Chapter 212: Only Kaden knows
Third Person POV
The moment Logan ended the call, he remained standing in the empty hallway, the phone still pressed against his ear long after Kane had disconnected.
Rebecca was pregnant.
The words refused to leave Logan’s mind, repeating over and over until they drowned out every other thought.
His gaze drifted toward the ruined staircase. The collar... The key. If the healer was right, that silver choker had to come off immediately. But there was one impossible problem. Only Alpha King Kaden knew where he’d hidden the key.
Logan slowly lowered the phone. "Damn it..."
He had served Kaden for years. He knew every weapon vault, every emergency cache, and every hidden safe. And yet, he had never once seen that key. Not once. Kaden had always been paranoid about Rebecca escaping. He would never keep something that important somewhere obvious.
Logan knew for a fact Kaden would never walk around carrying that key on him either. It was far too risky to carry on a battle run. Besides, Kaden hadn’t brought any extra clothes to Kane’s pack, and the outfit he wore during the fight was shredded to pieces when he shifted into his wolf. That key was back at the Full Moon Pack territory. Safe. Hidden.
Taking a deep breath to calm his racing thoughts, Logan slipped his phone into his pocket and turned back toward Kaden’s room. The trouble was, Kaden was always careful.
Logan stopped outside the heavy wooden door, his hands sweating. How do I even ask him? he thought in a silent panic. How do I ask an Alpha for the key to a choker he doesn’t even remember putting on a woman he doesn’t remember loving? One wrong word, and Kaden would start asking dangerous questions.
Pushing the door open, Logan stepped inside, putting on his usual calm face.
Kaden was sitting on the edge of the bed, his bandaged hand resting on his knee. The moment Logan walked in, Kaden’s sharp green eyes snapped up, full of impatience.
"Where is Kane?" Kaden asked, his voice deep and stern. "It’s getting late. Is he back yet?"
"He’s on his way," Logan lied smoothly, keeping his voice relaxed as he walked closer. "He handled the rogue problem, but he had to clear out a few minor details with his warriors first. He’ll be back soon."
Kaden let out a low grunt, not completely happy, but he accepted it. "Good. We leave for the Full Moon packhouse first thing tomorrow morning. I’m tired of sitting in these ruins."
"Understood, Alpha," Logan said, bowing his head slightly.
Logan remained rooted where he stood, his mind racing through every possibility. Asking directly about the key or the choker was impossible without blowing their entire lie apart.
"Is there something else, Logan?" Kaden asked, his eyes narrowing as he noticed Logan lingering by the door.
Logan’s heart beat fast against his ribs, but his face stayed completely calm. "No, Alpha," Logan answered easily. "I was just going to go downstairs and make sure the jet is ready for our departure tomorrow."
"Do that," Kaden said, leaning back against the pillows and closing his eyes, clearly tired from the lingering headache.
Logan walked out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him. The moment the latch clicked, he let out a long breath and pulled his phone back out. He walked down the corridor, far away from Kaden’s hearing range, and speed-dialed Kane back.
"Kane," Logan whispered as soon as the call connected. "I can’t just ask him for it. His memory of her is completely gone. If I mention the choker or the key, he will realize something is wrong."
"Then what do we do?!" Kane’s stressed voice came through the phone. "Rebecca’s fever is high! The magic is choking her and the baby! We don’t have time for this, Logan!"
"Listen to me," Logan said, his voice turning quiet and sharp. "Kaden doesn’t carry that key on him. It’s hidden back at the Full Moon packhouse. We are leaving first thing tomorrow morning. The moment we land at the pack territory, I will search his private study and quarters while he rests."
"Can she wait that long?!" Kane asked, sounding desperate.
Logan stared down the dark hallway, his jaw tight. "She has to. Just keep her stable with the healer tonight. We will find that key the second we get back."
"Okay," Kane muttered into the phone, rubbing his tired face.
"You have to come back now," Logan said through the speaker, his voice low and cautious. "Kaden is asking about you. He’s getting worried."
A bitter scoff escaped Kane’s lips. "If only he remembered," he said softly, shaking his head. "If only he knew how sour our relationship really is."
"Just get back here," Logan urged. "We need to keep him calm until we leave tomorrow."
"I’m on my way," Kane said, ending the call and sliding the phone back into his pocket.
He turned to the healer, his chest tight with anxiety. "We can’t get the key today. It’s hidden back at the Full Moon Pack territory. Can she hold up until tomorrow?"
The healer looked down at Rebecca’s pale face and nodded slowly. "Yes, Alpha. My magic has stabilized her for now. As long as she rests, she can hold up through the night. But that choker must come off as soon as possible."
Kane let out a heavy breath. "I have to return to the mansion. Please take care of her. If she wakes up, let me know right away."
He stepped closer to Rebecca, looking down at her one last time. Her face was still pale, but her breathing was finally steady.
Turning on his heel, Kane walked out of the cottage and climbed into his car. The driver stepped on the gas, moving fast down the dark road toward the ruined mansion.
Leaning his head back against the seat, Kane stared out the window at the passing trees. Everything was spiraling out of control.
The plan was simple. Once Rebecca was rescued from the rogues, Kane was going to send her far away across the continent where she could start a fresh, safe life. But now she was pregnant. And to make things worse, the magic choker was threatening her life and the baby’s, with the only key locked away in Kaden’s packhouse.
Kane let out a long, heavy sigh, pressing his hand against his forehead.
"Shit..." he muttered softly into the dark car.
Somewhere deep inside, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the worst was still yet to come.