Chapter 0371
"You claimed the nurse was upstairs." Zachary's voice was sharp. "Attending to your mate."
"Paige is upstairs. She's Chloe's closest friend. She's searching for any hint of where Chloe might have gone. She was here with him while I was at the gate." Finn gestured to the infant in his arms.
"So you lied about her being in labor. Hoping for what, exactly?" I demanded. "That I wouldn't notice your mate never showed up?"
"I don't know. I didn't think it through. I need to find her."
"Track her down? That's a terrible idea with a pup. It's downright reckless." Zachary shook his head.
"Um," Finn's brow furrowed, deep lines forming.
"You didn't consider that either?" Zachary asked.
"I could handle it. I could care for him and search for Chloe."
"No, you couldn't. Bringing him here was the right move. He'll need this place when he's older." Zachary stated.
"Are you implying what I think you are?" I asked, annoyed he hadn't mentioned it sooner.
'Luc could have warned us.' Titan sneered internally.
'So could Zachary!' I shot back.
Zachary nodded. "That pup is a Lycan."
"WHAT?!" Finn recoiled, dropping the infant as if it were a live explosive. Zachary lunged forward, catching the tiny form before its head could hit the floor.
Footsteps sounded above. Paige appeared at the banister, freezing. She knew we were here. Why the act of being caught?
Zachary stood, cradling the newborn against his chest, glaring at Finn. "That was unacceptable."
"GET DOWN HERE!" I growled at Paige.
Her eyes stayed locked on me, fingers twisting in her pink hair as she descended. I pointed to a spot beside Finn. She sidestepped around us, her heart hammering. I threw the crumpled paper at their feet. "Which one of you wrote this?"
They exchanged a glance. "Chloe," they said in unison.
"Lies."
"It's Chloe's!" Finn insisted.
Zachary stepped back as I crouched before Finn, gripping his face. My nails dug crescent moons into his skin. "Chloe has done work for me. I know her handwriting. I'll ask again. Who wrote this?"
"He did." Paige squeaked, eyes downcast.
I watched him elbow her. "Quiet!"
"Check upstairs." I told Zachary, standing. The marks on Finn's face healed instantly, vanishing.
I paced before them as Zachary disappeared. Paige fought tears. Finn stared blankly ahead. "How long did you think this charade would last, Finn?"
"It's not a game."
"Your reaction to the pup says otherwise. You're the one with a Lycan problem. What was your plan?"
His jaw tightened.
"Start simple. Where is Chloe?"
"She really did leave." Paige blurted. "A few days ago."
"Let me guess, Finn. You were on gate duty? Tricked the other guard so Chloe could slip out?"
He turned away, seething.
"Where did she go, Paige?" I pressed.
"With some man. Cooper, maybe? Levi? We were supposed to join her. He promised a better life. Away from the Lycans."
I laughed coldly. "You both despise Lycans, yet you'd run off with one."
They stared, mouths agape.
"He's a Wolf?" Paige protested.
"No. He is not. Your loyalty is truly inspiring."
"She was packing!" Zachary returned, the pup cradled in one arm, two backpacks dangling from his other hand.
"I assumed as much."
"What will you do to us?" Paige pleaded.
"I believe you already know the answer to that."