Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Kaeleen's POV

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. The past few days had been a whirlwind of chaos and frustration. We had managed to contain the damage to Emerald Automotives, thanks to the quick thinking of Johnson and the rest of the team. Turns out, there was a mole in the company, feeding information to Leon and helping him orchestrate the theft of the Phoenix parts.

It was exactly what Rebecca had said. Leon was behind everything.

We dealt with the mole swiftly and decisively, ensuring that he would never betray us again and that he would never step foot into our company again.

It was a bit shocking that something like this could happen in my company. We had built the company like how our ancestors had built the other businesses. We treated everybody like family. I still could not understand what the traitor could gain from betraying us. The promises from Leon to him had felt like a joke in my ears but who was I to judge. And that was why although he couldn't work in the company anymore, he would be working for us directly as a spy. I knew Leon would contact him to make sure that his plans were going through. And I plan to make it that way by releasing a statement about delaying the arrival of the new products but holding an exclusive and private display before the given date.

But even with the company crisis resolved, my mind was still consumed with Astrid.

Shadow had arrived at the Moonshade pack territory days ago, blending in seamlessly, as only he could. But the news he had given me wasn't good. He had been unable to get into the place where she was being held captive. Leon had turned his bedroom into a fortress, with guards posted at every entrance and sophisticated security systems in place.

Shadow wasn't a warrior. He knew tricks, yes, but he was a master of disguise first and foremost, making him the ultimate bodyguard and the perfect fit for this mission. Leon would be on high alert for any intruder, so why not use someone who could use disguises? Someone who could blend in.

I paced back and forth in my office, my wolf restless and agitated. I needed to get Astrid out of there, and I needed to do it now. Every minute she spent in Leon's clutches was a minute too long. I had no idea what he was doing to her or how she was coping.

Fuck!

I really was incompetent as her mate wasn't I?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even hear the door open.

"You look like you're about to tear the place apart," a voice said, breaking the silence.

I stopped pacing and turned to see my older sister, Serena, standing in the doorway. She was tall and imposing, with the same green eyes and dark hair as me. But where my features were sharp and angular, hers were softer, more feminine. She was a powerful warrior in her own right, and one of the most respected members of our pack.

I stood upright and she chuckled.

"Relax, I'm not here to scold you. Although I'm a bit hurt that you didn't even contact me once while you were away. And when you came back you still didn't contact me." She said as she took a seat opposite me.

"Um…" I said as I took a seat also. "I've been a bit occupied."

She observed me. "I know."

"You know?" I asked her in shock.

"I heard about what happened," she said, her expression softening. "About Astrid. And about the trouble at Automotives."

"Word travels fast," I said, my voice flat.

"Especially when it involves a potential mate and a multi-million dollar sabotage," she said, raising an eyebrow.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "It's a mess, Serena. A complete mess."

"Tell me about it," she said.

I hesitated for a moment, then poured out everything: Astrid's capture, Leon's obsession, the sabotage at Automotives, Shadow's inability to reach her.

Serena listened patiently, her expression growing more serious with each passing word. When I was finished, she was silent for a long moment, her eyes fixed on me.

"You're in love with her, aren't you?" she asked, her voice soft.

I didn't answer, but my silence was answer enough.

Serena smiled, a small, knowing smile. "I haven't seen you this worked up over a woman in a long time, Kaeleen. Maybe ever."

"It's different with Astrid," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "She's...she's everything I never knew I wanted."

"Then you have to get her back," Serena said, her voice firm. "You can't let Leon win."

"I know," I said, my jaw tightening. "I've placed Shadow there but it's been days and he hasn't come up with anything relevant. He can't even get into the place where she's being held captive because of the increased security."

Serena observed me. "You are anxious and worried, I get that. But why don't you trust that your decision is the best right now?" She asked me.

I frowned. "That's not it."

"Really? Because to me it seems like you are doubting yourself." She said to me,

I released a sigh. "I don't want anything to happen to her."

"You should trust the people you have around you, Kaeleen. Has Shadow ever failed a job?"

"Well…no, but…"

"No buts, Kaeleen. You have competent people around you. People who would jump if you tell them to but right now, what you need to do is trust in them. Trust that Shadow will bring her safe and sound and once we are certain of her safety, we deal with this person called Leon." She said to me,

"Thank you." I said to her,

I never even thought that perhaps I needed someone to just reassure me that everything was going to be okay but Serena was that person. I saw her as a mother figure even if I was scared of her.

"And just so you know…" she began with a wide smile across her lips. "I haven't forgiven you for ignoring me but we'd settle that when your mate is here."

I shuddered just thinking about what she would do to me.

"I have one question though." She said to me.

"What is it?"

"You are in love with her right?"

I gave her a nod.

"But what about her?"

"What about her?" I asked her with a frown on my face.

"Is she in love with you?"