Chapter 45
Stepping into the office, I look up to see Jenny and Zain waiting for me. My mouth opens but closes when a mind link comes through from my sister. “Carson,” she said. “I know you have been busy with the rogue attack,” Cassie said. “But you don’t have to worry about mum and me. We stayed in her room and hid.” I sighed; knowing that they were safe was music to my ears. “That’s good news,” I said. “Stay where you are, and I will be up to see you both once I have gotten everything secured.” “Sure,” she said. “How’s Leah? Did she witness anything?” The mere mention of Leah made me worry more. There was still no sign of her. Lynx whined in my head, but I had to ignore him. I know how he feels. “Carson, what’s wrong?” Cassie said urgently. “Did something happen to Leah?” Trying to lose the worry away, I let out a sigh. “I don’t know,” I said. “She ran off after a wolf shifted in front of her.” “Oh no,” she said. “I should help—” “There is no point,” I muttered. “I need you to stay with mum. Keep an eye on here, and once I hear anything about Leah, I will tell you. But I need to get back to work. There is still loads to do.” 1 “Okay,” she said. “But when you get here later, I want to know everything. I know you are hiding more from me.” I said nothing and closed the mind link. I needed to get straight to the point with Jenny. We need to know who’s been in her house. Lynx moves closer as I look toward Jenny and Zain, who are looking at me. “Who was it?” Jenny blurts out. “Was it to do with Leah? Has someone found her?” My eyes lingered on her, moving my head to the side. I shake it. “No,” I said. “But I would like to know who you have had in your home in the last few days or weeks.” Jenny looks at me, confused. “What do you—” she asked. “Answer the question Alpha Carson asked,” Zain said, making her look at him. “It’s important.” Jenny looked at us. “No one has come to the house,” she said. “Not since she has been here. I made sure of it.” I stared at her as Lynx came closer and studied her. “She’s telling the truth,” he mumbled. “She has been doing everything she has been told to do since you spoke to her last.” “What’s going on?” Jenny blurts out. “Why are you asking me all this when my daughter is out there somewhere?” Zain looks at me, but I keep my eyes on her. But as I open my mouth, a little voice appears before I can say anything. “Mum, what’s going on?” the voice asks as a small person approaches her and wraps his arm around her waist. “Where’s dad?” I watched his face saddened as he looked at me and hugged his mum’s waist more. “Your dad’s fine,” Jenny whispered, placing her hand around his shoulders. “This has to do with Leah.” “Our sister,” he whispered, looking up at his mother in horror. “Where is she?” Jenny moved back slightly and knelt before him, taking his hands in hers. “Alpah Carson is looking for her,” she said, looking at me with a small smile. “Us adults have to talk. So, how about you colour with your brother now, and I will let you know more when I find out?” 1 The little boy nodded and lunged at Jenny, wrapping her in a hug. The boy pulled back and looked over at me. “Find her alpha,” he said, making my heart shatter slightly in my chest. “My brother and I want to meet her.” I gave the kid a small smile and a slight nod. He turned on his heel and headed through the door that he must have come from earlier. “They know about Leah,” Zain blurts, sounding surprised. I looked at Jenny, who moved up and nodded. “I told them about her when I got back from the hospital. They had so many questions, it was hard to keep up.” “Did you tell them about leaving her?” I asked, making Jenny tense and stare at me. “They know more than most. I won’t lie to my boys or Josh.” I said nothing. Lynx was getting antsy again. “Want to find mate,” he murmured. “I know,” I muttered. “But we need answers to the questions we have.” Lynx grunted. “Fine,” he grumbled. “When we are done, we are looking.” Ignoring him, I looked at Jenny. “Sorry,” I muttered to her. “I didn’t mean to sound harsh.” Jenny nods but lets out a sigh. “There is no need for an apology,” she said, walking over to the chair and sitting down. Her eyes met mine as tears filled them. “I know I lost Leah. She still doesn’t want to talk to me, even after giving her space.” “I think she would have come to you soon,” I said. “She’s still grieving for her father. Someone who was her only living parent, and since she has been gone, she has been thrown back into a world, might I add, that she knew nothing about.” Jenny said nothing and looked away but let her shoulder sag slightly. “You asked me when you came in here if anyone came into my house,” she asked, looking back at me. “Why?” I looked over at Zain, who gave me a slight nod. “Well,” I said, looking back at her. “Zain and a few guards were checking around and found something on the dead ones.” Jenny looked on, confused but looked to Zain. “What did you find?” she asked. “I found some things of Leah’s on them,” he said, making her eyes widen. “Leah?” she asked. “How the hell did they get her things?” “That’s why I asked you if anyone has been to your house,” I asked, making her look at me. She shook her head. “I haven’t had anyone in the house, especially when I have been there. Josh, neither. He has been training and coming straight home. That’s all we have been doing. The kids have been staying with some friends and—” “Grandma went to the house,” someone said by the door, making us look up to see both boys looking at us. “You and dad were at work. She told us she needed to get something for us, but she wasn’t there when I went to our room. She was in Leah’s room and touching things.” Anger swirled around inside. Lynx growled loudly in my head, wanting to get out. “Did she take anything?” Zain asked, trying to control his temper. The boys looked at us. Fear crept in. They moved quickly to Jenny, who held her arms to them. “Tell us what you saw,” she said, moving them before her. The boys’ back were to me, but I could tell they were frightened. “Tell us what she took. You’re not in trouble, my sweethearts.” “She took some clothes,” one whispered. “And a photograph. There was one with her with a man.” I stilled. It has to be with her father. Jenny looked at them. “Thank you for telling us,” she said. “You are so brave. Now go back to colouring so mummy and Alpha Carson can talk more. Okay?” Both boys nod their heads leave the room, and close the door after them. Turning to Zain, who was on the verge of shifting. “Find her mum,” I growl. “Bring her to the office.” Zain stares at me and nods. “Sure,” he grits out and walks out. Once the door closes behind him, I look at Jenny, whose eyes meet mine. “Mum wouldn’t have done anything to harm Leah,” she said. “She wants to try with her and—” “She might not try anything,” I growl, cutting her off. Her eyes widened. “But your father has some kind of hellbent theory about what Leah. I warn you, if she is involved, I will kill her.” “My mum would never hurt—” she whispered, but I shook my head. “She would if she believed the same shit your father does,” I said, making her stare at me, confused. “What do you mean?” she asked, looking concerned. “You have to tell me everything.” I move back and lean on the desk. My eyes stay on her as I tell her everything her father said in the cells. She wants to know if this might be the end of her family, but if Jenny wants any kind of relationship with Leah, she needs to learn the truth, and the first part is her father’s story.