The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 26

Alpha Ryker

I'm excited about spending the day with Astrid. Every day, she trusts me more and more. She is thankfully adjusting to werewolf life. After my shower, I knock on her door. There's no answer. I knock again. 

"Astrid, are you awake?" I open the door. Her bed is neat and creaseless. She hasn't slept in it. Strange. I knock on the ensuite door. She isn't there either. One of her drawers is open. Inside, Astrid's clothes are strewn about the room. She must have been in a hurry. My stomach sinks. Her bag is gone. I sprint downstairs to the dining room. Seth and Mia are at the table with Kane, Hayley, and Vanessa. They all stand as I enter.

"Has anyone seen Astrid?" I ask. They shrug and say they haven't. 

"Is she still asleep?" Mia asks. 

"No, she isn't there, and her bag is gone too," I say in a panic. 

"Ryker, I'm sure she's around somewhere. I'll mind-link the pack to keep an eye out for her," Seth suggests. I call out for Astrid, running through the house, searching every room and end up back in the dining room. 

"She isn't in the house!"I panic. 

"Alpha Ryker, your breakfast is ready," Alice says. 

"You haven't seen Astrid, have you, Alice?" I ask.

"No, Alpha, I've been in the kitchen since 6 am. She smiles and says she hasn't seen her. I run out the front door and pick up her scent. I rip my clothes off, shift into my wolf, let out a loud, sad howl and race toward Astrid's scent. An hour later, I'm deep in the woods when her scent vanishes. I run in different directions, becoming more and more distressed. Astrid, I don't understand why you'd leave me. Where would you go? I think about where she might have gone. The diner is the only place Astrid would go. There's no way she would have gone back to her Dad. I run to the diner and shift back into my human form, not caring that I'm completely naked. 

"Jim!"I shout. "Jim!"All the customers freeze in shock at my nudity. An overweight man catches his wife grinning. He covers her eyes with his hands and gives me an unimpressed look.

"Ryker! Damn it. Get some clothes on! We're full of customers!"Jim yells. 

"Astrid! Have you seen her?" I ask in a rush. 

"No, I haven't seen her since she left with you," he says. 

"Shit! She's missing. Her bag is gone. I don't know why she would run away," I panic.

"Ryker, you're hurting me," she says. I let go, letting her drop to the floor. She holds her neck and looks up at me, her eyes well. 

"Get out now and never return to the Packhouse!"I yell. She stands and runs out of the room.

Making my way downstairs, I find Seth. 

"Alpha Ryker, we had five search parties look for her while you slept. We found no trace of her. We will keep searching until we find her, Alpha." Nodding, I sit at the dining table. 

"Seth, tell Alice to be quick with the food. I need to continue looking for Astrid," I order. Seth nods and retreats to the kitchen. Moments later, Alice brings me a plate of food and puts it on the table in front of me.

"Alpha Ryker! I'm very displeased with your behaviour toward my daughter. She has done nothing wrong. Why can't you accept her as your chosen mate? At least she won't run away!"Alice snaps.

Glaring at Alice, I let out a growl of warning. 

"Alice, I suggest you get back in the kitchen because my wolf is not in the mood today to tolerate you or your daughter! And I suggest you accept that Vanessa will never be my mate!"I snap back. Alice glares at me and storms back to the kitchen. I finish my meal and walk out the door, adamant I'll find Astrid.