CHAPTER SEVEN

TROY’S POV

I wake up with a bad hangover in Heather’s house. On a couch. Alone. Then I remember the party last night.

“Hi handsome,” a voice says, stirring up more bad memories.

I look over to see Heather, awakening a deep fury within me.

“Why did you embarrass Kierra like that?” I ask.

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” she says. “It’s not my fault she can’t handle her alcohol. She was drinking what everyone else had. We all were fine with it.”

“I know you well enough to know when you’re lying,” I say. “So just stop. Tell me the truth for once.”

She frowns.

“She humiliated me,” Heather says. “I had to get back at her. It’s really your fault for falling for her while you’re with me.”

And there it is: Heather’s bs.

“Who I fall for is not your choice to make,” I say.

“Yes, it is,” she says. “You decided that when we started dating. You chose wrong, so now I’m choosing for you.”

I look at her, this girl who's been my best friend for years. Has she ever changed? I don't think so.

“What is wrong with you?” I ask her.

She frowns again.

“You don’t understand,” she says.

“No,” I say. “I really don’t understand how you could be so cruel to someone.”

“You don’t know my life,” she says.

I shake my head and sigh.

“I know I shouldn't have drugged her,” Heather says. “But…”

“You drugged her!” I yell. I can’t control my anger. “That’s beyond dangerous. How could you do something like that? What’s wrong with you?”

She looks at me. She looks at me like I’m the one who’s messed up.

“What’s wrong with me?” she asks. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Me?” I ask. “I’ve never drugged anyone in my life.”

“You’re obsessed with Kierra,” she says.

“No, I’m not. And I wish you’d stop saying that.”

“You are,” she insists. She rolls her eyes at me. “You are. Why don’t you just admit it?”

“Because I’m not obsessed with her,” I say. Though I am in love with her. “And besides, even if I was, that doesn’t excuse your actions.”

“You don’t get it,” she says. “You’re an alpha male. You don't think of other people. You just think of yourself.”

"You're wrong," I say. “And it’s about time I finish this conversation so I can go look for the one person around here who isn’t always obnoxious.”

I run out and slam the door.

I must find Kierra.

*

I run through the woods, looking for any sign of Kierra, worried. I can't imagine what she went through last night. And I just let her go.

I got drunk and I passed out. I wasn’t there for her when she needed me most.

I screwed up. I should have consoled her. Something must have happened. She must be so upset.

She must feel so out of place.

She must feel so lost. And honestly, though I’m the Alpha, I kind of know what that feels like. Maybe that’s part of what draws me to her.

“Kierra!” I call out. “Kierra!”

And now, I just want to find her.

I keep running until I reach a lake in the woods.

"Kierra!" I call out.

Nothing.

I look at my reflection in the water and see the guy who’s meant to love Kierra, protect Kierra, be her perfect mate.

Instead, I let her down.

I feel like I'm losing control of my mind.

I feel so terrible.

I feel so guilty.

How could I have let this happen?

And then I notice the motorcycle tracks.

She's gone.

Someone must have taken her.

But who?

Where would she go?

I need to find her.

*

I reach the pack house and see my pack of wolves, all waiting for me to return. I order them to gather around and wait until they’re all close before I speak.

"Kierra has been taken!" I announce.

No one reacts in the way I wish them to. There’s no sense of urgency. Rather just a sort of nonchalant air like no one really cares about Kierra.

"She's been taken, and we have to find her," I say.

“Why?” Heather scoffs.

“Yeah, why?” Ryan asks. “She’s just an Omega who got grouped into this pack because she wasn’t strong enough to save her own pack. I don’t see why we should care.”

“Because I’m your Alpha,” I growl. “Kierra has been taken and we need to find her because I said so. And because…”

Do I dare tell them? They’ll have to find out someday, won’t they? If I want Kierra in my life for good, everyone will have to know.

Their reactions probably won’t be pleasant, but now that I know what it feels like to lose her, I don’t want to feel this way again. I won’t allow it to happen.

“Because she’s everything to me,” I say.

Silence follows.

"You’re in love with her?” Paul asks.

"Yes," I say.

"Really?" Ryan replies. “You’re in love with Kierra.”

“I’m deeply in love with her,” I admit, ignoring Heather’s heated glare.

I wonder how they’ll react. I don’t want to care, but I do. It won’t change my opinion on Kierra no matter what though.

“Okay,” Ryan says. “How do we find her? How do we save her?”

They are looking at me now, waiting for me to say what to do. I look at them all, one by one. I think of my father. I think of the years he spent training me. He always said I was the best of them all.

I look at them all and then I speak.

“Follow me,” I say. I tell them my plan as we get ready.

Then, we all get on our motorcycles and race to the woods.

I can't lose her.

I follow the motorcycle tracks through the twists and turns through the woods.

Suddenly, the tracks stop.

Then, in the distance they pick up again.

They lead to an abandoned warehouse, and we get off our bikes and enter the warehouse.

"Kierra?" I call out.

Nothing.

“Kierra!”

We all walk through the warehouse, searching for her. But there’s not a single trace of anyone left behind.

“Kierra!” I scream.

I'm so mad at myself.

I should have been there for Kierra.

I have to find her.

I will find her no matter what.