Chapter 118

Valen stomped into his office, slamming the door heavily behind him. Dorian was lucky enough not to be hit by the door as he followed behind Valen.

“Useless!” Valen muttered, rubbing his hands against his hair and jaw.

Dorian stood at a safe distance trembling slightly. He was doing it again, releasing that powerful aura that brings people to their knees.

Clearly Valen was so mad, he has unleashed this aura just twice. This was only the second time Valen had ever let his emotions slip so much that his power surged uncontrollably—the first time was when Ella came into his life and now that she had disappeared.

Dorian could see from his clenched fist that he was fighting so hard to control it. His crimson eyes were now a darker shade of red.

“Did she just vanish into thin air? Are you trying to tell me there are no leads? No clues?” Valen asked, his voice filled with rage.

Dorian stood speechless, he swallowed hard, his throat dry. He had no answer that wouldn’t further enrage Valen. He didn’t know what to say, Valen had been outdoors looking for leads, he knew quite well Drake had left none.

“Ella… I’m so sorry” Valen’s voice shook

Dorian widened his eyes in disbelief.

Valen-the fearsome, unshakable Lord Valen-was breaking down.

This is the first time.

He stood frozen as Valen stared at the image of Ella on his screen.

Valen’s fingers hovered over her smiling face. She was unaware when he took the picture. Staring at it now, her bright smile seems to be mocking him, reminding him of his failure. His chest tightened, he felt a deep sadness he couldn’t shake off.

He walked over to the fireplace dejected and broken, he stared into the flames as if expecting some answers, but the fire just seems to reflect his own helplessness. He felt lost and alone, unable to do the one thing he was supposed to do protect Ella.

A wave of regret washed over him.

He couldn’t shake off the feeling of guilt that had been eating at him since her disappearance. If only he had been more vigilant, if only he had protected her better, if only he had killed Drake the moment he had set his eyes on him. His hands clenched into fists as the thought of what could be happening to her was unbearable.

Who could have taken her and why?

His mind drifted to Sebastian, his eyes blazed with fury as he turned sharply to Dorian. “Any idea where Sebastian is?”

“No my Lord, since he was banished, he hadn’t come anywhere close to the border”

Valen exhaled heavily, he hadn’t come close to the border doesn’t mean he was innocent. Knowing who Sebastian was, he would definitely have allies everywhere.

Could he be the one who had sent Drake?

“Quickly, send for Maxwell, check if there had been any contact between Sebastian and Drake, search for any clue as to where Sebastian might be” Valen ordered.

Just as Dorian was about to leave, a voice interrupted.

“Sebastian?”

Valen and Dorian turned to see Alpha Derek and someone else stride into his office. Valen’s eyes narrowed in anger. How dare Derek bring a stranger into his office? werewolves are really becoming bold.

“Why would Sebastian want to capture Ella?” Derek continued.

Derek’s eyes widened as they seemed to remember something. “Oh, was it because you banished him and he’s trying to use Ella to draw you out?”

“But if that was the case…” he continued before Valen could say anything. “He should have reached out to you by now” Dorian turned to glance at Valen. Derek was right.

Valen’s eyes darkened, his jaw clenched, his brows furrowed. If Sebastian indeed had taken Ella for leverage, why hadn’t he reached out and made his demand known? Does he have something else up his sleeves or wasn’t he the one who captured Ella?

His eyes darkened further as his mind raced through the possibilities. Oh no, he couldn’t need more of her blood right?

Seeing Valen’s silence, Derek continued. “I think Alpha Kevin took her”

Valen’s gaze snapped towards him.

“Who’s Alpha Kevin and what the hell are you talking about?”

Derek’s jaw tightened. “He was the bastard responsible for the plague that almost wiped out all the werewolves packs and I suspect he wants to take revenge on Ella for being the healer who ruined his plans” he said.

Valen’s eyes narrowed. “And how did he know she was here?”

Derek hesitated and then exhaled heavily “I may have… told him when I went to ask for his assistance to rescue Ella from you.”

Valen’s expression darkened further.

“We just recently found out Ella had a new family and all of a sudden Drake appeared, how could this be linked to the Alpha?” Valen asked

Derek leaned closer, his brow furrowed “And how is it linked to Sebastian?” he asked.

“Have you forgotten that her stepsister is Sebastian’s mistress?” Valen asked, his eyes glaring.

Derek paused. “She’s also Alpha Kevin’s Luna”

Heavy silence immediately fell in the room.

Dorian, who had been watching the two men banter in anger from frustration, felt his stomach tighten, he realized things are getting more complicated, but clues are beginning to spring out. The pieces were starting to fall into place, but the puzzle was turning out to be far more complex than they had imagined.

“Aaahem” a low cough broke the silence.

Alpha Kael, who had remained quiet until now, cleared his throat.

Valen’s sharp gaze raked over him. His brows furrowed. The more he stared at him, the more he felt there’s something awfully familiar about him.

“This is Alpha Kael, he had been on Alpha Kevin’s trail since he escaped from his pack, he just came with a message that Kevin was last seen around your city and that was why I started suspecting him.” Derek said. “I brought him to you, so he can help with finding Ella.”

“That’s good, but I already sent for my greatest spy,” Valen said.

((

As if on cue, the door swung open and Maxwell walked in, cloaked in black as usual.

“Wow, we have a full house,” he said, trying to ease the tension in the air.

His eyes narrowed between Derek and Kael. “Mutts” he muttered, his voice not hiding his hatred.

Derek only eyed him for a brief second before turning to Valen. “Is this your best spy? He can’t even hide his hatred for my kind, how is he supposed to find Ella who’s also a ‘mutt’ as he just referred to us?”

Valen waved his hands dismissively, “forgive his manners, but he had found Ella once when she was at the hospital, so I believe he could find her again.”

Derek scoffed. “He didn’t find her, that nurse gave out Ella’s location.”

Maxwell’s jaw clenched as he watched Derek question his ability.

“If he must find Ella, then Alpha Kael would be working with him,” Derek said.

“I don’t work with mutts,” Maxwell responded, his eyes flashed with irritation. “Oh? Please tell me why?” Alpha Kael who hadn’t said a word since finally asked. He took a step forward towards Maxwell, his presence suddenly more imposing. Kael continued, his voice merciless as his eyes locked into Maxwell’s.

“Tell me, what are you afraid of?

His next words were like a bomb.

“Or Could it be… you are working for the enemy?”