“Pay the debt by the blood of the beast and yield to the Crimson King?” He tossed the book down, grabbing my hand as my vision darkened. “Hold on, Amore Mio. Fuck, I need you.” His words made my heart pound, and I clutched onto his shirt.
“I’m okay,” I whispered, despite how exhausted I felt.
“You’re fucking bleeding,” he growled, lifting me up.
He carried me to the bathroom and placed me in the shower as he began to undress me gently yet swiftly. I watched him through my blurry vision. Even then, he kept his walls up, blocking off his emotions from me,something we rarely ever did. It hurt knowing he was hiding his pain from me, but I had pushed him to that…
“Have you eaten?” I whispered. He didn’t reply, just simply nodded.
He hadn’t.
“I know you well enough to know when you’re lying,” I scolded him lightly, staring at him under the spotlights of the bathroom.
“I don’t have an appetite,” he responded, examining my hand before he ran his tongue along it, sending my stomach into knots.
Alpha saliva had healing properties that increased the rate of healing. He placed a gentle kiss on my palm before letting go of me carefully as if worried I’d fall. I stepped back, leaning against the wall as he undressed and stepped into the shower with me, switching it on. A downfall of cold water hit me, and I gasped, clinging to him. He wrapped his arms around me, shielding me from the cold water before it warmed up. I didn’t move away; my heart was aching and his embrace was comforting.
“We will find her, right?” I whispered, staring up into his eyes.
He nodded, his wet black locks falling in front of his forehead. I reached up with my raw-looking hand that was slowly healing and brushed the strands back.
“I can’t live without her.” I knew I was putting pressure on him, but it was all I had. I needed her, and he was my only hope.
“I know, Amore Mio… and I will fucking make sure we find her,” he murmured, kissing me deeply.
Sparks coursed through me, yet there was nothing sensual about the kiss. It was deep, raw, and a silent promise that he’d do his best. I just hoped it was enough…
Once we had showered, I mind-linked Darien to get someone to bring food upstairs. Alejandro was sitting on the bed in nothing but sweatpants, looking as handsome as ever. He was smoking a cigarette as he looked at the message in the book. Just when I had put on a nightgown, I was mind-linked by one of our men.
Luna, the food.
Coming.
I pulled open the door and reached for the tray. My hand was pretty much healed but just looked very raw and was tender to touch. He lowered his head to me, and I thanked him before he closed the door for me. Alejandro looked up, frowning when he saw the tray. He stood up and came over, taking it from me.
“I told you I wasn’t hungry. Have you eaten yourself?”
“Mom made me,” I replied, taking a seat opposite him as he placed the tray down, clenching his jaw. We both fell silent, and I knew he was thinking about our little princess. “Do you think they’ll hurt her?” I whispered, my chest tightening.
“If they want something, I would hope not,” he replied, his hand balling into a fist.
“I pray to Selene that you are correct.” I looked down, forking up some pasta and raising it to his lips. “Eat. We need you to keep your strength up to find her,” I encouraged softly.
His brows furrowed as he took the bite, and I scooped some more up. We didn’t need to speak but the pain that weighed down upon us was only getting stronger, with each passing minute it became harder. I knew my baby girl was out there. Alone. Had she eaten? Was she alone? Were they treating her humanely?
“I’ve issued out a search for her as well as reaching out to the human world. You never know where she may show up,” he said as he drank some water. I could tell eating was hard for him, and I didn’t blame him. “I’m also going to make a video to put out there on the dark web and let it circulate. If they want me, then I’m willing to trade places.” As much as that hurt to know, for our baby girl, I knew we were both ready to make any sacrifice necessary. He picked up the notepad again and frowned. “I’m sure I’m the fucking beast they’re speaking of... but who the fuck is the crimson king? That’s who I need to find,” he murmured. I nodded.
“What about the attacks that have been occurring? Could it be linked?” He shook his head, placing the notepad down, and looked at me thoughtfully.
“I doubt it. These wolves that ambushed us were not normal, or nothing I’ve seen before anyway. Whatever they are… it’s something we’ve never encountered before.”
His words left an ominous feeling in the air and we both fell silent. Putting aside the tray, he pulled me into his arms. Neither of us would be able to sleep tonight, not when we knew our daughter was out there… facing Goddess knows what, utterly alone.
Kataleya
I’m scared. Iwant Mama and Daddy.
I looked around the dark room. It was cold, and it smelled horrible.I’m so scared.My stomach was bleeding, too, and it hurt. The bad wolf had bit into me.
