Chapter 193
Alpha Kane
“You let her give in?” Zara’s father muttered, a blush spreading down his face to his neck.
“What kind of damn friend are you? Do you even care about my daughter’s life p>
Zara’s dad reminded me of my Aunt Kira. Quick to intervene in arguments, but also quick to end them. From Zara, I learned that her dad had an uncanny ability to detect lies and deception. He reminded me of someone I’d once met, someone I’d long forgotten.
It had been a brief encounter, but the woman bore a striking resemblance to Zara’s mother. It couldn’t be that I’d ever met Zara’s mother before.
“Are you sticking up for him?” Ryan chuckled.
“He let her go, goddess. He let her fall into the hands of the enemy. Do you have any idea what they could do to her, what he could do to her?” her dad scolded.
“I know perfectly well what could happen, though I don’t need to remind you.” Ryan scolded his dad: “Since when can we stop her? How do you know her own partner can control her p>
This silenced her father. Some of the color faded from his face, and he gave an irritated chuckle. Ryan smiled at me, but I couldn’t help but notice the pride burning in his eyes.
He knew what Zara had sacrificed. She knew why she left, even though no one had told him. Seeing the pride and absolute trust in his eyes strengthened my own strength. I trusted Zara, and there was no one better equipped to help us all, to help manage this pack around me.
I spent my days up to my ears in work, never taking a break. All my free time was spent thinking about Zara, trying to find even the slightest hint of her voice through our unbreakable bond. Every day without her shook me inside, making me realize how much I depended on her.
I promised myself that the day she returned home, I would name her Luna and perform the ceremony with her. I would not stop until my people and my chosen one were safe.
Sophia and Govinda returned to pack territory shortly after Zara surrendered. I was surprised that her father actually kept his word, as I hadn’t expected anything from him. Govinda and Sophia hid in her aunt’s old house, calling me when they arrived safely.
The pack was still unaware of Govinda’s presence, a problem I would face once Zara was safe and with me. I was filled with anger when Govinda failed to give me any information about their whereabouts.
The sooner I could get Zara out of there, the better. Govinda insisted her father had changed his location as soon as he learned of his betrayal. While he couldn’t tell me Zara’s current whereabouts, he did give me the location of their previous base.
Hope blossomed in my chest when thoughts of Zara flooded me one night. I couldn’t hear her voice, but I felt her lingering in my memory. It was the first time I’d sensed her since she’d surrendered to her Father.
I sat up straight in bed, my eyes wide as I scanned the darkness. Absently, my hand slid to her side of the bed, and I swore I felt her right next to me.
My wolf roared.
I felt a surge of rage when I heard she’d been handcuffed in silver, though I’d expected nothing less. I pushed the feeling aside.
I pushed aside my anger and anxiety, focusing on her words. Another unbearably difficult act. All I wanted was to soothe her pain, the anxiety that was spreading through the bond.
She was safe, for now, that was all that mattered. The information she’d given me would be a turning point in this battle; it would change everything. I could only pray that her Father’s plans remained unchanged.
Two days weren’t enough to evacuate the city and the surrounding area, but it was enough. I immediately established a mental link, ordering all non-warrior families to begin evacuating. A few days ago, I’d asked every family in the city to gather their most important belongings, hoping to speed up the evacuation process.
I got out of bed, pulled on a T-shirt and jeans, knowing I wouldn’t get any sleep tonight. A few minutes later, Zeke and my Beta appeared in the kitchen, as disheveled and tired as I was. Zeke, Bran, and my Beta were helping many families fleeing their homes, as well as those who remained, eager to fight.
I headed to Zara’s father’s house, determined to lead them away from the battle. Zara would never forgive me if I allowed her stubborn father to remain with the pack. After a stern talk with Zara’s father, in which he ordered me to protect his son and daughter, he left the house.
As the sun began to rise, the Sterling Empire was almost empty. The only people left in the empire were warriors scattered among houses and hotels. I gathered everyone on the north side of the empire, leaving a small group to attack from the rear.
This small group remained in hiding until the King’s forces arrived and the battle began. I walked through the nearly deserted streets, struck by the eerie silence that reigned over the Sterling Empire.
Even without the numerous families who lived here, the entire empire held its breath. Houses and shops, offices and schools, everything waited, waited for the outcome. Would these buildings stand after this battle?
Would the Sterling Empire and its rich history survive if we lost? What would happen to the families who had spent countless generations in this empire? What would they return to if we were to lose?
What tormented me most was the realization that I would be the one making the final decision. All these families would be waiting, waiting for the outcome of this battle.
I would be the one to tell them whether we won or lost. I could only hope that if we lost, I would be able to deliver that message before I died.
As soon as the sun set, I called out to Ryan and Mason, telling them to meet me at the pack house. I wanted nothing more than to leave this pack, go to the place Zara had told me to, and storm that damned warehouse.