Alpha King’s Secret Baby (The Runaway Mate #1)

Chapter 25

Casey

I paced the length of the shop, gripping my fleur-de-lis pendant. It protected the user from psychic intrusions and physical harm, but only if they wore it. Yesterday’s slip up—when Theo lost it in the sand for an hour or two—could have been enough to put him in danger. And today, they merely had to break the chain to take him.

Theo must be so scared.

I choked back tears. I didn’t have time to fall apart. I had to be strong for Theo. Nothing else mattered.

“Casey,” Vivian said, approaching me with shaking hands. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get you to Theo in time. He was hidden from my Sight until the pendant came off.”

“It’s not your fault. You have nothing to apologize for,” I assured her. She looked almost as troubled as I felt. I knew she cared about my son deeply. I sucked in a shaky breath. “Can you tell me if we’ll get him back?”

I wanted to take the words back immediately. It didn’t matter what Vivian said; I’d never give up on Theo. I had to believe I’d rescue him. I couldn’t entertain the idea of failure.

“Take my hands,” Vivian said.

I reluctantly followed her instructions. Her fingers were cold against mine. Wolves always ran hot.

Vivian closed her eyes and took a few steadying breaths. They twitched beneath her lids as if she were dreaming. I willed her to see the outcome I wanted. Anxiety twisted my stomach into knots.

“There are a lot of variables,” Vivian finally said, her voice faint as she tried to get a lock on her vision. “The future is always mutable. With the right course of events, you’ll get Theo back. I can’t be certain, though. I wish I could tell you more.”

“That’s okay,” I said, withdrawing. “Hope is enough.”

It would keep me going.

Vivian opened her eyes and gave me a weak smile—the best she could muster given the circumstances.

“It’s good that Bastien is gathering allies,” she said. “That will help.”

The fragile hope in my chest strengthened.

“Thank you.” I pulled her into a tight hug, and she squeezed me in return. I was so lucky to have a friend like her.

We parted as Bastien came out of the back room, a determined look on his face.

“Any news?” I asked.

“I got ahold of Jules, and he said Tobias had a vision yesterday. I assume that was when Theo’s pendant came off.” I nodded, having already assumed as much. “Jules said Kildaire sent five wolves, and I don’t think we can take them before they return to the commune. We have a better chance of grabbing Theo there, especially with Jules on our side. He’s going to gather a few people to help us.”

“Can we depend on them?” I asked. We needed help, but I didn’t trust Bastien’s pack.

“Jules will make sure of that,” he said, confident in his friend. “I also contacted an acquaintance here in town. He’s a mountain lion and is willing to help us. He might bring an ex-pack member along, too.”

“Why would people come to the aid of someone they don’t know?” I didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, and Vivian said allies would be beneficial, but I couldn’t take chances with Theo.

“A lot of them have skin in the game,” Bastien explained. “Some of the pack members are sick of Kildaire’s regime. As for Oscar, the mountain lion—well, that’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it once we’re on the road. But trust me, I’m not taking risks with Theo. I’m sure of this.”

The fire in Bastien’s eyes made my heart clench. He hadn’t known Theo for long, and he’d only discovered Theo was his son a few minutes ago, but he was all in. For the first time, I understood why fate had decided Bastien was my mate. “We should get going,” I said, deciding to trust Bastien. “I just need to grab some things from my apartment.”

“I’ll drive,” he said with a decisive nod. Bastien had been the leader of the pack protectors for a reason. If anyone would lead the charge to bring Theo back, it was him.

I raced upstairs and packed a bag for Theo and myself, adding his favorite plushie when I finished. Theo couldn’t fall asleep without his seahorse, Michael.

The thought of Theo spending even one night away from me—and in the clutches of those fuckers, no less—stole my breath. But I swallowed my fear and returned downstairs.

Bastien was already in the truck out front, and Vivian waited by the door.

“I’m staying,” she said. “I’ll only be a liability if I come with. I don’t stand a chance against wolves. I’ll call the police about Bethany and take care of everything here.”

“Thank you.” I pulled her into a quick hug. “And if you get any visions that could help—”

“You know I’ll call you right away,” she promised.

I nodded and headed outside. After throwing my bag in the trunk and climbing into the passenger seat, Bastien hit the gas. We were on our way.

“I heard back from Oscar,” he said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Frankie—that ex-pack member I told you about—is coming. They’ll meet us on the road. We’ll join up with Jules outside pack territory and formulate a solid plan once we know specifics.”

It was comforting that Bastien had this in hand. My dad taught me to defend myself, but that was nothing compared to Bastien’s skillset. Even so, I knew I’d tear the throat out of anyone who even looked at my son wrong.

“Thank you,” I told Bastien, touching his arm.

He glanced at me, his blue eyes—just like Theo’s—alight with the same fire I felt in my chest.

“Thank me when we get Theo back.”

I nodded, knowing Bastien would do everything in his power to keep that promise.