When the first rays of dawn began to appear, that instinct that I had been following through the night suddenly vanished. My wolf fell silent, and I suddenly felt all alone. I was exhausted from the running as well. Should I stop and take a small break? Maybe it would be better if I did, but I wouldn’t stop for long. Kataleya was out there, and I needed to find her.
I wondered if Alejandro had found out that I had left already… I was sure he had probably tried calling at some point.
I shifted and dropped to my knees in exhaustion. I opened my bag, pulling out some sweatpants and a crop top, putting them on quickly before sitting back, feeling the pain in my legs and arms. Goddess…
Kataleya. I hoped she was okay, wherever she was… I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to her.Please let her be safe…
I stared at the sky, my heart clenching with worry as I tried to compose myself. The distant whimper of my wolf in my head told me she was still upset.
We are going to find her, okay?I told my wolf, although I knew I wouldn’t get an answer.
I ripped open a granola bar and bit into it as I took out my phone and switched it on. The shattered screen was still working for now. I hoped it would make do for a while. I sighed, seeing the thirty-seven missed calls.
Oh, fuck.
Three from Alejandro… twenty from Dad…Goddess, Dad, relax…four from Raven, two from Rayhan,three from Darien, and five from Liam. I sighed, so the entire population knew I had vanished…
I looked at my messages, my heart thudding at the single message from Alejandro.
My Love: I asked you for one thing. One fucking thing. To stay the fuck safe. Seriously, Kia? Just up and leaving like that? I had half a mind to ask Ri to fucking find you, call me when you see this. ASAFP.
I closed my eyes. He was pissed, as I expected him to be… I needed to call him.
I skimmed through the other messages. Dad and Liam were stressing out like it was the end of the world. Dad was incredibly pissed off as well, also warning me that Alejandro was furious, and he fucking should be. Was I sixteen or something? These men were being ridiculous. I understood their point, but I was not an incapable woman who was going to sit at home whilst my daughter was out there. I was sure I could help find her. The more of us looking, the better.
My own irritation and restlessness were flaring up, and before I could even do anything else, Dad’s incoming call came again, and I sighed, answering it.
“Hel-”
“Kiara, why did you leave? Why was your phone off all night? What if something happened? You and your mother do not fucking listen-”
“Dad!”I cut him off. “Calm down! I’m fine, and I can’t really answer in wolf form, can I? I think you and Alejandro forget that I am not a child anymore. I’m capable enough to help look for Kataleya, and I’m sure the more people looking, the better. Please understand that.”
“We know that, but we also know that even Alejandro wasn’t able to deter these wolves when he has taken down hundreds of wolves single-handedly in his teens! These wolves are something else, Kiara, and nothing to be taken lightly!” Dad growled. I frowned. I knew that…
“Dad, I’m not stupid.”
“Kiara, you were the one who found these notes. Don’t you think Alejandro is worried that, just like Dante is cursed, something may happen to you?”
Okay, I didn’t think of that… but I was fine.
“Dad, she’s my daughter! I am not going to sleep on a bed, not knowing how she is doing! She must be terrified; how do you expect me to just sit at home? Please, Dad, let’s not do this,” I almost pleaded, unable to hide the pain in my voice. He sighed heavily in defeat.
“I understand, but we were on it. We are going to get our Kataleya back. Where are you?”
“I was following my instincts. You know how I’ve always been able to sense this stuff, what if I am able to find her? I’m not that far out from your pack. Just south,” I said quietly.
“That in itself makes me think we all may be on to something. We got news that there were some odd occurrences near Oxford. If you’re heading south, stay that way. Maybe we are close.” My heart leapt at his word, any clue or sighting was hope.
“Understood.”
“Kiara. Wait for Alejandro though.”
My heart was pounding with hope, and when I cut the call, I quickly dialled Alejandro’s. His phone rang, and after a few moments, he answered.
“Let me speak,” I said before he could even answer. “Please.”
“Do I have a fucking choice? You’ll just hang up and continue doing whatever the fuck you want if I don’t.”
