*Caspian*
I rolled over in bed, my hand finding empty space where My Love should have been. I sat up, looking at the bedside clock. It read 8:30. I sniffed the air, the pup’s scent now mingled in with her burning embers and cherry, giving it a delicious smoky smell. I frowned, finding only small traces, meaning she had been up for several hours already. I threw the covers off, pulling on sweatpants and a t-shirt. The hall was busy as usual. Omegas scurried from room to room doing whatever chore they had been given. Everyone I passed muttered their greetings. Natilee passed as I made it to the first floor, I grabbed her arm. “Nat, have you seen Luna Kalama.” She shook her head,
“Sorry, Alpha. I haven’t. Maybe she’s visiting Nani? Or Elite Samatha?” I nodded.
“Thanks.” I said, setting off in the direction of the Hospital Wing. Her smell was stronger that way. I walked into the main room, scanning the area. No Kalama.
“Hello, Alpha.” Nani waved from her bed. I smiled walking over to her.
“Hey, Nani. How are you this morning?”
“Good, Alpha. Thank you for asking. Dr. Barker says I should be back in the kitchen in a few days.”
“That’s good. Listen, has Luna Kalama been to see you yet?” She shook her head.
“Sorry Alpha. I haven’t seen her since last night.” I nodded.
“Okay. Thank you, Nani.” I patted her hand, smiling. Dr. Barker sat at his desk outside Sam’s room.
“Ah, Alpha Caspian.” He smiled.
“Hey, Doctor. Has the Luna been in to see Sam this morning?”
“I’m sorry Alpha, she hasn’t.” Panic squeezed my gut, but I shoved it away. I cleared my throat,
“Thanks anyway.” I didn’t wait for a reply, turning around and walking back out the door. I headed straight for her office, struggling not to run up the stairs to the second floor. I yanked the office door open perhaps a little too hard. “Kalama?” The room was empty.
“She hasn’t been in here for a while.” Bay said. “In fact, my mate’s scent has been faint the whole way here.” He was right. Kalama’s scent had faded the closer I’d gotten. I mind-linked John and Neal.
“Have any of you seen Kalama?”
“No.” Neal replied.
“Not since late last night.” John said. The panic seized my gut again.
“Neal, send a mass link to all the Warriors. See if there was any odd movement last night, or if anyone has seen her.”
“Yes Alpha.” He replied shortly after. “Nothing, Alpha. No one has seen her since she went to bed last night.”
“My office now.”
“Yes, Alpha.” I went back out to the hall, grabbing the first Omega to cross my path, a young boy, probably no older than eleven or twelve.
“Adam. Alert all the Omegas and the Warriors. Luna Kalama is missing. I want everyone on the lookout. Do you understand?” He nodded.
“Yes, Alpha.” I didn’t wait for him to leave, turning and running, taking the stairs two at a time, down to my office. The panic now squeezed my heart and lungs, making it hard to breathe. My office door slammed into the wall as I flung it open. I was quick to cover the surprise, as my eyes fell on Ben. He stood in the middle of the room, his back straight, hands folded behind his back. Neal, John, and Julie came up behind me.
“Elite Benjamin, whatever it is, will have to wait. We have more…”
“I know.” He cleared his throat. “Forgive me, Alpha.” Anger exploded, red flashing before my eyes. My hands grabbed the Warrior by the shirt. A roar vibrated off the walls as I slammed him into the wall.
“What did you do?” I growled. Ben met my hard gaze for a second, before looking over my shoulder instead.
“I’m sorry Alpha. She forbade me from telling you.” I growled again, releasing him. I ran my hands through my hair, pacing. A Luna’s order held just as much authority as an Alpha’s. If Kalama had ordered Ben not to say anything, I wouldn’t even be able to beat it out of him. The only sound was my footsteps as I paced back and forth.
“She’s gone to get Miley.” I stopped pacing looking at Julie. She was pale and thinner than normal. Her once vibrant eyes dull and puffy with redness. Julie met my eyes.
“What?” John wrapped a protective arm around his mate. Julie leaned into him.
“She came to our room last night. Dr. Barker had just given me some tea to help me sleep, but I remember she was there.” She met all of our eyes. “She told me she was going to go get Miley and bring her home. At first I thought it was just a dream, but…”
“But we don’t know where he’s taken her.” Neal interjected.
“My Kalama does.” I said, looking at Ben. He shook his head.
“The only thing she said was to give you this.” He reached into his pocket, handing me Kalama’s phone. I turned it on, a message came on the screen, I read it,
“You for the pup. Where it started.”
“Where it started?” We were all quiet, looking at each other, the same question in our eyes. Realization suddenly hit me.
“Of course, Black Creek.” I scrambled to my desk, digging through territory maps and folders.
“I thought the Trackers went through Black Creek?” John questioned.
“They did, right after Haynes’ first meeting and again after Miley was taken.” Neal answered. “I’ve had a small team there for months. It’s been abandoned since Kalama’s escape.”
“The pack house still stands.” I pleaded. Neal shook his head.
“Beams and a couple walls. The grounds are still black with ash. It can’t be Black Creek.” I brought my fists down on the desk, sending a load bang to verbriate around the room. Come on. Think. Where it started. Another thought occurred to me.
“What about, Silver Moon?” The others looked at each other, questioning. “Think about it, Kalama was uncomfortable the whole time at Silver Moon not only because of her childhood, but…”
“She met Evan there.” Julie chimed in.
“It is one of the smallest packs, with Haynes’ numbers he could have easily taken it over.” Neal jumped in.
“When was the last time anyone heard from Alpha Phillip or Luna Helen?” I asked.
“The day the Warriors came.” Neal offered. That’d been over a week ago now. I looked at Julie.
“Ring Silver Moon, right now.” She nodded leaving the room. “Neal, I want the Warriors ready to leave in fifteen minutes. Ben, get the cars ready. I’ll send orders to Dr. Barker to have everyone else on alert and ready to move if necessary.” They both moved to carry out the order, leaving John and I alone.
“Do you think he’ll attack here too?” I shook my head.
“If my hunch is right, no. He has what he wants.” Julie came back into the room.
“I’ve tried the house and Luna Helen’s main line. No answer.” I nodded, a ball forming in my gut. She’s alive. I’d have felt it if she wasn’t. The thought wasn’t as reassuring as it should have been. I looked at my Beta and his mate.
“Let’s go.”
YOU ARE READING
Born in Fire
FantasyThis is the first story in the Elemental Wolf Series. Kalama Edwards spent her childhood being alone. Despite being the only child to her packs, Alpha she was looked down on by those who should have respected her, forbade from playing with the other...
