The lost mate
Chapter 43: New development

Chapter 43: New development

"Are you two fighting?" Ryan asked, his eyes wide and earnest.

Annie and Damien froze mid-sentence, their faces morphing into forced, toothy grins. It was as if someone had hit a pause button on their argument.

"Oh, no, sweetie," Annie said, her voice smooth but with a hint of a strained note. "We were just talking. You must be tired. It’s time to go home now."

Ryan shook his head vigorously. "No! I want to play more with Dad!"

Without waiting for an invitation, Ryan scampered up into Damien’s lap and snuggled in as if it were his personal throne. Damien’s face lit up with a mixture of surprise and joy as he wrapped his arms around his son.

Annie watched the scene with a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Oh, really? Dad now, is it?" she muttered under her breath, feeling like a third wheel in her own family. She tried to maintain her cool but couldn’t help feeling a pang of jealousy. "Well, I guess I’m just the ’talking’ parent now."

Damien, completely oblivious to Annie’s growing irritation, gently ruffled Ryan’s hair. "Looks like we’re having a little extra playtime then, huh, buddy?"

Ryan beamed at Damien and gave a sleepy nod, his little fingers curling around Damien’s shirt. Annie sighed and decided to give them their moment.

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Chris found Damien in his room smiling for no reason.

He was about to ask what had happened when he noticed the picture of Ryan and Damien on his phone screen. It was clear that they had bonded, and it made Chris happy to see.

"Damien," Chris called out, watching as Damien looked at him as if in a trance. Chris knew that looked well; it was the face of someone who’d been interrupted mid-thought.

"What is it?" Damien asked, wiping sweat from his brow as he approached Chris.

"The surviving rogue finally talked," Chris said, keeping his voice low despite the fact they were alone. "He gave us a name."

Damien’s eyes narrowed, his focus sharpening. "Who?"

"They were just random mercenaries, not attached to any pack. But they were hired by someone," Chris replied, pausing for effect. "The name he gave us is Zane—Zane Marlow."

Damien’s expression didn’t change, but Chris could see the gears turning behind his eyes. There was nobility called Zane in his pack or among the aquintaces. It was obviously an allies.

"This changes things," Chris continued. "Your engagement to Jessica will have to be cancelled, at least for now. We can’t risk—"

"Did you inform Mother yet?" Damien cut him off, his tone almost casual, as if they were discussing the weather.

Chris hesitated. "Not yet. I thought it best to talk to you first."

"Good, don’t tell anyone," Damien interrupted again, his voice calm but firm. "But right now, there’s something more important we need to focus on."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "More important than cancelling your engagement ?"

"Yes," Damien said simply, his eyes darkening with a determination that made Chris’s stomach knot. "No one in the pack is to know about Annie or Ryan. Not yet."

"What?" Chris was taken aback. "But Damien, if they find out later—"

"I said, not yet," Damien repeated, his voice leaving no room for argument. "I need to find out who ordered the attack and why. If it’s connected to Annie or Ryan, revealing their existence now could put them in even greater danger."

Chris swallowed hard, realising the seriousness in Damien’s tone. "And what if it’s not connected? What if this is just another power play by the rogues?"

"Then we’ll deal with it," Damien replied, his expression hardening. "But until I know for sure, I’m keeping Annie and Ryan out of this. The fewer people who know, the better."

Chris nodded slowly, understanding the logic but not liking the secrecy. "So what next ?"

"Annie and Ryan will be coming home with us obviously."

"Annie agreed ?"

"No," Damien said casually. "She doesn’t have a choice, though. They are my family. They are mine." Damien stated firmly, his eyes reflecting his determination. Chris knew that Damien was not going to let them go.

"So you will force Annie and Ryan to come with us?" Chris asked.

Damien’s jaw clenched, but he simply nodded in response. "I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Chris ran a hand through his hair. There would be a storm back home once Damien landed with a mate and a child.

"One more thing: find out everything about Heather and Emily. I know Emily is your mate, and I am not disputing that. She is welcome to join the pack once you both are mated, but I would still want to know everything."

Chris’s eyes narrowed, but he understood Damien’s concern for the pack’s safety. "I’ll make sure to gather all the information we need," he assured. "And I tried to meet Emily today, but she refused."

"Welcome to the spurned mates club, bro." Damien chuckled. "Looks like we have more in common than we thought."

"And Chris," Damien added, softer this time. "Thank you."

Chris turned back, surprised to see the sincerity in Damien’s eyes. "For what?"

"For everything," Damien replied, the briefest of smiles tugging at his lips. "I know this isn’t easy, but I appreciate it."

Chris returned the smile, though it was small and laced with concern. "That’s what betas are for, right?"

Damien nodded, but his thoughts were already elsewhere, focused on how to get back his family.

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Heather had just finished wiping down the café’s counter when the chime above the door jingled, signalling a new customer. She glanced up with her usual warm smile. The man who walked in was dressed in a plain suit, the kind that was deliberately unremarkable.

"Good afternoon, ma’am," the man said, his voice polite but firm. He reached into his coat pocket and flashed a badge. "Detective Fred Monroe. We talked on the phone earlier. I’m here to ask you a few questions about Mr. Ronald Kray."