Oops! Still Your Mate

Chapter Thirty Three

The door flung open before Zeke could register what was going on. Lucas appeared at the doorway, his eyes flat, jaws tight, face morphed into an ugly expression that Zeke hadn't seen before.

Zeke's heart skipped a beat as he took it in. Something was wrong and there was only one thing that could make Lucas look that way, that serious.

“What's…”

“She's missing.” Lucas stated, in a tone that left no argument. Zeke's eyes widened slightly, he knew who Lucas was referring to but choosed not to believe.

“You mean…” he leaned back into his chair.

“Yes. Ivy.” Lucas reinforced and stepped into his office.

“Tessa came to me and told me the news earlier today.”

“Since when? How many hours ago?” Zeke asked, his hands gripping his desk slightly even as his facial expression remained neutral.

“That's what I don't know.” Lucas dropped to the sofa. “From what we know, she might have been missing since dawn or even last night.”

“Last night?” Zeke's breathing caught and that was when he felt it. He had imagined reacting in that cold, calculated way he had always reacted when faced by a crisis as an alpha but leer wasn't about to let that happen.

He surged forward, his claws scratching at the wall he was locked in. “Stay calm.” Zeke whispered, but Leer wasn't listening. The familiar blue flame burned at his arms and Zeke sucked in a breath.

“Zeke.” Lucas called and Zeke nodded, gripping the desk as leer surged forward again, howling loudly.

“My mate. Find her. Danger.” Leer thundered and it seemed to push Zeke into action.

“Assemble my men.” He ordered and Lucas stood up, carrying out the order already.

A force shot through Zeke's chest before spreading outward, a force that made him grip his desk even harder. A surge of heat and fury and something underneath that fury that he doesn't examine right now because examining it right now isn't useful.

The wolf fever that had laid dormant, which had been a steady low burn for days spikes instantly - his body burned hotter within the space of seconds, his vision sharpening in the ways it does when his wolf is close to the surface.

He was panting when Lucas returned and he jolted up instantly, pacing round the room.

“Where are they?” Zeke asked between pants as Lucas appeared.

“On their way. Getting ready, I informed them of the urgency.” Lucas said and Zeke took a clearer look at him. He had already changed into his warrior gear.

“You're not going.” Zeke waved his hands at him and Lucas's brows shot up, almost reaching his hair.

“What…”

“You would be staying back to look over the pack.” Zeke stated.

“Zeke, don't tell me that…”

“I'm going to find her.” He said. He turned his back towards Zeke, reaching out for ivy through the only thing that connected them - the mate bond. He found it almost immediately, distant and getting even more distant. But still alive, he could vaguely hear her ragged breathing and whimpers through the bond. But she was moving away from him at a very fast pace that suggests she's either being carried away or driven, she was definitely not walking.

“Zeke, you know I can find her for you. I would do my best and you know that. You don't need to leave personally, the pack needs you and…” he hesitated before adding the last part. “You have a guest.”

Zeke's alpha aura seeped from him before he could stop himself. “ She's Darius guest, not mine.” He clarified and sighed. “The army should better be here when I get back.” He said and turned towards his bedroom, walking in.

When he returned, the army was already gathered, waiting. Lucas had briefed them on the condition and the urgency of the issue but they were all surprised when they saw Zeke walking out of his room in his full army gear.

Whispers burst through the crowd and Lucas silenced them before looking at Zeke and shaking his head. “Coming from someone who wanted to break the bond.” He murmured to himself and stepped out to make space for Zeke.

Zeke was already giving orders immediately he came out, selecting the men that would go with him, his best warriors.

That was when Darius appeared, silver-haired at the right time with Enid lagging behind him. Darius's face creased into a frown when he noticed Zeke in his warrior gear.

He walked towards Zeke, taking the stage as everyone's eyes became fixed on him. Enid stood between him and Zeke, her eyes darting around.

“We should handle this with caution.” He started and Lucas whipped his head towards Zeke who had a rigid expression on. “Zeke.” Darius called and Zeke walked closer to him. “why don't we send scouts to search for her and gather information first before going into the woods to look for her. This as it is, is a blind search." He said.

“Uncle.” Zeke started. “She's been missing for hours now and we are yet to know the gravity of the situation….”

“She's an adult, maybe she walked out and maybe no one took her away.” Darius shrugged.

“Ivy would not just leave the pack house for no reason and I can feel her through the bond, someone took her.” Zeke stated and Darius and Enid winced uncomfortably.

“Then why are you in your warrior gears? The pack need you, you can send Lucas to go with the men and…”

“I'm going to find her and that's final.” Zeke thundered, raising his voice slightly leaving the pack including Lucas in wonder. Zeke had never raised his voice at Darius. Never ever. He always respected him and because of Ivy, who he could swear he wanted to reject him, he was breaking the rules.

Darius wasn't taking it lightly and neither was Enid. Enid's face was red in embarrassment while Darius wore a rigid frown.

“And leaving your guest behind?” Darius's voice had an irritated tone as he pointed to Enid who was blushing profusely from embarrassment.

Zeke's eyes just brushed past Enid slightly before settling in Darius again. “You invited her, take responsibility for that.” He stated and turned to his men. “Let's go.”