Xavier's POV
I breathed a hot puff of air into my cupped hands, rubbing them together. It was fucking cold as I stared out towards the vast mountain ranges.
Somewhere, likely beyond the mountains, is Celeste. My mate. My love.
I clenched my fists, the skin slightly burning from both the harsh training session I went through this morning and also from the dryness in the air.
The mountains themself were a four day journey by walk, maybe two and half to three in wolf form. There are towns on the other side of the range that were even further, whether you went through the mountain paths or around. The issue is that the mountain range is so large and the rogues left no path. They could be in any direction beyond there.
She wore a sweater when she was taken, and a pair of leggings under a skirt. She'd be cold, wherever she is. Wherever she is, she wasn't wearing enough. The thought brought a bitter taste to my mouth.
'Alpha,' Josh's voice came through the link. 'Just wanted to remind you that the meeting starts in half an hour.'
I shoved my hands into my pocket, turning around without responding. If I walk, I'll be back within the next thirty to forty five minutes. I nod at the patrol as I pass them. Their eyes hold looks of sympathy. It irritates me. I don't want their sympathy. All I want is her, back in my arms; safe and warm.
Jacob glares at me as I walk into the conference room. "You're late," he says bluntly. My eyes drift to the clock above the head of the table. I was late.
"And you failed me. Now -- let's start the meeting." I pull out the chair, plopping myself into it. When my eyes trail up, Josh is shooting looks between the three of us. There's a harsh tension in the air. "Do you have something to say, Josh?" He shoots another look at the other two before shaking his head. "Good, status reports."
Jared clears his throat, "Neighboring packs have seen a decrease in rogue attacks since. . ."
"Since they abducted my mate?" He nods stiffly as my gaze finds him, unblinking.
"This can confirm that they had a goal in mind."
"Attacks outside of the north east regions have stopped completely." I shoot a look at Jacob.
"Completely?"
He nods. "For the moment, yes. Though a few packs have seen groups of rogues running back to the north east so that can potentially confirm that their base is somewhere on our side of the country."
"Potentially or confirmed, I'd like an answer." His jaw clenches. "I want the answer by the end of the week."
"It's already-"
"End of The Week. Got it?"
"Yes, Alpha."
"Josh?" I tilt my head. "Tell me something actually useful."
Jacob shifts on his feet and Josh puts a hand on his arm. Jacob scoffs, pulling out a chair and planting himself in front of a map of the region. "We're currently tracking several of the traveling groups of rogues. Partnering with several other packs, our goal is to send scouts to follow them from afar."
"And this differs from the other day due to. ."
"Due to the size of the rogue groups, Alpha. They're much smaller than the group that attacked us. Issues could rise if they join together but we're currently hopeful-"
"Hopeful?" My interruption comes with a scoff. "You want to base plans off of hope?"
"No, Alph-"
"Then tell me the plan that doesn't include hoping this or hoping that."
"Xavier," Jacob says with a low growl. I growl back, drowning him out easily.
"Get out," I say blankly. I run a hand through my hair and down my hair, resting my elbow on the table. I refuse to look up at them but I can tell they're still there. "Get. Out." Jacob's chair slams back, surely scratching the floor. "Come back to me when you decide to actually think this through."
"Alpha-" Josh's voice has more concern in it than anyone I've talked to these last few days. It annoys me.
"Get. Out." I growl the words and I hear him and Jacob leave, Jacob mumbling about how they don't 'need this bs.' I roll my eyes.
"Xavier-"
"That meant you too, Jared."
"Xavier-"
"Get Out!" The papers beneath my fingertips flew off the table with my quick movement. My breath was almost heaving as I stared down my best friend impatiently waiting by the door. I keep my eyes on his, refusing to back down, and he exits the room.
Walking through the halls of the pack house, I feel empty. I keep expecting to hear sounds coming from around the corner. Her banging pots and pans around the cabinets of the kitchen. Her and one of our friends, watching TV in the entertainment or living room. Her in the library, dropping books from the top shelf as she refused to grab the ladder.
Instead, the quiet of the pack house seems to suffocate me. I can feel the air in my throat get stuck, somewhere near my adams apple. I grab onto the wall near the living room, leaning against it as I struggle to catch my next breath. The world spins around me and I gasp and gasp again, trying to get hold of a breath that never seems to come.
"Alpha?" A blob of red finds its way to me as I crumble against the wall. I slide down the wall as small steps seem to echo in my head. "It's okay, Alpha." I lean my head back as a soft small hand finds mine. I focus on the small hand, clutching onto it. Warm in my hold, I use the feeling to bring me back to the world in front of me.
My breaths are heavy as Delian comes into view.
"What do you see, Delian?" My words are breathy as I try to remember to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. I give her small hand a squeeze.
"You're scared," she says sadly. "But the Luna will return." Her face is small. So much of Jared but so much of Katherine. I remember when mine and Jared's cheeks were so round but never were ours so rosy. Freckles dart her nose and cheeks. She maintains a serious expression which doesn't fully fit her small self.
"When? How?"
"I don't know." Somehow, her words are sadder than mine have sounded these last few days. I clench my eyes shut, feeling the corner of them prickle with tears. "It's okay to cry, Alpha." I shake my head. I can't. "I'm really sorry, Alpha." Her voice wobbles and, when I open my eyes, a tear falls down her plump cheek.
"I know, Delian. I know." She sits down beside me, finding space between my arm and my side. I hug her to me tightly. "I know."