Dane's POV.
“Find out what Edmond has been up to lately, Beta Ivar!” My fist clenched as I gave the order. There was no possibility that the blood stains on Edmond's wrist were from an animal.
I knew and could sense animal blood when I saw it, and that wasn't anything related to an animal. It was werewolf blood, and it could belong to Astrid.
“Are you sure about this, Alpha Dane? I'm pretty certain that Edmond won't be happy if he finds out that you had him followed!” Beta Ivar stated, the tinge of fear in his voice evident at this moment.
“Trust me and do as I said, Beta Ivar! Is that clear?” I urged him with my eyes fixed on him. Because he saw that I was serious, he had no other choice but to accept. He wasn't going to deny his Alpha now, was he?
“It's obvious that he has something up his sleeve!” I added, turning my gaze away from Beta Ivar.
“Understood, Alpha Dane!” He nodded his head and after a few seconds of delay, he turned on the engine of the car and we zoomed out of the place where we had stopped earlier.
We headed back to the pack's mansion, and truth be told, it felt lonely. I didn't want to go back, but it was important to stay at the pack mansion, just as Edmond had notified me earlier.
On our way back to the mansion, only one person meant so much to me, and that was no other than Astrid.
I wasn't sure when I had begun to develop feelings for her or began to fall for her, but it was really deep, and I couldn't bring myself to forget her.
My journey back to the pack's mansion was so focused on Astrid that I didn't realise when we arrived.
“Alpha Dane, we are here!” Beta Ivar's voice broke through my thoughts, and I snapped back to reality, looking out of the car to see the mansion before us.
With a deep sigh, I opened the door, climbed out of the car, and headed into the mansion. I bet Beta Ivar could see how miserable I was and was willing to help me be well again.
I was going to head into my study, but on second thought, I needed to feel Astrid closer to me at least. With a swift move, I walked over to the room.
It was quite difficult to get myself to walk into the room, considering that it was the last place we hugged each other before she went missing.
Reaching for the door knob, I hesitated for a split second, pondering whether to go ahead with the plan of opening the door or heading back to my study.
“If you really want her, why don't you go in… maybe it'll ease your frustration!” I thought inwardly, and with a deep sigh leaving my lips, I turned the knob and pushed it open.
Immediately, silence and emptiness overwhelmed me. The room carried nothing but the echoes of that night, the night we were attacked by rogues.
Taking each step into the room, I felt the need to see Astrid again. I felt the need to watch her rush up to me, embrace me, and smile at me too.
All this while, I had taken her presence for granted. I had acted like she didn't mean anything to me.
“If only I knew that you would be gone that night, I would have stopped seeing you as the enemy and loved you just as you deserve, Astrid…” I whispered softly as I walked over to the bed.
Sitting on it, I recalled the first time we kissed on the bed. The first time we were going to have sex, but I withdrew because I felt so jealous seeing Edmond lay a finger on her.
“I'm sorry for everything, Astrid. I hope when you return, we will be as peaceful as we should be.” My hand reached for the bed, and slowly, I slid my hand on it.
It reminded me of her. Every single thing or item in the room reminded me of my mate, whom I had thought I hated to the core.
“Anyone responsible for this won't go scot-free! I promise you that, Astrid! They must pay dearly for trying to bring me to my lowest!” My fingers clenched on the bed sheet I sat on.
There was no way I was going to ignore them. I wasn't going to ignore the fact that they had made me go through hell without having my mate close to me for days.
“And if you are dead?” I paused, standing to my feet and walking over to the window in the room.
“I'm not sure what I might do to myself, Astrid, but those that killed you will surely not live to see the next full moon in the pack!” I declared defiantly, my fist clenching and my eyes narrowing with the anger that gnawed within me.
Just as I was still trying to get my head together, the door to the room burst open, drawing my attention towards it immediately.
Turning around to find out who had stormed into the room without permission, I found Beta Ivar.
I would have punished the person, but seeing that it was Beta Ivar, it was clear that he had something to say, some information to give me.
“What is wrong, Beta Ivar? We just returned!” I asked abruptly, sliding my hands into my pockets as I stared at him, waiting for a response.
“It's Edmond, Alpha Dane,” he bowed his head as he started his report.
Just as I had imagined, he had something useful to tell me.
“And what about him, Beta Ivar?” I interviewed, taking steps closer to where he stood.
“I immediately sent men to monitor him just as you commanded, Alpha Dane, and as it stands, Edmond is on the move. We are not sure where he's heading to, but according to the spies I sent, he isn't going anywhere within the pack!”
Beta Ivar explained in detail, a sense of urgency immediately coursing through my veins as my eyes widened in shock.
“No matter what, Beta Ivar! Make sure they don't miss him! They must follow him and find out where he's heading!” I commanded, and with a swift bow, Beta Ivar turned on his heels and dashed out of the room.
“I knew you were up to no good, Edmond, and I can't wait to make everyone see you for what you truly are…” A sneer curled up on my lips as I stared at the door.