Page 59

Chapter

Fifty-Three

D AMIAN

My grip on the steering wheel tightens as the gates of Silvershadow Pack come into view.

My jaw is set, determination and apprehension etching across my features.

The road trip has been tense, mainly because we are hoping Larkin is right and that Paige is, in fact, alive.

In the back seat, Kyson and Azalea talk in hushed tones, their concern palpable in the cramped space of the SUV like a heavy fog.

Liam and Dustin are in another vehicle. We didn’t tell Tandi where we were going today; I didn’t want to get her hopes up, so she and Hunter are with Abbie and Gannon.

Gannon doesn't want to risk opening old wounds for Abbie by bringing her back here, so they continue on the trip to Landeena, believing we are just making a pit stop.

“We’re almost there,” Kyson announces, his voice steady but laced with a cautious undertone that sends a chill down my spine.

“Thanks for the reminder,” I mutter, trying to push away the knot of anxiety in my stomach.

I can’t help but wonder what we’ll find at the end of this road - if we’ve come all this way just to face more disappointment.

But I shake off those thoughts; I have to believe that we’ll find answers here, that we’ll find Paige.

“Hey, Damian,” Azalea says softly from the back seat, her voice barely audible above the hum of the engine. “No matter what happens, Tandi will be okay.” I nod my head, praying she is right.

As we approach the gates, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever comes next. We’ve come too far to back down now. And if there’s even the slightest chance we can bring Paige home, it’s worth coming here, but if she is dead, Brock will meet his maker, too.

We through the gates, noticing the guards’ eyes studying us, their scrutiny palpable even from behind the windshield.

I force a smile and nod in their direction.

The car glides forward, bringing the packhouse and the town square into view.

Towering pines loom over the property, casting eerie shadows across the dying lawn.

Mist curls around the house, making it appear as though it is floating on a cloud.

Though I must admit, the place looks a lot better now that Katrina is running the pack.

As we pull up to the packhouse, my heart hammers in my chest. This is it—the moment of truth. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

“Let’s do this,” I murmur, pushing open the car door and stepping out onto the gravel driveway. Kyson follows, and I see Dustin and Liam climb out of their car and lean against it, watching our surroundings. My boots crunch underfoot as I approach the door.

“Damian,” Azalea calls out softly, her voice laced with concern. “Call out if you need me.”

I glance back at her, offering a small smile despite the storm raging inside me. “I will,” I promise, turning my attention to the front door before us.

“Ready?” Kyson asks.

“Ready,” I confirm, my voice barely above a whisper.

I approach the entrance, trying to clear my thoughts. What if Paige isn’t here? Or worse, what if she is, but we can’t save her? No, I can’t afford to think like that. We’ve come too far to give up now.

I lift my hand to knock, but it opens before I have the chance.

“Damian,” comes a sneering voice from within. Alpha Brock stands in the doorway, looking out of it, the smell of alcohol heavy on his breath. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’ve come to talk about Paige,” I answer by shoving into his house. He stumbles as I let myself in.

“Paige?” He feigns ignorance, crossing his arms over his chest. “Who?”

“Paige. Tandi’s daughter.” I refuse to let him play games with me. “I know she’s here, Brock. And I want her back.”

“I have no idea who this Tandi is or who Paige is,” Brock sneers while Kyson leans against the door frame.

He sighs heavily, but I shake my head at him.

I don’t want him barging in if the girl is here.

This Alpha may be a piece of shit, but he is Paige’s father, and I don’t want to scare her unless absolutely necessary.

“Enough of your lies, Brock.” My voice comes out like ice, and I can’t help the anger that simmers beneath my skin. “Where is Paige?”

“I told you," he says. “I have no idea who you’re talking about.”

I’ve had enough. In one swift motion, I grab his collar and drag him out onto the front porch for everyone to see.

My fists fly, connecting with his face again and again as I demand answers.

The scent of blood fills my nostrils, but it only fuels my rage as he stumbles down the steps, tripping over his own feet.

“Where is she?” I roar, punctuating each word with a punch. Alpha Brock remains defiant, refusing to give up any information.

“Damian!” I hear Azalea call from the car. She steps out, her aura shimmering brilliantly around her. She’s never looked more powerful, and I am honored to have her as my Queen. And right now, she looks every bit like the Queen she is.

“Looks like you’re fucked now,” I laugh as she approaches. I step back, leaving a battered and bloody Alpha Brock on the ground.

“Tell us where Paige is, or suffer the consequences,” Azalea warns, her voice steady and confident.

Brock glares at her, his pride wounded, but still unwilling to yield. I can feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as the standoff continues.

The scent of fear permeates the air as Azalea’s command rolls over her old alpha effortlessly. Brock stammers, forced lower to the ground under the pressure of it.

“Where is Katrina?” Azalea asks Alpha Brock, her voice cold and unforgiving.

“Away picking up supplies,” Alpha Dean answers for Brock, coming out to stand on the porch, his eyes darting between his son and Azalea. She nods, acknowledging his answer, but her focus remains on Brock.

“Now, let’s try this again. Where is Paige?” she muses, her words laced with a deadly calm.

Brock grits his teeth, fighting against her command. His stubbornness only lasts a moment before he pisses himself, the dark stain spreading across his pants. I can’t help but smirk at his humiliation.

Azalea laughs, the sound chilling and filled with power. “I’m not even using my full command yet; that’s just a taste. Did you know the Landeena command can kill? How about I start with your father?”

As if on cue, Alpha Dean drops to his knees, gasping and clutching his chest. He looks up at Azalea, pleading for mercy, but she remains unmoved.

“Where is Paige?” she asks again, her voice unwavering. Brock grits his teeth, and Azalea sighs heavily before Alpha Dean starts wailing and thrashing on the ground.

“Just fucking tell her Brock!” Alpha Dean screams.

“Alright!” Brock panics, his voice cracking under the pressure. “She’s next door with my mother.”

“Thank you,” Azalea replies, releasing her grip on both alphas. She turns to me, a victorious glint in her eyes. “Let’s go find Paige.”

With renewed hope, we make our way next door only to find Alpha Dean’s wife, who instantly rushes out to run to her husband.

As we enter and climb the stairs, I can’t help but think about the power Azalea wields and how it changes everything.

I wonder what it would be like to have such a gift, but then I remember the responsibility that comes with it.

We approach a door with the name Paige written in block letters, the door covered in butterflies.

The sunlit room feels like a world apart from the tense confrontation that had just unfolded. My heart races as I step inside, the floorboards creaking beneath my feet, and the little girl startles, rushing to hide under her bed.

“Hello,” I say softly, trying not to startle the little girl with curly brown hair who scrambles beneath her pink frilly bed; at least, she seems to be looked after.

Her big blue eyes flicker up to meet mine as I crouch next to the bed and lift the blanket, curiosity, and wariness swimming in their depths.

“I won’t hurt you,” I tell her.

“Who are you?” she replies hesitantly, clutching a block to her chest as if it could protect her from any harm.

“May I sit down?” I ask gently, gesturing towards the wooden floor beside her. She nods, and I lower myself down, maintaining a safe distance between us. “I’m Damian,” I introduce myself.

“Paige,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

“Nice to meet you, Paige.” I try to keep the conversation light, hoping to ease her worries. “You have a nice room here.”

“Thank you,” she says, her grip on the block relaxing slightly.

I reach into my jacket, pulling out a photograph of Tandi. “Do you know who this is?” I ask gently, showing her the picture.

Her eyes widen, and she nods. “Mommy,” she breathes out, her expression a mixture of hope and disbelief.

She scrambles out from under the bed and rushes to her nightstand.

Seemingly forgetting the stranger in the room, she comes over, holding out a picture.

I take it, and she snatches the photo I have from between my fingers. “She looks different,” Paige murmurs.

“Your mommy misses you very much,” I tell her, my heart aching for the pain I know her mother has endured. “Would you like to go see her?”

Paige’s eyes dart to mine, and she seems unsure.

“Really?” Paige asks, her voice trembling slightly.

“Really,” I confirm, offering her a reassuring smile. “We’ll take you to her, I promise.”

“What about my Dad?” she asks, and that’s when Azalea speaks from behind me.

“Your father did a terrible thing, taking you from her.”

“Will he go to prison? Grammy said I couldn’t leave the house because if I am seen, people would take me away, and he would go to prison?” she asks, and Azalea smiles sadly.

“He did a bad thing, but I know your mother misses you,” Azalea tells her, and the little girl looks down at the photo in her hands and nods her head slowly.

“And you’ll take me to see my mommy?” she asks, and Azalea nods.

“Yes.”

The little girl looks at me.

“First, let’s gather your things, sweetheart.” I stand up and extend my hand for her to take. As she hesitates for a moment, I offer her a gentle smile and a nod, encouraging her to trust me.

Slowly, her tiny hand slides into mine, her grip surprisingly firm for such a small girl.

“You’re right here?” Azalea asks me, and I nod to her, letting her know she can go back to her mate. Together, Paige and I walk around the room, collecting her worn toys and threadbare clothes. Now and then, I catch her stealing glances at me, as if assessing whether I can be trusted.

“Damian?” she asks quietly, her voice barely audible.

“Yes, Paige?” I reply softly, kneeling to her level once more.

“Will... will Mommy be happy to see me?” There’s a vulnerable tremor to her words that breaks my heart.

“Of course she will be, sweetie,” I say. “She’s missed you every single day since you’ve been gone.”

“Promise?” She bites her lip, the weight of her longing evident in her expression, making me wonder if they ever let her outside at all; she is quite pale.

“Promise.”

“Okay,” Paige says, a small but genuine smile finally gracing her lips. “Let’s go see Mommy.”

“Let’s go.” I squeeze her hand reassuringly, and together, we leave the room behind, ready to face. As we reach the car, I can see Kyson and Azalea waiting for us, their smiles warm and welcoming.

“Hey there, little one,” Kyson says as he leans against the side of the car. “You must be Paige.”

Paige nods shyly, gripping my hand just a little tighter. I lift her into my arms, feeling her small frame trembling with a mix of excitement and fear.

“Everything will be alright, Paige,” Azalea reassures, her voice soft and comforting. “You’re safe now.”

“Let’s get going, then,” Kyson suggests, opening the car door for me. As I settle Paige into the back seat, I fasten her seatbelt. Climbing into the driver’s seat, my eyes lingering on the little girl for a moment before I turn my attention to the road.

“Your mom’s going to be so happy to see you,” I tell her, my voice gentle. I can’t wait to see the look on Tandi’s face when she realizes her daughter is alive, and I have brought her home.

“Hey, Paige, want to play a game while we wait?” Azalea suggests, breaking through my thoughts.

“Okay,” Paige agrees hesitantly, her grip on the armrest relaxing a bit as she turns her attention to Azalea.

“Let’s play I Spy,” Azalea says with a smile. “I’ll go first. I spy something green.”

“Is it the trees?” Paige asks, her voice still timid but filled with a touch of excitement.

“Yup! Your turn,” Azalea encourages, and I can’t help but smile at the way she’s able to connect with the young girl.

When we are nearly there, I glance in the mirror, Paige is passed out, leaning against Azalea, who has also fallen asleep. “Are you okay?” Kyson asks, his voice hushed so as not to disturb them.

I nod, my grip on the steering wheel relaxing slightly as I allow myself to breathe. “Yeah, I am. Just... thinking about everything that’s happened.”

“Like what?” Kyson prods gently, knowing that sometimes Damian needs encouragement to share his thoughts.

“About how we found Paige and how she’s finally going to be reunited with her mother,” I admit, my voice tinged with wonder.

Kyson smiles and nods.

As the miles stretch behind us, my thoughts turn inward.

I imagine Tandi’s face when she sees her daughter again, and I find myself filled with a sense of purpose stronger than ever before while also wondering what it will be like to see Tandi heavily pregnant carrying my child, one day, but for now, we have two children who will keep us busy which for now is enough for me.

“Almost there,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else.

“Finally, my ass is going numb,” Kyson groans.

“I can’t wait to see the look on her face,” Azalea agrees with a yawn as she wakes, though her voice is filled with anticipation that matches mine.