Chapter 52: 52: The Search for Ginger

MAX

I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off with Ginger. She hasn’t responded to my text, even though we promised to keep each other in the loop about our mate search.

It’s been six months since I resumed my training and I haven’t heard a word from her. I’m not sure what to make of it.

She turned twenty-one last week, on March third. I sent her a birthday card, but it came back to me, stamped undeliverable.

I’m puzzled and, honestly, a bit concerned. It’s like she’s disappeared.

On a whim, I tried calling her, but the operator told me the line was disconnected. Only Melanie and Derek are in the know about Ginger, and since Derek’s here with me, he can’t exactly go off and investigate.

He’d probably have even less luck than I would. The day had been long and tough.

My hands were raw and blistered from hours of rappelling and rope climbing. I was ready to hit the sack, but I knew it was around five in the afternoon back home.

This was the perfect opportunity to reach out to my sister and ask for her help. I dialed her number and was about to hang up after several rings when a breathless Melanie picked up.

“Max, you’re a sight for sore ears! How are you?”

“Exhausted. Why’d it take you so long to pick up?” I asked, stifling a yawn.

“I just got back from training and was about to hop in the shower before dinner. I’m surprised you’re calling, isn’t it late over there?”

“I need a favor, if you’re up for it.”

“Of course, Max. What do you need?”

“Do you remember Ginger from the Phoenix pack? I’ve been trying to get a hold of her, but her number’s been disconnected. It’s not like her, and I’m worried. Could you maybe ask around, see if anyone knows where she is or if something’s happened to her?”

I knew I probably sounded a bit ridiculous, considering I barely knew Ginger and she wasn’t my girlfriend or anything. But I couldn’t shake this nagging worry for her safety, and this gut feeling that our paths were meant to cross again.

“Sure, I’ll see what I can dig up. Mom might know the luna there, she could probably help me get in touch. But that means I’ll have to tell her why.”

I’d hoped to keep my parents out of it, but if that’s what it took, then so be it. “All right, Melanie. Do what you can. I’m going to hit the hay, but let me know as soon as you find out anything.”

“I will, Max. Don’t worry, I’ve got this. Stay safe.”

With that, the call ended, and I was left alone with my worries, trying to will myself to sleep. I had another big day of training ahead of me, and I knew I needed all the rest I could get.

***

A week passed before I heard back from Melanie. By then, I’d almost given up hope that she’d find anything.

I was relieved when I saw her number on my caller ID, even if it was two in the morning. “Do you have any idea what time it is, Melanie?” I whispered, my voice rough with sleep.

“I didn’t realize, Max. But I think you’ll want to hear what I have to say.” Her tone was matter-of-fact.

I sat up in bed and switched on the bedside lamp. “I’m all ears.”

“I had to get Mom involved, like I said. Turns out, Ginger’s the daughter of the beta who died recently. His mate remarried, and she’s arranged some kind of deal with another pack for Ginger.”

A wave of nausea washed over me. “What are you saying, Melanie?”

“For some kind of status, Max. I don’t really get it myself. They’re trying to force her to accept a chosen mate. He’s some alpha heir in upstate New York. If they can get her to marry him, he’ll make her new stepfather the beta there.”

I was on my feet now. “Why would they do that? They must know she just came of age to find her mate. They’re not even giving her a chance to find the mate the Moon Goddess intended for her.”

I began pacing the floor, one hand tugging at my hair as I tried to think. “We have to stop this. Call me crazy for getting involved, Melanie, but what if she’s my mate? I told you I felt a strong connection to her. Can you do anything? I can’t leave here right now, I’m almost done. I’ll be home for good in three months.”

I could hear her sigh on the other end of the line. I felt bad asking her to try to stop this from happening. It wasn’t her problem. She didn’t even know Ginger.

But I couldn’t ignore the knot in my stomach, the feeling of dread that was making me sick. “Please, Melanie. I’d do anything for you, and I honestly feel like I need you to try and stop this from happening.”

“I know, Max. And I’d do anything for you, too. I just don’t know what I can do. But I’ll figure something out. I’ve made a lot of connections traveling to other packs and working with some of the doctors, so maybe I can find a way to get there. I’ll talk to Mom and call you as soon as I have more information.”

“Thank you.”

We exchanged a few more words before hanging up. Sleep was out of the question now. I was wide awake.

I decided it was as good a time as any to make some calls of my own. I had plenty of connections, too, from traveling all over the world to meet with different packs.

Surely someone knew of this small pack in upstate New York. I didn’t recall anything about it when Melanie mentioned it, but that didn’t mean much.

There were thousands of packs worldwide.

MELANIE

As it turned out, I was able to arrange a rotation at the very pack where Ginger was supposed to be joining. I was there within a week of my last call with Max.

This was a small pack, near the Canadian border. It was tucked away in the remote Adirondack Mountains.

I shadowed the pack doctor for two days, accompanying him on house calls. It was winter, and many of the elderly couldn’t make it to the clinic during the snowy months.

It was late March, and I was told the snow would start melting soon. As we trudged down a path leading to a cluster of houses, I heard raised voices up ahead.

The doctor stopped in front of me, turning back to tell me to listen. He wanted to make sure we knew what we were walking into.

“No! I won’t do it!” A female voice was yelling.

“You don’t get a say, girl! You’re doing this. I’ll make sure your mother stays out of it.” A man’s voice echoes with a growl.

The moment the doctor hears this, he resumes his stride. We navigate around a rock formation and come upon a striking red-haired she-wolf, standing her ground against a man more than double her size.

He sports a long scar down one cheek and his lengthy salt-and-pepper hair is secured with a leather tie. He appears to be twice her age as well.

“Good afternoon! I’m Doctor Skye, and this is my intern, Doctor Moon. Is everything okay here?” The doctor inquires as we draw near.

The towering man swivels toward us, his presence undeniably daunting. “We’re just having a family chat, doctor. Nothing more.”

His attempt at politeness is undermined by a sharpness in his tone that doesn’t go unnoticed. The red-haired woman laughs, her hand pressed to her chest as if to calm her racing heart.

“Seriously! We’re not family.”

“We are now, and don’t you forget it.” He pivots back and takes a step toward her.

My mind is a whirlwind, and I can’t shake the feeling that I might have just found Ginger. I sidestep Doctor Skye.

“I didn’t catch your names, and I’m trying to learn everyone’s around here,” I say, hoping to verify their identities swiftly.

“And what’s an alpha princess doing here training to be a pack doctor?” The gruff man growls.

“How do you know I’m an alpha?” I question.

He blinks at me, then glances at Doctor Skye. “I know who you are. As soon as he said ‘Moon,’ I knew. I could feel your aura, and then ‘Moon’… well, you must be from the Ridge Mountain Pack. Everyone knows about the alpha there.”

He states this with unwavering conviction. I glance at Ginger, and a flicker of recognition crosses her face. She must know I’m Max’s sister.

“That’s correct, Mr.… I’m sorry, what’s your name?”

“Grayson. And this is my daughter, Ginger,” he says, gesturing toward her.

“Excuse me, but I’m not your kid. I had a dad, and he’s with the Moon Goddess now. You’ll never replace him. NEVER.”

I notice a vein pulsating in her neck, a clear indication she’s on the verge of shifting. It’s obvious that this is Ginger.

Grayson emits a low growl, but Doctor Skye places a hand on his shoulder—either as a caution or an attempt to pacify him. It’s hard to tell.

“Well, Ginger,” I say, nodding in her direction. “It’s nice to finally meet you. Can we talk? Alone,” I add, emphasizing my point.

I shoot Grayson a look that should convey I mean business. If he tries anything, I’m prepared to show him just how swiftly this pack princess can put him in his place.

Ginger gives me a nod and deliberately sidesteps Grayson. I guide her ahead of me on the path, leading her back toward the pack clinic.

I trust Dr. Skye can handle his remaining two patients without us. As we begin to walk away, Grayson calls out, “This isn’t over, Ginger.”

I pivot back to him, flashing my most diplomatic smile. “Oh, but it really is, sir.”

We continue down the trail and soon we’re standing in front of the clinic. I’ve found Ginger, but now the challenge is persuading her to leave this place and return to Montana with me.

And then there’s the second question—where is her mother, and why is she allowing all this to happen in the first place?