[Kieran's POV]
Ever since they took Elara, my wolf had felt restless; the cravings grew, wanting her back in my grasp.
I found myself seated on the chair, the water dripping down my drenched clothes.
The rain had just stopped pouring as I returned to my room the next morning.
A rage was spurring, one that seemed like a storm beneath my skin.
"Elara?" I only wondered how she was doing, if her fever had stopped.
But honestly, why isn't Lincoln back with any news?
The other night, after sending him away, I called for his presence back, giving him the job to track Elara, watching her closely and guarding her in secret. To hell with them if they think I would leave Elara in their care. I needed to be assured she would be alright. Yet he should have been back to give me an update on the mission by now.
My fist clenched. I hated all this, sending my Beta to do this, when it was all my helplessness that caused the distance between me and her.
I stood up from the chair as I made my way out of the room.
Leaving the motel, I found my way to the bar side. To think I would be coming back here again. I wasn't a drinker that much. It was something I saw last for myself to engage in. But right now, I needed to forget everything, just for the moment.
I made my way into the bar, the loud music echoing in the air as I watched the same girl I had questioned about Elara the other time serving some drinks.
I sat in front of the bartender. "A whiskey, please," I said. As she brought me a bottle, her gaze fixed on me. I was sure she must be wondering why I was here if I wanted to force some words from her, just like the other time. But it was never in my part to behave such with her; I just needed answers in those moments.
She was about pouring the wine into the cup, but I halted her in midway, grabbing the bottle from her grasp as I downed the whole.
Slamming the bottle against the desk, "Another," I requested as I downed that also. I kept on gulping up more wine, but even after that, I wasn't able to let go of the thoughts. Elara. She was beside me. No. It was just an image of her still lingering in my mind, but when her hands touched my cheek, it felt so real. I couldn't look away from those eyes that seemed to draw me closer the more. But just as they came, I watched her disappeared like a fog.
My hand reaching out, but there was nothing there in the first place.
"Elara..." I could hear my wolf calling her name in a whisper, my grasp tightening on the bottle.
I recalled when she said those words, "She already had a mate."
I would say there was no other worst kind of agony in this world than hearing that.
Even though I had my doubts about that, I wasn't yet sure. What if she does, what then? But for now, I had to focus on Elara's safety and having her return back to me.
If I wanted Elara to be safe, I had to find out who this mastermind was sooner. And just maybe, I would be able to take her with me out of this town and make her my Luna.
But the investigation into the missing wolves had only stalled for all this while.
"Could it be he sensed our pursuit and vanished?" I wondered. Even if that was the case, no matter how far he ran or played hide and seek, I would find him soon. And make him pay for all his doings.
I gulped another bottle as I tried standing on my feet only to almost stumble backward.
I felt a grasp on me, helping me stand upright.
"Are you alright, sir? You should sit..." the man said as I only gave a nod. He helped me sit on one of the chairs only to leave after.
I should never have drunk so much. I watched the same girl who served me wines approach my side as she dropped a bottle of water on the table.
"You should drink some water. It will help," she said, which only made me wonder why she would have brought me water even after my actions towards her earlier.
My gaze remained on the bottle of water before I eventually took a sip.
I closed my eyes after, heaving a big breath, before I opened them back.
"Alpha! Alpha!" I heard my name being called as one of my soldiers made an entry in hastened steps as he approached my side breathless, only to gasp for air.
"There's movement at the edge of the town, Alpha. Something strange..." he said.
"What?" I asked, taking to my feet immediately.
I paid the bartender his money, as i was about making my way out of the bar, I stopped on my track when I noticed my beta outside.
Was he back already?
"Lincoln..." I said, drawing his attention to my presence.
"Alpha," he said, making his way to my side.
"What's the news?" I asked.
"She is indeed in the council, Alpha. Last night, I saw them take her in, but I haven't gotten a glimpse of her ever since then, Alpha..." he said.
"What are you saying? She hadn't stepped out after that..."
"Yes, Alpha..." he replied.
My beta words only made me wonder the more how she must be doing.
"I heard the news from the soldier about something strange at the edge of the town, Alpha. That's why I came in a hurry..." I heard Lincoln say.
"Yes, but I will handle that. I want you to return and keep a close watch just as you have been doing before. And if you catch a sight of Elara, inform me immediately," I said.
As he gave a nod, leaving my sight.
I turned to my soldiers, who remained standing at my side.
"Let's go," I said as we made our way. I could only wonder what that was, "something strange..."
But one thing I was sure of was that whatever it was, I would make sure I faced it head-on.