Chapter 19

Luciano’s POV

“Of course not, Alpha,” he said. His spine went straight in a second. His face was blank. “I just worry this obsession with the Crystal Lake girl is distracting you from what truly matters.”

My chair scraped the stone floor as I stood. A sudden heat, a crazy rage, flared up from months of frustration. “What matters is the safety of our pack. If the Alpha of Crystal Lake is plotting against us, if they are using Alanza as a pawn, it is my duty to find the truth. You agree with that, Delta?”

He took a step back, bowing his head in the way of a true subordinate. “I understand, Alpha. Forgive me for overstepping.”

I dragged a deep breath into my lungs, fighting my own temper. “Your concern is noted, Delta. But I need your trust on this. I know what I’m doing.”

He nodded, his look still empty. “Of course, Alpha. I’ll leave you to your work.”

He turned and walked out, closing the heavy door with a soft click. I dropped back into my seat. My hand dragged across my face. The scout’s letter was on the desk, a silent challenge, promising a truth I didn’t want to face.

My eyes closed. I took a slow breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. I knew I needed a clear head. I had to separate my feelings from the facts. But Alanza made that impossible.

With a heavy sound, I opened the paper. My eyes raced over the words. Each line felt like a fist hitting my gut. My heart sank deeper with every new piece of cruelty. The paper shook in my hands as I read, and a cold, slow fury started in my bones.

To: Alpha Westwood From: [e-mail] Subject: URGENT: For Alpha's Eyes Only

Alpha Westwood,

My source in the Crystal Lake Pack provided important details about Alanza’s life. She has been neglected and mistreated by her own family. Beta Alexander Verity is the worst offender. Her mother and siblings show no care for her well-being. They either don’t notice her or openly dislike her.

Alanza is constantly attacked by other pack members. They treat her like an outcast.

Beta Verity letting Alanza attend college surprised people in their pack. Rumors say he just wanted her out of his sight. She is paying for her school herself. Her parents give her no support.

Also, we found out Alanza has been missing since the night of the Lunar Gala. She was last seen leaving just before midnight. The Crystal Lake Pack has not tried to find her or check on her safety. It seems they are acting like she never existed.

There is more bad news. My source inside the Crystal Lake Pack told me Alanza is a wolfless shifter. She is basically human. Alpha Crystal Lake and his inner circle planned to use her as a breeder for several strong males.

They believed her family's good genes would pass to her children, increasing their future fighting power. They do not think her lack of a wolf would be passed down. My source believes Alpha Crystal Lake planned to use her to breed his next heir once she proved she could carry children.

Regarding Alpha Crystal Lake’s plans, there is talk he wants to form an alliance through mating with another pack. This would increase his power on the Council. We do not know if this alliance is friendly or for darker reasons. Whatever his plans are, he keeps them secret.

Jimena Verity has been seen attending Luna training. However, Alpha Crystal Lake does not plan to mate her.

This information came at a high cost. The person who gave me these details was one of Alpha Crystal Lake's former lovers. He has seven lovers now, all meant to breed true alpha heirs. Shortly after our meeting, my source was found dead. The cause of death is suspicious.

I worry my own position is not safe. I plan to return to the Westwood Pack quickly to protect myself and share any other information I have.

Alpha Westwood, please consider this information with care. The Crystal Lake Pack’s treatment of Alanza and their lack of concern for her safety is a serious problem. It questions the morality of their leaders and what they might do to advance their goals.

I trust you will use this knowledge to protect our pack’s interests and Alanza.

Your loyal scout, Enzo Halcon

I put the letter down. My mind spun with the ugly truth. Alanza is a wolfless shifter. I saw her delicate face, those thick glasses. The glasses were real. She has no wolf. She likely lacks the strength, sight, or scent of a shifter.

She is our fated, my wolf snarled, snapping its jaws in my mind. We would know when her wolf appears. But she has no wolf. That is why the connection felt broken.

The truth hit me like a physical blow. The air rushed out of my chest. Fck.

If Alanza is wolfless, the odd connection makes sense. The Crystal Lake Pack never touched her. To be completely honest, the connection started when I first saw her, before I even smelled her.

It had to be fate.

It is, my wolf growled low. And you threw our mate away.

Shit.

I let out a shaky breath, forcing the thought away. If I didn’t stop, I’d punch a hole through the window. Son of a bitch. My mate. And I let her walk away.

Let her disappear.

Fck!

My wolf howled without pause in my head. I picked up the letter again. Rereading it, I let every word stab my heart. Mistreated. Neglected. Assaulted.

My Alanza. My perfect mate.

Fck.

And to know what Alpha Crystal Lake planned for that sweet girl?

The puzzle pieces were clicking into place. The picture was worse than I had ever guessed. My wolf stirred, a low, deep rumble in my chest. The need to protect Alanza surged through me.

But I couldn’t let my feelings take over. I needed to be smart. I had to find more facts and make a solid plan. The safety of my pack, and now Alanza, depended on it.

I crushed the letter in my fist. A deep growl built in my throat. How could they treat her this way? Their own blood? The idea of Alanza suffering because of her family made my stomach twist with hatred and fury.

And now she is missing. Gone into the night like a shadow. I remembered holding her, the feel of her skin, the taste of her mouth. It all rushed back, but it was ruined by the knowledge of her pain.

I should have known that night. The way she shook in my arms. The hungry, desperate way she kissed me. It wasn't just lust. It was the action of a woman starving for care, for the simple warmth of human touch.

And I pushed her away. I let my own fears and suspicions blind me. My anger at the Crystal Lake Pack kept me from seeing the truth of the woman right in front of me.

I need to find her. I have to fix this.

“Enzo, I need you back here now.”