I whispered to Rick, "Rick, don't act until we find my brother. She is the key."
Rick gave me a curt nod and stepped forward to stop Teddy and Mark. With a silent understanding, they released Ava, letting her go.
Alpha Benedict sighed in relief and turned to me. "Thank you, Alpha. I am sick, and Edgar is nowhere to be found. That is why I let Ava run the pack. But if Edgar were here, Ava would step down."
That night, Ava bolted to her room, her expression unreadable.
"Alpha Benedict," Bella said hesitantly, "may we go to my mother's room? I want to see her photos."
Alpha Benedict nodded. "Of course, but her room is not here. It is in the old building. You can go there in the morning."
The next morning, Rick, Lilet, and I settled into the carriage bound for the old chamber where my mo
