Mated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 90: Dark Trails

Third POV

The door opened, and Melanie Simmons strode in, her light brown hair perfectly styled despite the hours held in detainment. When her eyes landed on Levi, a smile stretched across her face.

“Levi! I was wondering when you’d want to see me.” Her voice was sweet, almost hopeful as she took the seat across from him.

Levi’s expression remained stone cold. Gone was the flirtatious man who would have winked or made a suggestive comment just months ago. His green eyes were hard as emeralds.

“Cut the crap, Melanie,” he said flatly. “I need information, not small talk.”

Her smile faltered slightly. “I don’t know anything about Hazel’s disappearance, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m sure you know that we were never close—”

Levi’s fist slammed onto the table with such force that both Melanie and Callum flinched. The sound echoed through the small interrogation room like a gunshot.

“Stop wasting my time!”

Melanie’s eyes widened. “I swear, I don’t know where she is! I was at the festival the whole time. Ask anyone—”

“We already did,” Callum interjected, stepping forward with his clipboard. “You were seen speaking with Kira near the edge of the clearing shortly before the welcome speech was supposed to start. What were you talking about?”

“What? Is it a crime now to gossip with my friend?” Melanie’s gaze darted between the two men. “We were just chatting about girl stuff. Nothing important.”

“Girl stuff,” Levi repeated, his voice dangerously low. “Like plotting ways to hurt my mate?”

“No! I wouldn’t—”

“Because it’s not like you haven’t tried before,” Callum cut in. “The locker room incident? The sabotaged food at the pack gathering? Ring any bells?”

Melanie’s face paled. Those were from years ago, even before Melanie dated Levi.

“Not to mention you two tried to corner her at Sophia’s house just recently,” Callum added.

Levi leaned forward, his eyes flashing gold for a brief second. “Who have you been talking to, Melanie?”

“It’s just—” She stopped herself, but it was too late. “I mean—”

“Who?” Levi growled.

“It’s not what you think,” Melanie rushed to say. “Annie just wanted to visit her family, that’s all. She misses them, especially with the Spring Festival and all. She—”

“Annie?” Levi’s voice cut through the room like a blade. “You’ve been in contact with Annie Williams? The same Annie who was thrown out of this pack for attacking Hazel?”

Callum stepped closer, his normally friendly face now hard with anger. “How long have you been communicating with her?”

Melanie’s composure cracked completely. “It’s not a crime to talk to an old friend! She’s been having a rough time since she was exiled. We just chat sometimes, that’s all.”

Levi stood up, towering over her. “What exactly did Annie say to you?”

“Nothing important! She just—she just mentioned missing her family and wanting to see them during the festival.” Melanie’s voice grew smaller. “She asked if there was any way she could sneak in for a quick visit.”

“And what did you tell her?” Callum demanded.

Melanie hesitated, her fingers nervously tapping the table. “I might have... suggested that security would be lighter during the festival. With so many visitors from the Ironhound Pack, one more face wouldn’t stand out.”

Levi’s nostrils flared as he fought to control his wolf. “You helped her sneak back in? After what she did to Hazel?”

“She said she just wanted to see her parents!” Melanie’s voice rose in panic. “How was I supposed to know she’d do anything bad?”

“Because she tried to maul and poison my mate before!” Levi roared, slamming both hands on the table this time.

Callum placed a restraining hand on Levi’s shoulder before turning back to Melanie. “Where is Annie now?”

“I don’t know! I swear!” Melanie’s eyes welled with tears. “She hasn’t been answering my texts since the festival. I thought maybe she got caught or changed her mind.”

Levi straightened, his mind racing. “Was Kira in on this too?”

Melanie’s hesitation was all the confirmation they needed.

“Officer Brooks!” Levi called out. The door opened immediately. “Detain Miss Simmons and bring in Kira next. They’re both to be held in cells until further notice.”

“What? You can’t do that!” Melanie protested as the officer stepped forward.

“I’m the Alpha,” Levi said coldly. “I can do whatever I need to protect my pack and find my mate.”

As Melanie was escorted out, Levi pulled out his phone and typed a quick message to his brothers.

It’s Annie.

Callum watched him with concern. “You really think Annie took Hazel?”

“I don’t know,” Levi admitted, running a hand through his hair. “I doubt she could’ve done it alone. But she has motive, opportunity, and apparently access to our territory during the festival. It’s the best lead we’ve got.”

+++

Night had fallen by the time Lucas and Liam arrived at the address their mother had reluctantly provided.

The Dark Hour didn’t look like much from the outside—just an inconspicuous building with tinted windows and a small neon sign above the door. It sat on neutral territory, just outside the Emberfang Pack boundaries.

“Hard to believe this is the place,” Liam muttered as they approached. “Doesn’t look like a fight club.”

Lucas’s face was grim. “That’s probably the point.”

The bouncer—a massive werewolf with arms thicker than Liam’s thighs—barely glanced at them before stepping aside. Either he recognized them as Alphas, or the club truly wasn’t as exclusive as they’d thought.

Inside, the club pulsed with life and music. A DJ stood on a raised platform, controlling the beats that thundered through the space while bodies moved on the dance floor. Colored lights flashed across sweating skin and glittering drinks. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

“This doesn’t seem right,” Liam said, frowning as he scanned the crowd. “It just looks like a regular nightclub.”

“Maybe to some,” Lucas said with a scoff. “Smell that?”

Liam closed his eyes briefly, filtering through the assault of stimuli. Then he caught it. Beneath the perfume, alcohol, and sweat was the unmistakable metallic scent of blood.

Liam’s eyes widened as he stared at his brother.

“Over there,” Lucas nodded toward the bar.

As they made their way through the crowd, several patrons turned to stare. A woman with long black hair sidled up to Lucas, placing a hand on his chest.

“Looking for company, handsome?” she purred.

Lucas removed her hand firmly. “No.”

Another woman approached Liam with similar intentions, but his cold stare sent her retreating into the crowd.

At the bar, a woman with neon pink hair and multiple piercings greeted them with a smile. Her nametag read ‘Ruby’. By the looks of it, she seemed human, which was a strange sight for a club filled with everything but.

“What can I get you gentlemen?” she asked, leaning forward to show off her cleavage.

Before either could answer, a pale man with unnaturally sharp canines slid onto the stool beside them.

“The usual, Ruby,” he said, his voice carrying a thick accent.

Without hesitation, Ruby pulled out a small knife, sliced her forearm, and let her blood flow into a glass. She filled it halfway before pressing a cloth to the cut and sliding the glass to the vampire, who downed it like a shot of liquor.

Ruby popped a small pill into her mouth and swallowed it dry. Noticing Lucas and Liam’s stares, she smiled.

“Blood replenishing pill,” she explained. “Keeps us donors healthy.” Her gaze turned flirtatious as she looked them up and down. “I offer other services too for good-looking folk, if you’re interested. Private rooms in the back.”

Liam’s face showed disgust, but Lucas remained impassive.

Lucas stated flatly, ignoring her advances, “I need to speak with the owner of this place.”