Chapter 51

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LORENZO


I had left shortly after speaking to Caspian. I didn't like the look on his face when I had told him that I needed some information from him or that there were going to be dire consequences.

I was torn on what to do, but, I was hoping that I could push him far enough into giving me some information. Even if he thought he didn't know anything, I wanted to hear everything he knew about Ophelia.

He must have found out something striking up his deal with her. It wasn't something that they had decided over a few minutes. He must have spent a considerate amount of time with her to be convinced that she would bring his mate back for him.

I had returned to the hospital, but, the doctor had ordered me to go home and change, reminding me of how I had been wearing the same clothes for two days.

I was probably in desperate need of a shower also, but, she kindly left that part out.

After giving the doctor a warning glare, I returned to the house, stripping myself naked after I entered, making my way up the stairs and into the shower.

It was there that I allowed myself to finally break down.

I had covered up all vulnerable emotions surrounding what was currently happening with anger and fury the past few days, but, sorrow was the overwhelming one racing through me, just begging to be released.

I allowed the steamy water to spray down onto my back as I cried for Mia, my chest aching and limbs feeling as if they were on fire.

That girl was my absolute world, and I needed her. I needed her to wake up for me. I needed her to be okay. I needed our bond to be okay.

I shut my eyes, shaking my head and cursing to myself, my heart pumping at a dramatic pace as I allowed the tears to fall from my eyes, the salt stinging them.

I shook as I ran my hand down my face, groaning loudly and grabbing the soap, lathering it up and washing my body and hair, skipping the conditioner.

It could wait. I needed to get back to my mate. Haircare was the least of my worries.

Tears were still flowing from my eyes, mixing with the water from the jet above me.

"Fuck," I huffed, washing the soap off of myself and tilting my head back, resting it up against the tiled wall of the shower, gulping harshly, dragging my bottom lip into my mouth. I gazed up at the ceiling, wondering how this had all happened so quickly.

Shutting the water off, I stepped out of the shower and towelled myself dry, pulling on some fresh clothing. I felt better for it, however, the relief was short lived when I caught sight of myself in the mirror, my eyes bloodshot and face dull and sunken in.

I looked like shit.

Turning away from myself, I made my way downstairs and grabbed some fruit from the kitchen bowl, exiting, aiming for the hospital. But, as I walked, a guard called my name loudly.

I spun to see Daniel jogging over to me, giving me a quick once over, his face looking a little shocked, but he quickly recovered, covering up his surprise with a smile.

He hadn't seen me since the day I had returned with Mia, and I was guessing that he had suspected me to be looking a little better by now, but, I was probably looking worse.

I hadn't been taking care of myself. I knew that.

"What is it?" I asked him, raising a brow, chomping on my apple, the juice coating my dry tongue.

I didn't have much time for chit-chat at the moment, but Daniel looked at me eagerly, making me think that what he was about to say was something I would definitely want to hear.

"Well as you know we've been searching for Ophelia," Daniel started, and I nodded, wrapping one arm around myself and resting the other one holding my apple onto it, gesturing for him to continue.

"We didn't find her, but, we did find a witch named Paula. She knows a lot about the dark community, and might be able to help with getting those chains off. There's no harm in questioning her about Ophelia too."

I raised my brows, nodding.

It wasn't the news I wanted regarding Ophelia, but, this was a lead. I was hoping that this witch was going to help us find her out of the goodness of her heart, although I doubted that would be the case.

Most witches weren't great fans of werewolves, and they liked to keep to themselves, much like we did.

"Can you get me a contact number?" I asked, and Daniel nodded, reaching into his back pocket and passing me a crumpled up note, the cream coloured paper covered in leaked ink.

"This is all I could get out of her, but I'm sure you can be more persuasive than me."

Thanking Daniel, I offered him a small smile before he left me in peace, and I unfolded the small piece of paper from my hand.



Paula Bates.

275 678 551

Lives West of Devonshire Bridge.

Knows of the dark magic community.

Might know of Ophelia.

Could be of some help.


Daniel's writing was questionable, but I was just about able to make out the words he had scribbled down, clearly having written them in a hurry. That, or he just had awful penmanship.

I hummed in satisfaction, clutching onto the note tightly and taking another bite of my apple, making my way towards the hospital.

I would need to call Paula as soon as possible.

But, I knew that she would probably want something in exchange for information.

Devonshire Bridge was a little too far from here to offer her protection, so I had to think of something else if it came to it. There weren't many things witches wanted, so I was currently drawing a blank.

Throwing my apple core in the trash, I entered the hospital, nodding at the doctors and nurses as I passed. I entered Mia's room, the usual sweet scent of my mate hitting me, and I smiled sadly at her.

She hadn't budged.

Grumbling, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialled the Paula's contact number.

Holding the phone to my ear, I breathed deeply, not actually realising how much oxygen I was attempting to inhale, nervous that I wouldn't get a response.

Had Daniel told her to expect a call from me?

"Hello?" spoke a soft voice from the other end after a few rings, and I swallowed harshly, leaning up against the hospital wall opposite Mia. I kept my eyes on her as if she would disappear from my vision any second.

"Hi, is this Paula Bates? This is Alpha Lorenzo Butera. One of my guards said that he spoke to you recently about a witch named Ophelia? He gave me your number."

I spoke with confidence, my voice loud and clear, and I heard the witch gasp quietly from the other end, taking a few seconds to take in what I had said.

"Yes, this is Paula," she replied, and it was only then that I realised how old she sounded, her voice hoarse and frail.

I immediately felt guilty for talking to her with such dominance. It was an Alpha thing.

"I remember your wolf friend coming to see me. I invited him in for some tea," she told me, and I furrowed my brows, unsure whether she was expecting me to laugh or not.

Was that supposed to be some sort of joke?

"I was wondering if there was any chance we could meet and talk about some things?" I questioned, and I heard Paula hum.

"You wouldn't bring a whole gaggle of your wolves would you? I don't think I have enough tea for everyone."

I chuckled quietly, slightly confused.

This really wasn't the reception I was expecting, but, it made things easier. She seemed as if she was willing to help, joking around as if talking to a werewolf was nothing for her.

"No, it can just be my Beta and myself if that makes you more comfortable?" I suggested, hearing Paula mumble to herself.

A part of me didn't want to go to this lady's house though. I didn't know her, but I knew that she was a witch, and that could end badly. It was better if we met somewhere public. That way, if she was affiliated with Ophelia somehow, they wouldn't be able to strike.

"Yes, that sound reasonable," Paula spoke, clearing her throat, letting out a few croaky coughs. "What time best suits you?"

"It really depends on where we meet. Might I suggest a coffee shop? We want this meeting to be relaxed and casual. There is no animosity here."

"I live around the corner from one. Rob's coffee I think it's called, but I've never been, so I wouldn't be able to tell you what it's like," Paula said, releasing a hearty chuckle, and I nodded as if she was in the room with me before releasing a small sigh.

"I'm sure it will be a good place for us to talk," I said, cocking my head.

I was going to have to venture out where the humans were with my chains, and no doubt it would gain me a lot of strange looks, but, I was planning to cover them up somehow.

Wrapping them around myself didn't seem like something I couldn't handle for an hour or two, and I could wear a coat over the top to avoid the odd stares. I didn't need nosy humans questioning me.

Some people could even be so freaked out the police could be called. I didn't need the complication.

"Okay then, shall I expect you in a few hours?" Paula asked, and I agreed, my eyes completely focused on Mia as she twitched her arm slightly, causing my eyes to widen.

"We will see you then," I said quickly, ending the call and throwing my phone down on the chair, making my way over to Mia and crouching down beside her, caressing her arm gently. I noticed how she released a small sigh as I did so, her body reacting to my closeness.

If she woke up now, there was no way I was going to be able to go and see Paula with Lily.

I wouldn't be able to leave her.

"If you can hear me, Mia, I'm going to need to leave for a few hours. We might have found someone who can help with these stupid chains, and she might know where Ophelia is," I whispered, tucking her long blonde hair away from her pale face.

It felt strange talking to her and getting no reply, but, I had to keep reminding myself that for every hour she was asleep, her body was healing. She needed this time to get better, meaning she would wake up in less pain and discomfort.

Although, I knew being unconscious didn't help dimmish the emotional pain she was going to feel when she awoke.

"I will try and be back as soon as I can."

•••

Will Paula be our saving grace?

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