novelraw Chapter 307 - see you
Chapter 307 - see you
307
~Damon’s POV
Morning came, and I woke up feeling the usual weight in my chest. My guard rushed in, almost tripping over himself.
"Alpha Damon! The alphas of the neighboring packs are here to meet you," he said, breathless.
I nodded slowly. "Alright. Send them in," I added, waving him off.
He hesitated a moment, then bowed and left. I got dressed quickly, tying my hair back, adjusting my cloak. Every muscle in me tensed.
I walked into the hall, my steps echoing lightly on the polished floor. The moment I entered, all the alphas present stood, bowing slightly as a sign of respect. I stopped, letting my gaze sweep over them.
"Good morning," I said, keeping my voice firm but calm. "Please, be seated."
The oldest-looking alpha shifted on his feet, clearing his throat before speaking. "Alpha Damon... what of Alpha Rowan and Kael? They are not here."
I didn’t let my expression change. "They’re attending to something important," I said evenly. "When they’re done, it’s possible they’ll join us. For now, this meeting can begin."
A tense silence settled over the room. I let it linger a few seconds, letting them feel the weight of what I was about to say. Leaning slightly forward, I fixed my eyes on them, letting my authority fill the room. "I called you here because I have a task for you," I said, my tone low but commanding. "Three people are missing. Your task is to find them. Alive. I do not want excuses, I do not want failures. Alive."
The alphas exchanged uneasy glances. Some shifted in their seats, others leaned forward slightly, trying to gauge if this was a test or something more serious.
"Who are we looking for?" one of them finally asked, his voice careful, almost hesitant.
I didn’t pause. "You should know them. Our uncle, Fridolf, and our luna, Belinda."
Heads nodded around the room. I could see recognition in their eyes. They knew exactly who I meant. I could feel the tension rising.
"These are the first two you must find," I continued, my voice sharper now, slicing through the murmurs and quiet exchanges between them. "And I do not want excuses. You must bring them to me alive. Do I make myself clear?"
Some of them swallowed nervously. One of the younger alphas even frowned slightly, clearly unsettled by the command.
"Why are you searching for them?" a different alpha finally asked, surprise and confusion in his voice. "They were supposed to be safe in the palace. Why would they disappear, and why would you send us to look for them?"
I didn’t flinch. My gaze stayed steady, locking onto theirs. "It is a personal matter," I said firmly. "I do not owe explanations. All you have to do is find them. That is your only concern. Bring them to me alive. That is all. Nothing more, nothing less."
There was a pause. Some of them nodded slowly, clearly processing the authority in my words. A few shifted uncomfortably in their seats, probably thinking of excuses, possibilities, and risks, but they didn’t speak. They understood that this was not a discussion; it was an order.
Alpha Thorne leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied me carefully. His gaze felt sharp, cutting through the air. "The third person... is it Lisa?" he asked, his voice low, careful, as if saying her name aloud could summon trouble.
I froze, my body stiff, as if the air around me had turned to stone. My heart skipped a beat, then thudded so hard against my chest it felt like it could burst through my ribs. My eyes locked on Thorne’s, and for a moment, I was confused.
She... she looked so much like him. The resemblance was uncanny, shocking, and it hit me harder than I expected. I could feel my stomach twist, my throat tightening as I tried to swallow. It wasn’t just the face, the eyes, or the sharpness of her features; it was everything about her.
"What the heck?" I muttered under my breath, my voice barely audible. The words sounded foreign even to me, like my mind was trying to process something too big, too impossible for this quiet, sunlit hall. I could feel my hands tighten into fists at my sides, and I had to take a deep, shaky breath just to keep standing.
What sort of game is the Moon Goddess playing? I thought, my mind racing. How could Thorne look exactly like Lisa?
My instincts screamed that there was a connection, but I didn’t have answers yet. I could only feel the pull, the undeniable sense that this was more than a coincidence.
"Are they family?" I asked myself quietly, almost like whispering the question could summon the truth. My mind spun with possibilities, but I knew I wouldn’t get answers here, not in front of the other alphas. Thorne was the key, and he had the answers I was desperate for. I would wait, but only for the right moment. I could feel it coming. After the meeting, alone, I would find out everything.
"Yes," I said finally, my voice steady, though my chest was tight and my heart thundered.
Just then, my guard appeared in the doorway, bowing deeply. "Alpha, the painter is back," he said, his words sharp, alert.
I muttered under my breath, more to myself than anyone else, "He came at the right time." I waved him over with a quick motion. "Reward him handsomely," I said. "And bring in the portrait."
The guard nodded and left. Moments later, he returned, holding a rolled canvas carefully in both hands. I took it from him, feeling the weight of it, the importance of it. Slowly, deliberately, I unrolled it.
Lisa’s face stared back at me. Perfect, haunting. Every detail, the curve of her cheek, the sharpness of her eyes, the set of her jaw, was captured in a way that made my chest tighten. My lips pressed into a thin line, fighting to keep my emotions in check.
"Share this around," I said, my voice firm. The guard nodded and left quietly to do as I commanded. I turned back to the alphas, letting my gaze sweep over them all, measuring their reactions.
"This is Lisa’s portrait," I said, my tone low but full of authority. "You must do everything in your power to find her. Do not touch a single hair on her head. I will not tolerate harm coming to her. But Fridolf and Belinda... for all I care, handle them as you see fit."
They all bowed deeply, one after another, but then, they kept staring between the portrait and Thorne. I was certain that they noticed the resemblance, too, but then I didn’t give them room to question him.
"Good," I said finally, letting myself lean back slightly. "I appreciate your help. That is all I ask for now. Go, and find them."
The room emptied, one alpha at a time, until only Thorne remained. He stepped closer, moving with purpose, his expression unreadable but serious.
"Alpha Damon..." he said quietly, stopping just a few feet away. "I need to see you. Alone."