Chapter 138: Does The Truth Even Exist? Part 2

Ezra's P.O.V

The journey to my house was somber, our small group moving with a sense of urgency tempered by caution.

As we moved with urgency, the forest around us seemed to mock our haste with the way the trees danced lazily with the wind. I drove my car to the pack house with Zoya lying securely in the backseat while the rest of the wolves ran as escorts around us.

When we got to the house, Zoya was placed in her comfortable room, surrounded by the reassuring presence of my pack members who were well-versed in providing medical care.

As I stood by Zoya's side, watching her chest rise and fall in a steady rhythm while the pack healers worked steadily around her, Cam taking the lead and I felt a renewed determination.

The events of the day had shattered the fragile peace that had been in place, but they had also opened up a dialogue that was long overdue.

It was clear that the tensions between our packs ran deep, but perhaps, in this moment of vulnerability, we could find common ground and a way to ensure the safety of those we cared for.

I still had trust issues when it came to my brother and his mate, but I guess if there's one thing I can place my faith on, it's Silas's undeniable mating bond with Zoya.

And I hoped that the truth I had long since been chasing for will finally come into my grasp at last.

Anika and Silas, though guarded, seemed to carry a hint of willingness to cooperate – which was good news, a glimmer of hope that we could navigate this storm and come out alive on the other end.

After ensuring that Zoya was resting peacefully, I tucked her into the bed, my fingers brushing a strand of hair away from her face with a gentleness I reserved for her alone.

I pressed a long kiss on her forehead, and hoped that even in her unconsciousness, my kiss would be able to convey the depth of the love I had for her.

"Wake up soon," I whispered under my breath as I pulled away.

Cam stood by the bedside, her watchful gaze on my unconscious wife-to-be. "Stay with her," I instructed Cam, my tone firm but filled with the underlying concern I felt. "Never let her leave your sight."

She nodded. "Of course."

Turning away from the room, my steps led me back to the area where Anika was being kept under guard.

As I approached her, the dim light seemed to cast shadows on her face, revealing a mixture of anxiety and apprehension.

I took a deep breath, pushing aside my anger for the sake of finding the truth.

"Anika," I began, my voice calm and composed, "I need to know everything you saw and did after you followed Zoya."

Anika's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability before she composed herself.

"I... I followed her to the house," she admitted, her voice tinged with hesitation. "I knocked on the door, called out to her, but there was no response."

I listened intently, piecing together her account with the puzzle that had unfolded earlier. "And then?" I prompted.

Anika took a breath, her fingers fidgeting slightly. "I was worried, especially since she's pregnant, so I looked through the windows... and I saw her lying unconscious on the floor."

My concern deepened as I listened to her words.

Zoya, vulnerable and unconscious, alone in that house.

My jaw clenched, and I fought to keep my emotions in check. "And what did you do then?"

"I... I broke in through one of the windows to get to her," Anika confessed, her gaze dropping to the floor momentarily. "I didn't see anyone inside, though. I checked around before you arrived."

I nodded, absorbing the information. "Did you notice anything unusual around the house? Any signs of a struggle?"

Anika shook her head, her expression genuinely uncertain. "No, nothing like that. It was like she just... collapsed. There were no bruises on her either, no visible physical ailments. She was just… unconscious. Almost like she was sleeping, but I thought it was an odd place for her to take a nap, and when I tried waking her up, she wouldn't. I even did a sweep of the house…"

As frustrating as it was not to have all the answers, it seemed that Anika was being honest about her actions.

I think…

My brows furrowed as I processed the information she had just shared.

It seemed she had done her best to help Zoya and ensure her safety, yet the situation remained as perplexing as ever.

My mind raced with possibilities, trying to piece together the events that had led to this point.

I couldn't help but feel both worry and guilt for not having been there to protect Zoya.

I turned to her, hoping that the frustration and concern wasn't evident on my face. I didn't want to pressure her, when she was the only one who could possibly answer my questions.

"You said you did a sweep of the house?" I asked, my voice calm but firm.

Anika nodded, her eyes reflecting her sincerity. "Yes, after I reached Zoya, I went back through the whole house, checking every room and corner. I wanted to make sure there was no one else there."

I frowned. A reluctant sense of gratitude rose within me. Her efforts were commendable, although surprising.

And yet… a sense of unease lingered within me.

Nothing was making sense. The circumstances just weren't adding up. But still… for some reason I couldn't shake the feeling that she was telling the truth.

I hoped I wasn't wrong about her, so help me god.

"And did you notice anything out of place? Anything that seemed unusual or strange?"

Anika's forehead creased as she thought back to her search. "I... well, to be honest, I had never been inside that house before, so I wouldn't really know if anything was amiss. But there was something... a smell."

My interest piqued at her words. "A smell?"

Anika nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, when I was inside, I caught a faint scent that was a bit like sulfur, if I'm not mistaken. It was strange, and I couldn't quite place where it was coming from. But it was definitely sulphur."

Despite everything else she described…that one word got stuck in my mind…

Sulfur.