Chapter 15
Kieran’s POV
I was still glaring at Ryder, my eyes burning with frustration and he found it amusing. King was suggesting creative ways of getting revenge but that could wait.
“You can’t blame me, the door was opened and I didn’t expect that he trailed off under my stare.
“What’s the update? What are we looking at?” I asked one of the warriors who were patrolling, ignoring Ryder. We stood at the edge of the forest which marks the beginning of my territory.
“There was a strange smell coming from this direction,” the warrior began, his voice grim. “It smelled weird and we suspected that they were rogues, but when we looked into it, we didn’t find anything.” He explained.
I paused, my brows furrowing in confusion as my thoughts tangled together as I tried to make sense of what was happening. “Did you check for footprints? They shouldn’t have gone far if you went after them immediately p>
They looked at one another, “there was nothing, Alpha p>
Not wanting to assume that the case we were already working on was connected to this, I took a deep breath, “have more warriors situated at the borders and make sure you report everything to me…every detail p>
“Yes, Alpha.” They chorused, their voices echoing through the forest.
Myself and Ryder went back to the pack house with Ryder trying to come up with theories of what might be going on, but my thoughts were on something else.
“Mindlink Caleb, tell him to meet me in my office.” I commanded.
“Yes Alpha p>
With the patrol situation under a bit of control, I went back to the pack house, and straight to my office where I was met with a peaceful sight. Kaia was curled up on the couch, her chest rose and fell with gentle breaths.
I smiled, feeling warmth spread through my chest. And for a moment, I forgot what I was thinking about before I came in…until the door creaked revealing Ryder and Caleb.
Signaling for them to be quiet, I took another glimpse of my mate before leaving the room with the two of them behind me.
“I heard about the pack borders, Alpha.” Caleb said, once we were outside.
“Yes.
As we walked away from the office, I filled Caleb in on the details, “We need to review the patrol route, make sure there are no places being left out p>
Caleb nodded, his expression serious. “I’ll get started on it right away, Alpha.” “Were you able to get anything about the man at the mall p>
He shook his head, “nothing. Apart from the fact that he’s a rogue without a scent,
I don’t think there’s anything about him.” He replied.
Ryder, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. “I don’t think they’re connected, Alpha p>
I raised my brow, “why do you say so p>
“We’ve had this same problem before…I mean smells that end up being nothing. And Rogues know better than to come into our pack, except they have a death wish. But with Kaia p>
I stopped in my tracks, “You think we’re overreacting?” I asked, as calmly as I could.
“Let me out!” King growled, fighting to be free. Suppressing him was useless when I felt him take control.
“You think we’re overreacting?” King growled, taking slow steps towards Ryder, whose eyes widened in fear as he stammered, “N-no Alpha.” His face paled, and he swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
Caleb placed a hand on my arm, his voice calm and soothing. “Alpha, let’s not jump to conclusions p>
But I shook him off, my fists clenched and my jaw tightened. “My mate was in danger, you don’t think it’s serious?” Ryder took another step back, his hands trembling slightly as he raised them in a calming gesture.
Ryder’s voice trembled, “I-I didn’t mean to imply that, Alpha p>
Caleb stepped forward, his eyes locked on mine, and his voice took on a calming tone. “Alpha, I’m sure that’s not what he meant.” He said and my eyes snapped to him.
“We all care about the Luna’s safety and will keep her safe no matter what. You know this.” He finished.
This calmed me down, and I felt King retreating to the back of my mind and the fear that had gripped Ryder’s features was replaced by a cautious calm.
“I’m sorry, Alpha.” He apologized again.
I nodded, clearing my throat. “Why do you think they’re not connected p>
His eyes darted to Caleb, who gave him a nod of encouragement. “If they are connected, then they’re dumb. For someone who was able to hide his scent and walk freely in a mall, I doubt they’ll let it fall so close to our territory and risk getting traced p>
“He has a point, Alpha. But if we have any doubt, we can keep looking at them separately instead of looking for a connection that might not exist.” Caleb added and I waved my hand, giving him the go ahead to do that.
With a bow, he left and I turned to Ryder, who was looking everywhere else but at
me.
“Look I started, trailing off.
There was no better way to go about it, if Caleb hadn’t stepped in when he did, it would have gone differently.
“I understand, Alpha. I would have reacted the same way if it was my mate.” Ryder said.
A deep sigh escaped my lips, and my voice dropped to a whisper, “I just can’t lose her Ryder. I don’t think I’m going to survive if anything happens to her.” I started, glancing towards the direction of my office.
“The thought of her in danger turns me into this angry and possessive person p>
“That’s a normal reaction. Anyone would be crazy to not care about their mate in danger.” There was a smile on his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“You’ll find her.” I assured him, “barely two weeks ago, I was traveling from one park to the other, looking for my mate. I was going to accept that I didn’t have one, but she appeared out of nowhere and it’s the best thing that has happened to me.” “I just want to find her already p>
“You will p>
He nodded, before excusing himself and I went back to my office.
Kaia was stretching her arms when I entered and a smile spread across her face when she saw me, bringing some sort of relief to me.
“Are you okay?” She asked, her voice soft.
I nodded, “but I could really use a hug.” I said and her smile widened if possible.
With her in my arms, everything was perfect and I’ll do anything to make sure it remains that way.