Alpha’s Hybrid Cinderella
Chapter 42

If I didn't know any better, I would have thought Evan... was afraid.

The ruthless Alpha of the Scarlet pack, conqueror, modern day warlord who razed entire enemy packs to the ground if they stepped a toe out of line, the cruel king of the region with no one to stand in his way - afraid? It didn't seem possible. And yet from the moment they met to now, as we rode the train in a private compartment to Dark Moon territory, Evan radiated coiling tension and simmering heat like he never had before. This was unlike the night he had come chasing after me when I tried to leave. He had been full of volcanic rage then, ready to tear apart anything that stood in his way.

But what I saw now was something strangled, barely bridled, the twitching of a tight spring itching for release. Evan was holding back. His eyes remained glued to the window as the world whipped past us, keen eyes seeing things I couldn't, and his hand gripped tight around my wrist as if he thought I might slip away.

Osborn was missing. He might even be hurt. But he was a warrior wolf Evan trusted so much he had made him the new leader of the conquered Dark Moon pack. Surely Osborn would be okay. We would find him, and maybe it would all turn out to be a misunderstanding. There had been no demand for ransom, after all. Maybe Osborn had gone into the forest or some other unknown territory to investigate, and...

"It'll be okay," I whispered. "Don't worry. We'll find him soon and everything will be fine."

Evan's eyes darted from the window to my face, capturing my gaze with a fiery stare. It softened at my smile, the heat going out of them a little. "Yeah. It'll be fine."

We held hands as the train sped through the night.

***

"Alpha Evan! And Claudia, welcome!"

It wasn't Osborn who received us but someone unfamiliar. Osborn's second-in-command? The man was young enough to pass for my age at a distance, and he was so nervous as he greeted Evan that he stuttered and almost even tripped, clumsy as could be. Evan ignored it and gave him less than two seconds to adjust before getting straight to the point.

"What's the update on the situation?" Evan asked as he led us out of the station. "I asked for one every hour. It's been silent for two."

"Ah yes, sir, I apologize. I was so wrapped up in the search that we had a miscommunication, and the Delta meant to call you forgot -"

"I don't care about excuses. The update, Micah."

"Yes, Alpha! We've combed the neighboring territories already, but at this point, it's been so long that we think we need to branch out farther than that. It's been an entire day so whoever captured Osborn might have already taken him a hundred kilometers away by now, easily."

"I've already dispatched sister packs to assist with the search. As soon as they arrive, report to me and get them on the ground looking. I'm securing more in the meantime."

"Yes, sir! There's also the suspicion that he's drugged and unable to mind-link, so even if we do get close to his position, he won't be able to alert us. More manpower will help us search more thoroughly so we don't miss him. The warehouse district is of particular interest since it's by the water where no scents will track, so I'll be going personally to check on them myself with my squadron."

"Good. Do that."

"Is there anything you need from us while you wait in the pack house, Alpha?"

"I'm not waiting anywhere. I'm joining in the search."

"I - you're going to be on the ground with us?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No! No, Alpha, no, of course not." Micah wiped at his forehead with his sleeve, sweating profusely. "Then, is there any area in particular you would like to search-"

"You mentioned the warehouses are of special interest. I'll be going with you."

Micah paled. I almost felt sorry for him. But this was a matter of life and death... If there was a greater chance to find Osborn this way, then that was what Evan was going to do.

For all his terrifying reputation, there was one thing Evan was not - inattentive. Those warehouses Micah mentioned would be scoured down to dust and dirt by the time Evan was done searching them high and low.

"I'll come too," I said. "Let me help. This place was my home, I know a few corners that are hard for outsiders to find."

"No."

"Evan, please. I mean it. You've seen how crooked all these roads and alleyways are. Peelle even got lost a few times - or would have, if I weren't there to show him how to get to places."

"Then I'll bring Peelle since he's learned from you already." Evan fixed me with a hard glare. "You need to stay indoors at all times. I only brought you here at all because I don't trust anyone else to keep you safe. Whoever is working against us has been watching me so closely they knew exactly when to strike."

"But you're going to go on the search too! If I stay back, we'll be separated anyway!"

"The difference being that we're at least in the same city so I can get to you. You're here so I can keep you safe, not so you can run around with the rest of the pack."

A sharp pang lanced through my heart. "I'm not an outsider anymore, Evan..."

"I know you're not. But you're still different from the rest of them. You're not a pack fighter or a scout. You're mine. I'm not letting you put yourself in danger." Evan turned his gaze forward. "You'll be under constant guard at the pack house. I'll check in every hour so keep your phone close, and whatever you want, whatever you need, tell them. They'll take care of you."

I was blushing. My entire face was flaming red and it was like he didn't even care as he kept on talking. How could he just say something like that so casually... I was his? When Micah gave me a sideways glance, measuring me against the Alpha's suggestive words, I thought I was going to melt into the ground.

But... I would be lying if I said it didn't make me the tiniest bit excited. Maybe more than that.

He had been so adamant about distancing himself from me before... but now? He really had meant it when he said he wanted me. Even enough to claim me as his for now, fated mate or not.

When we arrived at the pack house, Peelle came rushing toward us from behind instead of greeting us at the door. He was as vibrant as ever, but there was a gray caste to his face, the tint of exhaustion. "Evan! Sorry I'm late. Let's head in."

"Micah just told me about the warehouses. I want to get in on the search immediately."

"I do, too, but there are things we need to talk about first. It'll help speed up the search and clue you in on what might be going on if we stop to breathe for a few seconds."

Evan looked like he was going to snap out an order to get out of the way, but with a sharp sigh, he stepped aside and allowed Peelle to lead the way into the pack house. "Make it quick. The longer Osborn stays missing, the lower the chances of recovery."

"Yeah, I know. It won't take more than a few minutes. Let's get some food in us while we're here so we don't have to stop later."

Maybe if I made myself inconspicuous, they wouldn't notice me and would let me eavesdrop... Even if Evan intended to pen me inside this place like some fragile heirloom, I was going to die of anxiety if they kept me completely in the dark. Evan had rushed me all the way here with little explanation and only the fresh news of disaster. Didn't I deserve to find out what was going on?

Perfect. Peelle was distracting Evan with the state of Dark Moon affairs with such quick chatter that I escaped their notice. Evan might send me away in a few minutes, but when they settled into the living room, I quietly joined them and listened with perked ears. "So this is what's going on, Evan," Peelle said as he spread out a map over the glass coffee table. "These Xs here, they're the points of special interest."

"You found clues?"

"Sort of. Not directly, but... See, Osborn was investigating something on his own. Just a hunch, he called it." Peelle looked up. "I don't think this is about a ransom anymore. I think he was on to something, and they captured him to shut him up."