Sebastian
There was no trace of her anywhere. Every search and every query yielded negative results.
Fuck this!
A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead. My heart's rhythm grew louder, each passing second eroding my grasp on composure—I can't forgive myself if anything happens to her or our child. Past mistakes already burdened me, and failing them now would be unbearable.
"Any leads?".
"No, Alpha. No sign of her," came the reply.
"Then search around! Why the fuck are you calling me without anything to report? Damn it!”
"Apologies, Alpha. We'll expand the search."
I disconnected and flung the phone away. This situation was maddening. Worry consumed me, and Aaron's tactics, unexpected. I had misjudged his feelings for Athena, forgetting the twisted core that might lead him to harm her for his ego's sake.
Damn it! I should've seen this coming. Accompanied her instead of letting her go with Cora.
How could I act fucking careless?!
I sped up the car, the dark night heightening my fears.
What if he hurts her?
"I need to save her. I have to think something, do something, god I can’t let her get hurt," I muttered, taking a sharp turn.
I'd scoured every possible hideout—Aaron's mansions, pack territory—yet no trace of him or my mate. Hotels, bars, construction sites—all were barren. The expected leads yielded nothing.
He's taken her somewhere unknown. Somewhere I've missed. A secret spot eludes me.
Where could it be? He needs a safe haven. He won't roam, knowing he'd be caught.
Where, then?
"Athena, send me a signal," I whispered, gripping the wheel, "You've done it before. Please—"
The phone rang. Cora's number lit up.
I reached for the phone, grabbing it from the side seat, "Hello, Co—“
"Sebastian, it's Vincent," urgency laced his words, "Any news about Athena?"
"No, I haven't. I'm searching for her everywhere, and I've got guards combing the entire city," I replied, my voice tense, “Are you at the hospital? Is Cora okay?"
"Yeah, Cora's fine now. Listen, Sebastian. I think there's a place Aaron might go," Vincent said urgently, “It's where he sought refuge after betraying his pack. He mentioned living there for a while. It's a spot he frequented—whether for solitude or sinister purposes. He spoke of it very fondly, almost odd. I suspect he might have taken Athena there."
"What? Do you have any details about the location, Vincent? Any clues?"
"I'm not entirely certain, but from what he shared with Celine and me, the description points to a place near a river— He had said, he loves the place because he could easily discard the bodies into it and every time the water turned red with their blood, it gave him satisfaction. He mentioned a jungle beginning right behind it. The isolation and quiet were draws for him. It's likely not within the city—more likely abandoned, without close neighbors."
"You're right, it would have to be outside the city. But where could it—" My words trailed off as a sudden howl echoed not just in my mind, but around me.
What the…
"Athena..." her name slipped from my lips.
"What's happening, Sebastian? Have you found her?"
"I just heard her..." I stammered.
"Heard what?"
"Vincent, I-I heard her wolf. She's nearby... it's not far. She's around."
"Wait, what are you talking about? I thought she didn't have a—" He paused, realization dawning, "Her wolf... it's still somewhat active in her. That night, she almost shifted. She can partially transform when necessary—when her life's on the line."
"Yes, that's it. It's her, I'm sure. But I can't quite track her because the connection is weak. Her wolf might not be fully conscious right now. I need to establish a stronger link."
He thought for a moment before speaking again. "Sebastian, while you can't connect directly to her, you can connect with your child. You should be able to track him. I managed to track my... my wife when she was pregnant," his voice wavered briefly, "You can track her through your child. You can do it, man. Give it a shot—try to connect with her. You have two bonds to follow, one should respond."
"I can connect with my son?"
"Yes. You can. You've already received a signal, so now concentrate. Try to get another one. Stay calm and take it step by step," he instructed, "Also, I need a favor. Keep your phone's location active and let me know which room Celine used to occupy in your house."
"Why do you want to know that?" A sudden hesitation gripped me. I didn't want him to go there. I hadn't even set foot in that room since that night—my guilt refused to fade. Regardless of her motivations, I remained her tormentor. The way I treated her, and how she immolated herself in the flames of revenge, flames I may have kindled, knowingly or unknowingly.
She was a burden of my transgressions. One of the many I had wronged.
"Because there's something Tristan needs to confront. He must learn the truth, and the only person who can persuade him is Celine."
***
Athena
In mere seconds, Tristan had Aaron trapped in a chokehold, his body pinned to the wall. The grip tightened, face turning a deadly hue as veins pulsated, threatening to rupture.
"People die when they lose something they love," his grip on Aaron's throat grew fiercer, eyes aflame with an ancient animosity, as if he had harbored this hate for eons, waiting to release it, “People die when their loved ones are taken from them. Death is a pain you can't fathom. You feel them slipping away, bit by bit. It's agonizing. And even worse when you sense the bond shatter—the one you held dear for so long, the one you anticipated reuniting with one day. When you feel their life slip... you die, every single day, Aaron Lozano!"
"Lozano..." His surname tumbled from my lips. I had heard it that night from Celine herself…that night. Aaron's involvement with her family was real from the beginning.
What a monstrous being I had mistaken as a friend! It was shameful how much I had cared for him.
"So it wasn't just about your anger. You were actually involved with Celine and her family from the outset," my words quavered, "You weren't lying.”
"Lying? Seriously, Athena? You still had doubts after he attempted to inject some goddamn venom into you to kill your child?" Tristan's chuckle glancing back at me, “I see, you really are something. No wonder Sebastian is utterly crazy for you. He probably believes you're a pure-hearted angel."
Why did his words directed at me drip with such venom?
"But are you really an angel? I highly doubt that. You too have someone's blood on your hands," he continued, dropping Aaron to the ground. Aaron coughed and gasped for air as Tristan approached me, crouching to meet my gaze at eye level. "You've taken a life too, Athena, haven't you?"
"What in the world are you saying? No!” I protested, my voice rising with panic. "I've never harmed anyone."
"Weren't you present the day Celine was killed?"
"Yes, I was there, but she wasn't murdered. She died trying to—" My words froze in my throat.
Hold on... Why is he asking about Celine?
Understanding surged through me, and a hushed gasp escaped, "You're her...mate."
"Yes, I was, until you and that monster snatched her away from me forever," his voice was an eerie, bone-chilling coldness.
"I warned you, foolish woman, didn't I?" Aaron sneered as he stood, "I told you and your mate about this bastard, but you both refused to believe me. Maybe I should've let you taste death, since you're truly unworthy. All you care about is your monstrous mate, and now this...this infant. But I have another issue to deal with. So I'll start by ending this bastard, and then it'll be your precious baby's turn. And mark my words, if I go down, I'll drag all of you into the abyss with me. I'm not a kind man."
In a swift motion, Aaron seized the dagger and lunged at Tristan. But before he could strike, Tristan swiftly caught his wrist, twisting it in a painful hold. Aaron grimaced, dropping the weapon to the floor.
The sight was horrifying. Tristan hadn't flinched, nor had his gaze wavered from me.
He was ice-cold, a deadly presence. The pieces fell into place. The sudden leaps in my growth after taking those medications, the deceiving progress that always led to failure—it became clear. Tristan sought vengeance for Celine's death, and killing both me and my child was his chosen path.
As I pondered, the pain in my abdomen intensified, reaching an unbearable crescendo.
I had to do something.
Terror gripped me. Tristan hadn't flinched, his gaze unwavering, locked onto me without a second's break.
I closed my eyes, reaching out to my wolf who shared my fear, "I need your help."
'I understand, but you know I can't fully take control. Shifting into your body hasn't worked in the past.'
"Yes, I'm aware. But like that night, try to send a signal to Sebastian. Please, just try."
'I'll do my best.'
"Yes, Athena. Thank you. Send one to your mate because, without him, the game can't be won."
Tristan's words jarred me, his smirk unsettling. "However, the side character's role is done, and he must exit the stage." He stood, retrieving the same dagger, and aimed it at Aaron's neck.
"You think you can kill me that easily, you bastard?" Aaron laughed, landing a punch on Tristan's face, causing him to stumble back.
"Of course not. I knew you'd put on a show, trying to be brave, but the truth remains. You're a bottom-feeder, living off your masters' scraps. First the previous alpha of your pack, then Sebastian, Vincent, and Celine. You're avaricious and lacking self-respect," Tristan chuckled. "It would take me mere moments to end you, but I'll give you a chance. Impress me."
'Athena, it's not working. I tried sending a signal, but I couldn't directly connect to his wolf.'
"Damn it! I need to escape. I'm trusting you; shift. Don't worry about me, I can endure the pain. Just do it."
"I can't. I'll end up hurting you, terribly."
"I have to save my child. Please, unleash your strength. I'll tolerate whatever pain comes."
"You'll regret it," Aaron growled, lunging at Tristan. Yet, in a heartbeat, Tristan struck, plunging the blade into Aaron's abdomen, and dragging it upwards to his chest. Blood sprayed across my face and clothes. I gasped in horror as Aaron's mouth filled with blood, his wound a gaping horror.
"Changing my mind," Tristan mused thoughtfully. "I don't have time for you."
Before I could respond, I felt it. A surge of heat coursed through my body, claws emerging all at once. A strange power emanated from my core, a burning sensation as ash fur erupted through my skin.
'Brace yourself, Athena.'
And then it hit, all at once. For a fleeting second, everything turned blank: spine curving, eyes darkening, body morphing into an entirely different shape. Fangs sprouted, bones shifting and cracking, rearranging into new forms.
When my senses returned, I knew I had shifted. The ropes were no longer holding me captive.
'We need to run!' my wolf's voice resonated within me. So I did. Letting out a resounding howl, I bolted out.
My final sight was of Tristan's widened eyes, Aaron's blood painting the floor crimson. Aaron's wavering and strange gaze lacking life remained locked on me, sending shivers down my spine as I ran.