Chapter 22: Chapter 22
Triton’s POV
The Alpha of Veilwood pack had requested my presence. I hurried to see him and here he was, discussing the difficulties of his pack. I brought up a suggestion, a woman should be used as bait to track the predator. The older alpha gave it some thought. As he spoke, I was lost.
My heartbeat began increasing, my breathing was getting laboured. I couldn’t help but twist restlessly in my chair. It couldn’t be. I inhaled that scent, and it became more intense as I struggled in my seat.
I doubted if my brain was playing tricks on me. I wondered if I had thought about the damsel from the one night stand so much, that now, I would perceive her scent everywhere I went.
I knew that Reynolds was obviously wondering what was going on with me. How could I dismiss him, telling him that I was tracing a woman’s scent that I wasn’t sure of.
The more I tried to subdue it, the stronger it became. When I couldn’t contain it anymore, I excused myself from the room, under the guise that I wanted to get water. I didn’t wait for a response before dashing in the direction that my nose led me.
As I walked in the direction, the scent got fainter, until I couldn’t smell it anymore. The scent of wild flowers mixed with sweat was replaced by the smell of cold air mixed with a light smell of burnt candles.
I folded my arms across my chest in frustration and sighed deeply. Could my brain be playing tricks on me? I peeped through the window into the various rooms, no one was there. A woman walked past me, carrying a jug of water. She smelt normal, nothing like my mate.
"Young Alpha. Is there a problem?" I heard the familiar voice of Reynolds from behind me.
"Nothing. I’m just searching for the kitchen." I said, trying hard to hide the nervousness in my throat.
The maid who had passed earlier came closer to me with the jug of water and poured it into a cup. I thanked her and forced the water down my throat. I wasn’t thirsty one bit.
Reynolds looked at me like he didn’t believe it was only thirst that made me feel that way. We walked back together, but not to the library, we stayed at the large hall.
"Is there any other woman in the house?" I forced myself to ask.
"Just my wife and the maid who served you water. You seem uncomfortable. Any issue?"
"No. I was just curious where everyone went." I said with a nervous smile. Now I knew that my mind was tricking me, the maid wasn’t my mate, and the alpha’s wife could not be my mate. She wasn’t here.
Reynolds spoke about the matters arising in his pack. He gave me the names of all the women that had gone missing. This time, I listened with rapt attention because the thought of my mate didn’t distract me.
From his statistics, more than 20 women were missing and almost all of them were young ladies.
"I would look into it." I assured him. "You know the females here are special because of their gifts, someone is exploiting them."
"Thank you. Sometimes I feel like I’m not a good leader. Even with the law of veils and the night curfews, women are still missing."
"I would look into it. A leader always helps another leader."
He thanked me one more time and escorted me outside to where my horse stood. My beta held the reins of the horses, he had obviously been waiting for me.
We moved away from the Veilwood pack house as our horses walked steadily.
"Your father wants to see you. Is there a chance you would meet him?" Sam, my beta asked.
"That old tyrant. He never visits except when he needs something. I already know what he wants to say."
"Marriage?"
"The old man has been trying to get me married." I said, and the statement was followed with a sigh.
"Maybe we should tell the alpha of veilwood the truth. You know what is affecting his people."
I shot Sam a hard glare and he went quiet instantly. "That statement shouldn’t get out of your mouth again. No one should discover that we know the cause."
"Noted. I’m sorry for bringing it up."
The rest of the ride was quiet until we got to the inn which we had booked for our stay in Veilwood. I planned to stay in Veilwood until my men had conducted a proper search for my mate. If I couldn’t find her, I don’t know what I would do. I hoped that I found her.
Word couldn’t get out to Alpha Reynolds about the cause of the disappearance of females. It was for the best and until I had resolved the matter myself, I couldn’t tell the Alpha yet.
I headed to my room and took off my clothes which were a bit sweaty. Some of the letters which I had exchanged with Clara were still in my hand, so I tore them and threw them into the fireplace.
I headed to the bathroom to freshen up, when I was done, I put on new clothes and climbed into bed. There was a lot on my mind, my mate, Alpha Reynold’s problem and my father’s meeting request.
I knew I couldn’t stall father’s request for longer and I would finally have to meet him. I felt a bit guilty as I thought of Reynolds. Knowing about the cause of his problem and still misdirecting him felt like a huge betrayal.
While I was still lost in my thoughts, knocks sounded on the room door.
"Bring the food in an hour." I shouted as I presumed it was the maids.
"It’s me Triton, open up."
I could recognize the voice. I hissed in annoyance as I wondered what she was doing here. She continued knocking and I knew that she wouldn’t leave until I came out.
I walked towards the door and raised the wooden bolt.