Chapter 305 The misunderstanding

Alpha Zack had just made it through the TSA checkpoint at Logan International when he heard someone screaming his name over the gate announcements.

He turned around. The last person he expected to see storming through security was Elara Wolfe.

“Elara?” His eyebrows shot up. “Well, this is unexpected. Here to see me off?”

Elara forgot she was carrying the future heirs to the largest wolf pack in North America. She forgot they were surrounded by humans.

She marched straight up to him and delivered a slap that would’ve made her grandmother proud.

The sound cracked like a gunshot.

“You son of a bitch! Where is my husband? What did you do to Dominic?”

Alpha Zack stumbled backward, his hand flying to his cheek. Around them, business travelers stopped mid-stride to stare. A TSA officer started jogging over, hand moving toward his radio.

“What the hell, Elara? ”

Elara’s eyes flashed that dangerous green that meant her wolf was surface-close. “You set me up! That whole sob story at the wedding was just a distraction so your people could grab him!”

“Get this through your head, Zack. It’s over. Has been for months. I’m mated. I’m marked. Even if you were the last man breathing, I still wouldn’t want you.”

“So where the fuck is my husband?”

Alpha Zack felt like he’d been hit by a Mack truck.

“Whoa, hold up. You think I kidnapped Dominic? Are you out of your damn mind?” He held up both hands. “Why would I pick a fight with the Alpha King? That’s not a career move, that’s a death wish.”

But Elara was too far gone to hear reason. “So what’s your endgame here? Kill him? Think you can just erase the competition?”

Nancy finally caught up, breathing hard from sprinting through three terminals. She positioned herself between Elara and the growing crowd of onlookers.

Alpha Zack pressed his fingers to his temples. His wolf was agitated, feeding off Elara’s distress. “Look, I know you’re freaking out right now. But think about this logically. I didn’t take him.”

“After everything we’ve been through, you really think I’m capable of something like this?”

Elara’s hands were shaking. “You’re not boarding that flight. We’re sorting this out right here, right now.”

Nancy moved closer. “Elara, honey, let’s take a step back. Maybe—”

Nancy’s phone rang, cutting her off. The caller ID showed Alpha Hunter.

She answered quickly. “Dad?”

His voice came through, low and urgent. “Nancy. Get Elara back here immediately. We’ve got our guy.”

Elara snatched the phone. “Found who? Dominic?”

“We found who took Dominic. It’s Jack Grant. The surveillance caught the man who replaced Charlie. We traced him back to Jack.”

Hearing Uncle Jack’s name cut through Elara’s rage like cold water.

The last time he’d shown up at her place,he’d been strung out and desperate. Rambling about offshore betting debts and casino markers. She’d told security to escort him off the property.

Apparently, he’d decided to collect his family inheritance a different way.

Alpha Zack watched the fight drain out of her face.

When he spoke, his voice had lost its defensive edge. “If you need help tracking him down, I can offer assistance.”

He paused, studying her expression. “The Alpha King going missing isn’t exactly small news for the North American packs. I’m guessing you guys haven’t sent word to the subordinate packs yet. You’re trying to keep things stable, avoid panic. My pack hasn’t received any alerts.”

Elara met his eyes for the first time since she’d arrived. Her nod was stiff, grudging. “I’m sorry. For the accusation. For losing it.”

A pause. Her jaw tightened again. “But if you hadn’t cornered me at that ceremony, kept me tied up in conversation, maybe I would’ve made it outside in time. Maybe I could’ve stopped this.”

“I don’t need your help, Zack.”

Alpha Zack stood there holding his boarding pass, listening to the final boarding announcement echo through the terminal.

The European territories. A fresh start. A chance to build something that was entirely his.

He looked down at the ticket. First class, one-way, paid for with the last of his trust fund. He let out a bitter laugh.

Then he walked over to the nearest trash bin and dropped it in.