Chapter 08

BETA CARTER POV

When Lindy and I arrived at the packhouse, we stayed inside the truck to collect ourselves before heading in. I knew that by then, the dinner hall would be cleared out, and most of the house would be moderately vacant.

"Have you had any luck yet?" I looked at the truck's passenger side, where Lindy was using her cell phone.

"No. It's not ringing anymore; it’s sending me straight to voicemail now."

"Someone turned her phone off. Fu.ck!"

"CC wouldn't ghost our calls," Lindy stated with concerned certainty.

"I know she wouldn't. Especially yours."

"What are we going to do? We should be out there searching for her." Lindy's panicked voice pinched higher.

"We need to start by staying calm. Wolves can detect our emotions, baby. We don't know who is involved and what is happening. We will relay everything we know to Kane, and he will send out a patrol group to search for her. Then I will drop you off at home in case she heads there. You'll keep trying her cell while you're there."

"Where are you going then?"

"I will search all of her favourite places. If I don't find her, I should detect her lingering scent if she's been there." I smiled as I spoke. I needed my love to stay in control of her emotions. Kane is a good Alpha, but he may not receive the information well, considering it may involve his own son. I knew that we needed to approach it calmly.

"Okay. Promise you'll find her, Tony. I know I'm not her mother, but—" Lindy started, but the tears began to well in her eyes.

I cupped her face gently. The padding of my thumb wiped away any wandering tears. "Hey, shh-shh. None of that. We'll find her. As for you being her mother, I assure you, Kim doesn't have a maternal bone in her plastic body. You and Ginny were the closest thing that CC has ever had to maternal love and care. I promise you, right now, I am bringing our girl back!"

My lips were gentle on her trembling lips after my promise. "I promise!" I whispered into the kiss again, only reaffirming to her that I will.

Tap. Tap.

The knock of the driver-side window broke us apart.

"You old horn-dog! You can't even be apart from each other long enough to submit the dang paperwork." Kane smirked as he watched us quickly pull away from one another in the truck by his front door.

I turned to Lindy, giving her a nod. "Game face, baby!" I whispered as we stepped out.

"What the hell took ya so long? Kim is blowing up my damn phone." Kane chuckled as he gave us both a quick hug. "Man, she hates you both more than I ever thought she could." he laughs again, leading us inside.

I knew Kane sensed something was bothering us. We weren’t typically this silent and constantly engaged in banter, so he led us to his office.

As soon as the door in the Alpha's office was closed, he turned to us sternly.

"Alright, spill. Why are you two acting like this? Did you bring the paperwork?" Kane walked around the desk and took his seat. His eyes stayed on me expectantly. After all, we didn't keep secrets from each other.

I felt Lindy nudge me, snapping me out of my trance.

I handed the paperwork over. Kane tilted his head in concern at me but turned his attention to the paperwork. He signed his portion and called in his assistant.

"Sir, you called?" The middle-aged woman, Gloria, entered the office.

"Indeed. Gloria, please see that these documents are submitted immediately. We want this process expedited with no further delays." Kane smiled as he handed the woman the documents, including CC's adoption paperwork and custody forms.

"Of course, Alpha."

"Thank you, Gloria. That will be all for the day." He dismissed her and returned his full attention to us.

Kane thinned his lips and sighed. "Alright, you two. Start talking."

Lindy looked to me to take the lead.

"It's an unusual one, Kane. I need you to keep an open mind when you hear it." I started.

"Alright, how about you two take a seat first? You're creeping me out." Kane joked, trying to loosen the tension.

After we were seated, I relayed the events of the day. I detailed my suspicions and what I suspected had happened, and although vague, it was clear that I felt something terrible had happened to CC at the hands of the four wolves sitting in the family room back at the house. Those four people included Kane's son, the pack's future Alpha.

It was a big accusation. One that could unseat me as Beta and strip me of any rights and rank if I wasn't careful.

Kane listened to everything impartially, despite his upset when Ryan was dragged into the claim.

I knew that Kane was aware that his son was no saint. He got into minor trouble here and there, but everything was manageable. What I had suggested was criminal and, in Kane’s mind, would be impossible. He was often blinded to the true actions of Ryan, which is why I planned to leave this pack with both of my girls.

"Carter, we've been friends since diapers. I will let it slide that you made a baseless accusation against my son this time, but I must remind you to remember your place. Ryan isn't someone who assaults women. That is what you're suggesting, right? That my son worked with your rejected family and harmed your bastard pup?"

"Don't call her that!" I rose to my feet. Felix didn't like how our Alpha spoke disrespectfully about our pup. Blood or not, Carissa was a good person, and we felt that bond with her organically.

"Says the wolf who accused his future Alpha of a crime without evidence. Now sit down before I accept the challenge, Carter." Kane growled back.

Lindy tugged on my sleeve, pulling me back to my seat.

"We are just asking that you send a patrol out to search for her, Alpha Kane. We meant no disrespect. Everything is all over right now, and CC isn't someone who goes missing." Lindy spoke softly, defusing the tension between the two men.

"Of course," Kane smiled. "I will alert the patrol that Carissa is missing. They will search the entire pack land for her. When we find her unharmed, I expect an apology, however!" His eyes burned into mine.

I, however, didn't look away. Instead, I matched the intensity.

"And the rogue territory surrounding us!" I snarled. "They took her off land."

"Absolutely not! There is nothing to support this claim, Carter! We search our territory and then go from there. That is proper procedure protocol."

"Then I will, myself!" I shot back.

Kane sighed and shook his head. "You will not go out and wander the rogue lands, Carter. It's unsafe. You've been the Beta of this pack for over twenty years now, and you know how things are done for missing members. We search the pack lands first. Then, we section outside of the territory in grids. Do not jump the steps on baseless suspicions."

"Felix and I—" I stood and snarled. My wolf was fighting for control. We knew we were getting stonewalled.

"Are acting emotionally and not logically. I know. Stand down, Beta!" Kane stood and challenged back.

I opened his mouth to retort, but Lindy jumped to her feet suddenly. "We appreciate the patrol searching the lands. Thank you, Alpha." She interjected. The last thing we needed was for me to get in trouble before finding CC. That was what was necessary at the moment.

"Carter, you should listen to your female more. She is the only one acting logically between the two of you. Now leave. I will let you know what patrol finds." Kane scoffs. His dismissal was firm.

We were about to leave the office, Lindy practically dragging me out.

"Oh, and Carter," Kane calls out as the door opens for our retreat. "You are not to leave the pack lands. Don't go renegade over suspicions chasing ghosts. CC will turn up somewhere. Stay strong."

Although his words sounded encouraging, it was clear that Kane was warning me to watch my step. I was being ordered not to leave in search of the red dust. It would be against Alpha's orders and hold consequences if I did.