Chapter 171

Almara’s Pov

It’s been a grueling week without Grace. Instead of her precious laughter and innocent soul, Arthur and I have been back and forth with lawyers all week, trying to get any information about exactly where Grace is.

I know the meetings are supposed to be drawing us closer to finding our daughter, but instead all I feel is that I’m slipping in a black hole.

All of the lawyers words begin to sound like gibberish against my ears and it’s like I’m looking at life through a rain cloud, barely able to make out what’s right in front of me. I never suffered from post partum depression after Grace is born, but I imagine this is what it would be like.

I’m just lucky to have Arthur who can keep his head straight enough for the both of us. He’s usually the one who’s more socially adept than I am anyways, but this is a different level. He had dad-mode activated and is letting that be his driving force in achieving his goal of retrieving our daughter.

Finally, one lawyer found a law that states Pup Services cannot without base-line information to birth parents, including but not limited to location. If I was drowning, this was the life line I needed.

So now, Arthur and I are in the back of a black SUV on our way to a child-care facility for orphans fifteen miles outside of town which infuriates me because Grace isn’t an orphan. Not even close.

When we arrive, my heart sinks. I can’t believe they would even consider calling this a place for children. The outside of building is emitting no warmth or signs of welcome. Only a makeshift sign that points to visitors parking.

There’s hardly any windows on tall brick building, and the ones that I do see are just slim enough that I might be able to fit through if I was standing sideways. The grass is unkempt and there’s a run down playground outside.

How could the government believe that this place is a better home than with me and Arthur? Maybe a jury will see it this way too, if we even have to go to court.

Arthur loops his fingers with mine and leads the way. “Ready to get our daughter?” He asks into my ear and I nod. Our lawyer, Reese, is following behind us.

I realize we all stick out in our expensive clothing against this in-much need of repair building. Then again, that’s a good thing isn’t? Don’t courts usually rule in favor of the one who has the most money?

We climb the concrete steps and knock on the front door. We called ahead to let a woman in charge know who we were and why we were coming, she didn’t seem to care one way or another about the whole situation. Maybe she wouldn’t mind if we just picked up Grace and walked out of here.

My heartbeat picks up with each passing second, a moment of doubt crosses my mind. What if this is the wrong building? Is anyone even here? Is it abandoned? That would at least explain the buildings poor condition.

Then the door rudely squeaks open and a short woman with sharp features looks right up at us. If this is the apathetic woman we spoke to on the phone, she surely looks like she gives a damn now as she scowls over the rim of her too-small glasses.

“Name?” She asks, her voice nearly a growl.

“Arthur and Almara Covington. Here for Grace.” Arthur says, putting on his full charm. If it had any affect on the woman, she doesn’t show it.

“Where’s your crowd?” The woman asks looking past us. I guess she thought we would have a herd of reporters or fans at our trail.

“We were able to make this trip discrete.” Arthur says and the woman stops asking questions. She backs up and pulls the door wider for us to step through. She begins to shut the door before Reese can enter with us.

“He’s with us.” I say.

“I only have two visitors on the list for today. Almara and Arthur.” The woman says leaving no room argument.

“That’s all right.” Reese says. “All you need is this.” He hands us a brief case and curls his lip into a cunning smile. Arthur takes the sleek black leather brief case and Reese uses his now free hand to reach into a pocket and withdraws a cigarette.

I must admit, it’s unusual to see anyone smoking considering most wolves like to run wild and free and, well, having lung issues prevents that. Still, I don’t say anything. Who am I to judge? All I care about is what’s in that brief case.

The lawyer brought papers that cite for temporary custody considering Grace is not an orphan and her biological parents are very much alive, there’s no reason she can’t be with us considering a service worker never even came out to the home to check for safety concerns.

By law, Grace has to be handed over to us and when we go to court and when an officer is sent to our house and sees we are very well-taken care of wolves who take care of their own then this whole thing can blow over. Maybe then we can look into how we get back at Maruice-Janice.

I’m not even sure what strings she pulled to get Grace into this place but if she wants to play dirty then I’m game. “No smoking up here.” The woman says and Reese just lets the cigarette dangle from his mouth.

We leave him be and follow the short woman down the tiles hallway, her heels clacking against the tile. The first thing I notice is how quiet is it. For a place supposedly filled with children, there’s not a peep. No laughter, not even crying.

The woman leads us to a room at the end of the hall. She opens the door and walks in first, we follow behind her. She sits at a desk with a plaque that has the name “Kelly Rags.” The name doesn’t fit her. Maybe rags, but not Kelly. Kelly is a name of a happy or cheerful person.

There’s one wooden chair positioned across the desk and Arthur motions for me to sit down, but I shake my head. I’m tired of sitting and waiting. Knowing that Grace is somewhere in this building and I am this close to her, I can’t sit. Not now.

I’ve had to already stop myself from sniffing the air and trying to track her down. We’re at the home stretch, I don’t want to do anything that might give this woman a reason to not hand Grace over to us.

“Let’s get right to it.” Arthur says and clicks open the brief case. He hands Kelly a stack of papers with she takes pointedly and flips through, peering down at them over the rim of her glasses, pausing occasionally.

“Fine.” Is all she says. “Wait here, I’ll go get her.” Kelly pushes herself out from the chair and moves pointedly to the door. She may not have a warm or motherly bone in her body, but at least she’ down to business.

I look at Arthur who lets out a laugh and a shrug. “What is this place?” He asks. I shake my head in agreed disbelief.

“Who cares? We never have to come back here again after today.” I say.

“No one will.” Arthur says, and I’m not quite sure what he means. Though before I can ask, the woman returns with Grace on her hip. Even then the woman still seems cold, like she’s never held a baby before.

“Mama!” Grace calls out and I rush over to her sweeping her into my arms and showering her with kisses and tears.

“The court of offices and Pup Services will be in touch with court dates.” I hear Kelly say, but I’m barely paying attention to her. Arthur has come up and wrapped his arms protectively around his two girls.

“You are not to leave the borders under any circumstances. If you do-” Kelly gets cut off by a blaring alarm. It takes only a second to realize the flashing lights and horrendous screech is a fire alarm.

“We have to evacuate!” Kelly shouts over the alarm. We all move quickly towards the nearest exit. I keep Grace close to my chest. Nothing is going to separate us now. Not even a fire.