Chapter 164

ELARA

She shifted uncomfortably on her feet. "I-I haven't seen my sister in years. I don't know where she is." She stepped back and tried shutting the door, but Rowan was quick to hold it open.

"Look, we mean no harm. If you know something, please help us. The reason we're looking for her-"

"I just told you, I don't know anything," she snapped." Now get off my property and stop looking for my sister."

She slammed the door in our faces.

I looked at Rowan. "She's hiding something."

"She definitely is."

I brushed my fingers into my hair. "What do we do? What if she knows something about Maren?"

Rowan stared at the door for some time. "Right now, she's paranoid. We shouldn't give her a reason to mess things for us. She might erase any trace of Maren and ruin our chances at finding her. We should make her think we're really backing off."

"T-Then, how do we-"

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her. I'll come around tonight and see what she knows."

He grabbed my hand. "We'll find them, Elara. We're close; I can feel it."

Gods, I hoped so.

With each day, I was starting to feel like a loser for not being able to find them. I'd been trying not to think about it, but were they actually fine? Who have they been with for six years? Were they loved and treated right?

"You know, you never mentioned their father," Rowan said as we settled back in the car.

I stalled with my seatbelt, thinking of the best response to give to him.

"I'd like to keep that a secret, please."

Fortunately, he didn't press.

We arrived Ironcrest and I felt a sense of relief when I found Finn outside, leaning against his car.

Him being home meant Ronan was home, right? Something about Finn's demeanor seemed off.

He was smoking. He actually did smoke, but he always did it in private.

Today, however, he was doing it right outside, where anyone could easily see him. He wasn't even wearing a suit but something casual; like he had been home for a long time.

Which was unsettling because I knew Ronan must've gone to work.

"Hey, Finn." I waved at him, but he didn't even spare me a glance. His dark eyes were on Rowan.

I looked at Rowan with furrowed brows, trying to understand what was going on. My best friend looked too quiet. Okay. Something was definitely up.

I was about walking away to leave them to it when Finn spoke up. "How was she?"

I stopped mid-step, looking back at him. His eyes were still on Rowan.

"Did you have a good time with her? Did you realize she was what you wanted?"

Suddenly, I understood the emotion I'd seen in Finn's eyes. They weren't just dark. They were hurt. Looking at Rowan, his face was filled with guilt. "It's-It's not what you think."

"What the fuck do you know about what I think?" Finn rasped, peeling himself away from the car. His movement was so aggressive, even I got a bit scared.

"Do you know the things I had to say to get you here? How fucking hard I had to convince my boss. I told him I wanted to keep you close to me. Cause I thought you fucking felt the same! Who knew it'd be so easy for you to go whoring around?"

Holy smokes, it became clear to me. Why Rowan was gone for long yesterday while I was at CMC, and why he returned with a lipstick stain on his neck. Please, don't tell me.

"You know what I think, Rowan?" Finn inched toward him." I think you should've been honest about your sexuality. I didn't force shit on you, you know?" His eyes flicked to mine, a little hatefully. "Maybe you just needed me to get close to your best friend."

His words made me feel terrible, but I didn't even know how to blame him 'cause I understood how hurt he must be. Why would Rowan do a thing like this?

"Come on, man. It's not what you think," Rowan tried going closer to him. "I promise I can explain if you just let me. But I swear, I never lied to you." "You're right for asking my permission. Cause I'm not letting you explain why the hell you went to fuck someone else. You should've told me you weren't interested from the onset. Would have saved us both a lot of time."

He started walking away.

"Finn. Finn!" Rowan called, but he didn't even glance back at him.

He got into his car and left.

"What the hell was that?" I turned to Rowan. But he didn't look at me as he stormed into the house.

I had to scurry to catch up with his pace.

"Rowan! Did you really cheat on him? Why would you do such a thing?"

"Not now, Elara,"he threw at me without looking back.

I stopped walking in the hallway and could only watch as he stormed into his room.

When I was over the Rowan and Finn drama, I proceeded to check on Ronan. He wasn't home yet.

The twins came to spend some time with me and that took my mind off him for some hours.

When it was night and I was sure he'd be back, I went back to his room again. But when I knocked repeatedly, there was no response.

What was he doing out so late today?

Unfortunately, I couldn't even ask Finn with what happened earlier today. Maybe I should ask Cassian.

I was heading to his room when I ran into Freya with someone.

She was backed up against the wall, the boy's hand wrapped possessively around her waist while she laughed at whatever he whispered in her ears.

I blinked in surprise when they kissed.

Was it a coincidence that this was actually happening a few steps from Cassian's room?

"Hey," she waved when she noticed me. But she didn't try to free herself from the boy.

He didn't even look familiar. It was obvious she brought him home.

"Are you looking for someone?" Freya asked, her hands cupping the boy's cheeks. She was seeming a bit drunk. "Yes. I was-"

Before I could finish my statement, the door opened behind me. I already knew it was Cassian before I turned around and saw him coming from his room.

He stopped on a dime, and it wasn't hard to figure out what was running through his mind.

I glanced back at Freya and she was holding the boy even more possessively. She had her hands on him and made it seem like she hadn't even noticed Cassian was there.

"Um...hey," I turned to Cassian. "I've been looking for Alpha Ronan. It's late, but he isn't home yet. Is there a reason he's staying out late?"

It took a little longer for his eyes to leave Freya and move to mine.

"He isn't home." Was his simple reply.

"Okay. But do you know when he'll be back?"

"Not yet. We've been trying to reach him. Why don't you go get a room? It's shameless doing this out here." He directed at Freya and her strange man.

I rolled my eyes, knowing a hell of a drama was coming. "You didn't build this place, Cassian. I don't think you have the right to dish out such orders," Freya snapped back.

Cassian's stare was as cold and clear as icicles as he walked toward them.

"You seem to be forgetting the position I hold in this place." He looked at the boy. "Who are you?"

Freya stepped in between them. "Don't answer him."

"I am the head of security over here. It is my right to access everyone that steps foot in the Pack. I don't know this man, and I don't trust him. So, I'm going to ask him to leave."

"You'll do no such thing!" She stomped her foot angrily.

It was Cassian's turn to smile. "I guess we should wait around and see what happens if he remains here by the time I'm back." He walked out on them.

Not having the time for Freya's rants, I followed after him.

I caught up with him and asked him more about Ronan, but he wasn't of much help. It was as if they didn't know anything of his whereabouts I returned to my room, deciding I'd try a little while later. But I slept off.

By morning, I was sure he'd be back and proceeded to check on him. But when I learned he didn't come home last night, worry set in.

This was unlike Ronan. Something might be wrong.

I tried calling him on phone but couldn't reach him. Finn and Cassian were not in the pack either.

What was going on?