Beta VS Gamma

XVI

~Kemarion~

I spent the entire day searching the pack and the lands right outside our borders, but it was all for nothing. I didn’t find her, and there was no trace of her to follow. I have no idea how she was able to leave without so much as a word to anyone.

I wasn’t the only one searching for her. I had a few top warriors searching the surrounding forest as well as the borderlines. I didn’t want anyone to know what I was doing, so I made them promise to keep it under wraps. I’m trying to figure out how it is that we were all searching for her, yet she couldn’t be found.

The stars and a sliver of the moon light up the sky. A night like tonight should bring me peace, but I’m not feeling very peaceful. I’m irritated and frustrated. Today was supposed to be much different, and I hate that it’s turned out like it has.

I walk by the mechanic shop and notice a light on. If anyone knows where Samiah would be, it would be Ross. She’s always at this shop or around Ross in some capacity. I walk up to the door and tap on the window. I don’t have to wait long for Ross to open the door. “Future Beta Kemarion, it’s late. Is everything okay?” He quietly steps out of the door and closes it. I wonder if he’s hiding her in there, trying to keep her whereabouts quiet.

“I’m not sure. I’ve spent the day looking for Samiah, but I’ve come up empty. She’s close to you. Have you seen her? Do you know where she is?” Ross crosses his arms and looks out past me. I’m not sure if he’s thinking of a lie to try to hide her or what, but he’s taking his time to answer, and I don’t love that. “Well?”

“I really haven’t seen her at all today. She hasn’t been here and I haven’t seen her around.” I watch his face, but I don’t see anything that says he’s lying.

“When did you last see her?” Ross looks upward, though there’s nothing there to see.

“I saw her yesterday.” There’s nothing for me to say because I saw her yesterday as well. I sigh internally and step back. I have a brief thought that he might be lying, but nothing about his aura indicates that he is. Besides, if I were to find out he misled me, well, I’m sure he knows what the consequences of that would be.

“If you see her, please let me know.” Ross nods, and I turn to head back to the packhouse. He sounds sincere, but he could be lying. I know how close he and Samiah are, so there’s a chance that he’s working hard to protect her. The only thing I can do is keep eyes on him and see how it goes.

I sigh and walk into the packhouse. The dining room is lively with conversation and eating, but I can’t handle that right now. I can’t pretend that everything is okay while I’m trying to find my fated mate.

Everything is so messed up right now. This isn’t how things are supposed to be. I was supposed to be with Destini right now, breaking her into being the Beta female at this pack. Instead, she picked an Omega over me, and now I’m without my fated mate.

I slowly make my way upstairs, not really having a destination in mind. My thoughts are all jumbled, and I’m trying to figure out how to make things make sense. A hand on my arm stops me and pulls me from my thoughts. “Are you alright, son?” I look up and find Alpha Tillman looking at me with concern.

“I… I’m fine, sir.” He takes a step back, his eyes traveling the length of my body.

“Sir? We were past such formalities a long time ago.” I swallow and look away. I slowly turn my head back, deciding that it can’t hurt to ask him the questions burning in my mind.

“Actually, I was looking for Samiah and Mariah. I can’t seem to find them anywhere.” The Alpha clears his throat, and his eyes suddenly hold a sadness that wasn’t there before.

“Well, you wouldn’t find Mariah since she passed some days ago.”

“Ppppppassed? She… she’s dead?” He nods, looking at me with a new interest. “Was it not announced? I’ve heard no one talking about it.”

“Actually, it wasn’t announced. Samiah said that her mom didn’t want all of that. She didn’t even want a pack funeral. Samiah buried her quietly in the woods behind their cottage.” That explains a lot and fills some holes that were in my mind. Mariah is gone, and with her goes the best way to get her to do what I want.

“I bet Samiah is heartbroken. I need to see her and offer my condolences.”

“You can’t.” My breath catches as his words settle over me.

“What do you mean?”

“Samiah asked if she could leave the pack and I granted her request. I felt a tether break some time last night. I’m going to assume it was her. I hate that she left and doesn’t seem to be coming back, but she has to do what works best for her.” Alpha Tillman pats my shoulder and walks past me to go downstairs. I’m stuck where I am, trying to process everything.

Unless I find luck to be on my side, I won’t be finding Samiah anywhere. She isn't on pack lands anymore. Maybe… maybe she isn’t far, though. She’s a lowly Omega with nothing and no one. Maybe she didn’t go too far, and I can find her. Dean?

Hey, where are you? Are you coming to dinner?

I can’t find her.

Huh?

Samiah. She isn’t here. Your dad said she asked to leave the pack. I need to find her.

We can send trusted warriors discreetly. I got you. I close the mindlink and continue to my room. With Dean helping me, I know I will find her soon. It won’t take long for me to be reunited with my fated mate.