NOVPUB
Chapter 164: _Protect Them With His Life
"Excellent." Beowulf had a cheerful smile on his face, only managing to irk Rhett more. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
The three men talked about some other things, mostly concerning the enlistment process. Rhett did a good job ignoring Darius’ childish remarks, putting most of his focus on the Alpha and his thoughts.
Finally, they all decided to commence the enlistment in two days, but they would first announce it tonight through the local news.
With all that said, Rhett escorted the two men out of his office. As they walked past the bustling activities of the precinct, Rhett spotted Farkas, who first glared daggers at Beowulf and Darius. However, when his eyes met him, Rhett gave Farkas a knowing look. With just his eyes, he was telling Farkas that he understood his pain, and tried calming him down– a sentiment Rhett was used to receiving.
Just as Rhett tore his eyes away from Farkas, his heart nearly skipped a beat. He caught a scent. One that made his wolf growl with desire inside him.
Isleen.
Rhett’s eyes traveled around the precinct, in search of his mate.
After finding out that the seemingly innocent boy, Liam, was actually an ancient vampire who had been feeding on their pack, his mind became burdened with worry. The bastard had been sleeping on the same bed with Isleen all this while! Heck, he was in his house right now, plotting heaven knows what.
He needed to get a hold of the boy...fast.
Luckily, he was able to spot Isleen soon. But she brought company. Kylo.
They both seemed troubled about something, especially Isleen. What were they doing here?
"Excuse me." Rhett left Beowulf and Darius, who both barely registered his exit, as they were too engrossed in whatever childish conversation they had.
Just as he walked towards Isleen and his son, he saw her head rise. She’d sensed him approaching already. When their eyes finally met, Rhett felt like the whole world had come to a standstill.
He knew she felt the same way too from the way she smiled absentmindedly at him. Kylo, who seemed confused about what Isleen was looking at, finally saw Rhett.
Damn it. Rhett coughed, shaking his head as he reached the pair. He managed to sound formal as usual as he spoke.
"Kylo. Isleen." He acknowledged them both with a nod. His heart tightened when he saw the smile on Isleen’s face being replaced with a distraught and withdrawn look.
Argh! He hated having to pretend like Isleen wasn’t his mate, especially in front of his son. He deserved to know. And both of them deserved the freedom to openly express their emotions.
"Gamma Rhett, so glad we could see you directly." Isleen stared at her feet for some time before finally looking at Rhett, a wry smile on her face.
Rhett couldn’t help feeling something was off. He noticed Isleen’s voice was shaky, her eyes a bit swollen. She’d been... crying? His mate had been crying?
Rhett frowned, staring into Isleen’s eyes. "Is there something wrong? Are you..."
He trailed off just then, tilting his head to meet Kylo’s curious gaze. Rhett cursed inwardly. He’d nearly slipped up there for a second.
"There’s no time to waste, father." Kylo finally spoke, urgency in his voice. "It’s about Liam. He’s... missing."
As if that were a signal, Isleen sniffled, struggling to hold back some tears.
Rhett opened his mouth slightly at the revelation.
The little runt was missing? And just after they’d discovered what he really was too. This was bad. Really bad!
Rhett had his eyes glued on Isleen, eager to know more. "When last did you see him?"
Isleen drew in a deep breath, to calm herself. Rhett’s heart ached to see her like this. He wished he could hold her. Comfort her and tell her that she doesn’t need to worry about Liam.
But he could only imagine all that in his head, for now.
"I left him back at your house with Cullen and Kylo." Isleen sniffled again. "He said he last saw him going to sleep. But then, I got back home and he was gone. Oh, my poor baby! He must have gotten all alone in the big house and went out looking for me. Out there, where there could be vampires lurking around." Isleen gasped at the last part, her eyes pleading with Rhett.
"Please, Gamma Rhett. You have to help me find him." At this point, Isleen could no longer hold back her sobs as she cried into her palms.
A few soldiers walking by watched the situation with curiosity, but Rhett ignored their stares. Instead, he gently placed a palm on Isleen’s shoulder, causing her to pause in her sobs. She looked at him with teary eyes, which were both etched with shock behind them.
Even Kylo looked at his father like he was a different person, and honestly, he didn’t blame them for their reaction. He’d always been so harsh towards Isleen—at least in public — so seeing him show concern for her now seemed alien.
Rhett looked into Isleen’s eyes, seeing the desperation and hope in them. He didn’t know how to break the news. He wished there was an easier way to let her know, but he couldn’t think of any. So, he decided to come clean.
"What I’m about to tell you is still fairly confidential. So, please..." Rhett gestured towards his office, watching as Kylo and Isleen gave each other worried glances before accompanying him to the office.
Once inside, Rhett broke the news, as slowly as possible.
"The autopsy results of a young wolf who’s a victim of the numerous murders in our pack, came in today. And the findings are rather... unnerving." Rhett was hesitant, watching Isleen frown in confusion.
"What does this have to do with my missing son, Gamma Rhett?" Isleen looked at Kylo and then back at Rhett, obviously lost.
Rhett sighed. "The bones belong to Liam, Isleen."
The room instantly became deathly silent after the revelation. Rhett saw different emotions flashing through his mate’s face. First, confusion, then grief, but then it was all clouded by one single emotion... disbelief.
"What do you mean, ’the bones belong to Liam’?" Isleen’s voice almost rose by an octave. "My Liam? That child was killed over a month ago. How are they the same person?"
Rhett rubbed his temples. This was where it was going to get even more complicated for poor Isleen.
"That’s the thing though. They’re not the same person." Rhett knew he sounded crazy to Isleen and Kylo right now, but he tried his best to make them understand. "The Liam you know is an imposter. The real Liam is long dead. And his killer has been in disguise as him all this while."
Rhett watched as Isleen’s breathing intensified, her mouth struggling to come up with the right words.
"What–he..." Isleen covered her mouth with her palm, laughing awkwardly. A valid reaction to Rhett. "This is crazy! You’re saying my son, Liam, was never my son to begin with? The real Liam has been dead all this while and I’ve been harboring his killer with me?"
Rhett nodded slowly, praying silently to the moon goddess that Isleen wouldn’t lose her mind after all this. He gave Kylo a look, signaling him to support her.
He felt a pang of jealousy rush through him as he watched his son place his hands on his mate’s shoulders, trying to calm her down. Even worse still was that she seemed to relax a bit under his hold.
Rhett clenched his fists until he was sure they’d turn pale white, as he reminded himself that this was his son’s girlfriend. Well, ex-girlfriend, but still. It was only natural that he’d show some concern for her.
"Phew!" Isleen finally breathed out, her eyes staring into empty space as she slumped on the chair. "This is...a lot to process."
Rhett nodded in agreement. "I wish you had more time to process everything, Isleen, but we have to focus on the main issue here. The killer is an ancient vampire with the special ability to walk in the daylight. And on top of that, he can drink werewolf blood without getting harmed and can take on the form of anyone’s flesh he eats–" A gasp from Isleen caused Rhett to pause.
"That monster ate the real Liam? He was only a child!" Her voice cracked, and she seemed like she was going to sob again. However, Kylo held her again, trying to comfort her.
"There was nothing you could’ve done to help him, Isleen. This is beyond any of us. We have to stay strong." Kylo took the words right out of Rhett’s mouth.
That was his son!
Rhett nodded in approval before continuing. "The vampire is still out there. He’s probably taken the form of another person seeing as Liam’s body no longer suits his needs. So, stay alert you two. If you notice anything suspicious from anyone, whether fey or wolf, report it to me immediately and ensure your safety. Until we know what his true motives are, we need to stay alert."
Rhett’s eyes burned with resolve. He would not let any harm fall on his son or his mate. He would protect them with his life if he had to... even if the threat was an ancient shape-shifting vampire.
But alas, it seemed he wouldn’t be able to protect Kylo much longer...
