Darkness Chapter 54: Gone

**Vincent**

I sat at my desk, staring out the window. If alcohol affects us, l'd have been three sheets to the wind by now. Peter...Peter killed my wife. He killed the woman he supposedly loved. How? Why? Because she chose me. She wanted me over him. He punished us both for it. If he'd been more of a man, it wouldn't have been an issue. I shake my head and pound my fists into my desk, splitting it. Now he wants Nelly. I will kill him if he touches her.

Alex comes running in, hearing the commotion.“Boss?”

“It's just me. He killed her.”

“Who...Nelly?. No, she's upstairs,” he replies.

“No, Bianca. Peter killed her.”

“Damn. I'm sorry. I know you thought it was her abusive ex you challenged. How did you find out?” Alec asks.

“Nelly. He told her.” I start to pace. My anger was raging inside me.

Alec sighs, “Stephen didn't look happy with us.”

“No, he was concerned for her safety. She's the first one of our kind that we're aware of.”

“So he's gonna send help?” Alec asks.

"Oh, fantastic. With the wolves and our men, along with his invaluable assistance, we might just manage to survive. I suppose I should make my way up to see her. I must admit, I haven't exactly been the model husband lately. Seems like I can't stop tripping over my own words." I sigh as I run my hand over my face.

Alec nods, “Sure thing. She went up to your room.”

“Thanks.” I walk up to our room. When I walk in, I see it is empty. She's not there. As I get closer to the bed, I see a note and... no, those can't be her rings! I pick them up and stare at them. Tears stream down my face. 

I open her note: “My dearest Vincent,

I'm sorry, but I refuse to play second fiddle to a mere ghost. My love for you is undeniable, but it is clear that your heart still belongs to Bianca. I will never be able to fill her shoes, nor do I wish to be a mere replacement for her. Despite this, my love for you remains unwavering. I vow to take care of myself and our daughter, and I will keep you updated on her progress. When the time is right, I will send her to be with you, knowing that you have the means to provide for her and protect her in ways that I cannot. I wish that my love alone could sustain us, but alas, it seems that fate has other plans. I will love you for all eternity, my dear. Perhaps one day, if destiny allows, we will find ourselves reunited in each other's arms once more. Know that you hold my heart in your hands, for all time. With every fiber of my being, I love you.

Yours forever,

Nelly.”

I collapsed onto the bed, feeling the weight of her departure like a physical blow. Damn it all to hell! Never before had I experienced such a profound sense of loss. She had revealed the truth about Peter, a dangerous man who threatened to tear us apart. She thinks that I am still in love with Bianca, but that wasn't why I was distant. I was pissed becase I didn't link Peter to her death, instead I blamed myself. Now the woman who is my world is gone because she thinks that I love her less. Fuck! I have to fix this. I need her to live as I do, blood. She is my everything. "ALEC!! QUINN!" I shouted, desperation in my voice as I raced out of the room. Alec was already on his way up the stairs, and Quinn emerged from the kitchen.

Alec inquired, "What's wrong?"

"She's gone. She's left," I replied, my worst fears becoming reality. I had to find her and our child.

Alec shook his head, "It can't be. We have scouts searching everywhere."

Quinn added, "My pack hasn't reported anything either."

“Damnit!!!! The tunnels!” I yell.

“What tunnels?” Quinn asks.

“There are tunnels that run under us. They were put in place for escapes under invasion,” Alec explains.

“I showed them to her when we first moved here. I wanted to make sure in the event we had to we could run.”

Quinn asks, “Where do they come out?”

Alec sighs, “That's the problem. It could be one of 4.”