Mr. Valentine's Heart

Where's My Wife?

~Alexi~

I lug myself out of the car, stretching before walking into the packhouse. I planned on being back sooner, but I slept in a bit past my alarm. I told Cherise I had a meeting, but that wasn’t true. I was with Dr. Reynolds, as I often am.

I’m Alexiares Moras, Alpha of the Gravemoon Pack. Reynolds has been in my employ for years and is also a friend of benefits. When it comes down to it, I was unable to have my wife when and as often as I wanted, so I took her up on her offer. We mutually please each other when the mood strikes.

I’m anxious to see Cherise. I rarely leave her home alone and not for an extended period of time. I’ve just been extra stressed, and Reynolds knows how to help me deal with that.

I walk into the packhouse, nodding to Omegas as I stroll through. I know I have calls to return and other things to do, but my first order of business is to see Cherise. I missed her, and I hope that she was able to sleep well last night. I would love to have some private time with her today. I seem to only get that every so often, like once a year if I’m lucky.

I knock on her door and wait to hear her sweet voice. Anytime I listen to it, my body responds in the sweetest way. I knock again, having waited some time for an answer. I shift from one foot to the other, waiting for her to answer. “Uh, Alpha Moras, I-” I turn and set my eyes on Cynthia. I narrow my eyes at her slip-up. I watch her swallow visibly and step back. “I… I mean Mr. Moras. I’m so sorry.” I let out a breath and try to get my anger under control.

“Have you seen Cherise this morning?” Cynthia shakes her head.

“I tried to see her earlier, but she didn’t answer. I figured she was still asleep and left her for a while. I’m just now back to try her again. I nod and motion to the door. Cynthia knocks, and we stand and wait for a response.

It doesn’t take long for me to get tired of waiting. I dig in my pocket and take out my key ring. I have a key to her room, though I try really hard not to use it. I turn the key in the lock, listening to its soft click. I turn the knob and step into the room, my blood instantly going cold.

I don’t have to search the room to know it’s empty. Cherise is not here and hasn’t been here for a while now. I search the room anyway, wanting to be sure. I call the Omegas in and ask when they last saw her. They all say the same thing; they saw her sometime yesterday.

The anger is building, and I’m fighting to contain Dagon, my wolf. I’m pacing the living room, trying to figure out how my wife got lost with so many people here to look after her. “WHERE IS MY WIFE?!” All of the Omegas are terrified and staring at the ground. I look at their faces, and Natasha catches my eye. She’s always hanging around Cherise and paying her extra attention.

I march over to where she stands and stop right in front of her. I look down at her, watching her shake. “You’re always around my wife, Natasha. Where is she?”

“I.. IIIIII… I don’t know sssssssirrrrr.” I step closer to her, ready to end her at any indication that she had something to do with her disappearance.

“When did you last see her?” Natasha is quiet momentarily, and fear rolls off her in waves.

“It was at breakfast yesterday.” Her voice is barely above a whisper. Dagon shares my consciousness as we look into her very soul. There’s no indication that she’s lying. How is it that no one has seen Cherise?!

My head warrior enters the room along with my top tracker. “You summoned us, Alpha.”

“I want my wife found YESTERDAY!” They nod and exit the room without me saying anything else. I look around at the Omegas in the room. “If I find out that any of you had a hand in my wife’s disappearance, I will rip your throat out. You all better hope that I find her soon.” I turn and storm out of the room, hoping a run will help me deal with Dagon.

~Cherise~

It’s been a few days, but I slept most of the way. I tried to save as much money as possible so I could have some to live off of. I have no idea how long it will take me to find a job.

The bus pulls into a bus station with a big sign saying ‘Terrance.’ I’ve finally made it, but I don’t feel settled. I wait my turn to exit the bus and look around once I step outside. It looks like a decent town, but I can’t see much from the bus station.

I walk toward the bus station, trying to fight an itch that I shouldn’t be here. When I saw the sign for Terrance, I felt a pull toward it. Now that I’m here, I feel as if I’m in the wrong spot. I’m touched on my arm, startling me from my thoughts. “Are you okay? You look lost. Is your ride not here?” It’s an older woman, her hair salt and pepper. She has a twinkle in her eye and spent the time on the bus knitting.

“Uh, I’m okay.” I don’t really know what to tell her or if I can even trust her.

“Are you sure, young lady? If your ride is not here, I would be glad to give you a ride. I’m waiting on my husband to get home.”

“Home?” The older woman chuckles.

“Yes, home. I live in Misty Falls, about two hours from here. We don’t have a bus station there, so we have to arrive in Terrance.” The moment that city name falls from her lips, I feel a stirring in my chest. There’s something about the city she mentioned that speaks to me. It’s more intense than when I saw Terrance listed at the bus station.

“Can… can I ride with you to Misty Falls?” Her smile lights her face up; her eyes crinkle in the corner.

“Yes, child. I’d be happy to help you.” She looks past me and grabs my hand. “My husband is just there. Let’s go.” She pulls me along, and a part of me feels like I should stop her and send her on her way. When it comes down to it, I don’t know this woman. She could be some kind of killer or something. The pull to this town is too strong to deny, so I follow her, hoping I’m making the right choice.