Zara

"You’re awake," Marcus’s mocking voice rang out from behind me, and I tried to scream at him, but all that came out was muffled gibberish.

"Ah! You’re trying to talk. Well, why don’t we say hello to bro and Dad? I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to hear from their little princess."

He reached out and ripped the blindfold off me, momentarily blinding me with a bright light. Sunspots danced before my eyes, and I squinted, trying to focus on this bastard.

He stood in front of me, filming me with his cell phone. His usually pleasant smile had faded, losing all its warmth. His demeanor seemed to grow grimmer.

"Come on, Zara, smile. Why are you so gloomy? Say hello."

"To Dad." His head tilted like a villain from a fashion novel, and now I understood why he always irritated me.

I looked at him, anger flashing in his eyes.

’But why was he alone? Where was that bastard Alpha? A true genius.’ Nova rolled her eyes and was ready for an attack.

My eyes darted around, taking in my surroundings, ’control yourself, my little wolf, we will handle it. It seemed like an empty room with one door and the chair I was tied to.’ A few more rusty chairs and a table in the corner.

The cheap paint was peeling, and the bright lamps hanging from the ceiling reflected off the walls.

"So, let’s send this to your beloved Dad and see what he says. Maybe, if I’m feeling generous, I’ll remove the gag and let you say a few words." He stepped forward, brushed his blond hair off his forehead, and winked.

"Don’t worry, I’ll read aloud any messages your family sends me."

I shook my head, "Not my family. Dad wouldn’t stand it." He seemed strong, but his heart was too soft when it came to me. I couldn’t even imagine the torment he would feel seeing me like this.

’That bastard was enjoying it. He was twisted, just as twisted as Alpha. No wonder they were best friends.’ Nova disliked being tied.

And then the door opened, and someone entered. ’I already knew who it would be.’ I said to my wolf.

My gaze fell on the figure.

But instead of Alpha, a woman entered the room. A woman, probably in her sixties, with a face that had seen too many botched surgeries.

’Where is Alpha?’ Nova yelled.

’ I don’t know, let’s wait for him.’ I replied to my wolf.

Disgust was the only expression on her face as she looked at me. Marcus immediately hugged her. He hugged her and triumphantly declared, "Finally, we found her mother."

***

Alpha Kane

Guilt washed over me as I reached my bike and saw that Kaysir was no longer in the car. Zara must have told him she wasn’t coming back, so he’d retreated to his room.

Taking out my cell phone, I called Kaysir.

"Make sure Zara is safe. Check on her every few hours and bring her dinner," I said, knowing she’d starve herself again.

I shouldn’t have left her like this, but right now, I was the last person she wanted to see.

My wolf was not happy. He is angry with me; he loved his Luna dearly.

Getting back on my bike, I headed home. I needed a new plan and someone to mediate between us.

Zara was stubborn, and she wasn’t going to listen to my pleas now. I was afraid she might do something harmful that would haunt her in the future.

Maybe I should talk to Mom. My stomach clenched with worry and thoughts of Zara. Betrayal and regret had settled in her heart, and I wasn’t even sure how to get her back.

When I reached home, I parked the motorcycle in the secret room and went upstairs.

Asbela met me halfway.

"Alpha! Dinner?"

I shook my head. "No, I’m not hungry. Did Mom eat?"

"Yes, and she retired to her room," Asbela informed me before I let her go.

Maybe I’ll talk to her tomorrow.

Entering my room, I smelled a faint scent of Zara. It still lingered, especially on the bed she’d lain on before leaving.

Without even bothering to change, I simply took off my shoes and plopped down on the side of the bed where she’d slept.

The bed was still permeated with her warmth and fruity scent. Inhaling greedily, I took her pillow and hugged it.

"My Luna, you’ve become an inseparable part of me. And no matter what I have to do, I will win your heart."

Taking my phone out of my pocket, I sent her an apology. I knew it meant nothing to her, but I had to try. She didn’t read it, so I opened her Christmas photos and started staring at them like an idiot.

The ringing of my phone brought me back to reality. I saw it was Kaysir. Quickly answering, I said,

"Sir! I brought Luna dinner, but she won’t open the door or answer my calls." My world shook at his words, and Kaysir continued,

"So I went downstairs and asked the security guards, and they said they saw her leaving the building about 15 minutes ago. The cars are here, so I don’t know where she is." The anxiety was fully reflected in his voice as I abruptly jumped out of bed.

"I’m coming, take the car and look for her. Keep calling her." Before I knew it, I was already descending the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest.

My finger dialed Beta’s number.

"Take the car, we’re going to Zara’s," I grumbled and ran out.

Something was wrong, I felt it with my whole being. She never turned off her phone. She might be petty, but she wasn’t stupid.

When I arrived, Beta was already standing by the car with the door open. I jumped in, and soon we were racing to Zara’s apartment.

My fingers kept calling and texting her, but the same stupid voice kept repeating:

"This user is currently unavailable." Luna! Where are you? "I asked desperately, the pain dulling my senses.

I shouldn’t have left her in the first place.

We approached her house, and I saw the guards talking among themselves. I quickly opened the door and rushed towards them.

"Hello! I’m Kane Sterling. My mate, Zara, lives here. Did you see her leave?"

They both nodded.

"Yes, Miss Zara left the building about 45 minutes ago. She went left and, as far as I remember, was empty-handed."

Why did you leave alone, Zara? The thought that someone had taken her burned my soul.

I needed to stay calm and think things through.

"Have you seen anyone lingering around? Anyone who isn’t a resident but comes here often?"

They both shook their heads. "No, we take our work seriously."

I nodded before entering the building and heading to the front desk. The girl behind the desk always gave me a beaming smile, so I approached her as well, plastering on a fake one.

"Hello! Severa, how are you?" I greeted her, and she blinked innocently.

"Mr. Sterling, I’m fine. How can I help you? It seems Zara’s gone." She placed both hands on the desk and smiled sweetly.

I had to charm her to get a spare keycard to Zara’s apartment.

"Actually, I wanted to surprise Zara, so I wanted to throw her a party before she arrived. So, would you be so kind as to give me a spare keycard to her apartment?" I rested my elbow on her desk and winked. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Severa blushed deeply and giggled, as if I were throwing a party for her.

"Of course! Mr. Sterling. Anything for you."

She opened the drawer, took out a key card, and handed it to me.

"Have a good time, I hope she says yes," Svera thought I was going to propose to Zara. I hoped it worked out.

I knew that as soon as I got to Zara’s apartment, I’d get at least some clue as to where she’d gone, and if I have to, I’ll have to go to the police.

After a long time, I walked to the elevator and went up. All the fake smile disappeared from my face.

When the elevator rang, I rushed to her apartment door. I tried to open it, but the door was locked, which meant she had gone wherever she wanted.

I used the key card and carefully opened the door. It was highly likely that she had just gone out for a snack and could return at any second. She wouldn’t be pleased at all if I broke into her apartment.

But after what she’d learned about me, it was doubtful she’d go out to eat.

The door closed quietly behind me, and the first thing I noticed was her duffel bag. It was full, which meant she was getting ready to go somewhere.

Most likely home, since it seemed she no longer wanted to deal with people like me.

Her handbag was lying on top of her duffel bag, and I involuntarily walked towards it.