A Secret Alpha Mate
Chapter 27

(Jackson)

anything that might help us.

I wake up early the next morning, eager to get my meeting over with so I can head back to Moonstone and onto the next steps of replaceing my mate, staying here longer turned out to be fruitless and I'm angry at myself for wasting time and not coming up with Lucas spent time talking to some of the omegas getting a sense of what or who was after Isla.

He had the same conversation over and over again. Meghan, the blonde barbie one, didn't like her, and she got into some trouble with the ranked members recently. There wasn't anything to indicate a threat against just her. No one had any clue why she left, that is, if they even knew who she was at all. I was debating asking the Alpha about her myself but I got the sense that he didn't deal with omegas on a first name basis.

I hope Alpha Benjamin and the others didn't stay up drinking too late or his 'first thing in the morning' would be hours off after mine.

I knock on Lucas' door and he opens it, already dressed and ready for the day, that's what I like to see. "Ready to head home?" I ask.

"All packed and ready to go, I feel a million times better after getting some sleep."

"Good, We're going to need to come up with a completely new strategy to replace her." I sigh, every day I lose a bit of hope, there is no telling where she could have gone in a few days, she could be across the country by now, but I shake that thought away. "Coffee?" Lucas asks.

"You read my mind."

"Did you end up staying late?"

"Not too long after you left, I had a drink with the Alpha and his family, they were actually really nice. I think Hailey has gotten over the whole awkward encounter, well, encounters if you count yesterday in my room." Lucas chuckles, "She was being surprisingly civil so I think we're all good on that front."

"Phew, I was worried we were going to have a problem with that one," Lucas says, honestly I thought we might too.

We head downstairs and I see some omegas bustling about. I ask if one of them has seen the Alpha but they haven't seen any sign of him yet.

"I'll get our luggage to the car so we're ready to go when the meeting is over. The driver should already be outside." I nod at him.

"Meet me back in the dining room, I'll replace us some coffee," I ask one of the omega's to get Abigail if she's awake and have her bring three cups of coffee and some pastries to the dining room.

Abigail makes it up to me carrying a tray full of fresh pastries and a giant thermos of coffee quicker than I imagined, she must have already been in the kitchen. She sets it down in front of me and goes to unload the platter. "No, sit down, I can do it." She looks taken aback.

"Is everything okay?" She asks still not sitting, "Did you replace Isla? Is she, um, alive?" She looks down at her hands not wanting to hear the answer to the last question.

"No, unfortunately, we haven't had another trace of her, but I assure you our best men and women are on it. I just wanted to talk to you before we left. Sit down, please, I promise nothing is wrong." She looks around unsure. "I don't think I'm allowed." She confessed. I'm confused. Why wouldn't you be allowed to sit down?

"Anyone that has anything to say will have to answer to me. I just want to borrow a few minutes of your time." I say.

She finally agrees and sits down, looking hesitantly around the room.

I pour her a steaming mug of coffee, "Cream or sugar?"

"Uh, just black is fine." I pass her the mug and take a seat next to her. Lucas comes in a second later.

"My favorite lady." He smiles at her and takes a seat across from her before inhaling a croissant in two bites.

"Manners, please, damn Lucas, ladies are present."

"Language, please, ladies are present." Lucas counters. We all three laugh, I see Abigial visibly relax.

"Thank you for all your help in trying to replace Isla," I tell her genuinely.

"No, thank you." I'm been a wreck since she left, I haven't been away from her at all for fourteen years, I always knew where she was, most of the time it was next to me. It's eating me alive not knowing if she's okay." "We will replace her." Lucas looks at her seriously, "I promise on my life." Abigail nods and him and smiles but her smile doesn't reach her eyes.

"I know this is your home but you'll always have a place at Moonstone if you wish to join us," I state and Lucas nods enthusiastically.

The door slams open, "Abigail what do you - oh hello Alpha, Beta Lucas." The barbie-looking omega, Meghan, smiles at us.

"Apologies, ma'am for stealing sweet Abigail away from you, we just wanted to wish her goodbye." Lucas gives his award-winning smile at her and she freezes, I fight the urge to roll my eyes at him.

"I better get back to work, lots to do here before everyone takes off." Abigail stands up. I stand up too and pull her into a hug.

"You'll be the first to know when she's found," I whisper into her ear. Lucas comes up and gives her a huge hug lifting her off her feet until she is laughing.

"It was great meeting you both."

"The pleasure is all ours." Lucas gives a low bow and she turns to head back down to the kitchen.

"Is there anything I can assist you gentleman with?" Meghan saunters up to us.

"Actually there is, can you tell the Alpha when you see him that I am ready when he is?" She nods. "Anything else?" She says this time directing her question at Lucas.

"All good over here, thanks." He sits back down and shoves another croissant in his mouth.

We wait for what seems like ages, but it's only about an hour until Alpha Benjamin walks into the dining room to meet us. Hailey comes down behind him.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

"No, not at all, we got a chance to get our things packed and enjoy some coffee. Where would you like to do this? I won't take too much of your time, I know you have a busy schedule and a full day with the rest of your guests." I say, getting to the point immediately. "We can do it here if you'd like, I'll make sure no one disturbs us." I nod to Lucas and we sit back down. To my surprise, Hailey sits next to me and smiles up at me. I was shocked to see her here, I didn't have much respect left for Alpha Benjamin after this weekend, but I did like that he was allowing his daughter to be part of the pack meetings.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I go to turn it off but see it's Cam. "If you'll excuse me for one moment." I walk out of the room before answering.

"Yes?"

"We found her, I'm pretty sure. She's in bad shape but she's here." Cam speaks quickly.

"I'm coming now. I don't have to tell you that all the best care is to be given to her."

"It's already been done, Jenn took her to the pack hospital, the rogues have been dealt with." "F**k." Rogues.

"I'll fill you in later, just come get your mate." The line is silent and I put my phone in my pocket.

I'm stunned for a second, as a mix of emotions rushes through me.

I'm happy she's found, worried about the state she's in, and angry that she was found with or near rogues. I just hope they found her before the rogues did anything to her - I wouldn't think about that now. All that matters is her safety. I force myself to put on a composed face and walk back into the room.

"I am sorry Alpha Benjamin. I have to get back to my pack." Lucas looks confused.

Cam found her

Lucas jumps up and is by my side in seconds.

"There was an attack near our borders. Can we finish this sometime soon? I'll make the trip back." He nods and Hailey looks a bit disappointed but flashes me a smile.

We're out the door in seconds and jump into the waiting car. Anxiety crashes over me and it makes the hour drive feel like days.