Chapter 22

22

SEARCHING

Wyatt

The sun casts long shadows across my office as I sit at my desk, the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders. I can’t shake the image of Octavia’s bloodstained gown from my mind. It’s a haunting reminder of the horror that has unfolded — the kidnapping, the betrayal, and the impending chaos surrounding the Luna Ceremony. The thought of Rachel, the woman who faked a pregnancy to manipulate me, sends a surge of rage through my veins. I can’t let her get away with this. I can’t let her hurt my fated mate.

I glance at the aerial view plans spread across my desk, the intricate lines and shapes of the forest surrounding our pack land. Each tree stands as a sentinel, guarding secrets that feel both familiar and foreign. I trace a path with my finger, contemplating every inch of the terrain. The woods are vast, a tangled mess of branches and underbrush that could easily swallow someone whole. And somewhere in that wilderness, Octavia is waiting for me, scared and alone.

My mind races as I consider calling the neighboring alphas for help. They have resources, men who can search the woods with me, but the thought of their faces, twisted with disdain, stops me. They’ve resented my rise to power, my bond with Octavia. They see me as a threat, and I can’t afford to show any weakness now. But the thought of going at it alone gnaws at me. What if I don’t find her in time?

“Wyatt, you need to eat,” Dalton says as he steps into my office, his voice breaking through the fog of my thoughts. He leans against the doorframe, tattooed arms crossed, concern etched across his face. “Octavia would kick your ass and mine for not taking care of yourself while she’s gone.”

A slight smile flickers across my lips at the mention of her name, but it fades as quickly as it appeared. “I don’t have time for that, Dalton. I need to find her.”

“Yeah, I get that. But you can’t do anything on an empty stomach,” he replies, his tone lighter now. “Besides, you can’t let her down. You know she’d never forgive you if something happened to you because you didn’t even eat a damn granola bar.”

“Don’t remind me,” I mutter, rubbing the bridge of my nose. The thought of Octavia’s disappointment is a weight I don’t want to bear.

Just then, Harrison walks in, his presence commanding yet relaxed. “What’s going on?” he asks, glancing between Dalton and me.

“Wyatt’s being stubborn again,” Dalton says, shaking his head. “He’s too focused on Octavia.”

“Good,” Harrison says. “We need that focus. But we also need a plan. What about Rachel? Have you thought about going to her parents? They might know something.”

I nod slowly, the idea taking root in my mind. “You might be right. If anyone can help us track her down, it’s them. They might have an idea of where she could have gone.”

“Let’s hit the road then,” Harrison says, clapping me on the shoulder. “We’ll figure this out.”

I stand abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor as I grab my denim jacket. “I’ll drive,” I say, determination surging through me. The thought of Rachel’s parents stirs a mix of anger and urgency within me. They may have raised the monster that has taken my mate, but I’ll be damned if I let them go unchallenged.

We make our way to the outskirts of our territory, the familiar landscape blurring as I focus on the road ahead. I can’t shake the feeling that time is running out. Every second spent driving is a second closer to losing Octavia forever.

As we pull up to Rachel’s parents' house, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come. I can’t allow my emotions to cloud my judgment. I need answers, and I need them now.

I bang my fist against the door, the sound echoing in the stillness of the evening. It swings open almost immediately, revealing Lena, Rachel’s mother. Her eyes are red-rimmed, tears evident on her cheeks.

“Alpha, what do you want?” she asks, her voice shaky.

“Where is Rachel?” I demand, my tone sharp. “I know she’s involved in Octavia’s kidnapping.”

“Wyatt, please!” Lena’s voice trembles as she steps back, her fear palpable. “You don’t understand!”

“Try me,” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “Tell me where she is, or I swear I’ll?—”

Just then, Eugene, Rachel’s father, appears from behind her, his expression darkening as he sees me towering over his mate. “What the hell is going on here?” he growls. “Alpha, why are you yelling at Lena?”

“Because your daughter has kidnapped my mate!” I bark, the fury bubbling to the surface. “Now, unless you want me to make this worse, you better start talking.”

Lena breaks down then, her sobs echoing through the entryway. “I—she sent me a letter. She said she needed help escaping. She made me think it’s all a mistake. That Octavia put her in that cell out of jealousy.”

I scoff, incredulous. “Jealous? Rachel is a lunatic. She’s delusional if she thinks she can just take Octavia’s place at my side.”

“She’s breaking down, Wyatt!” Lena cries, reaching for Eugene’s hand. “She thinks you’re hers, that you belong to her. I’m scared for her, for both of you.”

“It’s not about Rachel!” I shout, frustration boiling over. “It’s about Octavia. Your Luna! Where did she go? Did she mention anything?”

Eugene steps forward, trying to shield Lena from my wrath. “You need to calm down. This isn’t helping anyone.”

“Calm down?” I can feel the heat radiating off me, my wolf clawing at the surface, desperate to be unleashed. “You’re protecting a kidnapper!”

“Wyatt, please,” Lena pleads, tears streaming down her face. “She could have gone to our old hunting cabin. It’s on the other side of Shelby. Not many people know about it. It’s abandoned, but Rachel — she loved it there. That’s all I know, I promise.”

The mention of the cabin sends a rush of adrenaline through me. “That’s it. You have to tell me how to get there.”

Lena hesitates, looking to Eugene for support. “It’s been years. I don’t remember exactly how to get there.”

“Then I’ll figure it out,” I growl. “If you’re lying to me?—”

“Wyatt, I swear on my life, I’m not!” Lena interrupts, desperation lacing her words. “Please, just find her. She’s not well. If she thinks you’re coming for her?—”

I cut her off, “I don’t care what Rachel thinks. I care about Octavia.”

Without another word, I turn on my heel, storming out of the house. “Dalton, get the warriors ready. We’re heading to Shelby.”

“Right behind you,” Dalton replies, moving with purpose.

As I climb into my car, the engine roaring to life, I can feel the weight of urgency settling in my chest. Every moment counts. Octavia is out there, and I’ll stop at nothing to bring her back. The image of her warm smile flashes in my mind, a beacon of hope in this dark time.

“Hold on, Octavia,” I whisper to the empty space beside me. “I’m coming. I won’t let you down.”