Lost

Caleb (Ch. 8)

We spent all day looking and no one could find her. Mom has tried everything to locate Nadia, but it's like she doesn't exist. Travis noticed all the animals were acting weird, but we all agree that it could be because there is a stranger running around our territory.

I can't stop think that something terrible has happened to her. After breakfast, father showed us the pictures of the wreck. She should've died. My brothers couldn't believe someone could survive that drop. Even if they did survive it, they damn well shouldn't be able to walk away as if nothing is wrong. My wolf is getting restless and keeping him contained is getting harder with each passing hour. Anytime my father mentions Tobias and his men, he raises up to challenge him. It's taking a toll on me and my father.

My mom did mention that my alpha powers would grow stronger now that I've found my mate. She couldn't be happier. To her this means father will step down soon. Passing the title of alpha over to me and taking her on a yearlong vacation he's been promising her. For me, this is torture. I'm stuck between wanting to find her and protect her, but also wanted to run as fast and far away. The more I think about it the more running looks appealing. Then I think of Tobias and the way his eyes shown with vengeance and greed—when he talked about her. How can I leave my mate to that kind of life?

How could anybody be left to that kind of life. The more we search, the less we find. It's like the forest has turned against us. Travis noticed that the wildlife has been acting strange. Scared yet protective. Mother keeps seeing a clearing filled with wilderness and no snow, but no one can find it. Someone or something is protecting her which is frustrating. The only good thing about it, it that Tobias and his people will be leaving by night fall if nothing new turns up. My wolf and I are in full agreement with this arrangement. Not having him watch our moves means I can search for Nadia the way I want to—no restrictions.

Entering the manor, my dad nods his head at me from the living room continuing his conversation with an enforcer as Uncle Ralph looks out the bay window, watching the other enforcers mill around. Making my way further into the house, I hear the twins chatting about today's search results in the kitchen. My mother's sweet voice chimes in, "There must be a way to find the clearing I'm sure of it."

Walking into the kitchen, "Don't fret over it mom. We will find her as soon as we know Tobias has left the state."

Giving me a warm smile, I kiss her cheek. "Of course, you will," she goes back to stirring the pot in front of her. Taking a seat around the breakfast table, I nod at my brothers.

"Where's Travis," I ask.

"He said he was with you," mother says, stopping her stirring. Shutting off the stove, she comes over to the table. Glaring at the twins, "Where is your baby brother?"

"M—mom he didn't want you or dad worrying," Christian begins to say.

"What shouldn't I be worrying about," mom screeches.Looking for a way out of this Christian jabs Damian in the arm. "Ouch," he glares at Christian. "He believes he found the clearing," Damian shrugs continuing to eat his sandwich.

"WHAT," our father roars down the hall. We all turn toward the kitchen entry in time to see Travis run in and hide behind mom. Dad storms in with Ralph behind him.

"What have you done Travis," mother chides.

"Nothing, I swear," he whines.

"Really you did nothing," father mocks. "So, much so that I'm getting word Tobias might stay another day because someone saw you using your gift."

"WHAT," we all shout.

"I'm sorry! I thought I was alone," he mumbles shuffling he's feet, "How was I supposed to know that being a seer is some huge secret."

"I—It's complicated," father sighs.

"What your father means. Is that there aren't many wolf seers around anymore and those that can be found end up disappearing," mother turns to him rubbing his arms. "We just don't want that to happen to you," she coos.

"Every time the fae catch wind of a wolf seer—poof," Uncle Ralph claps and spreads his hands.

Shocked, Travis looks around the kitchen scared. "Why wasn't I told this," he panics, pacing the length of the kitchen. "s**t, s**t, s**t," running his hands through his head. "Okay we can fix this," he looks at dad, "Right? We can fix this, dad."

Grabbing the back of his neck dad brings him closer, "Yeah Trav, we can fix this."

"So, did you find anything," Damian asks dryly. Mother glares at him as dad gives him a stern look, he just shrugs "What? He already put himself at risk. There's nothing we can do until we know for sure if Tobias is staying. Might as well find out if he found anything."

"It's okay," he tells mom and dad, "I think—no I know, I found her. I don't know why I didn't realize at first, but I wasn't in human form when I met her the first time."

"What do you mean," I demand as he sits beside me.

"My wolf met her. I don't even think she noticed I was a shifter," he says lost in thought. "I'd never seen so many animals, amongst each other and not killing one another. She brought them to their knees, literally. The submitted to her, protected her. The bears kept watch, while the wolves kept her warm, and the other animals milled around." He looks at us for understanding. "She was beautifully terrifying. Death and life. The beginning and the end. She was everywhere and nowhere, all at once. It was amazing," he says in awe.

"She's everything her mother said she'd be," mom muses.

"This morning, I tried looking for the clearing in human form and came up empty. It was frustrating. I assumed I had just had a vision of it, but when I shifted my wolf could sense it. The closer we got to it; he could feel her panic. He pushed to the front and all I could do was watch. I don't think she noticed that the bears kept me a distance from her this time. I saw it all. I didn't believe you at first, and for that I'm sorry mother."

"What did you see," I push.

"It's not just what I saw. It's what I felt," he mules over, "A bear brought a fresh kill to her, she honored it for its death. Every animal felt the impact of her sorrow for the creatures' death, but in the distance we all felt the birth of new life. Then she sank her fangs in it and fed. I left after she passed the corpse to the animals," drumming his fingers on the table, "I didn't know one of Tobias's men were following me, my wolf was just acting on instinct. Plus, I don't think anyone can enter her space unless they are an animal. It's like there is an invisible shield around the area. There's no snow, like at all."

"That why it took you so long to come back," Christian chimes.

"No," he drawls, "It took me so long because I was trying to find it in human form again and I noticed someone watching me—so I did a couple laps around the grounds."

"What are you thinking about, Caleb," mom asks me.

"Nothing really. I just wish we knew more about her—about this situation," I trail off.

"More about it how?"

Everyone looks at me, what can I say. I, myself don't know what more we could learn. "Like why is this happening now? Has she been in contact with anyone? Anything really. It's been two days of searching. Two days of waiting for the fae to leave. Two whole days and all we've accomplished is being able to find the clearing in wolf form and even then, the only wolf from the pack that has been there is Travis. Why him, why not someone else," getting frustrated, I run my hands through my hair, "Never mind."

"No, you've every right to be frustrated," father says. "I've kept you out of the action because I didn't like the way Tobias looked at you when you were looking at Nadia's picture. I was trying to keep you safe from him. Maybe if I let roam further you would've found her. I just need them to leave before we make any real moves and if your wolf gets out, I fear you won't be able to hold him back."

"I understand," giving me a look, "Seriously, I get it. I do. I just want to know more. I feel like there is so much I don't understand." Nothing makes sense. My world is turned upside down by a girl I've never met. Ugh, what the f**k am I supposed to do, grr! Pushing away from the table I start pacing around. My phone buzzes in my pocket. Ignoring it, I continue figuring out what my next move will be. Buzz. Buzz. I continue to ignore it, whoever it is will just have to wait until later. Mom excuses herself to continue cooking. Dad kisses her cheek; she squeezes his shoulder. Do I want what they have or not? That's what it all boils down to. Am I going to let one persons' agony determine if I will have the type of relationship my parents have.

Watching them, I make a choice. My phone buzzes again, pulling it out—I see a text from Roni, Just thinking of you. Hope to see you at The Hound. Not bothering to respond, I tell my family bye and head out the back door. Before I can get far, Damian claps me on the shoulder.

"You okay, bro?"

"I'm going to be," following the snow-covered path. We walk in silence for a bit.

"Wanna hit the bar tonight?"

"I'll let you know later. There are some things I want to sort out before I head out anywhere."

"You're not thinking about looking for the clearing, are you?"

"What if I am. It's not like dad can stop me."

"It's not about dad. It's about that fae prick lingering around," moving past him, he grabs my arm, "Look man, as your older brother it's my job to look out for you. I know you'll take over the pack someday. We all know you're the strongest alpha around since grandpa's era, but you got to be careful. This girl could ruin everything."

"Watch it, that's my mate you're talking about," surrendering his hands.

"I mean no disrespect. I just want you to be careful. We don't know much about her. Just bits and pieces. Hell, dad doesn't even know who to contact to find out more."

Smiling broadly, "Then that's our next move."

"What's the move? What did I say?"

"We need to call someone," turning around I break into a jog back to the manor.

"Who are we going to call? Dad can't make any moves like that with that prick around."

"He can't but mom can. You know she has her own connections," running beside me he smiles nodding his understanding. I don't know why we didn't think of this two days ago. It should've been the first thing we did. Back at the house I run my idea to my mom and dad. Dad seemed a little hesitant, but mom convinced him it would be fine and that she knew exactly who to call. She told us that she would let us know what she found out tomorrow.

So, my night is left open-ended. My brothers want me to go out and frankly there isn't much I can do until mom gets back to us and Tobias leaves. Looks like I will be going to The Hound tonight after all.