Page 127 of A Second Chance for the Beta

She doesn’t need to say it twice. Both Levi and I hurry after her and follow her to Liam’s office. We barge right into a discussion between him, Alpha Elden, Luna Annalise, and… the other vampire. I assume the drained-looking man has to be Julianus. Silas is in the room too, but leans further away, against a window. His face is void of any emotions.

“We apologize for interrupting,” Ella says. “But we have news. Actually, Levi has news.”

“Finally,” Liam says, turning towards us. “You have results.”

I can sense Levi’s nervousness at being in a room with so many high-ranking pack members, but he swallows his anxiety down and starts explaining his findings to them, as well as what conclusion Ella reached.

Liam stares at us. “I can’t believe it,” he groans. “Absolutely. The kids somehow found out the schedule and used it to sneak off.”

“Would they really do that?” Silas asks. Julianus turns to look at him, but Silas looks straight at Liam, avoiding any contact with the other man.

“Absolutely,” Elden groans. “Just a year ago, one of my youngest boys, Felix, did it too with some of the other kids in the pack. I was furious when I found out. So reckless, but typical teenage wolf behavior.”

“It’s exactly the stuff teens would do,” Liam agrees.

“So, some of the more rebellious children?” I ask.

“Not necessarily,” Annie intervenes. “There are many reasons. Sure, testing boundaries is one reason, but also peer pressure. Some might think it’s light-hearted fun. Some like the challenge. Kids do stuff like that all the time.”

Ella furrows her brows, thinking about something. “I bet Charlie snuck around too,” she says all of a sudden.

“Highly likely,” Annie agrees quietly, much to my surprise.

Liam looks surprised too, but keeps his composure. “Even if that’s true. How did she know how to do it?”

“Liam’s right,” Elden says. “She must know the pack to understand how to sneak around.”

I contemplate their words, trying to remember the kids Charlie hangs out with regularly. “Oh fuck,” I groan. “She is friends with Ty, too, and he is certainly one of the more troublemaking kids.”

“Austen is friends with him too,” Levi says quietly. “He is a good kid, but I think he would tug along to avoid being picked on.”

“Gisela is also in their group,” Ella says.

Liam turns towards Levi. “Get the kids. I know it’s late, but we don’t have much time. I will send Aryanna with you. Tell them it’s Alpha’s orders.” He pauses. “Ty’s father should come too.”

“Isn’t that a bit much?” Elden asks. “Won’t this scare the kid off more?”

Liam sighs. “Ty’s father is one of our head guards. He knows the schedule by heart, and he has a copy of it on his own PC. I bet that’s where Ty got the schedule from.”

Elden raises his brows. “Fantastic. The kids are getting creative.”

We watch Levi shuffle away with his new task before we turn our attention back to Julianus. It seems like Liam filled him in on the basics. I don’t think he truly trusts him, but just like Ella said, he is our best shot at the moment. It seems like Liam had a similar idea to hers and wants to involve him in our plan to find Charlie.

“I want to take your offer, Alpha Liam,” Julianus says. “You mentioned a human here who worked for the mercenary group. Richard, right? I remember Atticus mentioning him. I believe I could help Richard reach out to their customers.” He pauses. “I could tell him we have a change of plan.”

Liam looks at him in interest. “A change of plan?”

“Yes, make it look like Richard is working for the vampires now. He is human; I can make it sound like I’m feeding off him.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Liam muses. “Tell him you know they have the children and that you want a share of the money.”

“What money?” Ella asks. “Did they ask for some?”

“No, but they want something,” Liam says. “Clearly. And whatever they want might be worth a lot. Richard and Julianus can make it sound like they want a share for playing along.”

“I think I can make that work,” Julianus says.

I frown while looking at him. He is pale, white as the wall. Sweat is forming on his forehead, and he looks completely drained. In his state I would rather Richie do the job alone; at least he looks healthy. Livia has been visiting him regularly, and it seems this has raised his spirits. He is motivated to help.