Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Henry pov.

I have been feeling down for days, desperately searching for Sierra, but I haven't the faintest clue of her whereabouts. I even reached out to Nora, hoping for some solace, but Sierra was nowhere to be found. The absence of Sierra weighed heavily on my heart, casting a shadow of sadness upon me.

I have tirelessly combed through the vast expanse of the woods, hoping to catch a trace of Sierra's scent lingering in the air. Alas, my efforts were in vain, as her fragrance eluded me entirely. I couldn't help but wonder if Williams shared the same determination in searching for her, or if he even cared at all.

Standing in the backyard of Sierra's house, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of longing for her presence. This place, our haven of shared memories, served as a constant reminder of her infectious laughter and unique charm. Not finding her transformed each night into a harrowing nightmare, and every time, I reproached myself for not intervening when she needed me the most.

If Sierra isn't with the Shadowclaw pack, where on earth could she have ventured off to? The uncertainty of her whereabouts gnawed at my conscience, filling me with unease and worry.

Lost in my thoughts, pacing restlessly, the gate of Sierra's house suddenly swung open. I turned, catching a glimpse of Williams standing there, his eyes betraying a trace of tears shed before his arrival. He slowly approached me, and before I knew it, his face found solace upon my shoulder, accompanied by the sound of muffled sobs escaping his trembling lips.

What could have caused his sadness? What had transpired in his absence?

I grasped his shoulder firmly, gently pulling him away from me, meeting his gaze in search of answers. I yearned to discern whether he was playing a cruel joke on me or if his anguish was genuine.

"What has befallen you, Williams? Why the melancholy etched upon your countenance?"

As our eyes locked in a silent exchange, he walked past me, making his way into the house. Intrigued, I trailed behind, observing him settle onto the sofa with a heavy sigh.

"Why was I burdened with such a fate? Why do I keep stumbling upon the same mistakes, Henry? Look at me—my life is now in shambles, and it is all my own doing. I am at a loss, unsure of what steps to take. Am I a fool, incapable of making sound decisions?"

Surveying his anguished form, I felt a twinge of sympathy arise within me, but what difference would it make? He had brought this upon himself.

"Indeed, Williams, you have proven yourself a fool, allowing this chaos to befall your family. Nevertheless, I have no words of wisdom to offer. So, tell me, why have you come here?"

He looked at me with piercing eyes as he stood up from the sofa and walked over to where I was. We both locked our gazes, the tension palpable in the air.

"Where is Sierra?" he demanded, his voice filled with urgency and concern.

The way he spoke and questioned me about Sierra conveyed the assumption that I had her with me. However, I knew that I was the one frantically searching for her.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, bewildered by his accusation.

Before I could comprehend the situation, he grabbed hold of my shirt, pulling me closer to him, his grip tight and forceful.

"I know your plan, Beta. I know that nothing is wrong with Sierra and that she is still with you. You're trying to manipulate me into bringing her back into my life by fabricating a false pregnancy."

I placed my hands on his, determined to free myself from his grasp, my eyes burning with anger as I stared directly into his.

"Do you think I would waste my time coming to you just to lie about something so serious? I thought you came here with remorse, but now I see, Alpha, that you've only come to stir up trouble. As for Sierra's pregnancy, she is truly carrying your child. If you don't find her, who knows what desperate actions she might take to harm the baby."

I turned away, ready to leave, but just as I reached the door, he shouted after me.

"Why should I believe the child is mine? Sierra has always been with you, and both of you have shared everything together. Why should I suddenly accept that the child she carries might belong to me?"

I didn't utter a word, simply walking out and closing the door behind me. I couldn't believe he was such a fool. After all Sierra had done for him, this was how he chose to repay her.

I stood there, observing the villagers passing by, their hushed whispers reaching my ears. I knew they now labeled me as Sierra's second lover, but I paid no heed. People will go to great lengths to tarnish your reputation in the eyes of the world.

I struggled to breathe, my breaths coming in short and shallow. I felt lost, not knowing where to begin my search for Sierra any longer. Exhausted from my efforts, I contemplated giving up.

Taking a deep breath, I tilted my head back and gazed at the blinding sun for a moment. Then, shifting my gaze downward, I focused on the ground, desperately trying to formulate my next course of action.

Where have I overlooked? This is a small town so Sierra could be anywhere.

As I took a tentative step forward, a familiar voice echoed behind me. Startled, I froze in place and turned around, only to be met by Nora.

The expression on her face conveyed a potent mix of sadness and anger. Why had she come?

She approached me with purpose, her eyes fixed on mine. Before I could utter a word, her hand swung towards me, delivering a resounding slap.

"Why did you let her slip away from your sight? Sierra trusted in you. She believed that even after losing everything, you would be there for her. Why didn't you protect her?"

I could sense the impending breakdown as tears welled up in Nora's eyes. I couldn't blame her. It was my fault. If only I had pursued Sierra that fateful night, none of this would have happened.

Raising my gaze to meet Nora's tear-streaked face, I saw the weight of regret etched across her features.

Just as I was about to speak, the door to Sierra's house swung open, revealing William. Nora and I turned our attention towards him simultaneously.

"You," Nora's voice dripped with rage, her tone suggesting a desire for his demise.