CHAPTER 134: CONFUSED

Nathan’s POV

"What do you mean you didn’t see Hailee and her mother go through the border?" I spat, my voice sharp with disbelief. My eyes burned into the head guard, the one I had trusted to keep me informed. I had asked him for a report, clear and simple—tell me when Hailee and her mother left. And now he stood before me with this pathetic answer, claiming they hadn’t walked through the border at all.

My wolf snarled inside me, restless and furious. I stepped closer, my aura pressing down on him until he stiffened. "You dare stand here and tell me you saw nothing? That two women just vanished into thin air under your watch?"

The guard’s throat bobbed as he dropped his gaze to the ground. His hands trembled slightly at his sides, though he tried to hide it. "Sir, I swear on my life," he stammered, his voice trembling. "We watched the border closely, every shift, every patrol. No sign of Hailee or her mother passed through."

The words only fueled the fire in my chest. My brows pulled tighter, my teeth grinding together. My wolf clawed at the surface, demanding I tear the truth out of him by force.

Because what he was saying was impossible. No one left this pack without passing through the borders. No one could enter without being documented. And yet, here he was telling me that Hailee and her mother hadn’t been seen at all.

My brows pulled tighter, anger burning in my chest. "So what you’re telling me is that they vanished into thin air?" I snapped, stepping closer until the guard stiffened. "Do you take me for a fool?"

He shook his head quickly. "No, sir. But... if they didn’t leave through the border, then they should still be in the pack."

The words made my wolf snarl inside me, claws raking at my chest. Did that mean Hailee was still here? Because it was impossible for her to leave the pack without going through the borders... and anyone who leaves or comes into this pack is well documented.

"Then find her," I growled, my voice low but sharp. "Search every guard, every servant, every trail. If Hailee and her mother are still here, then someone in this pack will answer for it."

The guard bowed deeply, trembling. "Yes, sir."

He turned to leave, but I stopped him with a sharp voice. "Wait."

He froze mid-step.

"Tell me," I said, my tone heavy with suspicion, "who has left the borders recently?"

The guard shifted, clearly nervous. "A few people, Alpha. Traders, merchants, hunters..." His eyes darted away before he added, "And... Lycan Peter."

My brows furrowed. "Peter?" The name meant nothing to me.

"Yes, sir," the guard answered quickly. "He was here on business with your father. He left not long after the meeting."

I exhaled slowly, my jaw tight. So it was Father’s business partner. That explained his presence—but not the unease stirring in my chest.

If the borders had been watched... if every name was written down...

Then how in the hell did Hailee and her mother slip away from this pack without anyone noticing?

My gut twisted, a storm rising inside me. Something wasn’t right. Someone was lying.

And I would tear this pack apart until I found out who.

I was still standing there, my wolf restless under my skin, when the heavy sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor. The door opened, and Father walked in. His aura filled the room instantly, cold and commanding.

"What is this I’m hearing?" he demanded, his deep voice shaking the silence.

I straightened, my jaw clenched. "Hailee and her mother are missing," I murmured.

Father’s brows pulled together. "No. They are not missing. Violet herself told me she was leaving." His tone was firm, almost dismissive, like he wanted the matter closed right there.

A growl rumbled in my chest. "Leaving?" I repeated, my voice rising. "Then why didn’t the guards at the border see them? Why is there no record of them passing through?"

For the first time, Father’s eyes flickered with something—hesitation. It was quick, but I caught it. My wolf snarled louder inside me, sensing the crack.

I stepped closer, my stare fixed on him. "Father," I said slowly, every word heavy, "did you send Hailee and her mother away... because of my feelings for her?"

Father’s eyes burned into mine, but his voice stayed calm, steady. "I did no such thing," he said firmly. "Yes, I don’t want you and Hailee together—I’ve told you that already. But if I wanted to send her and her mother away, I would do it openly. Publicly. Not in secret like a coward."

He stepped closer, his aura pressing against me, his tone sharp. "Do not forget who I am, Nathan. I do not hide behind shadows. If I wanted them gone, the whole pack would know it was by my command."

His words hit hard because I knew he was telling the truth. Father had never been one to work in silence or whispers. He did everything boldly, without shame or fear of judgment.

He straightened his shoulders, his voice dropping lower, colder. "Search for your answers elsewhere, son. Look to the guards, to the servants, to every corner of this pack if you must. But do not point your suspicions at me again, or you will regret the insult."

And with that, he turned and walked out, his footsteps echoing through the corridor until the sound faded away.

I stood there, my fists clenched, my wolf restless. My chest heaved with heavy breaths as my mind spun.

He was right. Father wouldn’t have hidden it. If he had sent Hailee away, he would have declared it for all to hear.

So what did that mean? Was Hailee still in this pack, hiding where no one could find her? Or had she slipped through the border while the guards looked straight past her?

No... that was impossible. No one left or entered this pack without being recorded.

Unless... something else was at work.

I dragged a hand down my face, my gut twisting harder than ever. There was only one person who could give me answers now.

The seer.

If Hailee was truly gone—or still here—the seer would know.

And I needed to know now.