Dane's POV
Igniting the engine of the car, I was finally ready to do it; to kill Beta Ivar just to get him out of my way so I could go find Astrid.
But as I got closer to him, he didn't flinch, he didn't move an inch. He stood there, defiant and unyielding, challenging me with his calm.
At this point, I had no other choice but to stop already. If I kept moving the car towards him, he wasn't going to move, and I would kill him.
I couldn't bring myself to kill my own Beta. Ivar knew that killing him would mean a lot and bring a lot of harm to the pack, which I didn't want.
That was what gave him the courage to stand before the car, challenging me.
The second I got pretty close to him, I stepped hard on the brakes, causing it to make a screeching sound that irritated me to the core.
Seeing that I had stopped the car, Beta Ivar smirked. He was having fun, seeing how much I valued him. He had seen that his plan had worked and he had won this round.
“Fine! Get in!” I commanded in a calm tone. Because that was what he wanted, he rushed to get into the car, shutting the door the second he stepped in.
“I'm sorry for this, Alpha,” he said, bowing his head as he apologised, making me turn to him.
“Don't be sorry yet, Ivar… you'll definitely pay for making me do this!” I declared before stepping on the gas and zooming out of the mansion.
Ivar was definitely going to pay for the scene he had caused, for being stubborn and disobeying my commands.
We carried out our search, heading from one storehouse to another in the pack, trying to make sure that no stone was unturned as we looked for Astrid.
The whole pack was quiet, so I was hoping that somehow, we would hear her cries and find where she was being held, but it was fruitless. The search became more stressful and disturbing as we continued.
“They just left the mansion; they shouldn't have gone that far, right?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as we looked around the place. Soon, I spotted someone who looked exactly like Astrid walking along the way. I swiftly stopped the car, and Ivar looked shocked.
I climbed out of the car and ran toward the lady walking along the way at such an hour. Getting closer, I grabbed her hand and stopped her right in her tracks.
“Luna?” I panted, struggling to speak as I turned her to face me. I was hoping to see Astrid, but I was stunned to see someone different. Her back view was like that of Astrid, but her face? No, she was much uglier, and my mate wasn't like that.
“Alpha!” she gasped, bowing her head. “I shouldn't be out here… I…” She was about to explain her reasons for staying out of her house when everyone had been commanded to stay indoors, but I didn't want to hear it. It was her choice.
I swiftly turned on my heels and headed back to the car. I climbed into it and couldn't help but strike the steering wheel harder, frustration etched across my face.
“What the fuck! Shit!” I growled furiously, trying to stop my anger from overflowing. It was becoming more difficult by the moment.
It was becoming frustrating, and I couldn't endure it anymore. I just wanted to find her, to see my mate and hold her.
Look her in the eyes and tell her that I survived the attack, that I'm sorry for treating her badly. I wasn't sure why, but I suddenly felt connected to Astrid, and if I didn't find her, I might lose myself before dawn.
“Alpha Dane, why don't we go back and continue the search tomorrow?” Beta Ivar suggested as he turned to me, his voice piercing through my thoughts.
I ignored him as I ignited the engine of the car and zoomed off. I never begged him to come with me. He decided to come with me, and now he wanted us to return? What a joke. Just as I kept driving, I felt Ivar's hand on mine, making me turn to look at him briefly.
“We are not friends, Ivar… you are my beta, and you should show me some respect!” I demanded, which made him take his hand off mine instantly.
“I'm sorry, Alpha, but it's getting late, and we need to head back now!” he begged softly, his voice calm and soothing, but I still didn't listen to him.
“I won't return to that mansion without Astrid by my side! Do you get that clear?” I ignored him as I kept driving through the darkness. The fog was becoming thicker, and I began to find it difficult to see clearly through it.
“Alpha Dane, you are bleeding again. Let's head back!” Ivar started again, his nagging making me scoff.
“I'll be fine! I must find my Luna!” I stated as I kept driving. Just then, I realised that I was becoming weaker by the second, just as Ivar had noted. I was beginning to feel dizzy, and my vision had started to become blurry.
“Alpha, are you okay?” Ivar questioned. It was obvious that he had noticed me acting weird.
“I'm okay!” I shook my head, trying to shake off the dizziness, but it was difficult. My eyes became heavier, and I couldn't control myself. Unfortunately, I let go of the wheel, and the car took a wrong turn.
“Dane!” Ivar exclaimed as he immediately grabbed the wheel, stopping the car from crashing into the trees.
“Astrid! I… I must find her!” I fought to speak up, my eyes growing heavier.
“We must get back!” Ivar urged. Just then, I found myself finally passing out, my eyes finally shutting.
“Alpha Dane? Alpha!” These were the last words I heard before losing consciousness.