Chapter 79: Chapter 78

Chapter 78 The Search

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“The determination to win is the better part of winning.” – Daisaku Ikeda

Neron

“I told you, son. All you had to do was hold on to her. Look at where the alternative has gotten you.”

I was lying in bed with a hole in my stomach. It was bad enough Kiya was missing, but to have my father. berate me on my choices was on another level of irritation. As the pack was in a state of disarray, he still had the energy to bother me. Good Goddess.

“Really, Dad? No “Are you alright, son?‘ At least show that you’re worried about me.” I say sarcastically, pushing myself up into a sitting position. The pain was horrible. Think of fire burning through flesh, and that’s how my stomach felt now. With every movement, more pain rocketed through my nerves, but the pain was nothing compared to what happened with Kiya.

I shielded her from the attack. I’d do it a million times over if it meant her safety. The worry and agony in her beautiful brown eyes wound my heart. The panic in her voice and the desperation as she tried to stop the bleeding. A part of me died in battle, knowing I hurt her by getting hurt.

Now, she was out there somewhere in the hands of that colossal beast. Onyx howled in misery for his missing mate and anger that it took her from us, I didn’t give a fuck about my pain, I needed Kiya back safe and

sound!

“You’re an Alpha, Neron. You will get through that. It’ll take more than a hole in the stomach to kill you.” Dad cleared his throat, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall at the hip. “Now that you had a taste of the danger, let it serve as a lesson for you to keep your valuables close.”

“Kiya is valuable, Dad, but she is not an object. How is it ethical to sacrifice her for the pack?”

“A pack cannot run properly without their Luna. I don’t know how many times

I have to say it for you to understand. Kiya could throw tantrums all she likes, but the fact remains was that this pack needs her. You need her. What happened today will continue to happen the longer she rejects her fate.”

“The attack wasn’t her fault and you know it,” I growled at him. “It’s the fault of whoever or w

whatever sent

that thing to burn down our home. You may be my father, but I will not sit here and listen to you place the blame on her. I won’t do what you say, so drop it.”

A mixture of disappointment and anger contorted my father’s aging face. Just by our familial bond, I know he doesn’t agree with me, but I stand firm on my decision. I could run this pack without a Luna. Sure, there was faultiness here and there, but I’d rather burn alive in the flames of hell than force Kiya to remain at my side forever. The pack was important, but she was more so.

“You’ll regret this, son.”

“And if the time comes, I’ll deal with it. Respect my mate or get the hell out of my room.”

Dad scoffed, muttering something under his breath about disrespect, and left. I pushed myself off the bed and walked towards the window. Dr. Jackson accommodated me with the best room in the hospital, but it was not needed. Not if I could look out the window and see the partially burnt oak trees. The fire hasn’t destroyed the entire territory, but the damage was still heavily present.

I noticed something white perched on a branch. The sky was darkening, but I could see the white as clear as day. Its golden eyes stared into my soul, watching. I arched an eyebrow.

Huh, never thought I’d see a white owl. Owls normally weren’t around wolf territories.

“Pardon my intrusion, my Alpha.” Nurse Amara came in. “But Alpha Anthony of the Garnet Moon Pack was on the phone and he demands to speak to you.”

I cursed to myself. No doubt the warriors contacted him about the situation. I could feel the exploding rage from the receiver of the phone. Walking to my bed, I gestured for Amara to give me the phone. After she left, I held it to my car.

“Alpha Neron, speaking.”

“Don’t fucking act cordial with me, Neron. I entrusted you to my little sister’s safety, and I had to hear from my Beta that she has been abducted right off your territory?”

There was no room for us to act as Alphas. At this moment, Anthony was a worried elder brother. “Yes, she was. I take full responsibility for her disappearance. The witch, Phoebe, was also taken.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that. I wasn’t aware she left my territory until one of my other Deltas informed me. Regardless, this is a serious matter. Two of my members are missing. Are there rescue plans in place?”

Right now? No. My fighters and yours suffered heavily from the fight, and I’ve lost a few. My men and women are being treated by my pack hospital staff, including myself and your team.”

Alpha Anthony sighed over the receiver. Despite the distance, I could feel the weight of his anguish. If I was in his position, I’d react the same way. “Right, right. I apologize. However, I can’t sit by. My parents are aware of what happened and are preparing to head to Nevada at once.”

“Will I be seeing you?”

“Yes. I cannot sit by while my little sister and Phoebe are somewhere out there alone and afraid. Who knows what could be happening to them?”

The very thought boiled my blood. If Kiya was hurt, I’m burning this world to ash.

“If you’re staying, I’ll have the Omegas prepare rooms for you and your parents. We can discuss rescue plans once you arrive.”

“Very well. I’ve heard from my warriors they’re recovering fine, so that’s a breath of relief. But yes, we’ll see you soon, Alpha Neron. Rest easy.”

On the ‘click‘, the phone call ended. My hands covered my face as I sighed hard, watching the lights from the sky grow darker. Kiya’s presence affected me because nothing felt the same without her. It was colder, lonelier. I couldn’t feel her, which worried me tremendously.

Nothing was going to stop me from finding her.

And I wouldn’t rest until I do.

Chapter 78 – The Search

Later That Evening

I’m still in pain, but I was well enough to move. Valerian and Kwame were also healing well, bringing a smile

my face. If I lost my best men, I don’t know what I’d do. Seeing them with their families was warming. A man’s family could heal their soul quicker than medicine could.

We’re all at the packhouse, watching the black vehicle roll into the front yard. The Garnet Moon warriors stepped up to greet their Alpha, their former Alpha, and Luna as they exited the car. I watch the former Luna fuss over the warriors like they’re her children and the former Alpha convinces her to not baby them so much. I chuckle silently.

“Alpha Neron.” Alpha Anthony firmly shook my hand. “Good to see you alive and well.”

“Thank you.” I nod. “Will your pack be alright without you?”

“Beta Dwayne and Beta Female Olivia will handle business alongside my Luna. It’s in good hands.” He turned his head to Beta Jacqueline. “Dwayne says to call him as soon as you’re able. The poor lad is worried.”

“Aww, he cares!” Jacqueline chortled. “Can’t wait to hear his yelling at how I wasn’t careful and whatnot.”

“Let us go inside. I’ve cleared space in the common room for us to chat.”

We all sat in the common room after I’ve been introduced to Anthony’s parents, but I could already feel the tension in the air from Lyra and Ashley. Both were glaring, their wolves sizing each other up. Ashley and Steven wanted to be part of the mission to rescue their daughter, but I was not sure if they’ll remain alive to see it if both sets of parents continued to stare daggers into one another,

I might have made a mistake.

“Could you tell me what happened before my daughter and Phoebe were taken?” Lyra asked me.

Ashley growled. “You mean, my daughter.”

“Mom, please,” Raina sighed, “This is hardly the time. We need to focus on developing a plan.”

“Your daughter?” Lyra smirked scornfully. “You don’t deserve the honor to speak those words, not after what you’ve done.”

“Mi Cielo…” Nikolai whispered while grasping her hand. “You can pick a fight later. Kiya is counting on us to work together. My only solstice is that she’s with Phoebe. They have each other.”

Lyra sighed, bright eyes burning with tears. Patting her mate’s hand, she turned to me. “I apologize, Alpha Neron. Just tell us what happened.”

We told them the entire story. Starting from the moment Kiya awoke as Selene’s avatar to Phoebe’s arrival just before the battle with Cerberus. When I spoke about the date Kiya and I had, Alpha Anthony gave me a look of pure disapproval. Not just him, but Nikolai and Lyra too.

I felt like a kid

g for their parent’s approval to date their daughter. After the shit, I’ve done? They have every right to believe that I was unfit to be anything close to Kiya’s partner or mate.

Hell, I don’t believe it either. At one point, my father came in to listen. The tension between him and Nikolai was palpable since they had a history. After it all, I allowed the Guerreros to digest everything in silence.

Chapter 78. The Search

“The women are in the hands of a fucking cult.” Alpha Anthony growled. “And we don’t even know where the fuck they are. How the hell are we going to find them if we don’t have a clue on where to start?”

“There might be one person who could help us,” Lyra mentioned, all eyes now on her. “Phoebe has a friend.”

“A friend?” Sapphire asked.

“A friend,” Lyra repeated. “She met him after you all left to come here and has taken a liking to him. He’s also a witch. Maybe he could help us.”

“…But can we trust him?” Galen raised an eyebrow. “This is the first we’ve heard about him.”

I agree with Galen. Tensions were high and I don’t feel comfortable having outsiders on my territory at this. fragile time. But Kiya’s and Phoebe’s lives were at stake. The danger only heightens the longer we wait for something to happen.

“If this friend of hers could help us locate the women…then I welcome it.”

“Are you sur

you sure, Neron?” Valerian asked me through our link. “We don’t know what he’s capable of.”

“This is our only shot. We have nothing, Val. No clues and no direction. Anything that gives us a chance to locate Kiya, I’m willing to take.”

“You really care about Kiya.”

“I love her, Val. I can’t lose her again.”

“Okay.” Nikolai nodded, pulling out his cell phone. “He gave me his number to call him in case anything happens. His name is Endo.”

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