The Lost Queen

Chapter 4. Tick Tock Ace Hammond

Ace

I looked at Kayla when Josephine, Zaven’s little sister, approached us. She was cheerful as always, but Kayla didn’t like it at all. I tried not to smile but I couldn’t contain myself and Kayla stabbed me with her icy gaze.

“Hello Josephine.” She said quietly. I looked at her sipping her latte with an almond milk and when blonde girl turned to me, I saw how her eyes sparkled with amusement.

“Good evening, Ace.” Josie said nodding to me. I answered with the same courtesy and took my drink from the counter where the cafe owners’ daughter was standing. I waved my credit card wanting to pay for the drinks but then I understood that Kayla outran me and paid for latte herself.

“I have to go. It was nice meeting you Kayla.” I turned on my heels but remembered one more thing and looked over my shoulder. “And Josie, tell your stubborn brother that he needs to stop ignoring me.” I smiled gently to Kayla and took my phone out. It didn’t stop ringing for the last fifteen minutes but after I saw Alpha’s Conor number I cursed and left in a hurry.

“Zaven where the hell are you?” I linked to him but didn’t get an answer. My phone ringed again and I felt the rage beginning to brew inside of me.

“Hello Mr. Peterson.” I answered trying to sound nonchalant. Almost immediately Nor growled in my head but I tried to shush him.

“You young and incompetent pup!” He roared into the phone. “I proposed to you a perfect opportunity and you dared to decline it?”

“I didn’t know that I couldn’t refuse it.” I said annoyed. “If that’s everything what you wanted to say, then have a pleasant evening Mr. Peterson.” I ended the call and put my phone back in a jacket’s pocket. I sighed while looking around. After leaving the factory I felt unstoppable urge to stop for a cup of coffee in Artemis café. But know I wasn’t sure what I was doing in here. Kayla’s caramel scent was overwhelming but something else with that smell was bothering me. I turned my head to the window and found green eyes looking at me. After I caught Kayla staring, she turned her head to Josephine, and I once more remembered Zaven. Where the fu*k did, he go?

I drank my lukewarm coffee and threw away the empty cup. I got back into my car and drove to the pack lands. It wasn’t far from the town, way deeper in the woods so that we could roam unnoticeable and unbothered. When I turned into the packhouse I saw Kade’s red Audi and parked nearby. When I climbed out, I tried one more time to link with my beta but still didn’t get an answer. What is going on?

“Kade, had you seen Zaven?” I linked to my brother and while I waited for an answer took my phone out. I tried calling him, but my call was sent to the voicemail, and I turned the phone off.

“No. I didn’t see him today at all.” Kade sounded thoughtful in my head.

“Something is wrong. I’m going back into town. Maybe I will find something. Send some patrols around our borders.” I ordered my brother and sat back in the car.

“Of course. Call me if you will find something.” I shut the link off and drove out. Nor was silent in my head and my own thoughts were spinning. Zaven wasn’t the one who likes to disappear. If he have business, he always lets me know about it but today after leaving the conference room Zaven disappeared into thin air and I couldn’t reach him.

“We found him, Ace!” Kade’s voice was wavery. I pressed the breaks and stopped near the pack border.

“Where?” I asked immediately turning around.

“Up the north patrol post. He looks bad, Ace.”

I didn’t need more encouragement. In a few seconds I was back in the packhouse yard and when I was climbing out of the car, I saw few patrols bringing Zaven from the woods. He was beaten up, his face red from the blood and he didn’t wear a shirt. I could see burn marks ant more bruises along the pale chest from afar.

“For fu*k’s sake, what happened?” I grabbed Zaven by the waist and asked trying to hold him up. He raised his head, and his blue eyes were faded. “Hold on. It’s not far.” I tried to move faster but with heavy Zaven’s footsteps we couldn’t reach packhouse fast enough. Near the steps, doors opened and Kade strolled out. He took Zaven from my embrace and helped me to bring him inside.

“Doctor is on its way.” My brother breathed out when we entered the packhouse. We took Zaven to the living room and scared the sh*t out of other she wolves who were watching tv and chatting.

“Get me some clean towels and warm water.” I ordered looking at the redhead in front of me.

“Yes Alpha.” She answered quietly and dashed away. I looked more closely at the Zaven wounds and felt anger rolling in waves from my body.

“Hey Zaven. Don’t close your eyes.” I slightly shook my friend’s shoulders. “C’mon. Try to stay awake. Doctor is coming.” I looked into lifeless eyes and cursed inside my head. I will find whoever did this and rip their heads off. Zaven coughed few times and moved his hand I tried to stop him, but his look was pleasing to let him do this. Finally, he took out some kind of paper which was red from blood and handed it to me. I raised my eyebrows but didn’t have a chance to look at the note because the doctor came, and my attention was needed elsewhere.

Josephine came running half an hour later. Her eyes were red from crying and I had to hold her in the hallway, so she doesn’t disturb Zaven. Her emotions were all over the place and I had to use my commanding voice to calm Josie down.

“He will be fine. Doctor said he needs some rest, so it will be better if we give him some space.” I said dragging her into my office where Kade was waiting. Josephine saw my brother and almost immediately tried to fix her hair. I looked strangely at them but brushed it off. I sat behind my desk and took the note which Zaven gave to me and unfolded it. In a strange writing were scribbled a few sentences and my body tensed instantly.

“Once upon a time there was a boy who lost his parents. Time went on and he finally could move on, but the boy didn’t know that he was the one who will be lost. And everyone around him will pay a price for his living.

Tick tock Ace Hammond.

Tick tock.”

On the note’s corner was a black wax seal with an unknown symbol which lines were highlighted with violet dusts. I put the note on the table and closed my eyes. I needed a few minutes for myself. I felt Nor’s presence more than I should have at this moment, and I knew I’m losing control.

“Ace what with this sh*t? What is going on?” Kade asked nervously. I opened my eyes and saw how both teenagers lowered their heads.

“We will talk later. I need to go for a run.” I mumbled while getting up. “Kade increase patrol for tonight and tomorrow we will look for a solution. Josie go to your room and try not to overthink everything about Zaven. He will be fine; your brother is a strong wolf.” I patted slender Josephine’s shoulder and left without waiting for an answer.

After leaving the packhouse, I immediately striped out of my clothes and shifted. My bones snapped so they could change, and, in a moment, I stood on my paws. I looked down at my black fur and handed over control of our body to Nor.