gideon hated the thought of leaving the search, but he knew Caleb was right. They needed more eyes, more resources. With a reluctant nod, he turned back toward the direction of their community center, his heart heavy.

As they made their way back, Gideon's mind raced with a thousand thoughts. He thought of Maize, the anguish in her eyes when she realized Liza was missing. He thought of his promise to her, a promise he had failed to keep. The weight of his failure bore down on him, a constant gnawing at his conscience.

They reached the edge of the forest, and the sounds of the community reached their ears—the distant hum of conversations, the clatter of daily activities.

Caleb glanced at him, concern etched on his face. "We'll find her, Gideon. We just need to keep our heads."

Gideon nodded, but his eyes were filled with a steely determination. He wouldn't stop until Liza was safe. He owed that to Maize. He owed it to Liza. She was his family now, too.

The two brothers trudged back toward the remnants of the festival grounds. The morning light revealed the chaos left behind—scattered debris, torn banners fluttering in the breeze, and the faint lingering scent of food and smoke. The festival that had been a vibrant celebration now felt like a haunting echo of joy.

Elijah joined them, his appearance disheveled and guilt etched into his features. He was the last to have seen the young woman. "No one's seen her in town. But no one's noticed any strange people or cars in town either."

"So she's still here," said Caleb. "But where?"

"We need to retrace her steps," Gideon said.

The three of them moved through the aftermath of the festival, their senses heightened. Gideon could feel the remnants of the festivities beneath his feet—the trampled grass, the faint crunch of discarded cups and wrappers. The air was thick with the scent of day old sweat and decaying food and the acrid tang of tension.

They reached the spot where they had last scented Liza. Gideon knelt, inhaling deeply. Her scent was faint but distinct, a floral sweetness mixed with the earthy undertone that was uniquely hers.

They followed the trail, moving slowly so as not to lose it this time. Suddenly, another scent hit Gideon—stronger, more immediate. Looking up, he saw that his brothers sensed it too. Like Gideon, their brows rose in confusion, but they followed their noses. The scent led them to their Alpha's home. The air was thick with a mix of dominance and possessiveness that made Gideon's hackles rise.

Elijah shoved Caleb on the shoulder. "You knock."

"No, you." Caleb shoved his older brother back. "You were the last with her."

Gideon passed them both and knocked on the door. A moment later, the door swung open to reveal Rylan. Their Alpha's eyes appeared wild and untamed. The scent of Liza was strong, unmistakable inside the house.

"What's going on, Rylan?" Gideon demanded, trying to keep his voice steady.

Rylan's gaze was intense, his inner wolf clearly visible. "I've found my fated mate," he declared, his voice a low growl. "And I'm not letting her go."

The raw possessiveness in Rylan's voice was unmistakable. The Alpha's eyes glowed with a feral light, his wolf barely contained. There was no reasoning with a wolf in this state.

"Can I see her and?—"

"She's mine," Rylan insisted, his voice a mix of human and beast. He snatched the lantern from Gideon's hold.

The tension in the air crackled like static. The Alpha's dominance was overwhelming, a force of nature that demanded submission. The three brothers all bowed their heads.

At least Liza was safe—physically. Gideon had no idea how he was going to explain this to Maize. But then he felt a gut punch rip through the mating bond. Maize was in distress.