Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers
Chapter 89: Searching for Her

Chapter 89: Searching for Her

Kieran:

Evaline walked out with her chin high, her posture perfect, and her pace steady.

To everyone else, she was looking unbothered. Untouched.

But I knew better.

I didn’t know when it started - this strange, silent ability to read her. Maybe it was after watching her push herself so mercilessly that she would collapse when no one was looking. Or maybe it was after witnessing her constantly putting on a strong and emotionless front while she was just an innocent and kind girl.

But it was her eyes... always her eyes... that betrayed her.

No matter how calm the rest of her seemed, her eyes always told the truth. And right now, they were screaming. Not with fear or anger, but hurt.

I took a step to go after her, only for River’s hand to land on my shoulder.

"She’s fine," he said softly, too softly for my liking. "She needs to learn to handle situations like these."

I turned my face toward him slowly. "You think that was a lesson?"

"I think it was reality. She wants to be part of this world, she needs to know how it works."

I stared at him, feeling my heart twist. "She’s eighteen, River. A first-year student. An alone girl who’s barely finding her footing. You paraded her around like a trophy, then used her as target practice."

His eyes darkened, but his face remained composed. "I praised her."

"You used her achievements as a leash. Every word from you was dressed in poison."

From the corner of my eye, I caught Oscar slipping out through the side exit. Not long after, Draven followed in quick, urgent steps.

My chest tightened.

What are they doing?

River caught my brief distraction and also noticed our brothers slipping away. "Worried our brothers might say something reckless?"

"I’m worried they’ll do something reckless," I muttered.

He scoffed. "They wouldn’t hurt her."

"No. But they might hurt her more, even without meaning to."

His silence was answer enough.

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "River... this isn’t like you."

His brow lifted ever so slightly. "Isn’t it?"

"No," I said firmly. "You are strict, calculated, cold even... but this? You humiliated her in front of some of the most influential wolves in the country. For what? To prove a point? Or because you hate her?"

Something flickered in his eyes. Then, just as quickly, it vanished.

"I don’t hate her," he said at last. "I just don’t like her or trust her. I..." he trailed off as if he was having a hard time decide exactly what he felt for her.

"And yet, you brought her here," I pressed. "Knowing how people would treat her. You set her up."

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t reply.

I took in a deep breath before continuing, "I’m leaving. I’ll make sure she gets back safely."

"She’s not your responsibility, Kieran."

"She’s my student."

He said nothing else as I turned and walked out.

I didn’t bother sparing anyone else a glance or word. Didn’t storm off. I kept my steps measured, but every one of them was filled with urgency.

As I stepped into the lobby of the hotel, the cool air hit me, and so did the sharp scent of worry.

Oscar was standing by the main entrance with phone in hand, tapping at the screen with furrowed brows. Draven was pacing a few feet away, his hands running through his hair.

They both looked up as I approached.

"She’s not picking up," Oscar said immediately, surprising me by the knowledge that he had her number.

"She didn’t take a transport from the main exit," Draven added, also looking worried much to my surprise. "I checked the tracker. She didn’t even scan out."

Though I was surprised to see my younger brothers worrying for her, there was no time to ponder on this matter at the moment. My mind was racing as I spoke, "Which means she’s still around."

"What the hell was River thinking?" Oscar muttered. "Bringing her here and then dragging her into... that?"

I blinked. "You are upset?"

"Of course I am!" he snapped, then looked away. "I mean... yeah. Maybe I gave her a hard time at first. But she didn’t deserve that. No one does."

Draven was quieter. "She didn’t even flinch when they mocked her clothes. Not once. That’s not normal."

"She’s learned how to survive that way," I said quietly. "Hide the pain. Stay invisible. Never show weakness."

Oscar looked visibly shaken. "I thought she would snap. Or cry. Or scream. But she just walked out like it didn’t matter."

Draven muttered under his breath, "That’s the part that makes it worse."

I looked between them both.

Their concern wasn’t fake. It was real. Raw. But that made no sense.

Neither of them had ever acted like they gave a damn about her well-being. Yet here they were.

Worried.

Looking for her.

"You said she didn’t scan out," I said to Draven. "Then she might have left through the back corridors. Try the east garden exit."

"I already checked there," he said. "Empty."

Oscar ran a hand over his face. "Should we contact the warriors?"

"No," I said immediately. "What happened inside already put her into unnecessary limelight. If we made our warriors search for her through the city, it will only cause more gossip. And it will not be right for her."

"Then what do we do?" Oscar asked in a tight voice.

I inhaled deeply, trying to remember the layout of the hotel. "There’s a lower parking level. It’s usually quiet. Let’s check there next."

As we started toward the back elevators, I couldn’t help but wonder where she had gone.

And more importantly... Why did she leave without asking for help?

But I already knew the answer to that.

Evaline Greystone didn’t ask for help.

Because life had taught her no one would come when she did.

Not this time... I promised silently as the elevator descended. Not when I’m here. Not anymore.

She was my student, my responsibility, and I was not planning to let her down.

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