Lost and Found

Eight

Everything seemed to come to a halt as Zane began to process her words. The room, the other people, and even the noise in his head seemed to all fade away. He zeroed in on her face, evaluating every feature and small movement. Though she showed relatively little emotion, the woman looked sincere and genuine about the information she had shared. He had no reason to believe she was lying to him nor wanted to make a fool out of him.

“Tell me,” he said, his voice barely audible.

For the past few months, he had tried to hold onto hope that Lara was alive and doing her best to come home, but he could never shake the feeling of having lost her forever. Now, this woman was single-handedly reviving his desire to believe that she truly was alive. As much as he longed for their scenario, he was afraid to believe it. If Lara wasn’t alive, it would crush him.

“I…” Tessa began, her frown deepening.

Zane had to physically hold himself from shaking the answer out of the woman. He knew she wasn’t doing it on purpose, but every millisecond felt like an eternity.

She shook her head a few moments later. “I’m sorry. I don’t know the address, just the landmarks. But, I know that it was a place she knew well.”

“Can you try?” Leo asked gently. “Perhaps it’s a place Alpha Zane knows well as well. Anything can help us locate the place.”

“That makes sense,” Tessa nodded. “I do want to help. Lara so desperately wanted to get home. She was a fighter…,” she gave a small smile, but it vanished soon after and was replaced with a vacant look. “But, yes, the place she told me about. She described it as a quaint, little summer home. It was a log cabin in the woods near a–”

“Lake,” Zane blurted, tears pricked in his eyes. “She told you how to get to our mother’s vacation home. You’re sure? You’re absolutely sure that’s where she is?”

Tessa opened her mouth, unsure how to respond. “I cannot say for certain that’s where she is, but it is where we promised to go if we made it out. She taught me where it was on a homemade map of the area. I don’t know what the streets are called, but get me a map, and I’m sure I can point to it.”

Zane was simultaneously elated and terrified. This was as close as he’d ever been to finding her, but he was worried that she wouldn’t be there. It made sense, however, that Lara taught this woman about the home being a safe house. They had practically grown up in that house, as it was their mother’s favorite place in the world. Their father had built it for her when they were first married, and the home held many significant and happy memories for them. Lara had loved it almost as much as their mother. If the woman was able to point to it on a map, then he’d only be a few hours’ drive away from his beloved sister.

“Bre,” Zane began. “While I get a map from my office, why don’t you get some clothes for her to wear. We can just meet in my office, actually. And once we’ve confirmed the location, we’ll get a few cars ready and head there today.”

“Today?” Bre replied with surprise.

“Yes, I’m not waiting. I’m not wasting another second if it means I get to see Lara.”

Bre sighed. She had seen that look on his face three months earlier when he’d found the last “lead” and knew what it meant. The alpha wouldn’t rest for a moment until he’d exhausted every avenue and angle. He wanted so badly to find her that it could blind him from the facts. And it wasn’t that she didn’t trust Tessa, it was more about how she didn’t trust the alpha to remain objective. Though it was reassuring that their newest recruit knew of a place only a select few knew about in the pack, it didn’t guarantee that it was accurate information. She wanted to believe Tessa, but she also knew that there were forces outside their pack that wanted to bring Alpha Zane down. They had already taken out his father, and Bre didn’t want to lose Zane as well.

“Alpha,” she started softly. “We must be cautious. You already mentioned that this could be a trap. Nothing against you, Tessa,” Bre was quick to clarify. “People may be using you to lure Alpha Zane out of the pack.”

“Then I’ll deal with it as I have every other attempt,” Zane spat.

He did not appreciate his doctor scolding him about being careful. He was a freaking alpha for Goddess’s sake. He didn’t need anyone baby-ing him.

“They haven’t been able to hurt me, let alone bring me down, Bre. They won’t get the drop on me, even if they try to use Lara to catch me off guard. I’ll take one of the elite groups with me. I’ll be safe.”

“And what about if this is to leave the pack open to an attack? Strike here while you’re away?” Bre countered.

Zane growled. “They wouldn’t dare.”

Letting out an exasperated scoff, Bre raised an eyebrow. “Yes, they would. You’re not so naive as to believe they won’t play dirty. Have you forgotten what happened to your–”

Zane slammed a fist into the wall. “Of course I haven’t forgotten!” he yelled, his eyes fierce and angry. “You dare rub that in my face? Making me remember every mistake I’ve made? You think those faces don’t haunt me at night? The ones I couldn’t save?”

The room was quiet and felt heavy.

“I just want you to be safe,” Bre said delicately. “I know this can be a touchy subject, and none more than you understand the ramifications. I’m just… worried. I don’t mean to tell you how to do your job, though. You know that.”

Zane let out a long sigh. The burden on his shoulders felt heavier than it had been in months. He was weary. He wanted, no, needed, a break. A win. Something that helped him continue forward.

“I do know that,” he finally replied. “I’m sorry for getting so upset at you, Bre. And I’m sorry to you and Leo for having to witness it,” he continued, looking at Tessa. “Let’s take a moment to regroup in my office. It does no good to speculate in this room before we have the location.”

Bre and Leo nodded in agreement, and Bre held out a hand to help the other woman up. She seemed uneasy on her legs, and it was obvious that the hospital gown gaped uncomfortably for her, showing off her back and rear side.

Leo and Zane shared a look before Leo stripped off his shirt and held it out to Tessa, who seemed to be leaning heavily on Bre. She sheepishly took it, trying to look anywhere except the incredibly good-looking, now shirtless, man. Both men turned around to give her a modicum of privacy to change. Walking around the pack grounds with an open backside would be embarrassing for everyone involved, not just her. They wanted her to feel comfortable, even if they were fine with the pack member’s nakedness.

Tessa was grateful to wear something other than the hospital gown that covered her. “Thank you,” she said, setting the other on the bed.

She then took a tentative step towards the door and winced. Although she was glad that she didn’t fall, the step was painful.

“Of course,” Leo began. “But, uh, are you okay?”

Tessa nodded, taking another slow, smarting step. “I’ll be… fine.”

“May I?” Leo asked, walking over to her and holding out his arms.

Tessa’s cheeks turned pink as she stared from his hands to his face. “You–you want to carry me?” she then squeaked.

Leo chuckled. “Just to his office. Your body has been through a lot, so might as well take it easy until you heal all the way and get used to walking again. It’s been at least a proper week since you’ve last been on your own two feet.”

Even though her cheeks turned a slightly darker shade of pink, Tessa nodded and let Leo easily pick her up into his arms. Her skin came into contact with his chest, and she almost hid her face, feeling bashful; however, she chose to accept it as nothing more than him just being kind.

Leo, Tessa, and Zane made it to Zane’s office as Bre ran off to find something a little more suitable for Tessa to wear. Leo had placed the woman in one of the more comfortable, plush chairs and then scooted her over to be in front of Zane’s desk. At the same time, Zane found a map of the region, though he pulled out a few other maps in case Lara hadn’t meant their family’s old vacation home.

Tessa’s eyes scanned the large map that seemed to cover the entirety of his desk, when suddenly, her eyes lit up, and her finger landed on a small dot on the map.

Zane’s heart beat furiously as he stared at the location. This changed everything.