Shattered Pieces (Wattys 2024)

Chapter 42 Debriefing

Sapphires POV

We hastily walk to the conference room, one of the guards who is stationed outside the door sees us approaching and opens the door. He nods at us before bowing his head.

I nod at him and follow Mark to the head of the table, taking our seats next to Mum and Dad (Zander.) I look around the room and see Dad sitting at the table deep in a conversation with some of the guards. Conner is sitting on a chair looking dejected. This is the first time I haven't seen the jovial side of him, and I don't like it.

Mark squeezes my hand and stands up. "I have called you all here this morning because Zavier is missing." It looks like everyone is transfixed on Mark's every word as he addresses us all.

"As far as we can tell, he has been poisoned by something that was added to his coffee. We will have the results as soon as Keanu has processed the residue left in his cup."

Dad (Travis) bangs his hands on the table, the force of it makes it quiver and crack, I thought it was going to break. All of his warrior training has made him a very strong man. "How did they get him out of the territory without alerting anyone?"

I sigh, frustrated. "He was taken out a secret tunnel from the Alphas floor, only a select few people know that they exist." I wish I had known about it. Maybe we could have prevented him from being kidnapped.

"How could I forget it was there? It is my fault that another one of my children got kidnapped again." Dad looks devastated, and menacing at the same time, it is frightening to witness. Now I see why he has a reputation not to be messed with.

Mum wraps her arms around Dad (Zander), who looks like he is going to shift at any moment. "We need to stay calm and rational to help find Zavier." She gently tells him while rubbing his back. He places his head in the crock of Mum's neck, taking deep, long breaths.

"No, Dad, it wasn't your fault. Someone is behind all of this, and we are going to find the culprits and make them pay." I am furious that Zavier has been taken. The bastards will pay for what they have done! When I get my hands on them, I will make sure their death is slow and painful.

Dad lifts his head to look at me and gives me a half smile before composing himself. "Thanks, Sapphire. I needed to hear that!"

"Travis, what did you find around the pack house?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary, Beta Mark, there is no sign of any unusual activity that we could find, The guards are still patrolling the area."

I can hear the desperation in his voice. Dad thinks of Zavier as his son.

"Thanks, Warrior Travis, Conner, what did you find around the border?"

"Nothing! This is quite concerning since we normally see a few rogues milling around close to our border taunting us."

"That is concerning. They are changing their behaviour and are up to something." I can feel how worried Mark is through our bond.

While I listen to everyone talk about different strategies on how to find Zavier, I start to shake my hands and feet, trying to get rid of the burning sensation from them. They burn like hell. I accidentally groan and rub my head, which has started pounding.

I look over at Conner and see he is staring at me intently. Sapphire, what's wrong? His mind links me and sounds just as distressed as everyone else.

I'll explain as soon as everyone leaves. I rub my head, trying to ease the pounding in my head.

I can feel Mark's eyes on me and know he can feel what I am feeling. We keep talking about different strategies, including contacting our allies. The pain disappears and then comes back sporadically throughout our meeting.