The Imperial Wolf Series Books 1-3
Chapter 35

Erick POV

My morning has begun the same over the last six months. I wake up alone, and I look at the empty side of the bed where my wife should be; I forcefully pull myself together, so I appear strong before my pack. I get dressed, and I go downstairs to help Cassie with Austin. Austin beams when he sees me every morning. It was hard the first month after his mother died. I took on the responsibility of Austin, my brother. He is just a child, and like me, he is alone in this world. After I make sure Austin eats and is ready for his nanny, I go to my office and deal with whatever pack business is on the agenda for the day. Then just like every day for the last six months, I begin my search for my wife, my love, my Kate.

Lester's pack joined my pack after his death. Overnight the Imperial pack and the Moon River pack become one pack. I took on a huge responsibility. Lester's pack of Imperial's is not as large as Macon's pack, but the extra wolves help with protection and the search for Kate. There have been so many lies told over the months about Lester's death. When Lester's son, Shawn, connected with him in a mind link, he knew it was Macon who killed Lester and that Macon was the one who set all of these events into motion. There are still many unanswered questions, but I will not give up until I know the truth.

Alexander has not been seen since Kate disappeared. I saw Alexander in the woods the night Kate was taken. I ran that night for hours to blow off steam and to try to channel my anger for letting my wife be kidnapped right in front of me. When I saw him, I let my anger get the best of me, and I tried to kill him. I should not have gone after him. He could have helped us find her. The wolves that do know where Kate is will not talk to me or any of my wolves. Being without Kate and not knowing where she is or if she is okay is a living nightmare for me. I want my wife back. I miss her.

"Erick, there is someone here to see you," Andrew says as he enters my office.

"I have things to do; put it on the agenda for tomorrow," I say sternly.

"It is Shawn, Lester's son. He says it is urgent, and he must see you now," Andrew says frantically.

I don't want to deal with anything other than looking for Kate, but I will not turn Lester's son away. He gave up being Alpha so that our packs could unite to fight off Macon. He did what was suitable for his people.

"Send him in," I say. I lean back in my chair and wait for Shawn.

Andrew leaves the doorway of my office and goes to collect Shawn. I wonder what could possibly be so urgent. Everyone knows I do not see anyone in the afternoon. If you want to see me, then you make an appointment for the morning. I spent the afternoons looking for Kate and following up on leads.

Andrew comes back with Shawn. Shawn is a giant wolf. He is bigger than Andrew and me. He is solid and smart as hell. He would have been an excellent Alpha to his pack, but he felt combining the packs was for the best, and he wanted his people to follow me. He has helped me a lot with the structure of the pack. Shawn knows his stuff. He has been an asset in so many ways to the pack and me.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Alpha Erick," Shawn says.

"It is okay. I always have time for you, Shawn. What is up?" I ask him.

"I have been doing some research on my own about Macon and his pack. I hope you do not mind," Shawn says.

"No, I can use all of the help I can get. I am not getting anywhere finding Kate or Alexander," I say.

Shawn comes closer and hands me a photograph. "Is this Kate?" Shawn asks.

I look over the photograph, and it is Kate, but she has put on a lot of weight. She looks pregnant. "Where did you get this?" I ask him, growling.

"As I said, I have been doing my own research and investigation. I want to find out everything that happened to my father," Shawn says. "Where did you get this, Shawn?" I ask him again.

Shawn lowers his eyes. "I know where she is, but you will have to trust Alexander and me to get to her," Shawn says.

"Shawn, I have a hard time trusting anyone after Angie clocked me in the head with a tire iron," I say, growling louder at him.

"Well, I am not planning to clock you in the head with a tire iron, but I am planning on helping you to get your wife back," Shawn says.

"Andrew, what do you think?" I ask Andrew, who is standing behind Shawn, listening.

Andrew moves closer to us. "I think we should try," Andrew says. Andrew picks up the photograph of Kate. He looks at it and looks at me. "She is pregnant," Andrew says.

"I can see that," I say.

"She has been gone for six months, Erick. If she is pregnant, she doesn't have long to go. We need to find her fast," Andrew says.

"I know," I say softly.

The thought of Kate having a child without me is the worst thing I can think of for her. Kate is a strong woman. I know she is surviving without me easier than I am without her. I need her back here with me, and I want her with me when she has our child. "Okay, Shawn, what are we going to do to bring her home?" I ask.

"Alexander is waiting for us in Seanet. We need to be there by nightfall," Shawn says.

"You already made arrangements with him, I see," I say to Shawn.

"Yes, I was planning to go with or without you, Alpha Erick. No disrespect, but I plan to kill Macon," Shawn says.

"We cannot leave the pack unprotected. We can only take a few wolves. If Macon came here while we are gone, it would be disastrous for the pack," I say.

"I know. It would be stupid for the Alpha to leave without leaving someone here to look out for the pack," Shawn says.

"Cassie can do it. I trust her, and she loves this pack," I say.

"Wasn't Cassie sleeping with Macon?" Shawn asks.

"She only slept with him the one time, and trust me, she regrets not killing him. Macon kept Cassie distracted, so she wasn't on her game, and she was his alibi for killing Lester," I say.

"Do you trust her?" Shawn asks.

"Yes, she has been here since Kate was taken. She has helped this pack tremendously since everything happened. She is a warrior and a damn good wolf. I trust her to oversee the pack while we go get Kate," I say.

"These are my people too, Alpha Erick. I need to know my wolves are safe while we are gone," Shawn says.

"I understand that, and they will be safe, I promise you that. Cassie will take care of the pack," I say.

"I am coming too," Andrew says.

"Andrew, I need you here with Cassie. I can take John and Trip," I say.

"As you wish, Alpha Erick," Andrew says.