Chapter 16

Cyrus's POV

"-rus... Cyrus!" I snapped out of my daze and turned to face my worried parents. "Cyrus... We need to talk." My father sat down in front of me. "I think it's time to move on, and find a new mate."

I was immediately alert, already rejecting the idea. "What?! Why?!" I glanced towards my mother, who only turned away.

"Well, you are going to be the Alpha. You'll need a mate. I'm sure if your mate wanted to be with you, she would have stayed instead of-"

"He" My father stopped, turning to face my mother, who seemed surprised she had said anything. "... What?"

My mother sighed. "Cyrus's mate... Is a male."

The room was deadly quiet as the words sunk in. "... I know."

My mother seemed surprised. "How did you know?

"Well, we've looked through the entire pack, and only one house had the same scent of the girl at the ball. Only, the room belonged to Elijah. A male."

My mother perked up. "Elijah?! Did you seem him?!"

I shook my head. "I think he... Left before I got there, hoping to hide in the woods."

She nodded. "Well, go back there! He might be home!"

My father and I ran through the woods, my heart racing. Almost there. We're almost there. Soon, the house appeared in the distance. I forced myself to run faster, reaching the door before my father. I pounded against it, waiting for someone to answer. Finally, the door clicked open.

"... Cyrus." Adalynn stared at me, her face blank. "What are you doing here?"

I took a deep breath. "I need to see Elijah."

She thought for a moment. "Eli?... I think he's in the basement." She gestured towards the door in the hallway. "It's locked, though. I don't have the key. Mom does."

I groaned. Her mother was the very person I was hoping to avoid. "Is she here?"

Adalynn shook her head. "She went out earlier. I don't know when she'll be back, either." She watched as my face fell, my hopes shattering. "... You can come in and wait."

I sat nervously as Adalynn stared at me. Her gaze was piercing in the silent room. "Um... Are you sure Elijah's in the basement?"

Adalynn shrugged. "No. But, where else could he be?"

I shook my head. "I don't know, but I don't smell him."

Adalynn got up from her seat, and moved towards the door. Lifting her hand, she knocked on the door. "...Eli?" There was no answer. She turned back to me. "There's another entrance out back. Try that."

The outside entrance was just where Adalynn said it would be. I stood in front of the door, and knocked. Again, no reply came from inside. I moved the doorknob, my heart skipping a beat when it clicked open. Inside was dark, but I could make out the outlines of the bed and boxes that I'd seen last time. I scanned the room, but like last time, Elijah was gone.