Chapter 35: Emmett isn’t here

"Why do you think Emmett would be willing to stand against Victor?" Andrew asked.

"Victor told me once that Emmett never wanted to serve as his Beta," Caroline replied. "It was only because of his father, who owed a heavy debt to Victor’s family."

"Indebted? In what way?"

"Emmett’s father faced complete bankruptcy several years ago, and Victor’s family stepped in to bail him out, or so Victor claimed," Caroline explained. "Besides, I didn’t see Emmett the night those wolves hunted me, nor did I sense his presence. He wasn’t anywhere near that attack."

"Which means he deliberately avoided taking part in it," Andrew asserted.

"I only hope Jeremy and Miller find him in time. He could serve as my witness before the Council," Caroline murmured. "As for proving the loss of the pup I carried, only that doctor could have testified, and she is already gone."

"Once Victor is convicted of his first crime, proving the second will be far easier," Andrew reassured her.

"I also heard Alpha Princess Nina’s name mentioned," Caroline added carefully. "Though Prince Ilias believes she isn’t the culprit—that Victor is simply using her for his own ends."

"Even if he is using her, Nina crossed the line by standing alongside him," Andrew said firmly. "She didn’t hesitate to declare that you and your family deserved to die, and she openly admitted her own part in it."

Caroline studied his face for a moment before speaking softly. "You are willing to pit yourself against your own family for my sake. I know I have asked this before, but I cannot help but wonder why. You would not wage a war like this for just any Omega."

Andrew leaned his head back against the seat, turning his eyes to meet hers. "The mate bond is only part of it. I watched you bleed out right in front of me; every single second was a battle for your survival. Unlike those around me, I never found love, so I always prayed for the mate the Moon Goddess chose for me. I will fight for my mate, no matter the cost, and I intend to watch you rise as the strongest Luna this kingdom has ever known."

Caroline stopped blinking as she simply stared into his eyes. "I will prove it to you," she affirmed.

"I know." Andrew placed his hand over hers, giving it a squeeze.

~~~~~

Victor tapped his fingers rhythmically against the armrest, his eyes fixed on his phone screen. He had been waiting for Nina’s call ever since he returned from Caroline’s house.

"Alpha, Miller and Jeremy are still in our pack territory," Levi informed him, stepping forward.

"Why?" Victor asked, his brow furrowing in instant suspicion.

"I don’t know, Alpha," Levi explained. "They were last spotted at a local clothing store before suddenly dropping off our radar. It seems as though they have left, yet I suspect they are still lurking around, attempting to gather evidence."

"All the evidence has been destroyed. There is nothing left," Victor said, a smirk spreading across his face. "Let them have their fun. In the end, they will go back empty-handed."

"But, Alpha... there is still one piece of evidence left," Levi warned carefully.

"What do you mean?" Victor asked, his brow furrowing instantly.

"Emmett, your former Beta," Levi answered. "He could easily act as a witness for Caroline. You stripped him of his title and forced him out. What if he aligns with the royal family? You need to eliminate him before the tide turns against you."

"Arrest him first. I’ll decide what to do with him after," Victor ordered.

"Right away, Alpha." Levi bowed deeply before stepping out to carry out the command.

Victor pulled up Emmett’s number and dialed, trying to reassure himself. ’We have been brothers since we were twelve. He wouldn’t betray me over a stripped Beta title.’

The phone rang endlessly, but no one picked up. He called a second time, then a third, each attempt ending in the same dial tone.

Frustrated, he dialed Emmett’s father instead, only to be met with an automated message stating the device was switched off.

"Fuck!" Victor cursed out loudly as he surged to his feet.

He called Levi, his voice laced with annoyance. "Kill Emmett and anyone in his family. Leave no survivors. I’m on my way."

He hung up before Levi could respond, peeled out of the driveway, and sped toward Emmett’s house. Midway through the drive, his phone started buzzing against the console, but he ignored it, pushing the pedal all the way to the floor. Car’s tires shrieked as he slammed on the brakes in front of Emmett’s home.

Levi, who had arrived only minutes prior, hurried out through the front doors. "Alpha, Emmett isn’t here, neither is his family. They have vanished. I checked with the border guards, but no one saw them leave."

"No, that can’t happen. Search every inch of this territory, Levi! I want Emmett dead!" Victor roared.

Just then, his phone vibrated in his grip. The screen displayed an unsaved number. Snapping the call open, he brought the receiver to his ear.

"Victor, didn’t you insist you were innocent?" Caroline’s cold voice echoed through the line. "You had better drag yourself to the palace and beg for mercy, because I have the evidence against you. You truly believed your lies could become the truth, but you were wrong. You will pay for your crimes, Victor, and your family will pay beside you. Every last one of them will fall right before your eyes, and you will be utterly powerless to stop it."

"Caroline, you can’t—" Victor began, but the line abruptly went dead before he could finish. He immediately redialed, only to be met with an automated response that the device was switched off.

"Dammit!" he growled, tearing a hand through his hair in pure frustration. He turned his gaze to his Beta, the color draining from his face. "They found evidence against me, Levi. They have taken Emmett with them."