My Fated Alpha's Cruel Game (Elena and Marcus) novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130: Chapter 130 Grave Conversations

Elena’s POV

Weeks had passed since Briar vanished, and I found myself perched on the edge of our bed, staring blankly through the window when Damien’s footsteps echoed in the hallway.

"When did you return?" I asked without turning to face him.

"Minutes ago. I needed to see how you were holding up."

His voice carried the weight of exhaustion.

"Any progress?" The question escaped my lips before I could stop it.

"Nothing. Another trail that led nowhere." His admission hit like a physical blow.

My mind conjured horrifying scenarios without permission. Someone had targeted our baby girl because she was vulnerable, easier prey than Caleb. The unknown tormented me more than any concrete truth could. Was she shivering somewhere? Crying from hunger? The questions clawed at my sanity.

She was out there, and I couldn’t offer her even the smallest comfort.

"Have you managed to eat anything today?" Damien’s concern broke through my spiraling thoughts.

"There’s too much work waiting. No time for meals." I rose abruptly, brushing past him toward the stairs leading to the office.

"Your body still needs nourishment." He trailed behind me, persistent.

I settled behind the office desk, surveying the mountain of documents that had accumulated during my distraction. The paperwork seemed to mock me with its mundane urgency.

"All of this requires my attention. I’ll grab something later." My fingers shuffled through the first stack.

"Caleb cornered me earlier, asking if you were okay and whether you still cared about him. I assured him you loved him deeply, that Briar’s disappearance was tearing you apart." Damien’s words made me pause.

"I should speak with him soon." Guilt twisted in my chest.

"He’s suffering too. Briar means everything to him, you know that." Damien reminded me gently.

"That knowledge doesn’t bring her back. Someone violated our home and stole her from us. For what purpose? Is she already dead? She can’t be a hostage because no one has contacted us with demands. So why would anyone take an infant?" My voice cracked with frustration.

"To break us completely. They’re succeeding magnificently so far." His brutal honesty stung.

I buried myself deeper in the paperwork, desperate for distraction. Damien approached and spun my chair around, forcing me to meet his gaze as he knelt before me.

"Elena. We will locate her. I have searchers deployed across territories. Both packs are committed to this mission. Every available resource is being utilized to bring her home." His intensity burned through his words.

I averted my gaze briefly, but when our eyes met again, he witnessed the tears I’d been fighting.

"Something feels terribly wrong, Damien." My voice barely qualified as a whisper.