Chapter 29

The morning sun oozed through the window of the hospital and cast soft rays across Ayla, who swung her legs off the side of the bed, lighting up her eyes with determination. Ethan stood by the door and raised an eyebrow at this determined look.

"You're really serious about this?" Ethan asked as he folded his arms across his chest.

Ayla raised her eyes to his, no yielding. "I have to be, Ethan. Our pups… they're out there somewhere, and I just can't sit here waiting. I'm going to Moon Shadow Pack. With or without you."

Ethan clamped his jaw tight, regarding her for one silent, telling moment. "Fine. But you're not going anywhere without me."

Right on cue, Liam strode in. His gaze danced between them until it firmly fixed on Ayla. "You're not thinking of leaving without me, are you, Ayla?"

Ayla looked away, her insides churning as the tension between the two men heightened. "Look, I'm not in the mood for arguments. I'm going to Moon Shadow to find answers, and I don't have time to waste on whatever this rivalry is.”

“Rivalry?" Liam sneered, his gaze fastening to Ethan's. "I'm not here for rivalry. I'm here to protect you, Ayla- you're my mate."

Ethan's expression darkened and a growl of possession laced his tone. "You might want to reconsider that last part, Liam."

"Why? Because you think you can keep her safe?" Liam returned.

Ayla raised a silencing hand. "Enough! This isn't about either of you. This is about finding our pups. So if you're coming, you're both following my lead. Got it?"

A heavy silence fell over them. Liam's gaze gentled as he looked at her. "I understand, Ayla. I'll be there. You can count on me."

Ethan nodded curtly. "Let's get going."

********

The drive began in silence, and so the tension mounted thick with every mile covered. Ethan was behind the wheels, his knuckles tight; Ayla sat beside him, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. Liam sat in the back seat, looking between the pair every now and then, a silent challenge, at least against Ethan.

The silence just seemed to drag on until Liam finally hunched forward. "So, Ayla… have you thought about what you'll do once we find the pups this time?"

Ayla looked backward; her eyes softened. "I'll keep them safe. I'll do whatever it takes and make sure the person behind this doesn't get away with it."

Ethan's hands clenched on the wheel. "That's what we're here for, to make sure nothing happens to them, or to you.”

Ayla threw a sideways glance in his direction; her instincts were picking up something beneath his words. "You mean that?"

"You know I do, Ayla. I don't...I don't want to lose you."

Liam's eyes narrowed. "But let us not forget, Ayla and I are mates. She has my protection, Ethan. You do not need to act like she is on her own here.”

Ethan's jaw clenched, and for a second, there was a spark of jealousy across his eyes. "And let's not forget, Ayla is the mother of my pups."

Ayla blew out a frustrated puff of air and ran a hand through her hair. "I wish you two could put this aside. We have a greater mission here."

Liam shifted in his seat. "Ayla, you know I am always here for you. This…whatever's going on with Ethan…”

Ethan cut in sharply. "Whatever's going on? I'm here because I care about her, Liam. Maybe you should try respecting her choices."

"Choices?" Liam's eyes flashed. "Or manipulation? We all know how you work, Ethan."

Ayla threw a hand onto her forehead, as if in exasperation. "Enough! The both of you, this isn't the time."

The silence started again, tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Unsaid words hung around, fog-like, as Ethan's knuckles whitened on the wheel, digging deeper and deeper.

*********

Hours later, they found themselves entering the Moon Shadow Pack's territory. There was a thick sprig of forest, and at the entrance, they pulled up. Ayla stepped out of the car; her gaze watched as she looked around them.

Ethan joined her, his eyes narrowed. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

Ayla nodded, the shine in her eyes just a little too much like steely determination. "I didn't come this far to turn my back now."

Liam stepped up beside her then, placing his hand protectively over her shoulder. "We'll face it together-whatever it is."

Ethan's jaw had clenched-only a twitch of muscles-but it had betrayed his sudden emotion as Liam's hand landed on her shoulder and stirred something possessive in him. He took a step forward. "We stick together. No one goes off on their own."

Ayla shot glances between them both; her gaze was hard. "Agreed. Let's find the pack leader. Maybe he'll have answers.”

Ayla led them deeper into the major meeting area of the pack, but with every step that tugging of the familiar bond between her and Liam refused to subside. Ethan's presence kept her feet firmly planted on the ground, as each side of her emotions warred more than ever.

Liam did catch on, his steps beside her accompanied by a softening of his eyes. "Ayla… I know this is hard for you. Just remember, I'm here."

She turned to him. "I know, Liam. But this isn't about me. It's about them."

Ethan's voice was raw, emotional, and restrained inside. "It's about us, too, Ayla. You can't act like our bond isn't there ."

Ayla froze, her eyes darting between the two of them frantically. "I don't want to. I just can't think about that now.

They walked in silence, their footsteps heavy with unsaid words with each fall of the foot that carried them to the grounds where the pack was held, the head of Moon Shadow Pack present, his eyes unyielding, cold, as he took in the three.

"Exactly why are you here?" he growled suddenly yet managed to have air in his voice to command this tone.

Ayla stepped forward. "We're looking for our missing pups. And I think you know something about it.

Masked, his face gave nothing away. "This is no place for outsiders.”

Ethan stepped farther in and his voice took on a deadly low timbre. "Outsiders or not, we're here for answers. And you're going to tell us what you know."

The pack leader looked warily between them now. "You're bold coming here and making demands. But I'll give you one chance to speak.”

Ayla took a deep breath; she'd never let her gaze falter from his. "All we want is answers. And if you know anything about where our pups are, now is the time to speak."

For a moment, he said nothing, only regarded the leader in silence- his eyes filled with a premeditating weight. Then a small smirk started to play on his lips. "There are things you don't understand, young lady. Things your little group is far from prepared for.”

Ethan's voice lowered to a growl. "Try us."

The smirk fell from his lips, his eyes going stone-hard in an instant. "You want to play this game, then? Fine. But you mightn't like what you find."

Ayla's heart was racing up her chest while she was literally dripping from the fear and anticipation running across her veins. Then, all of a sudden, she turned to Ethan on her one side and Liam on the other, both knowing with guarded emotions that whatever it was would change everything.

Now the pack leader turned to him, his eyes gleaming darkly. "Follow me,”