Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty — Nine

James POV

Cary's missing. The news made everyone quiet down. Even Eason kept his mouth shut this time. Trying not to ask the next question that had been on his lips. The news had hit everyone hard, especially Michael.

I saw Michael's turning completely still. Cary was his best friend and in the past he had relied on him more than me. Cary had been a partner in crime for him. Ganging up on me, trying to get me in trouble. Ready to back Michael up whenever he loses a fight against me. Especially, because Michael usually lost in fights against me. After all, we never got along.

Visibly forcing himself to be in control, Michael took a deep breath before speaking.

“But he was keeping an eye on Linda.” He said. I internally cringed at his choice of words. Everyone stared at him. Even Linda stared at him in disbelief.

“Keeping an eye on me?” Linda asked, her mouth slightly open.

“Keeping an eye on her? What for?” Eason asked him. I wanted to put hot burning lava in his mouth and liquify his throat. Why the hell could he not shut up? Now, everyone would wonder why Linda needed to look after her. We could not even explain the real reason, that she wanted to leave this place because she thought we raped her.

“Answer him!” Dad yelled. I did not know what had gotten into him. I knew that Oliver's death had him on edge but still, he was being too much.

“You asked Cary to keep an eye on me?” Linda asked. Michael glared at Eason but moved a little towards Linda

“Linda, how could he disappear? He was with you. Then how?” He asked her.

“Answer me, first.” Linda demanded. Michael held his hands up, trying to calm her down.

“I will. But answer my question first. Cary was with you all the time, how come disappeared?” He questioned her. Linda looked as if she was about to lose her mind. It wasn't good. So, I decided to interfere.

“Linda, please, just tell us. This once. We will figure everything out. Just tell us what happened with Cary?” I asked. At first, I thought she would ignore me and not answer my question, remaining stubborn, but then she spoke.

“He said that he had to go because someone needed help. Someone was asking help from him through his mind link. He told me to go into my room and that one of you will be there soon. So I did what he asked me to do. I went inside my room and waited for one of you to come to me.” Linda explained. I heaved out a heavy sigh. My frustration was getting to be too much.

“She is lying. I Saw her kill Oliver. Believe me.” Janet butted in. I let out a loud growl.

“You. Shut up. I don't want to hear a single word from your mouth.” I barked at her. Not only that, but I pointed a finger to her face.

“You. Out.” I said and called out to one of the guard.

“No. I'm not leaving.” She muttered frantically. Trying to evade and fight with the guard who forcefully removed her. Not even dad stopped me this time.

“Linda can't kill Oliver. Not just because she is a human but also because we all know that Oliver was not a weakling. He cannot just die with the hands of a mere woman. Especially, a woman knows nothing about our world.” I said.

“Yeah. It could be a hunter for all we know.” Michael suggested.

“What she needed to look after? She is not a kid. Then why?” Eason asked again. This time I was ready to give him a piece of mind but dad's voice stopped me.

“That is enough, Eason. We will discuss this later. It is late. Everyone should go and have some rest now. This meeting is officially over.” Dad announced. Murmurs rose around us and everyone around the room stood up to leave.

Everyone left except for Linda, me, Dad and Michael. The room was still thick with silence. Finally, Dad broke the silence. He nodded to Linda.

“I think you should go to your room. I want to talk to my sons for a few minutes.” He told her. Linda looked reluctant. Glancing between Michael and I for any clue but when she got none, she left.

The door shut behind her and silence descended over us once again.

“She is not the killer, Dad. It's not possible. And I'm sorry for your friend. He had been one of the best guys on our board.” Michael told him.

“Me too, Dad. I'm really sorry for your loss.” I told him.

Dad nodded his head, looking pained. He was great at hiding his emotion therefore I was unable to fathom how much he was suffering from inside to look like this. He let out a heavy sigh before rubbing his neck.

“He was an amazing guy.” He said but then his face hardened.

“Whoever is behind all this, will suffer badly. I am going to make sure of that. I won't let this matter go easily.” He said in a low voice, almost speaking to himself. His resolve of hunting the person, seemed to sharpen his edge. And I admired that. Admired his strength, his resolve, his ability to think straight even though what he was suffering from.

“Dig into Linda's background. I want to know everything about her. She may not be the culprit, but she still is a suspect. Thus, I can't completely trust her. Especially, when someone from our pack is pledging that she saw her committing the deed.” He told us. Michael tried to argue with him, but Dad stopped him with his hand.

“I don't want to argue about it. You do as I say. This is a command from your Alpha.” He told us.

We reluctantly agreed and started to walk away but Dad's voice stopped us, again.

“And prepare for your Alpha ceremony. Right after, when this matter is over, we will hold the Alpha ceremony. Your mate has to decide one of you, who will rule this pack. Be on your guards. We don't know yet, about who's the killer. It could be one of us.” He said and sent us on our way.