Zyair

Swiping my finger across the screen, I answered the call and said, "Who is this?" To my surprise, it was Alpha.

"Mr. Kincaid, listen to me before you hang up or curse. Just listen."

There was a pleading, guilty edge to his voice, but it only made me angrier.

What did that bastard do to my daughter? Who knows?

"Alpha, you have the nerve to call me..." I flared with anger, unable to contain myself.

"I don’t have your daughter. I would never harm her. This is a misunderstanding I’m going to correct. But I know where she is. Please! Just trust me," he begged.

What new game was he playing?

"You haven’t given me a single reason to trust you. Like a coward, you ran away from the pack and want me to believe you had nothing to do with Zara’s kidnapping," I blurted out.

"I know, but I’m being set up. By the end of this day, I promise I’ll bring your daughter to you, and the real culprit will be brought to justice. The truth will be known," his voice rang out.

"I’m strong enough to find her myself. And once I do, I’ll come for you, Alpha. I don’t care who or what you are, but I won’t let even your shadow touch my daughter. Whatever you have with her, it will end."

Trembling, I thought, "How dare he try to deceive me?" But then he said what I already understood, and I wondered if he was telling the truth or just trying to deceive me.

***

Alpha Kane

The fake passports were prepared quite quickly.

I asked Brandon to come with me to reduce the risk of being caught, and he agreed without hesitation.

We disguised ourselves using wigs, travel clothes, and sunglasses. He was a makeup expert, and I didn’t have to persuade him to come with me.

We decided to fly commercial. Using my private jet was risky, as I knew the police would be in contact with air traffic control, and as soon as my plane landed, I would be detained.

"Ms. Marieke will be closely monitored; she won’t be able to use the phone until I pick up my mate. As soon as I give the instructions, I want her entire family to leave my empire. I don’t care where," I informed my men, giving them my final instructions before leaving.

They nodded obediently.

I turned to Mom, and dad adjusting the handcuffs.

"You’re in charge while I’m gone. I trust you to make the right decisions. Just call me if anything happens," I told my dad, never expecting him to do so. I think the collective hatred we harbored for our father was the catalyst.

"Go save your mate, I’ll handle things here in your absence," dad slapped me on the chest, determination shining in his eyes.

"I’ll be grateful," I replied with a grateful nod.

Mom stepped forward and silently hugged me. Her downcast face said it all. She was worried, very worried.

"I wish you’d told me something, but I trust you. Don’t get caught and don’t tear him," she whispered into my chest. I hugged her, pressing myself against her from behind.

"The only one who dies is the one who stands between her." I kissed the top of her head and let go.

Mom held my face for a moment, as if memorizing it, before letting go.

Brandon said goodbye, and we both got out and got into the car. My men had already left for the city. They had taken up their positions and were waiting for me with all the necessary equipment.

Atop my head rested a brown, curly wig, and my eyes were adorned with blue contact lenses.

We arrived at the airport and went through security without hesitation. Soon, we were settled into our seats.

The watch Zara had given me sat neatly on my wrist, and I couldn’t take my eyes off it. How happy she was, beaming like a blue rose, when she gave them to me.

And then I snatched a smile from her, and now I wasn’t even sure what state she was in. A quote appeared on my watch screen, indicating I was angry.

[Anger is just a sign that you care deeply about something. Use it as fuel for positive change.]

Of course, I was going to do it. The people who hurt her would never be free to roam; that’s the change I was going to bring.

Turning my head, I looked out the plane window. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

My heart bled at the thought of the state I’d find her in. If only I could turn into a damn bird and just fly there to save her. My heart wouldn’t calm down; it wanted to jump out of my chest.

With its wings spread, the legendary bird was ready to take flight. It was a reminder to me and a guarantee that no one would ever clip its wings again.

The tattoo was special...

No one but me and the tattoo artist knew that we had mixed some of her scarlet hair with the ink.

Now she was a part of me forever, and once I got my hands on that bastard Marcus, it would be this hand with her tattoo that would beat the life out of him.

I planned and imagined the details in my head. Sensing my tension and deep thought, Brandon squeezed my hand. Her worried gaze lingered on my face.

"You will find her and bring her back. Stop blaming yourself so much. That’s life, anything can happen," he paused, then said, "Mine cheated on me with someone else. So I sent all his nasty things to his new girlfriend and all the media," he said casually, shrugging and twirling his hands.

I had to look at her twice. Brandon could be cruel; he had similar traits to me, and I was proud of him.

"Let me know when you need to break her legs. How dare she cheat on my brother?" I put my arm around his shoulder, and he, clinging to me, said quietly,

"We’ll discuss this further when Zara is safe."

I nodded curtly at him.