CHAPTER 18

~~~ DAMIAN ~~~

Aiden tried to improve my mood, but it didn't work. Even though we were on our way to meet the Alpha of the Moon Creek Pack, I was perturbed.

Another feeling inside me was rising slowly.

Dread.

I dreaded going there and finding out Isabelle wasn't there, and everything about her was false. It would devastate me, but I was preparing myself regardless. I liked to be prepared no matter what, but Isabelle made it difficult.

Now that I thought of it, her name could be fake, too. Maybe it wasn't Isabelle. I'd be disappointed if that were the case, but for now, I'd be pleased enough if I found her in the pack.

My wolf kept pacing inside me, thinking about her and missing her. His pacing disturbed me even more and made it hard for me to focus. When we reached the pack's borders, I felt like changing into my wolf and running straight inside the border to search for her myself. That'd be a disaster.

It took all my control as my brother talked to the patrolling guard and asked to meet the Alpha. We had to wait for a few moments before getting permission to enter. The air in the car was tense as Aiden pulled up in front of the Alpha's office.

Consequently, the administrative building was right next to it. I could search for her, but I held myself back. I was there to look for my mate, not to make enemies. One wrong move would send the wrong message to the Alpha.

We got out of the car and stepped inside the office.

The Alpha's secretary gave us a curious yet guarded look before leading us to his office. The rest that happened next was a blur, but after talking to the Alpha, it was clear that Isabelle was not part of the pack.

The Alpha had never heard of her. No member named Isabelle had ever been in his pack, and no she-wolf named Isabelle had ever worked as his junior administrator.

It was a quick meeting— one that broke something inside me. But again, I was curious. Why would she feel the need to do this? What could be her motivation to lie to me, to upstage such of thing?

"I have a theory," Aiden declared while driving back to the hotel.

"Speak," I muttered. I was mulling over it repeatedly until I couldn't think straight anymore.

All I could think about was our meeting last night and how she had smiled at me, touched me, talked to me. My body was still yearning for her, especially my knot. Without her, it felt like life had been sucked out of me.

"Look, I'm shooting arrows in the dark, but I'm trying. Thinking isn't my strongest skill, but lately, I've had to do a lot of it because that she-wolf has hijacked your mind," he said, irritating me further.

"Just spit it out," I demanded.

"I think Isabelle, or whatever her name is, has something to do with Alex," Aiden expressed. My head snapped towards him with lightning speed.

"What?" I asked, unable to believe my ears at first.

He sighed deeply before repeating, "Isabelle might have to do something with Alex. She fed all the info to Jules, remember?” “He claimed she knew something," I reminded him.

"Well... not directly. Isabelle told him the basics, just about the wolves in the area and….”

"Still, why is all the information about her out there fake?" He questioned me, and this time, I was quiet. I had no other defence. I mulled over his words in silence and found myself agreeing.

"We need to talk to Fidel," I stated.”

“That is needed. I was looking for him last night but didn't find him. Rory said he left after figuring out his date was your mate," Aiden told me,

"Saving his neck, probably.”

"Find him and call him back. I'm going to talk to him," I growled. I needed to know everything he knew about her, including how he found her and their relationship before I met her. Even though he was utterly innocent, my jealousy was at its peak.

"I don't think that'd be a good idea," Aiden chuckled. "I'll handle him once we go back. You can go check in with the cyber team. We will have a meeting about it in the afternoon and plan our next move," Aiden declared, sounding serious. I peeked at him briefly, ensuring it was my brother talking.

It was rare to see him serious. He was taking hold of the situation because I was struggling to focus. I needed to take control back and lead. As much as I liked to see my brother taking responsibility, I preferred to see him reckless and carefree. That was his forte. I didn't want to change him.

"But whatever it is, I wouldn't be surprised if Isabelle has some sort of connection with Alex," Aiden proclaimed.

"I'm beginning to think that as well," I agreed, but at this point, I didn't care about that anymore. I just wanted to see her anyhow, at any cost. I'd give away everything to get her in my arms.

"Enough moping. Let's get to work," Aiden spoke as we pulled up in front of the hotel. As soon as we entered the lobby, Rory and Jules greeted us.

Immediately, I wanted to grab Jules and drag him somewhere alone and get everything out of him, but before I could do that, Rory stepped in between us, "The cyber team reported an emergency.”

"What is it?" I demanded, irritated.

These days, something seemed to always be coming up. His expression told me nothing was good, but I needed to hear it.

"One of the main offshore bank accounts has been frozen," Rory said.

"How much was in there?"

"A sizeable amount. Three hundred million," Rory answered, tensed.

"And lemme guess who did this," Aiden mocked.

"Alex?”

Rory nodded hesitantly before adding, "There's more. The cyber team has called for a meeting as soon as you two get back.”

"Let's get going then," I gritted, getting into the lift with the three of them. However, I kept an eye on Jules. He was unnaturally quiet this morning and maintained his distance. He was wise for doing that.

"The timing is too perfect," Aiden noted. "She's watching us.”

"Who?" Rory asked.

"Isabelle,” Aiden winked at me.

DO YOU THINK AIDEN IS RIGHT ABOUT ISABELLE AND ALEX BEING RELATED? I’M EAGER TO READ YOUR THOUGHTS.