Chapter 36
Calvin’s POV
The world was on fire.
Flames surged all around me, painting the night sky in violent shades of orange and red.
I heard Alexis’s laughter，soft and sweet just before it turned into a scream.
I turned too late.
The car was already crumpling inward, metal shrieking as the heat grew unbearable. Evelyn was inside, trying to shield Alexis with her arms. Her eyes locked with mine through the shattered glass.
And then darkness.
I bolted upright in bed, a choked gasp ripping from my throat. My body was drenched in sweat, my breathing ragged. The room spun slightly, unfamiliar and sterile.
The hospital.
I tasted blood and ash in my mouth,and my heart was pounding so hard it drowned out every other sound.
“Alpha” Zeon’s voice reached me,“You’re awake. Do you feel dizzy? Pain anywhere? I’ll call the doctor p>
“No,” I rasped, “Where is Evelyn? Where are they p>
Zeon hesitated.
“Where are they?” I demanded, my voice a hoarse whisper as I struggled to sit up.
His face grave.
“Tell me,” I insisted, “Tell me the truth p>
“Empty car. No one inside p>
The moment those words registered, the tension gripping my body suddenly released. My wolf, Wolf, howled in anguish as darkness claimed me.
“Alpha!” Zeon’s desperate voice faded as I collapsed.
When I finally regained consciousness, it was the middle of the night. My clothes were soaked with sweat, clinging uncomfortably to my skin. I threw back the hospital blanket and stood, immediately triggering one of my security detail to rush in. With a dismissive wave of my hand, I sent him away.
After a shower and change of clothes, I sat alone in the darkened hospital room. No lights. Just moonlight streaming through the window, bathing everything in silver. I leaned back against the couch, my gaze unfocused on the ceiling, my mind racing despite my exhaustion. My wolf paced restlessly within me, agitated by thoughts of Evelyn and possible danger.
Zeon moved quickly as always. He came to report his findings but found me dozing on the couch without even a blanket. My Beta’s presence immediately snapped me to alertness.
“Alpha, we’ve obtained the surveillance footage,” he reported formally.
“Evelyn appears to have been in the car before the first traffic light. Before the third light, the vehicle briefly stopped at an alley entrance. After that, it appeared at the accident scene with the driver having already exited p>
“She must have sensed the danger coming,” Zeon concluded, handing me the file of information they’d gathered overnight.
The official report showed one drunk driver who died at the scene and another gambler who barely survived and was hospitalized. Everything pointed to a simple traffic accident.
But my instincts told me otherwise.
“She might not have known exactly, but she sensed something,” I said, cold fury building in my chest. Since our reunion, Evelyn had been vigilant about everything.
I examined the traffic camera footage carefully on the tablet. The two vehicles were clearly targeting Evelyn’s car. Especially the middle-aged drunk driver – his eyes showed determination, his expression resolute. He wasn’t swerving out of control; he was deliberately aiming to kill.
My hand tightened around the tablet as rage flooded my system.
“Investigate the drunk driver’s child,” I ordered. “Check if someone at the school has been secretly arranging preferential treatment for them p>
Zeon immediately understood my implication. Someone had paid for the attack by offering the driver’s family benefits.
As for the gambler who survived p>
I narrowed my eyes. My voice dropped to a dangerous growl that made even my Beta’s wolf submit instinctively.
“Deal with him. “
“Yes, Alpha,”Zeon responded without hesitation, then added, “We haven’t located Luna—I mean, Evelyn and Alexis yet. We’ve stationed men at her Viremont villa and at Astrid’s place. I’ll notify you immediately if there’s any news p>
My face darkened at the reminder. Where was she hiding? And more importantly, was she safe?
Before leaving the hospital, I passed by Leon Robinson’s room.
The man lying pale on the bed looked nothing like the carefree young wolf I’d met six years ago.
I gazed thoughtfully at him, then instructed my assistant, “Post two guards to monitor this room p>
The Brownfur Pack heir might have some connection to Evelyn.
When I returned to the Packhouse, I discovered that both my sons had skipped school. My face hardened as I asked them why.
Rowan’s eyes were red and puffy. “Dad, Mom’s not answering her phone p>
Rhys beside him had clearly been crying too.
The anger I’d felt drained away as I pulled both boys into my arms. “Your mother is fine,” I assured them gently. “I promise I’ll take you to see her this weekend, okay p>
“Really?” Rowan asked, tears still clinging to his lashes.
I nodded firmly. “Have I ever lied to you p>
Finally, Rowan managed a small smile.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” he apologized, head lowered. “We were worried about Mom. That’s why we didn’t go to school with Mr. Harris p>
Rhys watched me nervously, clearly expecting punishment.
I ruffled their hair affectionately. “Don’t let it happen again p>
After instructing the housekeeper to take the boys to the study to read, I retreated to the master bedroom, heading straight for the walk-in closet where Evelyn’s clothes still hung.
Three years ago, after rejection, she never returned to the Packhouse.
After five years of mateship, she took nothing for herself.
Once the Council’s mate dissolution agreement was signed, she left Ravenshade without looking back.
The closet still contained her jewelry, designer handbags, and gowns – classic and limited editions worth millions. She hadn’t taken a single piece.
Almost in a trance, I reached for the pajamas she’d bought me – matching with hers. It was the first gift she’d purchased with her own money. I had never worn them, not even once.
After my shower, the headache that had been plaguing me intensified. I lay down on the bed, my thoughts foggy, and soon drifted into unconsciousness.
In the next room, my eldest son was secretly packing his backpack with snacks and having the housekeeper fill his water bottle.
“Brother?” Rhys questioned, watching him curiously.
Rowan put a finger to his lips, signaling for quiet.
After finishing his preparations, he finally explained, “Rhys, I’m going to find Mom and little sister. You need to stay here and keep Dad calm p>
Rhys frowned with worry. “But Dad says it’s dangerous outside. Bad people might kidnap kids like us and take us to the mountains p>
Rowan shouldered his small backpack, hanging his phone around his neck. He placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder with a serious expression beyond his years. “I’ll be careful p>
“Stay here and be good for Dad,” he instructed. “I’ll come back after I find Mom and Alexis p>
My headstrong son managed to sneak out and take a taxi to the Viremont villa. The guards were shocked to see him arrive alone and immediately escorted him inside, notifying the house manager.
“Young Alpha, why have you come by yourself?” the guard asked with concern.
Rowan clutched his backpack straps tightly. “I’m looking for my mom and sister p>
“Miss Evelyn took little Alexis out and they haven’t been home for a while,” the guard explained. “Young Alpha, let me take you back to your father. I promise to tell your mother immediately when she returns, okay p>
Rowan shook his head, tears welling in his eyes.
With no other option, the guard settled him in a bedroom and quickly sent word to our pack house.
When I learned my eldest son had run away to find Evelyn, my headache flared painfully.
Rhys clung to my leg. “Daddy, I want to go too p>
He knew I was going to find his brother and was worried about how angry I might be. The protective little wolf feared I might discipline his older brother too harshly.
I took Rhys with me to the Blackwell estate.
The guard opened the door. “Alpha Wolfe, the young Alpha is upstairs p>
I spotted Rowan’s small backpack on the sofa and strode upstairs with a stern expression. When I pushed open the door, I found my son clutching Evelyn’s pillow, his small shoulders shaking with sobs.
All my anger evaporated at the sight of my pup’s tears.
“Rowan I called softly.
My son looked up with red-rimmed eyes. “Dad,” he choked out, “is Mom… is she p>
I sat on the bed and pulled him into my arms. “Rowan, your mother and sister weren’t in any accident. I promise you p>
Rhys climbed onto the bed too, hugging his brother to comfort him.
Exhausted from a sleepless night, Rowan quickly fell asleep in my embrace, with Rhys soon following beside him.My own throbbing headache and the comforting scent lulled me into sleep as well, my wolf finally settling as we were surrounded by the closest thing to Evelyn’s presence we’d had in months.