ALPHA KING'S SECRET TRIPLETS Chapter 41: 41

The afternoon stretched over Constance's House. My need to find my children outweighed any hesitation, so even with tension in the air, the only viable option was to go along with Hunter. I stood outside, facing uncertainty alongside Hunter and his driver, waiting for some sign of direction.

“Where are we going now?” I asked Hunter, searching for any clues in his serious gaze.

“Obviously, we're heading to Seattle,” he replied without hesitation.

I nodded, ready to step away and prepare for the journey. “Then I'll meet you there,” I said, turning towards my car.

Surprisingly, Hunter joined me, following me to the vehicle. That's when I questioned his intentions. “What are you doing?” I inquired, my curiosity intertwined with caution.

Hunter, with his confident demeanor, casually replied, “I'm going with you.”

I arched an eyebrow, perplexed by his decision. “I thought you would use your private driver.”

Hunter explained, with a surprising sincerity, “It would draw too much attention. If we're going to Seattle together, it's better to do it discreetly.”

I nodded, understanding his logic but still hesitant to accept. “Well, since that's the case... My car, my rules,” I declared firmly.

Hunter arched an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by my assertiveness. “And what does that imply?”

“Simple,” I responded, opening the car door. “You follow my rules. In my car, you're just a passenger. Not the Alpha King, just Hunter.”

He arched an eyebrow, apparently intrigued by my boldness. “And why would I agree to that?” he questioned.

“Because, in my car, I set the rules,” I declared, feeling unyielding.

Hunter remained thoughtful for a moment before agreeing with a nod. “Alright, Fierce. I'll follow your rules while we're in your car.”

I got into the car and waited for him to do the same. Hunter's private driver stood near the official vehicle, observing the interaction without expressing emotions. Hunter got into the passenger seat, and I took control of the wheel.

I knew this journey would be crucial, and the dynamics between us were starting to shift. The road to Seattle promised revelations and challenges, and I was determined to navigate it with control over my destiny, even if it was only within the four doors of my car.

The city lights faded as we drove towards Seattle, the engine purring in sync with the silence between Hunter and me. However, I couldn't help but wonder about Hunter's true intentions in accompanying me.

I decided to break the silence, my gaze fixed on the road as I formulated my question. “Can I ask you something?” I said, feeling the weight of curiosity.

Hunter, without diverting his gaze from his phone, responded cautiously, “It depends on the type of question.”

I settled into the driver's seat, preparing to venture into unknown territory. “How did you find out about Constance's house?”

Hunter's eyes momentarily left the phone, meeting mine. He turned off the screen and, with calculated calmness, began to reveal the events that led to his arrival at Constance's den.

“It was right after Sibyl's death sentence,” Hunter began, his voice laden with grim memories. “After she was convicted for helping you escape and burning the cabin.”

I corrected, firmly, “I didn't burn the cabin.”

Hunter raised an eyebrow, a hint of his own displeasure with the situation. “Can I continue?”

I nodded, allowing him to proceed.

“Alastair ordered Ulrich to find you,” Hunter continued. “I started tracking Ulrich, but on one of those occasions, I sensed something wrong. He didn't return, and following his trail, I ended up finding your scent, and the rest, you already know.”

I delved into the information, processing what Hunter shared with me. “Why didn't you tell Alastair where I was? And what happened to Ulrich?”

Hunter revealed a dark side of his personality. “I didn't like Ulrich. Not after what he did to Sibyl. The way he killed her... it was cruel.”

I asked, already dreading the answer, “What was Sibyl's sentence?”

Hunter hesitated, as if weighing whether to share or not. “You won't want to know,” he warned.

The conversation dissipated into the air, tension floating between us, when a sudden shift in weather manifested. The sky opened up, unleashing a furious storm that obscured the road ahead. Raindrops beat violently against the windshield, accompanied by thunder echoing the internal turmoil.

Visibility was nearly nonexistent, but I maintained control of the steering wheel, challenging the elements trying to divert us from our path.

Next to me, Hunter expressed concern. “Fierce, maybe it's better to pull over. This storm is getting dangerous.”

I took a deep breath and said confidently, “I'm used to driving in worse weather than this.”

“Be careful,” Hunter warned.

Before I could react, a colossal tree fell in front of us, blocking the road. My hands turned the wheel in a desperate attempt to swerve, but the impact threw the car onto the shoulder.

The torrential rain enveloped our vehicle, and Hunter, serious, said, “I think it's better if we find a place to stay. If, of course, you're still interested in finding your children, alive.”

I agreed, recognizing the logic in his suggestion. We navigated through flooded streets until we spotted the flashing lights of a small hotel by the roadside. I parked the car, and we both got out, facing the fury of the storm.

In the reception, a friendly lady welcomed us, asking how she could help.

“How can I assist you?” she asked, her kind eyes indicating compassion.

“We need two rooms,” I replied, seeking some form of comfort in this temporary refuge.

The lady checked her register, but her next words were not uplifting. “We only have one double room available.”

I looked at Hunter, assessing our limited options. The lady awaited a response, and I questioned if there was any other space where I could sleep.

“Is there any other place for me to sleep?” I asked, considering my reluctance to share accommodations with Hunter.

“Unfortunately, we have no more rooms available,” she replied, concern in her eyes. “Do you want the room or not?”

Hunter, with a charming smile, intervened. “For me, it's perfect. We'll take it, thank you.”

I hesitated, considering Hunter's words. “I think we should look for another place,” I insisted.

Hunter smiled, but his response hinted at a subtly different power dynamic than we used to have. “Inside the car, you call the shots, Fierce, but outside of it, I dictate the rules. And tonight, we're not going anywhere.”

As we exchanged tense glances, it became clear that the search for my children was becoming a journey that would also challenge the boundaries of coexistence between me and Hunter.

I accepted the double room, aware that this rainy night might bring more than just a pause in the journey.

The lady handed us the room key and wished us a good night, unaware of the storms raging within us. In the narrow corridor, under the dripping ceiling, the reality of the moment weighed on us. With silent steps, we headed towards the temporary sanctuary, where the storm's waters echoed the turmoil of our own uncertainties.