Ellis
My heart was in anguish. An evil witch took love.
One of my warrior trackers recognized a witch had taken her because of the smell and markings on the ground where she stood. It had been hours since we'd been looking for her. Every tracker in my pack was searching for my mate, their Luna. We searched every part of the city, but it was futile. My lycan was miserable, desperate to find her.
Zeyneb and Luis worked hard with their systems and gave us different leads.
The sun had set, and it was getting dark.
Jace sighed and walked over to me. " I think you should go to the hospital and check on your daughter. We'll continue to search," he said.
I hadn't heard any news from anyone about my daughter. She must still be in a critical situation. I wanted to be with her badly, but I also needed to find her mother.
" No, Jace. I can't. Love could be anywhere," I said, running a hand through my hair. I didn't even want to think about what was happening to her.
" Zeyneb and Luis are tracing Maleck with their satellites. He must have something to do with this," Michael said. I did suspect my cousin because they were rogues at the scene, and Love has no ties to a witch. At that point, she must have been Maleck's witch. I wished it was my cousin who took her because he wouldn't kill her—he would want me to suffer first.
" Go to your children. They need you. We'll call you when we find Maleck's location," they said.
I nodded and went to the car. I went straight to the hospital. As I was leaving the parking lot, I bumped into someone. The man was tall and was wearing a mask and cap. He bowed his head and walked away. I stopped in my tracks. I was too engrossed in my thoughts to notice his scent sooner. He didn't smell like a shifter or a human. I didn't dwell on it, though. I turned to look at the man, but he was gone, almost as if I had imagined his presence.
I walked into the hospital where my daughter was. CC was still there. She looked exhausted. She hugged me.
" Any news of your mate?"
" No. I suspect Maleck," I informed her. She grimaced.
" How's she?" I asked.
" Waiting for the doctor. They were running more tests,"
" And Cayden. How is he?"
" Melody is with him. The boy asks for his mother and sister every minute. We gave him something to help him sleep. He was crying, and I didn't want him getting sick," she told me.
The doctor walked out of the ER. I took a deep breath, waiting for him to speak. I was so scared to hear what he'd say.
" Alpha - Your daughter," he started. He was hesitating.
" What?" I growled, losing my patience.
" She's doing alright. We are in shock. Her bruises are gone, she's breathing normally, and the swelling in her head has stopped," he informed me.
" How?" I whispered. I was relieved to hear that.
" We don't know, honestly. It couldn't be her lycan. She is too little to heal so quickly, even for a high-blood alpha," he informed us. Our children were high-blood alphas. They were above alpha average because of our heritage.
" My prayers worked. The moon mother is answering a pure heart, indeed," CC mused, smiling at the doctor. However, he shook his head.
" It is much more than that, chairwoman," he said. I was in wonder. However, I was grateful my little girl was alright.
" Doctor, can I see her?" I asked.
" Sure. We'll transfer to one of the suites," he said. CC linked her arm to mine.
" Let's get some coffee at the cafeteria, son," she sighed. She guided me to the cafeteria, and her assistant got us coffee. My head was swirling with many things. Today was supposed to be a happy occasion. The twins had been looking forward to their birthdays for weeks, and this happened.
' Do you think Love is safe?' I asked my lycan. He was silent the whole day after the crash. He was worried about Love and Solara, too.
' Yes. I could have felt the bond break if-' he didn't finish that sentence.
Grandmother was making calls. I buried my face in my hands. I wish I could turn back time.
I stood up and went to see my daughter. I got myself ready. I pushed the suite door open. My Solara was lying in a bed, looking small as ever. Machines were attached to her little body. The doctor was right. She healed from all the injuries. I kissed her forehead. I fell into the chair beside the bed and took her delicate hand in mine. I kissed it over and over again.
" You have to wake up soon," I whispered. " I'm going crazy over here, baby,"
' Dad, I need you,' those words rang in my ears again. She needed me, and I wasn't there. I should have been faster. I should have been there.
" I'm sorry_ I'm so sorry, Lara,"
There was a knock on the door, and CC entered the room. She softly walked towards us.
" The poor baby. I'm not used to seeing her like this," she said. I wasn't ready to leave my daughter just yet.
" That bracelet on her wrist is lovely," CC commented. I hadn't seen it earlier. Solara was wearing a multicolored pearl bracelet. It was captivating the eye with its unique colors. It looked ancient.
" Love must have bought it for her at the mall earlier," I said.
" Hmm," CC's eyes were stuck on the bracelet. She went over to touch it but rescinded her hand quickly,
" What?"
" It emits a strange energy when you go close," She whispered. I tried to touch it, and it was indeed. It felt warm and then cooled.
" It looks familiar, too. I doubt something like that is sold in shops, Ellis."
"You're overthinking this," I sighed, kissing my baby's hand.
I must have fallen asleep on the chair. I woke up to my phone ringing.
Zeyneb was calling me. I went outside to answer the call,
" Yes," I responded urgently.
" We are close to getting the location results. I'm letting you know. How's my niece?"
" Lara is doing well. It was a miracle," I said. That's what I call her healing.
" Thank goddess,"
After discussing it with my sister, I went back to the room. Gina was lying on the couch. CC must have gone home to be with Cayden. It was after midnight when I heard her soft voice call me.
" Daddy?"
I looked back at my daughter. I rushed to her side,
" My baby. You're awake," I was happy to see her awake. Her eyes fluttered a few times, adjusting to the light. Gina rushed to the bed in tears,
" Oh, sweet angel, you're finally awake."
" How do you feel, darling?"
" Where's my Mummy?" she asked, her voice hoarse. Her eyes lazily scanned around the room.
" Mummy is not feeling too well, so she's resting in the other room. You were in an accident," I lied to her about her mother. She slowly nodded her head, and tears fell down her face. My heart clutched at the sight,
" I fell in the water and couldn't swim because I was trapped," she told me.
" Dad, you didn't come," she sobbed. I kissed her head, apologizing to her.
" I'm sorry Daddy was late. I hope you can forgive me, sweet girl," I kissed her repeatedly. She didn't stop crying. I held her hand. Gina pressed the button on the headboard to call the nurse. The doctor and nurse walked in. They sedated her.
As I stared at my daughter's sleeping form, my anger grew for the person responsible for this. They will die for this.
I don't know how long I stayed there, but when I left the hospital, it was at dusk. Zeyneb called me, telling me they knew where Maleck's pack was. That bastard would pay for all he did to my family.