26. Tonight
789 Words
= Mikael =
The first thing after I stepped out of my cabin was give Lorne an order I never liked giving—one without a clear end.
“Find out who took her,” I told him, my voice low enough that the guards lining the corridor wouldn’t hear. “Not guesses. Not theories. I want names.”
Lorne’s jaw tightened. He didn’t question me. He never did when my tone turned like that.
“It won’t be quick,” he said honestly. “Whoever planned this knew how to disappear.”
“I don’t care how long it takes,” I replied. “Just don’t miss a single thread.”
He nodded once and turned away, already shifting into the mindset of a hunter. Watching him go didn’t ease the coil of rage in my chest. If anything, it made it worse. Because while Lorne chased shadows, I was expected to smile and host tonight's…party.
If only I could cancel it.
Despite not being in the mood to work, I forced myself since I have many things to review and sign. And also, the party later is most awaited by many. I can also took that as a chance to investigate on my own. I need a different angle to find out who was behind Amara’s a*******n.
Because the only hunch I have right now was the involvement of the elders. But what if…it has something to do with the...Gravemire pack?
Two hours before the party, I finally left the council chambers and headed home.
The walk felt longer than usual. It took me a while before I saw my cabin. When some of the delta saw me, they immediately showed their respect. Of course, I had to make sure that Amara is safe so I put most of my elite deltas around the premises.
“Good evening, Alpha,” they said in unison.
“Where is she?” I asked.
“She hasn’t left the bed,” one of them reported quietly. “Doctor Izza says the wounds are shallow and there is nothing to worry about.”
I nodded and dismissed them, stepping inside and shutting the door behind me.
The scent hit me first—her scent. Not blood anymore, thank the gods, but herbs and clean linen and something undeniably Amara. My shoulders loosened a fraction despite myself.
She was sitting up in bed.
Not lying down. Sitting. Blankets pooled around her waist, dark hair falling loose over her shoulders. Bandages wrapped her ribs and forearm, stark white against her skin. Her face was paler than usual, shadows beneath her eyes—but her gaze was sharp when it lifted to meet mine.
“You’re late,” she said.
I closed the distance in three strides. “You should be resting.”
She tilted her head. “I was.”
“That’s not resting,” I said, gesturing to her upright posture. “That’s waiting.”
Her lips curved, faint but stubborn. “I was waiting for you.”
I exhaled slowly and sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle her. Up close, the damage was harder to ignore. Bruises bloomed beneath the bandages like shadows trapped under skin.
Anger stirred again.
“We need to talk,” I said.
Her expression sobered immediately. “I figured.”
“I’m postponing your introduction tonight.”
The words felt like iron scraping my throat. I’d rehearsed them on the walk back, told myself it was the only logical choice.
Amara stared at me. Then she laughed—a soft, incredulous sound that made my jaw clench.
“You’re joking.”
“I’m not,” I said firmly. “You were abducted less than a day ago. You’re injured. The introduction can wait.”
“No,” she said just as firmly.
I frowned. “Amara—”
“We’re not delaying this,” she interrupted, eyes blazing now. “We have agreed to this tonight. If we won’t, when?”
“I can always do another gathering so—.”
“That’s not the point,” she shot back. “We must do this tonight.”
I studied her, really looked at her. The set of her shoulders. The fire beneath the pain.
“You can barely stand,” I said quietly.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed.
My body moved before my mind caught up. I was there instantly, hands hovering near her waist, ready to steady her. She stood—slowly, yes—but she stood. Her breath hitched, her jaw tightened, but she didn’t waver.
“I can handle myself,” she said through clenched teeth. “I always have.”
- Writer
