Help Me, Alpha: The Finale

JAX

The table flew across the room, which is no tiny feat. It’s carved out of solid oak and damaged the kitchen. I’m just glad I didn’t hit anyone; it’s one less disaster for the alpha.

Too embarrassed by my anger to look at my mate or my pack, I shift into Aaron, bounding up two flights of stairs. I need space to process what’s happening and how much control I’ve lost.

The door slams behind me. I can assume they heard it downstairs by the way the frame vibrates.

Now I’m back in human form; I feel even more ridiculous for the outburst downstairs. It’s not as if Axton, Samantha, and the other warriors didn’t do their duty.

I’ve put enough pressure on them as it is.

I’m good at giving orders, not protection. I’d be a first-class beta if ever there was one.

I’m pacing back and forth across the plush rugs Hayley had put down when Lily moved in full-time. She said they’re more comfortable, and she was right if I weren’t so upset.

I feel my blood boiling and my heart thumping in unison.

I’m scared, I must admit it.

I’ll never tell the pack that, but we’re traveling in uncharted waters. There’s cause for concern.

Sure, Lily is the first one, but what if there’s more? I can’t prove it yet, but this reeks of human interference.

So why can’t we smell them? I consider before I finally sit by our room’s bay window.

Hayley’s face keeps flashing in my mind. She must think I’m a real piece of work. Or a liar, at the least.

I say I’m a protector and give my life for her, and so far, I’m zero for two for those promises.

The expressions of her horrified face are killing me.

The minute Axton started to tell her we lost the scent, I couldn’t look. I needed to keep my eyes on the window, on hope.

I hope that she knows that.

I can’t stay sitting long; it makes me feel more useless. I need to be out there doing something, anything.

So why are you holed up in here hiding?

I ask myself, somberly pacing the bedroom again, reviewing the details I know and trying to separate my regret and guilt from fact and action.

The fact of the matter is I need to do something fast! But how do I trace a little pup that has no scent?

I kick the chair next to me, and it topples over by the window.

Really effective leadership, Jax I think with a bitter heart.

In the days of my father, there was never a day he wasn’t fierce or in complete control of the pack. I remember that as a pup, this territory was as good as a prison; the security was so tight.

Now, I’m facing a possible abduction and a health threat from the human species that is slowly brewing into something huge.

The funny thing is, I can’t seem to face my mate or my pack.

What kind of alpha loses their child, especially after all Hayley does to give our daughter a normal life?

Yup, you’re a real winner, Jax

I sit on the bed, my head in my hands.

I know that I owe Hayley more than I’m giving her, and it’s destroying me from the inside out. I love her more than life; I only want her happiness.

Then why are you being such a jerk?

I throw myself backward onto the bed as I think about our time as a family. My favorite moments are when Hayley and I are cuddling with our daughter, cartoons on the television, and snacks everywhere.

Tears start to well in my eyes, and I sit up again to wipe them away. I need to get a hold of myself; I’m the alpha of the midnight Rose Pack.

It’s a big deal; I know the pack will need some direction. This is scary for all the families here. But, most importantly, this is scary for my wife.

Now we know there is a threat looming, I won’t stop patrols. Security will be ramped up, but how do I find our Lily?

What if another pup mysteriously goes missing? I can’t face the prospect of this situation getting any worse.

As I bury my head in my hands, I feel my brain throbbing on overdrive.

Then, there’s a knock. I don’t lift my head but hear the door open gently.

I cannot see her but smell her immediately; it’s Hayley.

She doesn’t say anything initially, and I can’t blame her. After all, I made an excellent show downstairs in front of the pack.

Will she ever forgive me? I think grimly, even as I feel her small, gentle hands rest on my knees.

Finally, I raise my head to meet her gaze but struggle to speak.

“My love,” she whispers gently, as tears run down her pale cheek, “I’m so sorry!” she erupts before I take her into my arms.

Although there is never a moment I don’t want her, since the human threat began, it’s been tough.

I know Hayley supports me. I know she loves me as hard and fast as I love her. Now that she’s here, I realize something else too.

She’s not scared of me. It’s a small gift in all this chaos.

I raise her to sit beside me on the bed, wiping her tears. It’s strange, but now I feel more connected to her than ever. I’m grateful for that.

“I’m so sorry, Hayley,” I say, choking up now, “I’m sorry I didn’t protect her.”

I feel Hayley move closer to me; she lays her head on my shoulder, “It’s not your fault, Jax, okay?” she says now, looking at me directly.

“But it’s my job, babe, you’re my mate. Lily is our daughter! How do I fix this!”

I feel the sorrow of loss taking me over fast as Hayley pulls the pieces of Lily’s dress from her pocket.

“You find her with this Jax. You keep hunting, and you don’t stop!”

Hayley wouldn’t say it, but I know what she means.

You can’t stay hidden up here forever, Jax.

‘Can I ask you something, Jax?’

Her beautiful green eyes are piercing me, but I love it. “Anything, my love.”

Hayley gets up, taking her turn to pace the room. It’s a hell I’ve become recently familiar with, so I don’t bother trying to stop her.

She turns to me now, arms crossed against her tiny frame, as if in protection, “Do you think this is a coincidence?”

I take a few moments to consider her words because I have a solid idea of where this is going. The last thing I want is to make another shitty judgment call and upset my mate more.

I’ve done more than enough of that.

“What are you saying, Hayley? Someone here has a problem with Lily?”

My heart sinks. Doesn’t she trust our pack? They’re our family.

“No, not Lily per se, but yeah, Jax, maybe they have a problem with her position.”

It’s true; it’s no secret that our Lily doesn’t have alpha blood, but I make those calls, and as far as I can see, there’s no one prepared to challenge my decision on the matter, let alone this.

It can’t be. She’s wrong.

“I know this is difficult to fathom for all of us. But if any coincidence is to be had, it’s that Lily’s missing, and there are humans trolling around.”

I can see she’s disappointed that I don’t support her, but I can’t. It just doesn’t make sense. Her silence is telling, but she seems unsure about challenging me further.

The last few days have been weird for us. I’m starting to sense that she’s holding back something, but I can’t think of what it could be.

“Jax,” she sighs, turning to face the window, “what are we going to do? It’s nighttime, and she’s five years old!”

Hayley breaks down now, and I understand.

It’s not that there’s a blockage between us. It’s the absence of the one person we both love fiercely.

I stand to meet her, letting her bury her tears in my chest. One thing is weighing heavily on my mind; I can’t help but ask.

“Hayley?” I pull her away, “Why didn’t you shift?”

Suddenly, there’s a light knock at the door; it’s Axton.

“I’m sorry, Alpha,” he says, keeping his eyes on the floor, “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

No? Then why the interruption? I think scathingly, though I try to exercise patience.

“It’s the warriors. They’ve picked up a new scent; it’s human.”