Chapter 488: Finding The Heirs - 1

North Pack Territory....

Ace Storm stopped at the entrance of his parent’s room with furrowed brows, watching as his parents’ things were hauled away by the servant.

That could only mean one thing, they were traveling which was impossible. Today was supposed to be for him.

He stepped into the room. "What’s going on?"

Zara Storm got off a call right at that moment.

"What are you talking about?" She asked him.

"Where are you going?" Ace asked even though he already had an inkling. He felt this churning feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Zara Storm told him. "We’re leaving for Aster City. Your father and I need to check on Alaric."

"What?" Ace said. "But you got off the phone with him not long ago and he’s fine."

Zara’s steel-blue gaze locked onto her eldest. "We’re still concerned about your brother. I need to see my son face to face and be sure he’s alright."

Ace’s face fell.

Then almost immediately, his expression shifted and his jaw tightened. "Then go. Fine. Go check on your golden child but Dad can stay. He promised he’d be at the Launch."

Zara paused, her lips parting as if she just recalled.

"Wait," Ace asked carefully, "You did not forget what tonight is, right?"

Zara storm said nothing.

Ace scoffed. "Of course, you don’t."

Caspian scratched the back of his head, saying timidly. "We remember, Ace. It’s just that we trust you’ll present the Healer Drone System perfectly."

"But that’s not the point!" Ace’s voice rose with fury and desperation. "I’ve spent the last six months building Healer."

Healer was a fleet of AI-powered drones that was designed by Ace to recognize wounded werewolves by scent, heat, signature, or heartbeat patterns. They weren’t just flying bots, but autonomous medics. They were made to inject adrenaline, administer stabilizers, and keep injured werewolves alive long enough to get help.

Ace wiped his hand down his face with a frustrated groan. "You know how many simulations it took to get the dosage right for shifting bodies? How many sleepless nights it took to teach the drones to distinguish blood rage from actual death throes?" His voice cracked. "Healer could change everything for werewolf survival in the field especially those little packs who don’t have access to elite healing centers or gifted healers."

There was silence. Then he added bitterly and quieter this time, "But of course, Alaric gets involved in an incident and suddenly the whole fucking family is packing bags."

Zara’s expression hardened. "Don’t be childish, Ace. You know we have no other choice."

"Then Dad should stay," Ace demanded. "You don’t both have to go. Alaric isn’t dying, he’s safe at the Alpha king’s place.

That way, one of you can stay and just for once, show up for me."

The moment the words left his mouth, silence swallowed the room.

Zara slowly walked over to him, her heels echoing against the floor. By the time she stood before him, Ace’s spine straightened instinctively.

"Your brother nearly died and this... this is what you have to say?"

Ace stood his ground.

"You want us to pick sides when your sibling just escaped an assassination attempt?" Zara drew a deep breath. "I think It’s time you learned to stand on your own, Ace. Stop seeking validation from everyone around you and be your own name."

She turned, brushing past him. "Now, that aside, your father needs me. We’re two machines that don’t function without the other."

"Yeah, sure," Ace muttered, bitter. "Father can’t be an independent machine because you boss him around and cling to his side like a pest."

The air froze and Zara stopped walking.

Caspian’s eyes darkened. "Take that back."

But Ace just stared at them, the fire in his eyes burning. "You know what? No. Fuck you all."

"Ace!" Caspian barked, his voice rising.

But the boy was already gone slamming the door behind him with a thunderous bang.

The silence that followed was tensed.

Caspian moved to Zara’s side, his arms slipping around her shoulders. "Are you alright?"

Zara shrugged him off, her voice cool, and detached. "Yeah. Let’s go find our son."

And with that, she headed toward the door, and left.

—--------

South Pack Territory....

"So let me get this straight," Alpha Leon said slowly, his voice cold and biting, "you’re trying to tell me my son was not a victim in the explosion but he also can’t be found. And you’re calling me to check if he’s ’hiding’ back home?"

There was a hesitant pause on the line, then the responder’s voice wavered through. "We’re just trying to be sure, Alpha Draven—"

"Dude," Leon cut him off, pure disbelief in his voice, "get the fuck off my phone."

And with that, he hung up.

"Goddamn it." Leon cursed, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

What has Roman gotten himself into this time?

Then he pushed off and strode out of his office, to find his wife.

Down the corridor, he came to her door and knocked once.

"Alexa."

But there was no response.

He waited half a beat, then turned the knob and walked in. The scent of alcohol hit him first, and then he saw the empty bottles lay scattered across the floor, along with a lingerie, stilettos, and leather pants.

Leon stepped over a lacy red thong and moved into the bedroom.

And there she was.

Alexa Draven was sprawled across the bed like a spoiled goddess, naked and tangled between the two warm bodies of a pretty girl with smeared lipstick and an equally very young man who looked like he might’ve just graduated recently. All of them were naked in bed.

The woman stirred lazily, sensing her husband even before she opened her eyes.

"Mmm... morning, sweetheart" she purred, blinking into the light. Then she groaned, rubbing her temple. "Or is it afternoon? God, I partied hard last night."

Leon didn’t even blink at the scene. He wasn’t surprised. This was normal considering their marriage was an open one. He had long gotten used to his wife’s hookups, the same way she’s gotten used to his flings.

But at that moment, Leon’s eyes were like steel as he commanded. "Get the fuck off the bed. We’re going to Aster City. Our son’s missing."