Alpha Bond

Oliver told me that someone had summoned them, and the way they were encircling me as if they were shielding me, I have no doubt it was on Elena’s command.

I don’t know how she managed to summon them or why they are following her orders. But it is clear she is communicating through them.

I look at them as they float on the southern side of the territory and go deeper into the woods.

This is where Elena is.

I want to go there directly, but I don’t want to worry Oliver when so much is going on. So I quickly devise a plan to tell Oliver that I am leaving for my pack so whoever is behind this won’t get suspicious.

Obviously, Oliver would figure that I am lying and get along with it, as he understands even my unsaid words. Since there is a risk of someone keeping an eye on us and might be listening to your conversation so this is best to keep everything strictly between us. Because I don’t trust a damn person here.

I could have mind-linked him, but if Elena is blocking our mindlinks, it is obvious it is not safe to mindlink each other.

I have a strong feeling that whoever is behind all this is someone who is close to us, but we are unable to find them. Now when I think, even Brody seems suspicious to me even though he has done nothing wrong if anything, he fought beside me.

But what if his friendly appearance is just a deception?

Or is it Ambrose who is doing all this? I can’t rule out the possibility of him being behind whatever is happening around here.

The more I think, the more I find a reason not to trust anyone, as it could be anyone.

Until I don’t find the real culprit, everyone will remain in my suspicion.

I silently groan as I quickly make my way through the thousands of hallways to reach Superior’s office. This place is like a freaking maze. If I weren’t good at remembering directions, I would have been lost in these hallways for the rest of my life.

I have just turned around the corner when I run into someone. With the help of the wall, I quickly stabilized myself before I could have landed on my ass. It freaking felt like I have crashed with a mountain.

“Watch where you are going, bit-”

“I could say the same thing to you.” I glare at the person who is indeed Mountain.

He looks pissed but schools his expression when he notices it is me.

“I am sorry, Ella, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, he exhales, “Things are a bit stressed, so I just...” He trails off, seeming extremely frustrated.

My eyebrows slightly raise in surprise as this is the first time he has talked to me this much. But what surprises me, even more is that guardians are known to keep their emotions in control and hidden, but his annoyance is evident on his face.

“Everything, alright? Umm...” I try to recall his name as it wouldn’t be nice to call him Mountain to his face.

“Joseph.” He nods his head, “My name is Joseph.”

“Joseph.” I smile at him politely.

“I don’t want anything to go wrong, you know.” He stares at the floor, “It would be devastating to see this place turning into ruins if we lose. The thought of losing is making me anxious.”

“I just hope Guardian Emerson is able to safe everyone from what is waiting for us.” He looks distraught.

“I am sure he will because he has the support of guardians like you.” Nodding my head at him, I look at the office door, “Excuse me, I need to meet Oliver to inform him that I am leaving for my pack in an hour or so.”

“Have a safe journey.” He looks at me and then leaves.

Sighing, I walk towards the door and knock it twice before entering the room.

Instantly, almost dozens of pairs of eyes shifted towards me, which was clearly something I wasn’t expecting.

“You okay?” Abandoning his seat, Oliver walks toward me, looking at me with concern. “Did something happen?” His eyes roam around my face.

“Yes, and no.” I can’t help the faint smile that lifts the corner of my face.

Looking around, I notice some of the high-ranking guardians giving me disapproving looks. I hold their gaze challengingly and smirk when they look down.

Placing his hand on my arm, Oliver lightly squeezes to gain back my attention.

“We have found twenty dead bodies in the cells, and some of them were werewolves who were rescued.” Oliver looks at me as if he is trying to find something, “And Moon Dagger is missing. Somebody stole it.” His expression turns grave while I can’t help but gasp.

Moon Dagger is not an ordinary dagger. Moon Goddess herself blessed it. She is the one who made that dagger and gave it to the first guardian she has created. It is the source of guardians’ powers and extremely sacred to them.

I need to find Elena as soon as possible. I hope she is the one who decided to take the dagger to trouble these guardians. Because if gets in wrong hands then only worse will happen.

“I can sense the dagger is still on our grounds, but I can’t locate it.” His eyebrows pulled together in concentration, “I need to find it.” He looks disappointed with himself.

Silently, slipping my hand in his, I give him a reassuring squeeze letting him know that I am with him.

His gaze meets mine, and he looks at me like he is drawing his strength from me.

“Oliver, I came here to tell you that I am leaving for home today.”

His expression doesn’t change as he keeps on staring at me.

“I want to stay here with you because of whatever is happening around here, but I need to go.” Locking my gaze with him, I silently pray that he gets the message.

“Yeah, I know.” He nods his head, “Elena informed me that Alpha Whitmore asked both of you to come back because something urgent has happened.”

Relief passes through me as he catches on to what I am doing.

“Come, I will escort you safely outside the territory’s border.” He gives me a pointed look that says he is coming with me.

“I need you to start working on reinstating the protection around the ground. And make sure no one can walk inside or outside of the protection.” Oliver points at the group of guardians standing in the back, then he turns to high-ranking guardians, “You are going to lead the group and help in strengthening the wards."

"And what about the dagger?" One of the high-ranking guardians questions him, "Aren't we going to do something about it? Our priority should be finding the dagger."

"Your priority should be following orders." Oliver's tone darkens as he stares at him, "So instead of wasting time in trying to defy me, do as I have asked you to do."

Oliver looks tense as we step outside. Without any question, he follows me as I walk in the direction where restless have gone.

The sound of the scream causes me to break into a run as I try to reach Elena as fast as possible.