The child sensed that where he was confined now felt different from where he was running earlier. The warm and comforting aura within the room made him guess that the big sister who saved him used magic to transport people to a safe place. As a supernatural being, he believed that different races possessed different powers.
His grandfather and grandmother debated these topics back in his home. His grandfather said that only the vampires, witches, and werewolves were left to mingle with the humans on Earth for a long time. But in his grandmother's perspective, other entities who possessed elemental and spatial powers hid themselves deeply for fear of being captured and experimented.
'I want to go home. My family must be worried sick looking out there for me. But before anything else, I need to recover and strengthen myself.' With his thoughts in peace, the child slept in the room, unbothered by the silence of the place.
- District S, Imperial Capital -
"Did you receive news about Russel?"
"Luna, pardon us for our incompetence but the traces left in the crime scene were barely helpful in tracing the whereabouts of the youngest master. Our people have searched far and wide, and everything only led us to a dead end. Well, not unless we face passed Hydra's secret laboratory."
"Is there no other way than digging Hydra's deep well?"
Before General Miyo could speak, a group of people barged into the meeting hall.
"Father, pardon my intrusion! We caught news from City A that rogues were in search of an Alpha's child who wandered in the virgin forest closest to Lake Phineya." Drake saluted to his father with Marcus and Fiero.
Their mother, Elizabeth, the current Luna of the pack, rushed to hug her children. "I am glad you are back safely!"
"Mother, do not worry. We will be able to find Russel in no time!" Marcus patted his mother's back.
"Drake, is the news reliable? City A is a little bit farther from the Imperial Capital compared to City B." Zephyr, Bloodstone's reigning Alpha, stood from his seat with a face full of worries and restlessness.
"I have confirmed it father from one of the rogues captured by Silverclaw Pack. Elicer and Zachary were on their way to confirm what happened to Russel. But, I'm afraid that he risked his lifeline to escape from where he was imprisoned." Drake described the news to his parents.
Zephyr felt distressed that his wife was emotionally exhausted and unstable. He didn't want his mate's health to deteriorate all of a sudden because of stress. He also felt helpless because even with power in his hands, he still couldn't stop their youngest son from being victimized by human trafficking syndicates.
When Drake and Marcus returned to the packhouse, they saw Adriana crying her eyes out in discomfort. At the time of their return, she immediately refused to reject the mate bond with her mate, Lucas. They were supposed to be wedded the following year, but Lucas lost his mind somewhere.
Adriana met with Lucas one afternoon, but the man hated her instead. The pain of the mate bond would drive her crazy for a few days after an argument with Lucas, so her parents forced her to initiate the breakage of the bond. She thought it would be excruciating, but it wasn't. Instead, she felt freedom and relief.
"Eldest brother, second brother, you're back. Any news from Russel's whereabouts?" Adriana asked as she tried to wipe the tears that kept falling unconsciously from her eyes. A piece of cake was in her hand as if she was venting her sadness by eating sweets. But they found it disturbing since she did not like sweets.
"We found some clues. Unfortunately, it was not much of a help. We need to start a new direction for investigation, and we are not sure how long it would take before we could find Russel." Marcus answered as he grabbed some cake from the table. "Beware of diabetes."
"I know! Just let me be for a while. By the way, I am flying to City A with my friends tonight. I want to be as far as I can from my ex. I'll try my best to find some news about Russel when I get there."
"Rian, it will be very dangerous if you do that! You can't risk yourself getting in danger! Do you hear me?" Drake, with a worried face, warned Adriana.
"I will be careful brother. Besides, we won't know what fate I'll meet when I get there."
Later that night, Adriana boarded the plane with a heavy heart. She knew she'd never find another mate in her life and never be whole again, but what Lucas did was unforgivable. Even if someone threatened to make her choose between saving her mate or her eldest brother, Drake, she would always choose a family member.
When she told her family that she would be traveling with her friends, it was actually the opposite. She decided to be alone in this journey because she knew that if she went with them, they would only force her to forgive and get back together with Lucas.
She chose to sit beside the window. 'I hope I'll move on from the pain and forget about Lucas.' She sighed as she closed her eyes. It's been days, and she still found it hard to fall asleep every time.
Adriana forgot about the passage of time. Not until a light tap on her hand awakened her. She removed the sleeping mask she wore during the flight. The smell of lilacs and jasmine tea lingered close to her, refreshing her whole being.
She first noticed her head leaning on somebody's shoulder when she opened her eyes. As if electrocuted by the hand that continued to tap on hers, she sat erect and abruptly met the scorching gaze of a man she had never seen before. 'He's beautiful!'
"I'm sorry for waking you up, but I need to use the restroom. Excuse me."
The man apologized to her, and she nodded absent-mindedly. She watched his back as he walked toward the comfort room. Adriana's cheeks burned in embarrassment.
'How could I fall asleep on another man's shoulder? But that's not the point! I did not even notice him sitting beside me! And more importantly, how did I sleep so deeply? He even let me borrow his shoulder!"
For a second, she could hear her heart's rapid beating. 'Is it possible for me to suddenly get attracted to someone I just met?'