Stars Above Lonely Nights — Michael Brown novel Chapter 53

Nova POV:

“That went as well as expected” Jax growls in annoyance as we stride across the gardens to meet my father.

“I know they made a mistake but I have to admit I find your father’s opinion and reaction rather strong” I say calmly.

“The longer my father was Alpha the more he made decisions that I couldn’t understand, he was great don’t get me wrong. He helped this pack and led it from strength to strength, but he became overly reactive and overly harsh in his way of training us as the time went on” Jax says with a sigh. “The twins got it bad, they were little trouble makers but they were young boys. When needed they stepped up and over the last few years I am so proud of the men they have become. But it hurts them that my father refuses to forgive them for one mistake they made, even though it’s a mistake I understand.”

“Hmmm” I wonder.

“To the pack he was a great leader, but as a father he was harsh, overly critical and unforgiving at times. He wanted us to be our best no matter what, he didn’t allow for mistakes” Jax explains. “He found it hard stepping down but over the last few years I saw him relax, settle down and actually enjoy retirement.”

Suddenly I see Luca running towards me, “Nova I can’t find Sophie” he pants.

“What?” I ask.

“I went training and she said she was going to her room to rest, I went back two hours later and she’s gone. Her scent is weak, like she hasn’t been there since I was out. I don’t know where she is I’ve searched the entire pack and no one has seen her” he worries.

“Right my dad is down here, come with me” i instruct before running to where I can scent my father waiting for me.

“Have you seen Sophie?” I ask him without pausing to say hello.

“No?” He replies with a cocked brow.

“When did you hear from her last?” I ask quickly.

“This morning, she sounded off. I thought she was tired and missing home” he says looking at Lucas worried face with concern.

“Has she showed any signs of being unsettled?” I ask Luca.

“No!” He exclaims, with a sigh he looks at me before speaking “we mated this morning. I didn’t force her I even checked four times if she was sure but she was. But she stopped us marking.”

“Why?” I ask confused.

“I don’t know, it’s why I went to training. To try and work out so she didn’t sense my upset, I thought she was doubting me I don’t know” Luca admits with hurt in his voice.

“Dad call her” I instruct whilst rubbing my brother’s shoulder comforting.

Standing as we wait to see if she picks up I shift my weight uncomfortably, “what’s wrong?” Jax asks sensing my uncertainty.

“I just don’t have a good feeling about this” I admit in a low voice.

“Why?” He asks.

“I don’t know” I admit.

“Kia?” He asks her looking in my eyes.

“She’s not in the territory” is all she says to us.

“No answer but I can track her phone, I installed an app not to her knowledge after the last time she disappeared” my father mutters. After a moment he looks at me in shock, “her phone is here.”

“She’s left it in the room” I hear Luca say, “I’m sure I remember seeing it on the nightstand.”

“I’m sorry? The last time she disappeared?” I ask confused.

“Yes, growing up hasn’t been easy for her. She has her issues and sometimes to deal with them she left” my father explains his features downcast.

“Where would she go?” I ask sharply.

“I never knew” he shrugs, “she was never harmed or anything, she said she went to see friends. Human ones which she met when she was studying for 2 years in the city near us at the time.”

“You didn’t check?” I ask.

“No. There were times during her childhood where she had to see and experience things no child should have to. She wanted the chance to experience a bit of normality and she chose to study, I allowed her that of course. But I never asked for an address, it was safer me not knowing and I couldn’t visit and risk being around humans myself incase I got found” he explains.

“When did she last go missing?” I check.

“About 19 months ago” he admits. “She went away for a week to celebrate her friend’s birthday. She showed me pictures and she looked happy, she came back more relaxed and less bothered by her worries.”

“Nova look” he says thrusting the phone into my hand again.

“At what exactly?” I ask sharply.

“There” he says jabbing his finger angrily on the screen. My eyes focus on the background and my ears begin to ring as my hand shakes, “she was there?” I ask in disbelief.

“Where?” Jax asks looking at the photo over my shoulder.

“That right there is the mountain to the far northern end of the White Mountain Packs territory” I force out.

“She was that close to you?” Jax asks in disbelief. “You could have found one another earlier that’s such a shame” he says softly.

“Is it?” Luca asks coldly.

Hearing that my father growls and turns to glare at Luca as Jax looks shocked but the tone of Lucas voice.

“What is going on?” Jax asks bewildered.

“January 19th, 19 months ago was the day our parents were killed by hunters” I say calmly as the quiet anger in my voice makes everyone step back pensively. “It’s a little suspicious that she never mentioned being so close to Lucas territory when they were getting to know one another. Almost as strange as her doing a disappearing act on you father and it was coincidentally the same time our parents were killed” I growl my eyes flashing with Kia’s.

“What?” My father gasps as his face drains of colour. “Please tell me you don’t think she had something to do with it?”

“I’m not asking” I growl as my anger rises.

“She did” I snarl, “look at that woman’s wrist holding the camera.”

“She has a tattoo” my father mumbles, “but she’s covered it with makeup by the looks of it.”

“It’s an H, father. And what does that stand for?” I growl taking a step towards him as I hear Luca shift behind me and release a howl full of pain and anger.

“H…Hunters” my father sobs falling to the ground clutching his heart.

“She was with the fucking hunters” I snarl.