Alpha Dylan

Chapter 18 | You Call Yourself An Alpha?

I stared at my father and Gia in shock, my eyes wide and doe like.

"What do you mean he's missing?" I asked, shaking my head.

"He wasn't in his bed this morning," replied my Dad, rubbing his hands down his face in angst as he huffed, his face masked with concern.

"He never leaves without letting someone know," I muttered, averting my gaze, swallowing harshly.

"We've looked all over the grounds, and we can't find him," said Gia, folding her arms across her chest, chewing at her bottom lip.

"He couldn't have gone far. Does Alpha Paul know he's missing?"

My father shook his head. "No, we were waiting until we had heard from you, just in case you knew where he was."

"I'm sorry, I should have answered my phone," I mumbled, running my hands through my dark hair.

"It's fine, you're here now, but we need to go and let Alpha Paul know," comforted Gia, following my Dad out of the door.

I followed them across the grounds towards Alpha Paul's office, racking my brain for answers as to why Jared had left. I was trying to tell myself that there was a reasonable explanation, but I couldn't help but think of the worst, and I was scared that he was lost and hurt.

Jared hadn't been himself lately, and I knew he was struggling with the fact that he had to watch the fighters live out his dream role, knowing that it was something he would never be able to do.

I was worried he had left because I had pushed him into training with Dylan, and secretly it was all just too much for him, despite the excitement he portrayed.

I was trying to give Jared as much as I could, and all I wanted was for him to be happy, but I knew I couldn't take the pain away fully.

I noticed the pained look on his face when he would watch other people shift and run around happily, pretending to be happy when really he felt low and alone.

Leaving the pack to go and become Luna made me worried for Jared, because I knew he would feel even lonelier not having me around. I was confident Gia would look after him, but I couldn't help but panic at the thought of Jared feeling so vulnerable.

Gia grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly as we rounded the corner, making our way to Alpha Paul's office door quickly. My Dad knocked eagerly, shifting his weight from foot to foot as he chewed on his bottom lip, clearly overwhelmed with worry.

Alpha Paul opened the door, raising his eyebrows as he took in our worried faces, confusion masking his old face. "Can I help?"

"Yes, I need to report my son as missing," stated my Dad, his voice slightly wavering.

Alpha Paul's eyes widened, shock overcoming his face before he composed himself, nodding. "Right, when was the last time you saw him?"

"Last night before bed."

Paul furrowed his brows, shaking his head as he nodded slowly. "I'm afraid there's nothing I can do at this time. He's only classed as missing until twenty four hours have passed. He may have just gone on a run."

"Alpha Paul, we are talking about my son Jared Mason who uses a wheelchair. We've asked around, and nobody has said they've seen him," replied my Dad, his voice stern.

"Ah, yes, I know Jared. Well, if he is still missing after this evening, we can organise a search party of volunteers," said Alpha Paul, attempting to shut the door, but stopping once he saw my furious face.

"Volunteers? Why don't we use the fighters, they're trained in this?" I asked, anger bubbling up inside of me.

"Oh, no, the fighters are training with Alpha Dylan, as you know," said Alpha Paul, shaking his head. "They don't have time to be searching for wolves who have gone walkabout."