Beta's Second Chance

Search Pt.1

Iris noticed Maverick's shocked and nervous look; she knew something terrible had happened. Maverick wanted to yell out but didn't want to make Iris nervous. He walked out of the room and went toward the living room. "How did this happen? Did anyone see him leave?"

"A couple of patients and a nurse noticed a boy walk by the halls, and some noticed him going toward the gardens. A nurse asked him where he was going. She said that he said 'Mommy' as he pointed to the gardens. It was a possibility that the nurse believed that Asher had his mother waiting since there were some female visitors and patients outside."

Maverick massaged his eyes. "How long ago was the boy noticed missing?"

"About thirty minutes ago, Beta. Please forgive our irresponsibility."

"Alright, there's a possibility that he hasn't gone far. Tell the hospital staff that some of our pack members will be sent to search for him. Make sure to have something of the child to ensure we have some his scent." The two men hung up, and when Maverick turned, Iris stood outside the room. "Iris, you-"

"Did something happen to Asher?"

The werewolf put his phone on the coffee table. "Asher is missing from the hospital; it seemed he walked out alone."

Iris gasped and felt immediate worry. "Wh-What!? He ran away!?"

"Don't worry, Iris. I and the pack will find him, and when I do, I will bring him here."

"I-I want to go with you! He might become comfortable with me!" Maverick was about to protest, but Iris walked closer; she wasn't having any of it. "You won't change my mind, Maverick. Besides, I need to get used to your...world. The more I see your kind, the easier and faster it will be for me to accept." She got in front of him and gently held onto his left hand. "Please. I'm also worried about Asher."

Maverick sighed as he gently held her hand. "Alright, stay close to me and don't do anything rash. There's a possibility that I might have to change into my werewolf form. You won't get scared, right?"

"No, I probably will get surprised again, but I won't faint. Like I said, I need time to get used to this new reality." Iris smiled as she motioned his face close to hers; she kissed him on the cheek. "I just want to help find Asher and bring him here safely."

"Alright." Maverick's eyes became foggy as he used his mind link to connect with Matthias. When he felt the Alpha accept the connection, he wasted no time. "Alpha, the hospital called me, and the child ran away! I'm going toward the hospital to get some hint of his scent!"

"Calm down, Maverick! I will get there as soon as I can, but go ahead and get an early start. I will tell some of the pack members to go to the hospital to help you in the search. What about Iris?"

"I told her everything. She insisted that she come along. She says that a woman's presence may help soothe the child."

Matthias sighed but felt relieved that it went well for his Beta. "Okay, but make sure she doesn't venture out alone. I will also contact Rickon. His mind linked me, saying he was going to Andrea's house."

Alpha and Beta closed the mind link; Maverick then motioned Iris to follow him to his car, where they both got inside. The car was driven away from the house and onto the open road. Iris couldn't help but yelp and the speed Maverick drove. He drove past many cars, making dangerous sharp turns to get a head start. Drivers honked their horns in anger, but Maverick paid no mind to them. He was hellbent to get to the hospital as soon as possible. 

Meanwhile, Rickon was in his dark gray wolf form, running toward an apartment complex that was the farthest from the mainland of the pack. A couple of pack members were in and out of the apartment complex. However, everyone looked curious or nervous when Rickon's wolf was seen. The pack members in the apartment complex knew about Andrea and Rickon's relationship. Many members spoke about it but decided not to put their noses in their business. Rickon stopped in front of the apartment complex and then ran to the last door of the corner. He broke the door open, surprising all the residents. Everyone took a peek at what Rickon was doing; they knew something happened.

Rickon was inside Andrea's apartment. Her scent had been around since, but when he growled for her, there was no sight of her. He changed back to his nude human form, but he didn't care. "Andrea! Where the hell are you!?" The werewolf walked to the two different rooms and the one bathroom; he ensured he looked into the closest or any small compartments. Andrea was nowhere in sight. Her entire apartment was in disarray; clothes were everywhere. Dirty dishes were in the sink and kitchen table. There were wine bottles and magazines on the living room floor. 

However, he couldn't believe what he saw when he went to her room. There was writing on the bedroom walls that looked to be red paint that read: 'I'm going to kill them! It's her fault! Rickon, I love you!' When Rickon read the walls, he couldn't help but feel a hint of dread in the pit of his stomach. "She has truly gone insane." 

Then, Rickon felt someone was trying to connect with him using mind-link. He grunted in annoyance, but he answered. "Rickon, I got an urgent message from Maverick. He told me that the child escaped the hospital!"

"What!? Are you serious!?"

"I wish I wasn't! Get to the hospital as quickly as possible. We don't want another tragedy to happen." Matthias then stopped using the mind link. 

Rickon huffed as he returned to his wolf form and exited the apartment; he ignored all the stares as he ran toward the hospital. "I will find you, Andrea, if it's the last thing I do!"