Chapter 103

Almara’s POV

Once the routes for searches have been established, I jump to my feet ready to spring to action.

Roman and his brother, Jack, are going to comb through the executive buildings for the sports equipment. Apparently, as a child Arthur used to love visiting the empowering glass buildings and relish in his father’s fortune. Roman thinks his son is revisiting those fond memories.

Cecilia and Elenor are going to ask around at popular clubs, surely someone would recognize the Alpha passing through, if eh decided to spend some time distracting himself.

Lastly, I am going to old spots where Roman first pursued me. Perhaps if he surrounds himself in nostalgic areas and remind him of the life he’s built he’ll be able to pull himself out of his blood thirst craze.

I don’t know how I feel about returning to old territory. I was beginning to get comfortable with leaving the past exactly where it is, and never revisit. I guess these are the sacrifices that are made in a marriage.

“Excuse me, Roman?” I gently touch his arm and Roman pauses his conversation with Jack to turn to me. Waiting for me to speak, I quickly ask my request. “I have a friend in the area that I’m heading to, I was hoping to ask her to join me.”

Roman arches an eyebrow and seeing the uncertainty cross his face I quickly add, “She’s trustworthy. Believe me.”

Roman clears his throat. “Look Almara, when you said you wanted to invite friends to help you look I thought you meant some . . .new friends.” He add the last part hinting at the fact these new friends would already be known and vouched for by the Hurricane Pack.

“But . . .” I start off. Roman raises his palm to silence me. Oh no he didn’t. I can sense Lily getting ready to pounce and I quickly shut her down.

“Seeing as my son trusts you, I suppose one old friend would be fine. Hear my words though Almara,” Roman narrows his gaze and I feel every cell in my body tune into what he’s going to tell me. It’s no wonder he was the previous Alpha.

“Do not tell this friend any more than what is needed to know. Say Arthur simply had a wild night out celebrating the birth of his child and got a bit lost.”

I shake my head in confusion. “People will think that he’s irresponsible.” I argue in hopes Roman will see how ridiculous that excuse is.”

“Better that than bitten by a vampire.” Roman’s tone indicates a hint of disappointment and I feel my throat close in compassion for Arthur. Elenor comes to stand next to her husband, casting me aside

“We should get going, Honey. We only have so many hours of daylight.” Elenor’s voice drops the hint that not only is sunlight needed to see better, but it’s going to be a full moon tonight. The opposing powers in Arthur are going to be an all time high.

Roman nods in understanding to his wife. He glances me over, “I don’t care what you tell this friend, so long as it isn’t the truth.”

“Okay.” Is all I can manage to say. Before we leave, I kiss Grace goodbye and tell her I’ll be back with her father. She looks up at me as if she understands every word I’m saying and my heart swells.

“We’ll be okay here.” The nanny holding Grace tells me. She gives me syrupy sweet smile and I forces me to believe her. I stroke Graces head one last time, not wanting to leave her side so soon after she’s entered the world.

I replace the desire to stay with her with the desire to find Arthur. The teams split up and I head to the restaurant I used to work at. As I approach the glass doors I’m surprised to realize I’m smiling as I remember the day Arthur told me he wanted me to quit working here.

I was so distraught then. I didn’t know how I would survive or what I would do for money. He was asking me to leave behind the only world I’ve ever known. Little did I know then how much more he would provide.

I pass through the doors, the familiar bell jingles at the sound of my arrival and my stomach twists in knots. Thankfully I’m greeted by just the face I wanted to see.

“Almara!” Cathy squeals and races over to sweep me up in a hug. My eyes swell with tears and I hug her back tightly too. I laugh as I feel Lily shake her tail in excitement. “What in the world are you doing here?” Cathy asks, still refusing to let me go.

When she does release me, I quickly wipe my eyes and take both her hands. “I need your help.” Cathy’s face changes to that of pleasantly surprised to genuine concern, and I’m reminded of her innate empathetic ability. I’ve missed that so much.

“I know it’s been awhile and of course now I’m only coming to you when I need something…” I trail off, cut short by tears threating to flow if I don’t stop talking. I hate that I’m crying right now. I think now I understand why the Hurricane pack sees emotions as a weakness. I need to be strong right now. Arthur would be.

“Hush. Enough of that. Tell me what it is.” Cathy squeezes my hands, her baby-blue eyes focused on mine.

“Arthur is missing. I can’t explain much now, but there’s a search party for him. Will you help me look?” I know I’m talking a mile a minute, but I worry I’ll clam up again if I don’t get the words out.

Cathy opens her mouth to respond, but another voice comes out instead. “Oh, how fascinating.”

I turn around and find Emma standing not too far off behind me. She tucks the waitress pad back in her apron and I suddenly get the feeling she was never taking an order.

I never liked working with Emma. She was hired a couple months before me and she assumed that gave her such a hierarchy over me.

For whatever reason she always tasked me with the awful duties, helping the dishwasher, staying late to scrub the trashcans, cleaning the toilets. Cathy always told me it was because she was jealous. She had a theory that Emma secretly liked Robert.

“Hi, Emma.” I say, forcing myself to sound neutral though Lily is growling.

“This is none of your business, why don’t you clean the toilets or something.” Cathy is quick to snap back and I bite my lips to hide my smile. The last thing I need is more drama. A flash of anger crossed Emma’s face, but she’s quick to grab her composure.

“When the restaurant has a poll to see how long this little fling would last and I just won, it most certainly is my business.” Emma laughs. I look at Cathy for an explanation who holds her hands up in defense.

“I didn’t participate.” Cathy says, confirming that what Emma just told me is true. My blood boils with anger. Maybe the Alamara who worked here back then would be timid or embarrassed, but not now.

I step forward, almost ready to unleash Lily if Emma so much as says one more thing that irritates me. I set my stare hard on Emma’s eyes and I can tell she’s confused. She’s never known me to rise to a battle. Then again, she’s never known me as the Alpha’s wife.

“Arthur went out celebrating the birth of our child, had a little too much fun, and ended up in an unfamiliar area.” I hate the excuse that Roman gave me and regret not coming up wit ha better one, but I tell Emma this so nonchalantly as to not make it sound like a big deal.

For a moment, I think she buys it. Until she bursts out laughing. “Sounds like he saw the baby you had and went to go try again with someone else.” I don’t know what takes over me, but the next thing I know Emma is clutching her face. My palm tingles and only then it dawns on me that I slapped her. Hard.

A mixture of shock and pain is frozen on Emma’s face. I can’t I’m not surprised either, but I try not to let that show.

“I’m right, aren’t I? That’s why you came running back here, hoping to go back to your simple pathetic life.”

“Arthur was bit by a vampire and ran away to fight off the infection so he could be the best father and husband to his family. He got bit trying to protect me from a famous artist who fell madly in love with me. My life is anything but simple and pathetic.”

Emma’s eyes widen with interest.

“Almara, is that true?” I hear Cathy ask from behind me, and I immediately regret my words. I shouldn’t have said that. Unsure of what else to say or do without causing any more damage, I run out the door.