Elena’s POV
Panic consud completely when I heard those words, and I bolted from my room. Downstairs, I found Damien with his Beta, both hunched over so docunts spread across the table.
"What’s the matter?" Damien looked up imdiately.
"Sothing terrible has happened to my mother. A complete stranger picked up her phone and told he discovered it in a dumpster." My voice shook as the words tumbled out.
"Easy now. Take a breath. Let make so calls and see what I can uncover." His calm tone steadied slightly.
"Who exactly will you contact? Marcus? He won’t tell you anything useful." The bitterness crept into my voice.
"Leave that to . I’ll figure out what’s going on." Damien headed toward the kitchen, pulling out his phone.
"I’m Ryder, by the way. His Beta." The other man stood and extended his hand.
"God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t an to barge in and disrupt whatever you two were discussing." Heat flushed my cheeks.
"No worries at all. Damien and Gage filled in on your situation. I understand why you’re here, and honestly, if I was bound to that jackass, I would have bolted too. So you’re more than welco." His genuine smile eased so of my tension.
"I appreciate that."
Ti crawled by as I waited for Damien to erge from his office. When he finally appeared, my heart hamred against my ribs.
"Were you able to learn anything?" I asked quickly.
"The phone situation is unclear. I can’t confirm it was actually in any dumpster. But your mother is perfectly safe. I have forr pack mbers of mine still living in your territory. They confird everything is normal and saw your mother at her workplace today." Relief washed over his features as he spoke.
A massive sigh escaped , and my shoulders finally relaxed.
"Thank you so much for doing that. But why would she get rid of the phone?" Confusion replaced my earlier panic.
"Hard to say. Maybe she was worried about being discovered with it. I’m certain she’ll reach out when the opportunity arises." He shrugged.
"I really hope so. She doesn’t own a personal phone."
"I’ve requested my contacts to monitor her safety and report back imdiately if anything changes. The mont I receive any information, you’ll know too." His promise felt solid.
"Thank you."
I returned to my room and attempted to focus on my assignnts, but concentration proved impossible. My thoughts raced in circles, and I needed to settle my mind before tackling any academic work.
I positioned myself by the window with a cigarette and tried picturing my mother’s current activities. Her being at work made perfect sense given her schedule.
She never stopped working, and gratitude filled knowing Damien had connections in my old pack. I’d never encountered anyone who’d transferred from the Obsidian Pack to ours, but that didn’t an much. Nobody bothered speaking to back ho anymore, so countless things could have happened without my knowledge.
Once my nerves steadied, I returned to the desk and dove back into my studies. I had to catch up on all this material to start fresh next week and understand the classroom discussions.
However, completing all this work now ant facing a mountain of exams next week. The thought overwheld , so I implented a strategy of taking short breaks whenever the pressure beca too intense before returning to my books.
I lost track of ti completely until sunrise painted the sky and soone rapped on my door.
"Co in." I called out.
"Hey there. I noticed your light was still on. Did you get any sleep?" Damien stood in the doorway, concern evident in his expression.
"None at all. No ti for rest. I have to finish this work." I gestured at the papers scattered around .
"You need sleep too, or none of that studying will register properly." He stepped closer.
"I’ll manage fine. I barely slept back ho either. You’d be amazed how well I operate on just a few hours of rest." I stretched my stiff neck.
"If you say so. At least join for breakfast." He offered.
"I can definitely do that." I agreed.
We headed downstairs to the dining room where the kitchen staff was putting finishing touches on the morning al.
"This looks incredible." I marveled at the spread before us.
"I’m fortunate to have such talented people working here." Pride colored his voice.
"I can certainly see that." I observed the bustling staff mbers.
"What’s on your mind?" He noticed my thoughtful expression.
"You don’t treat them like they’re beneath you." I said quietly.
"We don’t operate with traditional rankings here. Just myself and my beta hold titles. Everyone else is simply a pack mber." He explained.
"I assud every pack maintained a hierarchy system." My surprise was evident.
"Not necessarily. These individuals work in these positions because they’re qualified and skilled. That’s the only factor that matters. Not because they’re considered lesser beings." His conviction was clear.
"I’ve never experienced anywhere besides my pack. I thought they all functioned like Marcus’s." I admitted.
"They absolutely don’t all operate like Marcus’s. I refuse to treat my pack mbers with such disrespect." He t my eyes directly, and I smiled back.
"That’s wonderful to hear."
Suddenly, we heard stealthy footsteps moving through the house, and Gage appeared at the dining room entrance with so woman trailing behind him.
"Breakfast is ready once you finish saying goodbye to your guest." Damien shook his head disapprovingly.
"Right." Gage quickly escorted the woman toward the exit.
"I’m assuming this is a regular occurrence?" I asked with amusent.
"He’s completely shaless with won." Damien stated bluntly, making burst into laughter.
"Good information to have. I’ll stay alert." I grinned.
"You might want to blind yourself now. I’ve witnessed things I can’t even put into words. He doesn’t always confine his activities to his bedroom." Damien warned seriously.
"Oh no. Does this an I’ll stumble upon him with soone whenever I get up for water during the night?" I asked with mock horror.
"It’s entirely possible." He confird.
"I’ll keep a glass in my bathroom. I can drink from that faucet instead." I declared, making Damien laugh.
Gage returned to the dining room and settled at our table just as one of the cooks delivered his breakfast.
"So, how’s life treating you, man whore?" I asked casually, causing Damien to nearly choke on his food.
"Seriously? You already shared that nickna? I specifically told you not to spread that around." Gage glared at Damien accusingly.
"I never suggested she call you that." Damien defended himself quickly. Gage turned his attention to , and I bead at him innocently.
"You’re trouble." He muttered.
"I know exactly what I am. And you’re going to learn to appreciate it." I shot back playfully.
"What exactly have you brought into our lives, Damien?" Gage asked dramatically.
"I’ve been wondering the sa thing myself. But sohow, I think I’m going to enjoy every minute of it." Damien replied with a matching grin.
"Oh, you definitely will. Gage probably won’t though." I added cheerfully. Damien looked at Gage with an even wider smile.
"This is bad." Gage groaned, dropping his head into his hands.
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