Ran Away Pregnant Came Back Alpha Heiress (Amelia and Damien) novel Chapter 18

**Night Whispers Forgotten Names – Colin Shah**

**Chapter 18**

**Damien POV**

The moment we exited that thoroughly unfulfilling meeting at the outskirts of Alpha Jake’s territory, a heavy silence enveloped the car as we settled into our seats. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, a tension that seemed to linger like a shadow.

“What do you think?” Ethan, my Beta, broke the silence, his voice cutting through the weighty atmosphere as he turned to me, searching for answers.

My encounters with that Alpha had been fleeting, mere brushes in the past. This meeting, however, had been our first real interaction, and it left me feeling strangely unsettled. There was an uncanny familiarity about him, a nagging sensation that grew more pronounced with every word exchanged, as if he were a reflection of someone I had known long ago.

“Let’s put them on the back burner for now,” I replied, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel as I turned the ignition. The engine roared to life, but a flicker of doubt ignited within me. As Ethan began to scroll through his phone, checking off the locations we had already investigated and noting where we still needed to go, he marked this pack as low priority.

Yet, an instinctual hesitation gripped me, halting my hand before I could shift into drive.

“Actually… let’s keep a vigilant eye on them,” I amended, my tone firm but laced with caution. “Discreetly, of course.”

Ethan raised an inquisitive eyebrow, his expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity. “Did you sense something off?”

I stared intently through the windshield, my mind racing. “When I was with that Alpha, I caught a faint trace of Amelia’s scent lingering on him. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was definitely there. If she had merely passed through, I doubt it would have clung to him like that.”

“So, they’ve got her? Are they hiding her from you, or do they plan to use her as leverage?” Ethan’s voice was low, filled with concern.

A grim silence fell over me as I contemplated the implications. “I can’t say for sure. But I certainly didn’t buy into his innocent facade. He’s hiding something, that much I know.”

Earlier, I had downplayed Amelia’s significance, telling Jake she was merely a pack member, a strategic move on my part. I knew the risks; she could easily become a pawn or worse.

In fact, that had been my directive to everyone involved in the search for my wife. We had to tread carefully, ensuring that her importance didn’t become a glaring target for those who might wish to exploit it. It was a delicate dance, one that required utmost caution.

But how could I possibly calm down? All the meticulous plans we had crafted, the careful strategies we had woven together over the past months—everything was teetering on the brink of disaster.

I pressed my hand against my belly, feeling the reassuring weight of the life I was nurturing within. It was a powerful reminder of my position, the Alpha’s heir, soon-to-be Luna. Yet, despite this, a cloud of worry hung over me.

“But she’s out there somewhere, Victoria,” I exclaimed, my voice tinged with desperation. “Who knows what kind of insidious schemes she’s concocting, or who she might sway to her side with some heart-wrenching tale? We’ve worked tirelessly for this! We can’t let it unravel now.”

Victoria rolled her eyes, an exasperated but affectionate gesture. We were in my home, and she lounged on my sofa as if it were her own, a testament to our long-standing friendship. Her bond with my brother Ethan had only drawn us closer, and our shared ruthlessness when it came to achieving our goals had solidified that connection.

“You’re the only thing falling apart here, sister,” she remarked, rising gracefully from the sofa to place her hands firmly on my shoulders. Her touch was grounding, a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this.

“We will handle this. Now, take a deep breath, fix your makeup, and let me make a call,” she instructed, her confidence radiating like a beacon.

She was right. If I was going to confront this chaotic situation head-on, I needed to gather my composure. I slipped into the small downstairs powder room, inhaling deeply to calm my racing heart. With a few gentle dabs at my eyes, I prepared to face whatever storm was brewing outside.