Chapter 183: Chapter 183

~ ROWAN

“Your Majesty,” Jeremiah’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “What do you think of the new border arrangement?”

I glanced down at the map laid out in front of me, trying to hide my obvious disdain and boredom.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the clock on the wall, frowning when I realized just how late it was. I had never really bothered about how much time I spent at work until today.

Growing up, I knew that my duty was to my pack, and I spent hours on end learning and training to be a good ruler. There were days my mother would have to pry me from the palace, citing that I needed to have a good social life. If she could see me now, she’d be grinning from ear to ear.

“It seems fine,” I mumbled without glancing at the map properly. “I trust your discretion. If that is all—”

I began to rise but Jeremiah spoke, forcing me back into my seat. “There is still the matter of the new recruits. The final test is to take place the day after tomorrow. Can we count on your attendance?”

I nearly groaned. “Nyssa and I will be there.”

“Perfect, and finally—”

“Can this wait until tomorrow?” I snapped, unable to stop myself. “It’s late. Would you not like to return home and rest?”

Jeremiah’s eyes widened and a knowing look crossed his face. “Of course, Your Majesty. We will resume tomorrow.”

He bowed and rose, as did the other sentinels and they filed out of the room at once until only Jeremiah and I were left.

“Why are you still here?” I asked, pulling myself up.

“The flowers, your Majesty, I have been looking into them like you asked.”

I gestured for him to walk with me as he spoke, not wanting to spend anymore time in this palace than necessary. “What did you see?”

“Whoever sent it delivered it to the dispatch company in person. I asked around and they remembered a guy but couldn’t put a face to the name.”

“Check the cameras.”

“I did, sir,” he began slowly. “There was nothing there. One minute the table was empty and the next, the flowers were there.”

I stopped in my tracks, turning to him with furrowed brows. “That’s impossible.”

He pulled out a phone from his pocket and pressed play on the video.

I stared down at a busy office, people walking in and out, voices muffled. I stared at the counter, waiting for someone to appear but no one did, and to my surprise, a bouquet of flowers suddenly landed on the table.

“Rewind it,” I ordered. He did as I asked but it was the same. “Was the video edited?”

He shook his head. “I double checked it myself. It makes no sense to me but… this is what the camera shows.”

I cursed low, running my hands down my face with a sigh. “Send this to me. Do not say a word about this to anyone. I need to return home to my mate.”

I didn’t wait for a response from him before jumping into my car and speeding off to the house. The video replayed itself in my head and each time it was more unbelievable.

As I pulled into the driveway, the first thing I noticed was how fucking empty it was. The spot where Nyssa’s car was to be parked was empty, and there were no lights on in the house.

My heart beat wildly in my chest, fear and unease swirling inside of me like twin currents as I slowly got out and made my way over to the front door.

The knob turned easily underneath my palm.

“Nyssa!” I called out as I flipped the lights on. “Little wolf? Aria?”

My own voice echoed back at me as I stepped into the empty living room.

Their scents lingered in the house, meaning they couldn’t have been gone for up to an hour. I glanced down at my phone, brows furrowing as I tried to imagine where they would go at almost nine thirty.

I mind linked Eric first.

It was his job to inform me before leaving the house but to my surprise, his wall was firmly in place, unwilling to budge despite my efforts. I’d never experienced that before.

Panic swelled in my chest as my skin thrummed with barely contained energy. I tried not to picture the worst, but after that video, I could not help but wonder if perhaps someone or something had come for her.

I dialed Nyssa’s number next, my heart pounding violently each time it rang. When it finally connected, my knees nearly gave way with relief.

“Where the fuck are you?” I hissed. “It’s nighttime for fucks sake.”

There was silence on the other end for a moment. “I just wanted to get some coffee, Rowan. I went with Aria and Eric.”

The knot in my throat loosened, but only a little. “Where the hell are you? I’ll come get you.”

“There’s no need, Rowan, I’ll be home in a few minutes.”

“I wasn’t asking.”

“Great, because neither was I,” she snapped. “If I’m not back in half an hour, feel free to send out a search party.”

She hung up before I could say another word.

Despite having heard from her, I paced the length of the driveway, glancing at the time as I waited for her to return.

“We need to put a tracker in her car,” my lycan hissed. “Or tag her phone.”

I tried to picture Nyssa’s reaction to that. “She’d kill me if she finds out.”

“Keyword there is if. We just have to make sure she never finds out.”

The sound of an engine pulled me out of my thoughts and I paused in m tracks as Nyssa’s car pulled into the driveway. My mate stepped out of the front passenger seat and only when I saw her physically did I allow myself to fully relax.

“You shouldn’t leave the house so late, at least not without telling—are you okay?”

Her expression was off, her eyes hollow and her lips pressed into a firm line. In her hands, she held two paper cups and she pushed one into my chest as she walked past.

“I’m fucking peachy.”

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