The Bride Widow
Chapter 173: Who Hired you? - Part 1

Chapter 173: 173: Who Hired you? - Part 1

Clair and Noah had spent days piecing together the puzzle surrounding Anabella’s mysterious stalker. Every clue, every observation pointed them in one direction, and it was a direction they couldn’t afford to ignore.

They were determined to protect Anabella, no matter the cost. With their suspicions growing, they decided to take a more hands-on approach: shadowing Anabella discreetly to ensure she was safe while keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious.

For several days, they followed Anabella from a distance, blending into the crowd, always vigilant. The tension was palpable as they tracked her every move, looking for any sign of the person who had been tormenting her.

It wasn’t long before their vigilance paid off. They spotted an unfamiliar alpha, lurking just far enough behind Anabella to remain unnoticed by her but close enough to keep her within view.

Clair and Noah exchanged a glance, their instincts kicking in. The alpha’s posture and behavior screamed predator, and it set their protective instincts on high alert.

This was the lead they had been waiting for, and they weren’t going to let him slip away.

Without a word, they moved in sync, closing the distance between themselves and the shadowing alpha. The moment he noticed them, his eyes widened, recognizing the threat posed by two dominant alphas heading his way.

Panic flashed across his face, and he bolted, pushing through the crowd in a desperate attempt to escape.

"After him!" Noah barked, and they surged forward, their long strides quickly eating up the ground between them and their target.

The alpha darted through alleys and side streets, trying to shake them off, but Clair and Noah were relentless.

They were skilled, experienced in tracking and takedowns, and this alpha was not going to outpace them. Clair’s eyes burned with determination as she spotted a narrow alley that would cut him off.

She nodded to Noah, who understood immediately and adjusted his path to corral their quarry.

The alpha glanced back, realizing his mistake too late. He stumbled, tripping over a loose piece of concrete, and before he could recover, Clair was on him. With a swift, precise movement, she knocked him out cold, his body crumpling to the ground.

Noah was at her side in an instant, checking to ensure the alpha was fully unconscious. "Good work," he said, a note of pride in his voice.

Clair didn’t respond immediately. She was already assessing their next move. "We can’t leave him here. He’ll run the first chance he gets."

Noah nodded. "We need to take him somewhere secure, somewhere he can’t escape."

Together, they lifted the unconscious alpha, moving swiftly and with purpose. They had a safe house, a location prepared for situations exactly like this—a place where they could get the answers they needed without interruptions or the risk of the alpha fleeing again.

Once they reached the secure location, they carefully restrained the alpha, ensuring he wouldn’t be able to free himself once he woke up. Clair double-checked the knots, tugging on them to test their strength.

Noah stood nearby, arms crossed, his face a mask of steely resolve. "We’ll wait until he wakes up. Then, we’ll find out everything he knows."

Clair nodded, her expression equally determined. They had come too far to let fear or hesitation stop them now. Anabella’s safety was their top priority, and this alpha held the key to understanding the threat she was facing. They would get their answers, no matter what it took.

They settled in for the wait, their minds already spinning with questions and strategies. This wasn’t just about protecting Anabella anymore; it was about ending the torment she had been subjected to and ensuring no one else would suffer the same.

The alpha’s head throbbed as he regained consciousness, his senses slowly coming back to him. Panic set in as he realized he was in an unfamiliar location, bound tightly, his wrists and ankles restrained with unyielding rope.

He pulled against the bindings, gritting his teeth, but it was no use. The knots were secure, leaving him with no room to maneuver.

His eyes darted around the room, searching for any means of escape, but the only exit was blocked by a towering figure—Noah. The alpha felt a chill run down his spine as Noah’s imposing presence filled the space, his broad shoulders and steely gaze leaving no doubt that escape was impossible.

"Good, you’re awake," Clair’s voice cut through the silence, calm yet edged with a sharpness that commanded attention.

She stood a few feet away, her arms crossed, her eyes never leaving the alpha. "Let’s not waste any more time. Why were you stalking Anabella?"

The alpha pressed his lips together, refusing to respond. His heart raced as he tried to gather his thoughts, searching for a way out of this predicament. He couldn’t reveal too much, not without risking everything.

Clair sighed, shaking her head. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice."

Still, the alpha remained silent, his jaw set in defiance. He hoped that if he could hold out long enough, they might get tired and let their guard down. But the stern look on Clair’s face told him otherwise.

Clair exchanged a glance with Noah, her disappointment evident. "Is this how it’s going to be?" she asked, her tone tinged with frustration. "I was hoping for some cooperation, but if you want to make this difficult, I can accommodate."

The alpha’s pulse quickened, but he kept his expression as neutral as possible. He knew better than to show fear.

Clair turned to Noah, her voice soft but firm. "Perhaps you can encourage him to talk."

Noah didn’t need to be asked twice. He stepped forward, his towering frame looming over the alpha. The air in the room shifted as Noah let his alpha pheromones flow, a wave of dominance crashing over the restrained figure.

The alpha clenched his teeth, trying to resist, but the overwhelming force of Noah’s pheromones made his body betray him. His head bowed involuntarily, his shoulders slumping as submission took hold. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized he had no choice but to comply.

"Alright," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’ll talk."

Clair stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "Start from the beginning. Why were you following Anabella?"

The alpha swallowed hard, the weight of Noah’s presence making it impossible to lie. "I was hired," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "I was told to keep an eye on her, to report her movements."

"By whom?" Noah’s voice was a low growl, sending another wave of fear through the alpha.

"I don’t know," the alpha confessed, shaking his head. "I never saw their face. The instructions came through anonymous messages. They paid well, and I didn’t ask questions."

Clair’s eyes narrowed further. "What exactly were you supposed to report on?"

"Everything," the alpha said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Where she went, who she met, how long she stayed. They wanted every detail of her daily life."

Noah’s fists clenched at his sides, his anger barely contained. "And you didn’t think to question why someone would want that information?"

"I just needed the money," the alpha muttered, his head hanging in shame. "I didn’t know it would come to this."

Clair exhaled slowly, her expression hardening. "You’re a coward, and your greed put Anabella in danger. Do you realize that?"

The alpha nodded, unable to meet her gaze. "I’m sorry," he whispered. "I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt."

Clair crossed her arms, her voice cold. "Your apologies mean nothing. We’ll decide what to do with you later. For now, you’re staying put."

Noah stepped back, his presence still imposing but no longer suffocating. The alpha sagged in his restraints, his strength drained by the ordeal.

Clair turned to Noah, her voice low. "We need to find out who’s behind this. He’s just a pawn. The real threat is still out there."

Noah nodded, his expression grim. "We’ll get to the bottom of this. Anabella’s safety depends on it."

Clair’s gaze softened slightly as she looked at the subdued alpha. "You’re lucky we’re not the ones you should fear most. Pray that whoever hired you doesn’t decide to clean up their mess by silencing you."

The alpha shivered, realizing the gravity of his situation. He had been playing a dangerous game, and now he was caught between forces far beyond his control.

The room fell silent as the weight of Clair’s words settled over the alpha. His mind raced, contemplating the consequences of his actions.

He knew that the people who had hired him wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate him if they believed he had compromised their operation. Fear gripped him tighter than the ropes binding his wrists and ankles.

Clair exchanged a glance with Noah, her expression unreadable but resolute. "We’ll keep him here for now," she said. "But we need to act quickly. Whoever hired him won’t wait long before they realize something’s wrong."

Noah nodded, his jaw clenched. "We’ll make sure they regret targeting Anabella."