ALPHA KING'S SECRET TRIPLETS Chapter 53

Caleb spoke up, seeming intrigued by the idea. “Come on, Hunter, we've faced greater challenges before. And if this leads us to the boys, it's worth it.”

I, however, maintained a cautious stance. “This doesn't feel right. We're getting involved in something that might be much bigger than we imagine.”

Hunter took a deep breath and looked at me. “Fierce is right. This is not how we operate. We won't dirty our hands because of someone else's problems.”

Vincent seemed to understand the hesitation but insisted. “You need to understand that, in the world you're about to enter, there's no room for hesitation. Either you do what's necessary, or you'll continue to be lost.”

Caleb scratched his head, thoughtful. “What if we refuse?”

Vincent shrugged. “No favors, no information. It's as simple as that. But remember, the children are in danger with every minute we waste here.”

The tension in the air was palpable. I looked at Hunter, seeking any sign of a decision in his eyes. He seemed torn, aware of the moral implications of what was being proposed.

“Hunter, we can't...”

Hunter raised his hand, cutting me off. “I get it, Fierce. And we're not doing it. It's not our nature. We'll find another way.”

Vincent sighed, as if expecting this response. “Well, no deal then. Good luck, little wolves.”

Hunter stood up, followed by Caleb and me. We left the bar, leaving behind the dubious opportunity to gather information through shady means.

Back in Caleb's car, the night was cold and silent. Hunter gazed at the distant city lights, thoughtful.

“What do we do now?” Caleb asked, breaking the silence.

Hunter took a deep breath. “Let's look for other options. There's always another way.”

Caleb scratched his neck, visibly uncomfortable. “I thought you wouldn't find a problem. You used to do this kind of thing back in the day.”

Hunter approached Caleb, his eyes narrowing. “Caleb, you must be joking. I've changed. I'm not that reckless young man anymore.”

Caleb crossed his arms, defiant. “You may have changed, but Vincent has a way of convincing people. He'll get what he wants.”

Hunter stepped forward, face to face with Caleb. “You must be crazy if you think I'll accept something like that again.”

I positioned myself between the two, feeling the tension in the air. “Enough, both of you!” I said, trying to calm things down. “Fighting won't get us anywhere, and it won't bring our children back.”

Caleb looked at me, and Hunter let out a heavy sigh. The hostility in the air began to subside.

“Hunter, Caleb, please,” I continued, “our priority now is to find the boys. We can't waste time on arguments.”

Caleb nodded, agreeing with my words. “Fierce is right. We need to focus on the search.”

Hunter shot a stern look at Caleb. “That doesn't mean I agree with Vincent.”

Caleb sighed, giving in a bit. “Fine, Hunter. We don't need to involve Vincent, at least for now. Let's rest at Fierce's house and resume the search tomorrow morning.”

I thanked Caleb for the momentary sanity. “I'd prefer to continue the search. We've already lost the road's trail; Cheyenne is our only option now.”

“Fierce, I still think we're vulnerable because of Vincent. He might have contacts in places we can't even imagine,” Caleb warned.

Hunter, still suspicious, pondered the options. “Even though I don't like the idea, Caleb has a point. We're vulnerable here because of Vincent and also the kidnappers. Maybe it's better to go to your house, Fierce, at least to rest and reassess our strategy.”

Caleb nodded, realizing that Hunter, though reluctant, was willing to follow this path. “So, that's it. Let's go to Fierce's house, rest, and continue the search tomorrow morning.”

We agreed to follow Caleb's advice, distancing ourselves from Vincent's bar and heading to my home.

I looked into the darkness of the night, hoping there was a light at the end of the tunnel. No matter what we faced, I would do everything in my power to find my children and bring them back home.

---

Upon arrival, the tension still lingered in the air, but we decided that a brief rest was necessary. Caleb prepared something to eat while Hunter stood by the living room window, on high alert, ready for any eventuality.

I set the dining table, but I felt the need to share something with Hunter, something that had been bothering me since the search for our children in the abandoned warehouse.

I decided to approach him, interrupting his thoughts as he stared at the horizon. “Hunter, we need to talk.”

He raised an eyebrow, giving me a curious look. “You're not going to tell me you have more children of mine out there besides the triplets, are you?”

“No, it's not that,” I replied, chuckling a bit. “Actually, I realized something during the search for the boys.”

Hunter stared at me, waiting for me to continue. I pondered for a moment before sharing my concerns. “I completely lost my sense of smell. Before, I could sense the scent of the werewolf who was at home and the boys, but today, in the warehouse, I didn't smell anything.”

Hunter frowned, reflecting on my words. Then he admitted something that bothered him too. “Fierce, I was also having trouble smelling the boys on the abandoned road.”

Perplexity set in as we absorbed the gravity of the situation. I questioned, trying to understand what could be happening. “What is going on, Hunter?”

He reluctantly admitted, as if fearing the answer. “I didn't want to admit it, but it seems we're being punished by the Moon Goddess.”

Surprised, I asked, “Punished? Why?”

He sighed. “You, for hiding the boys from me, and me, for going against the will of the Goddess when I was crowned heir.”

My mind spun as I processed the revelation. “What did the Goddess tell you when you were crowned?”

He stared at me intensely. “She determined who would be my Luna, and it wasn't Zora.”

“So, who was it?” I asked, feeling my heart race.

Hunter looked at me directly and, in a serious tone, said, “You, Fierce. You were chosen by the Moon Goddess to be my Luna.”