Four

Alpha Jayden.

Alpha Jayden remained in his study even after the whole mother-and-daughter charade was over.

Choosing rather sit and work than retire to his bed chambers to a wife ready to give him an ear full of how nonchalant he was about their daughter's safety.

 He was about to damn all consequences and retire to his room nonetheless when he stumbled across the unsolved– almost cold case of the three young wolves gone missing.

He mind–linked his beta demanding his presence in his study.

"Alpha." Phil greeted with a curt bow.

Alpha Jayden awarded him a stern look before tossing the files of the missing wolves to him.

"I thought I said to solve this case, Philip." Alpha scolded slumping back in his chair in frustration and tiredness. He had had a long day already and this was going to elongate it even more.

Phil glanced down at the files on the desk not even bothering to pick them up. He took his seat opposite the Alpha making himself comfortable.

"And I told you I was on it,"

He said warily.

Alpha knew pretty well he hadn't, he was too distracted with other things.

"Philly, what's wrong with you nowadays?" All his sternness filtered away when he noticed the eye bags under his friend's eyes. It was obvious that Phil hadn't been sleeping.

"This is all because of that search-" The Alpha started but he was cut short.

"Jay, don't." Phil retorted sharply, hating to talk about her.

"When it's time, you'd find. You will," Alpha Jayden said with such confidence that Phil almost believed him.

Alpha Jayden worried for his friend. He had been on this search for years now.

"It's been years, Jay." He sounded broken and Jay felt his heart reach out to him. "I'm almost fifty." He shook his head in self-pity and continued, "Maybe the moon goddess didn't think it necessary to give me a mate, maybe-"

"As I said, you'll find your mate when the time comes. Maybe the moon goddess just took a bit more time in carving such the perfect woman for you." He joked with a smirk, earning a smile from Phil.

"Now stop worrying and get to work, get to work and find those kids. They need you." Alpha Jayden stretched a hand to pat Phil on his shoulder.

He knew his pep talk had worked when Phil picked up the files and thumbed through them. His brows creased in concentration.

They both sat in silence for a while. The Alpha watched Phil go through the files, waiting for him to come up with some theories.

He had his guesses, however. He could only hope it wasn't the Red Skull Park that had taken those lads. He feared the possibility of it all.

"I suspect it's the Red Skull Park."

Phil voiced out his worry, "If it's them-" Phil halted in his tracks, looking up to exchange worried looks with Jayden.

"They're probably dead."

The Alpha finished Phil's sentence with dread coursing through his veins.

As much as he wished it was most likely not the case here, he still wondered if they had. There were possibilities. But why would they?

They had settled their disagreements about a year back–or so he hoped.

The Red Skull Park had always been a rival of the Diamond Shadow Park since he was but a boy and he had to fight two wars with them before he had Mia. He knew well enough how dangerous and barbaric they were. They could go to any length just to prove a point.

 

He wanted to avoid battles with them as much as he could. Alpha Kayden couldn't possibly let the kingdom face a war with them again. Especially not now that he had Mia.

But he couldn't confront them as it'd be calling for war. They were hot-blooded and quick to choose violence over reason.

He ran his hand down his face again, releasing a frustrated sigh.

He feared for the lives of the lads but also feared a war.

They'd crush the Red Skull Park but he couldn't risk the bloodshed that'd have to occur.

"We can't jump to a conclusion just yet." Phil broke the silence, looking up at the Alpha who had paced to the shelf deep in thoughts.

"We can't but it's always better to prepare for the worst." Alpha Jayden stated.

"What are we to do?" Phil inquired warily.

"How would I know? You're the strategist here," was the alpha's quick reply.

Phil chuckled, "You're awful at this."

The Alpha shared a laugh with his beta.

"Heard what happened today at the palace?" Phil asked in a bid to change the worrisome topic. He had enough to worry about.

Alpha Jayden sighed again before they both exchanged looks and burst out, laughing.

Alpha Jayden appreciated how they could communicate with just their eyes not having to say a word.

"She worries too much," Alpha Jayden said exhilaratingly.

"She'll age quicker than you will at this stage."

They both laughed again and then smiled boyishly at each other.

"I tell her that all the time." Alpha Jayden couldn't agree more.

"Remember how she was before you had Mia?"

Alpha Jayden remembered all too well. They both went into another laughing feat.

"She was a tiger!" Alpha Jayden was grateful for the reminder.

Stella had been very tough and he loved her for it. She'd always wanted to do whatever he was doing. Be it swordsmanship or even wrestling, she wanted to do it all.

When he climbed a building, she'd want to climb too even if they both knew it was impossible. She had always believed that she could do whatever he did–even more.

She was daring with absolutely no care in the world.

After having Mia, however, she became a tad too careful.

Understandable though. They had waited years for her arrival

And then, the mark...

Those were indeed fun memories.

"I'll take my leave now, Alpha"

Phil jumped to his feet still smiling. The Alpha smiled back waving him away dismissively.

Phil exited and the Alpha was left with his thoughts.

What on earth was he to do about the missing children?