Chapter 7
7
J ake
As the afternoon wears on and the bar’s bustle slows to a lull, I decide I need a break. I try to push thoughts of Alex out of my mind, but they keep creeping back in. It’s frustrating—I’m usually so good at compartmentalizing, but something about her has me all twisted up inside.
I head out for a walk, hoping the fresh air and movement will clear my head. The streets are busy, but I stick to quieter areas, my thoughts wandering as I go. The concerns about the pack, Elias, and everything else blend into a constant hum at the back of my mind.
As I walk, something catches my attention. It’s a faint scent, one that stands out against the usual city smells. It’s familiar, comforting, and unmistakably Alex. My heart skips a beat, and before I know it, I’m following the scent, my feet moving almost on their own.
I turn a corner and there she is, walking alone, her expression focused and determined. I pause for a moment, just watching her. There’s a strength in the way she moves, a resilience that draws me in even more. Despite everything, I can’t help but feel a sense of protectiveness toward her.
“Alex,” I call out, my voice carrying over the sounds of the street.
She stops and turns, her eyes widening slightly when she sees me. “Jake? What are you doing here?”
I approach her, trying to keep my tone casual. “I was out for a walk, trying to clear my head. What about you? Everything okay?”
She hesitates for a moment, then shakes her head. “Not really. A friend of mine is missing, and I’m trying to find her. It’s been a rough day.”
Concern floods through me. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Alex looks at me, and for a moment, I can see the internal struggle in her eyes. Finally, she sighs and nods. “Actually, yes. Her name is Opal Zall. She disappeared a couple of days ago, and my friend Kathy and I have been trying to find her. We went to the police, but they weren’t much help.”
“Why don’t you tell me what you know?” I suggest, hoping that maybe my heightened senses could be of use in this situation.
She explains everything they know about Opal’s disappearance, her usual haunts, and the lack of clues they’ve found so far. As she talks, I can’t help but admire her determination and resolve, even in the face of such uncertainty.
“Let’s start with where you last saw her,” I say once she’s finished. “Maybe we can pick up something the others missed.”
She looks relieved at the offer of help. “Thank you, Jake. I appreciate it more than you know.”
Together, we retrace Opal’s steps, checking the places she was last seen and talking to anyone who might have information. As we work together, I find myself even more drawn to Alex, not just because of her beauty, but because of her strength and resolve.
As night begins to fall, we still haven’t found any concrete leads, but I refuse to give up. “We’ll find her, Alex,” I say, my voice firm with determination. “We’ll keep looking until we do.”
She nods, gratitude and worry etched into her features. “Thank you, Jake. It means a lot to have someone like you on my side.”
At that moment, I know I’ll do whatever it takes to help her, even if it means diving headfirst into danger. Because something about Alex feels right, and I’m not about to let anything happen to her or her friend.