Hidden Killers: Shadows in the Dark (Book 3)

27 - Colt POV

The never ending torture continued.

I had not seen Abby since Asher's, and the rest of the fallen's, funeral. Jason relayed that she had gone to work today but not where she had gone afterwards; I am uncertain if that is because he genuinely doesn't know or if he is being loyal to Abby by not telling me. It better not be the latter.

I was currently in my office at P.A.C. trying to go over some paperwork. Or, what was more accurate, I was going over the same paperwork over and over again to keep myself pre-occupied.

Why does it feel like that, despite Abby being alive, I have lost her too?

No... she just needed space and time to heal. I must hold onto that piece of hope.

It was late, way past closing time. I didn't feel like returning to the packhouse yet. It felt empty and hollow there.

Perhaps the place was cursed? As long as I have known of it, it has led to two bad incidents. Should we have picked it as our packhouse? Was that the wise decision that me as the Alpha should have made?

*knock knock knock*

Apparently, I am not alone, but I knew who it would be. They had been checking on me constantly throughout the day to see if I needed anything or wanted to talk about anything.

This would just be the same visit.

"Enter." My voice bounces off the walls as I watch my hunch turn out to be correct. "Evening, Clarke."

"Evening."

"Has everyone else left?"

One firm nod in response to that question. "We are the last two here."

"Good. You can make your way home as well, Clarke. I will make sure that the building is locked up." I was expecting to hear a click of the door closing and being left to my own thoughts.

Instead, the door clicked shut but Clarke was still inside my office. I stare at him for a bit in curiosity. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

He shuffles on his feet for a bit - my head trainer for both the pack warriors as well as here for the patients was nervous. "Was just checking in on you."

"I am fine-" He raised his eyebrows at me. "-as I can be." I finished off.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Now he was going to be my therapist.

That used to be Austin's job. Ash reminds me, which instantly brought a sour look across my face.

"Ash wanting you to open up?" Clarke raises his eyebrows at me as I am brought back into the room.

"You know that old grump is not good with emotions."

Hey!

You know it's true.

Yes, but still.

"So do you?" Clarke moves to sit in the chair opposite my desk, waiting for me to open up.

I run a hand over my head before giving him an honest answer. "I am trying to work out what the grand plan is."

"The grand plan?" He said confusedly.

"We are taught that the Moon Goddess has a plan for all of us. So, what is the grand plan for me if I have to watch all of my loved ones disappear in front of me?"

He looks at me - a perplexed look etched into his features as he tries to find the right answer to ths question. "That would only be answered down the line. None of us know why certain things happen to us." Was all he could say.

"Are we being punished?"

"For what?"

"Did the Moon Goddess take Asher away because I broke the law?" This thought had been rattling around in my head all day as I was trying to piece everything together. "I broke the law by converting Abby into a werewolf against her will. Is this her version of a punishment?"

"I don't believe that to be true." Clarke reassures me.

"How can you be sure of that?"

"Maeve and Austin." He fires back quickly. "Both seriously injured. Both were brought back to us. Maeve even said she spoke to the Moon Goddess about being returned to us. So, I see her as being a reasonable deity."

I lean forward in my chair, resting my elbows on the table so I could peop my head on my hands. "So, what do you suggest is her reason for taking Asher?"

That was what Abby said happened - her life was being traded for Asher's and Asher was being handed over to the Christian faith.

"The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways." He holds up his hands in his defense.

"Helpful." I push myself up so I am standing and make my way towards the door. "I think that is enough work for today, Clarke. Time to head home."

"Would you like a lift?" He follows me out of the room and all the way down to the foyer.

"No thanks. I am going to take a bit of a walk to cool my head."

"Do you want company?"

That made me pause as we said goodnight to the security guards that had arrived for the night shift. "Actually, yeah. But I am not much for talk these days."

"Nothing wrong with that. Lead the way." He gestures for me to lead the way.

We start making our way to the city centre and through the suburban areas. His phone pings off every now and then, which he quickly responds to before pocketing his phone.

I knew who it would be. "How is everything with Adelaide?"

A hearty smile crossed his face thinking about his mate. I wished I could have the same reaction for Abby, but our relationship was very strained at the minute.

Goddess, Abby. Where are you?

"Things are going great. She has taken to her leadership role really well. Plus, Kenna and Douglas have moved in with us temporary so that we can keep an eye on Douglas and make sure he is getting back to optimum weight."

"Well, he has the best family to help with, both with you at P.A.C. and Adelaide being a paramedic." I clapped his back before staring at the ground.

"Thank you, Colt. And, Adelaide and Maeve have talked to the McGraw Coven members to help take care of the wounded until it is at a manageable level for the hospital staff."

"How long do you think that will be for?" I was really out of loop with pack business right now.

"Maybe a day or two..." He seemed to prolong himself, daring himself to ask the next question. "When will you take on the Alpha role again?"

There it was. Not the main question people want to ask me lately - that is usually related to Abby. But, the other burning question on people's mind, would I remain as the Alpha?

"I don't know. I am waiting for word from the Council."

"For the trial?" I nod in response. "It feels like my role is in limbo at the moment. Like I have no idea if I will be the Alpha or not."

"I can speak on your behalf if needs be. I would have done the same for Adelaide if I was in your position." He reassures me.

"Thanks, Clarke. If only Abby was around and Naomi was feeling better. Then, we would be running the pack between us and I would feel less stressed about the future of the pack."

"The pack will bounce back, it always does. And-" He pauses for a moment before he clocks something nearby. "-as for where Abby is, she is right there."

My head follows to where his finger was pointing. There she was - dressed in leather with her biker helmet on, sitting on her motorbike in the alleyway.

My heart was filled with joy - she was here. That was instantly shattered, however, by who I next clocked. There was another motorcyclist next to her - they were on matching bikes.

The writing on the bikes confirmed my suspicions

Hers - 'Angel'

Theirs - 'Guardian'

"Abby?" I call to her as I entered the alleyway with Clarke closely following behind me.

Her visor was down, but I could feel her eyes looking directly at me as my anger at the whole scene in front of me was getting to me.

"What is going on here? And why are you with him?"