CHAPTER FIVE

Zack sauntered slowly through the forest basking in the evening breeze. The setting sun spread on his shirtless skin and for a moment one could have though je was bathed in gold. His mother was standing underneath an oak tree and he went to stand beside her. 

“Do you still sorry for her?” she asked without looking at him. 

Zack gave the question some thought before answering. “Its been months since she disappeared and since then a lot has happened.”

“You did what you did for your father. I know how request did not seat well with you but it was for the benefit of our pack. It was all the option we had.”

She looked up at him now and Zack saw all the plea in her eyes. Their green bore into his. Zack looked away. 

“But he’s dead now.”

“Yes. Think of what you want to do and how it would affect this pack. In everything, the pack should always come first, before even your own happiness. Your marriage to Fiona is in good for the pack.”

Zack swayed lightly and then began to move away, leaving his mother underneath the tree. 

He returned to the pack house. His Beta, Gaus was there and walked to meet him. “We shall go on as I said.” Zack said. “She is still a part of this pack, we can only forget about her if all ties with her have been cut off. We know that hasn’t happened yet. She’s still one of us.”

“But it has been three whole months. We’ve looked through all the neighboring packs even making an enemy out of some and we haven’t found her. If she’s still alive – “

Zack cast him a glare, he raised his hand but continued. 

“IF she’s still alive, then we would have found her by now or maybe she doesn’t want to be found. Ever thought of that?”

Zack shook his head. “Why would she ever want to hide from us? We’re the only family she has. Why would she risk becoming a lone wolf?”

“C’mon, Zack. Don’t act like you don’t know Gwen. She’s like a ticking time bomb. You know she’s very reckless.”

Zack growled. “I’m not talking about this again, Beta Gaus. I am your alpha and I have given an order. I expect you to follow through and report to me. That’s all.”

Zack walked away. His mind was in turmoil and so was his heart. Fiona rose from the bed as he walked in and came to him. 

“How did the meeting go?” she asked. 

Zack didn’t respond. He took his seat on the bed and began to work on some files. 

“Did you see your mother? She went out looking for you. I told her you went for the pack meeting but she insisted on going out to see you.” She sat beside him. “Is everything alright?”

“Everything is fine. I’ve seen her and we’ve talked.”

Fiona nodded. “Is there something you’d like to tell me?”

Zack gazed at her. “Like?”

“For starters, that you’re searching for Gwen. Why am I just hearing this?”

“For starters Fiona, I do not report to you. Gwen is a part of this park and if something happens to her while in the wild it would be on all of us. We take care of one of ours.”

A light knock sounded on the door and one of the guards walked in. 

“Ivy is here for you, Zack.” He said. 

“Okay. Tell her I’ll be right down.” He turned to Fiona. “Never talk to me like I owe you an explanation for every action I carry out.”

Fiona stood to her feet. “I only takes a simple question and you’re getting all worked up. Your father closed her case. Why are you reopening the search?”

Zack growled and pushed her violently on the bed. He was on top of her in a moment and her neck in his hands. “Don’t talk to me like that.” He hissed. “I’m your alpha before anything else.”

He pushed himself up and began to move towards the door. 

“You still love her.” Fiona stated. She was behind him and her hand was rubbing where he had squeezed. 

His jaw clenched and then he left. 

Ivy stood as he approached. “Zack.”

“Please seat.” He gestured to the seat he had been using. “You asked for me.”

“Yes.” Ivy replied. “I heard you were reopening the search for her. O want to be part of the committee. If Gwen is still out there, I want to find her first.”

“I understand. And if you wish to be part of the search committee then I can not stop you. But this is going to be hard for you if we don’t get the intended outcome.”

“You mean if we find her dead.”

“Ivy –“ Zack began but Ivy cut him off.

“I’m prepared for the worse but I don’t expect it. Gwen is very smart and strong. She would not die like that.”

“I hope you’re right.” He paused, then continued. “What if she’s hiding from us? It’s just –“

“She could do that. I wouldn’t put it past her, but she’ll have very good reasons for that. The important thing is finding her first, whatever reason she has would come later.”

“Yes. You’re right. Meet Beta Gaus. He’ll take you through all the process of joining the committee.”

“Good.” Ivy said.

She stood to her feet and Zack stood too. They greeted their goodbyes and he watched her walk away. If there was a slight Chance that Gwen was still out there, he would take it. The thought of her out there and alone without a pack scared him.

*

Down the street, in another town, a woman met a man in the shadows. 

“What is the news?” the man asked, wondering why she wanted to meet him on such short notice. 

“Your child has come. Our hope is here, your bloodline would live on.”