Chapter 8 | Where Is She?

Sebastian

I watch with a heavy heart as Charlotte climbs out the window and disappears. I couldn’t go after her… I mean, I guess I could have. But… it’s not the right move for me.

By the end of three days, I’m sure Charlotte will be back here. She doesn’t remember much of our childhood, but I remember everything. As the Beta’s son, I learned all about the pack and specifically about rogues. Rogues are horrible and only the worst end up rogue.

Rogues… those disgusting, vile wolves that were part of the cause that made us lose everything. The last thing I want is to end up like them.

I huff as I leave her room and go to the kitchen to find something for an early breakfast. Once I eat I could go for a run while I wait for the training session to start. I don’t know what else I could do with my time.

Training is tricky for me, I’m naturally talented and one of the best warriors that the Lightning Pack has, but I don’t want them to know who I am.

Our parents were careful so that no one would ever find out who Charlotte and I were so I try hard to maintain their standards. No one will ever know that I was supposed to be the Southern River Pack’s Beta. Honestly, I don’t think Charlotte remembers who she is. Her dad was careful to keep her hidden and she has never shown any recollection of our life at Southern River.

The only thing I find interesting is the fact she seems so drawn to that pack. Even though it is in complete disarray it’s like something is calling her there.

I walk through the hallway when suddenly I hear low growling. My body stiffens and my eyebrows furrow as I wonder where it could’ve come from. Suddenly, I’m pressed against the wall and one of the Alpha’s sons were in my face as he demands in a deadly voice, “Who were you with?”

His other brother stands behind him with his arms crossed and glaring daggers at me. I don’t understand what’s happening and the other brother says, “You have my mate’s scent. Who have you been with?”

The brother that’s pinning me against the wall snaps, “It’s my mate’s scent!”

Luna Anna appears from nowhere and says in a calm voice, “Boys, you must have the same mate and this young man has been around her. Instead of scaring him to death, how about you let him down and ask him nicely?”

Charlotte doesn’t have just one mate… she has two! And they just happen to be the Alpha twins?!

I can’t believe this. How will she feel about all of this? I can’t believe she left today… this would’ve been the best day of her life, discovering her mates.

Both of the men grumble and their mother tsks as she scolds them under her breath, “It’s like you have no manners.”

I notice the man who let go of me doesn’t have a tattoo creeping up his neck and I know that it’s Cassian. I’m surprised by his aggression towards me because he’s always seemed to be the calmer one out of the two brothers. He looks at me and breathes in deeply through his nose before he asks in an accusing tone, “Who have you been with?”

His eyes darken showing that his wolf is present and it causes my heart to stop. I’ve never ‘been with’ anyone. I’m still a virgin, unfortunately. I stutter out, “No-no one! I hugged my best friend this morning, but that’s it, I swear.”

His eyes narrow and Maddox clears his throat before asking, “So, I assume this best friend of yours is a girl?”

I nod my head yes and say, “It was her birthday today so I hugged her before getting on with my day.”

A flash of excitement runs through his eyes and the corner of his mouth twitches up and he says, “So, she’s 18, now? Where is she? What’s her name? Take me to her!”

Cassian corrects him, “Take us to her!”

I nod my head and say, “Her name is Charlotte. Just, um, follow me.”

My heart beats heavily and my breath is shallow as I bring them to Charlotte’s room. Some part of me is praying that somehow, someway she came back and she is here.

I cringe to myself as I knock on the door before slowly twisting the knob and revealing the empty room. Maddox and Cassian push past me into the room, their eyes are both dark showing their wolf’s presence because they can smell the scent of their mate, and then Maddox glares at me. He crosses the few steps over to me and yells in my face, “Is this some kind of joke?!”

“No, no, of course not! I would never play a joke on the future Alphas.”

He seethes, “Then where is she?”

Cassian looks over at me, his face isn’t as angry as Maddox’s and he says in a calm voice, “Do you know where Charlotte would be right now? You said the two of you are best friends, do you know her schedule?”

I nod my head slowly, but I notice that Maddox doesn’t seem to like how well I know her. I gulp before answering, “I mean, I don’t know her schedule by heart or anything, but I know the gist of it. But, unfortunately, she isn’t here today. She wanted to go out for her birthday so she left this morning.”

Maddox’s eyebrows furrow and he asks, “Why would she do that? She’ll be shifting for the first time soon. It helps to have the morale of the pack around you… why would she leave?”

Shit, I didn’t even think of that. She’s going to have to go through shifting without me, I should’ve gone with her.

Cassian takes a few steps over to me and he asks, “Do you know where she went? We need to find her, her life could be at stake.”

There’s a lump in my throat as I think of all the horrible things that could happen to her as she’s alone and unprotected. Finally, I choke out, “She went to the Southern River Pack.”

Both of the men seem taken aback and Cassian asks, “Why would she go there?”

I don’t get a chance to answer as I hear Luna Anna say, “She’s one of the people we rescued from there. She’s probably just homesick and seeking it’s comfort. It’s sad, I’m sure the two of you going and finding her will help cheer her up.”

Maddox and Cassian both smile and nod at each other, silently agreeing that they will go after her.

They all leave the room, leaving me by myself. I look around and breathe out, I hope she’ll be okay.