Princess...

Chapter 41

Ethan

I'd been running the perimeter of the field in hopes Ace would join me, but after a few laps she didn't show and I slowed to a stop near the house, my inner wolf howling and stomach tightened uncomfortably as I realised it had been 24 hours since I'd seen her last.

"Please, princess... Please be okay..." Hoping by some miracle that she'd somehow heard me, though I doubt it. If her ex-mate had found her, she could be long gone by now. My head pounded when I'd realised it earlier, imagining all of the horrible things he could be doing to the redheaded rogue as the whole pack searched for her. I'd quizzed Raula and informed her of Ace's disappearance, to which my mother figure's eyes widened and opened her mouth but shook her head quickly

"Ethan... I can't tell you the things I know. Ace found me and told me that if I told you, she'd return to them before you could find her." My head spun with the words said, not being able to process why someone would want to desperately hide the name of their pack but would return to them in the revelation of the pack's true identity. I'd been angry, but more terrified of the idea of her getting hurt, which my inner wolf and I both agreed on; no asshole would lay a finger on her if I could help it. She was mine. My rogue, my worker, my redhead and I'd long since given up on the idea of ignoring my inner wolf's feelings. I didn't know what they were, but my wolf form was possessive, not being able to rest until the redhead was found safely and she was back where she belonged.

"Raula I need to find her. Ace is mine and if that asshole of her ex-mate has got her I don't know what I'll do." Beta Deryn was by my side, but even he didn't say anything at my revelation, his head bowed solemnly as he could feel my pain radiating from my human form. I need her back here.

"Ethan... When we find Ace, she won't tell you anything because of how you'll react. Please remember these feelings you have right now when she tells you everything. She was nothing but a byproduct to it all..." My mother figure's words were cryptic and vague, causing a low growl to emerge from my throat but Raula just squeezed my hand tightly, excusing herself and my Beta from the kitchen. I'd paced where I stood for hours before deciding to go for a run, hence where I am now. I slowly blinked as I gazed up at the house where my redhead could be hiding, though over 100 wolves scoured the whole place just hours ago, including her room which was cold and her scent disappearing each minute.

"Ethan..." The voice was so faint, I questioned whether I'd actually even heard it. My inner wolf stood to attention, pacing frantically inside of me at the sound of Ace's voice.

"Ace? Princess where the fuck are you?" I knew it didn't come from the house, but the forest had been searched countless times though that didn't stop me running the field in case her voice had been real instead of my imagination. The only thing I could hear was the rustling of trees, which nodded to the light breeze that didn't even touch my bare forearms as I hurtled across the grass

"Ethan!" I'd just crossed the tree line when I heard the scream and caught sight of a small figure falling from an oak tree. I rushed to catch her, landing with a soft thump in my arms as I got to my knees to steady us both. Sure enough, Ace lay unconscious in my arms, looking weaker and thinner than ever. My inner wolf pointed out how beautiful she looked under the moonlight but I ignored it, feeling my heart hammer in my chest. She is back. She is here. My redhead was safe. I had to keep repeating these things as I stood, walking quickly towards the house. I didn't mindlink any of the pack, because I wanted her to myself. I had so many questions for Ace, and I knew she wouldn't answer any of them, especially if Raula's words were true. I hurried with the small woman in my arms over to the far West Wing and carefully placed her under the covers, feeling her hands which were blocks of ice underneath her hoodie. How long has she been in the tree? Has she eaten? A glance over her small frame that was covered by a hoodie and my comforter told me that she hadn't, and my heart squeezed painfully as I thought over everything.

"Those fucking assholes..." I cursed under my breath, remembering how my Hunters and Scouts told me they had searched the whole forest. Did any of them think to look up even once? I turned away from the woman whose shallow breathing was the only sound I heard and made my way down to the kitchen to make us both some food. I'd barely eaten in the last 24 hours, and Ace had probably gone even longer than I. Once I'd got the two plates, I bumped into Raula on my way back upstairs. She glanced down at the two plates and her face lit up from its previous worried expression

"You found her!" My mother figure exhaled in relief, hugging my arm tightly. I nodded and gave a tight-lipped smile, not quite ready to let anyone share the woman in my room quite yet.

"She's safe. I'm going to keep her with me tonight Raula if that's okay..." I trailed off, unsure of how I'd explain the possessive feelings I'd realised were directed at the redheaded rogue. Raula nodded, giving me a knowing smile and kissing my cheek. I gave a final nod and quickly hurried back to the West Wing, thankful that I hadn't seen another pack member on my travels. I stayed by Ace's side in the armchair that I'd pulled out beside the bed for hours, watching her drift into a deep unmoving sleep, which worried my inner wolf but after staying completely still and hearing her breathing, I relaxed immediately. Early morning rolled around and I hadn't slept, terrified that if I closed my eyes for even a minute, she'd disappear and I'd realise this was all a dream. Through the sunrise that gleamed through my partially opened curtains, piercing blue eyes slowly opened and my inner wolf was straight to attention, completely captivated by the colour as Ace slowly woke up

"Good morning princess."