Chapter 4

"I’ll take care of the matters with the Ebonhart and Nightwarden Packs." Alpha Talon’s voice was low, but his words were a promise, the weight of his power behind them.

I nodded, a flicker of respect rising within me. His willingness to go to such lengths for Lilith—especially within the treacherous, ever-shifting world of Pack politics—was something I hadn’t expected. It was more than loyalty; it was a fierce, protective instinct that went beyond duty.

Stepping onto the top floor of the Hotel, the city sprawling before me, I felt the cool rush of the wind. My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. Alpha Talon had sent a few messages.

[The Nightwarden Pack has confirmed Lilith is safe. The Ebonhart Pack assured us they won’t take any further action.]

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and gazed out the window, watching the sunlight glint off the buildings as it began to fade. I typed back without much thought.

[That’s a relief.]

Just as I was about to lock my phone, a new set of photos from Lilith popped up, followed by a string of hastily typed messages.

[Oops, I sent that to the wrong person.]

I opened the images, curiosity piquing my interest. There she was, serene, sipping tea, her delicate fingers brushing against a display. But it was the hand opposite hers—the firm wrist adorned with a familiar Rolex—that caught my eye. My stomach twisted. That was his watch. The one I had gifted Alpha Talon for his birthday.

I sank deeper into the plush sofa, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. Hours passed. The sun dipped beneath the horizon, but Alpha Talon never came. Impatience turned to frustration. I tried calling, but when he answered, it wasn’t his voice on the other end.

“Hello? Who is this?”

A stranger’s voice came through, calm, yet detached. “I’m the manager at Ebonhart Jewelry. Apologies, Alpha Talon is in the store selecting a ring with his Mate.”

My blood ran cold. “Who are you? What’s going on with Alpha Talon?” My voice was sharp, low, threatening. "I’ll make sure he hears about this."

I ended the call, my pulse pounding. The truth hit me like a freight train. Without another second to waste, I stormed toward the Pack’s private jet, determination like fire in my veins.

Meanwhile, across the pack, in a high-end jewelry store, Alpha Talon checked his watch, his eyes flicking to Lilith. “Pick whatever you like—necklace, bracelet, ring. Anything. I’m sorry for the rush, but I have to leave soon. Consider it a token of my apology.”

Lilith leaned back, her gaze sharp, her eyes not leaving his. She studied him for a moment, then raised a brow. “Alpha Talon, why the rush? I’m not finished yet. Which do you think would suit me better—emerald or sapphire?”

Before Alpha Talon could respond, the door burst open with a crash, and Eulalia stumbled inside, breathless, her face pale and streaked with sweat.

“Alpha! Luna —her plane—it exploded. Crashed into the sea!”

The words hit Alpha Talon like a slap, his grip slackening as the jewelry he held slipped from his hand, hitting the floor with a sharp, metallic clink.

His voice cracked, barely a whisper. “What did you just say?”

Eulalia hesitated, clearly torn by the weight of what she had to deliver. “Alpha Talon, Luna... she waited for you all afternoon to have lunch. But when you didn’t show, she said she would leave... went to Stonevale Pack alone, took the plane. And then…” Eulalia’s voice faltered. “The explosion…”

Alpha Talon’s eyes burned with a dangerous fury. “Why didn’t she call me? This isn’t like her. She never does this.”

Without another word, he yanked his phone from his pocket, his fingers trembling slightly as he furiously scrolled through the call history. He locked eyes with the store clerk, his expression turning into one of dark, relentless fury.

“Did you speak with Nyra? Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was no longer calm. It was raw, desperate, filled with the kind of panic only an Alpha could feel when something precious was slipping away. “What did she say?”