Chapter 98: Lost and found_Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers

<h4>Chapter 98: Lost and found</h4>

 *~ Cayden’s POV~*

 We had searched every damn nook and cranny of New Orleans. Every alley, tunnel, ruin, and ridge. But still no sign of Hazel. No trace of my wife. No whisper of my babies.

 The wolves stationed at the border swore they hadn’t seen Cyrius cross. And I believed them..if only because I had given themand myself: Lock the borders the moment we realized they were missing.

 So where the hell were they?

 It’s not that easy to vanish. Not with three people and two newborns. And not that fast. Even if Cyrius was reckless enough to attempt it.

 I sat high on a jagged rock, overlooking the edge of the camp as my men rested and caught their breath. The air smelled like sweat, smoke, and silent worry. Everyone was tired, including me.

 But I couldn’t stop. My mate was out there my children and every wasted second felt like a betrayal.

 Then Aurora approached. Her steps were slow, deliberate, eyes scanning the horizon before settling on me.

 "We’ve searched everywhere," she said softly, brushing twigs off her sleeve. "But I think... there’s one ce left. One we’ve ignored."

 I raised an eyebrow. "Where?"

 "The forest near the border," she said, voice low. "Think about it. You reached the border. Your wolves are stationed there. No one saw them cross, right?"

 I nodded. Slowly. "So what if they didn’t cross?" she continued. "What if they’re waiting just inside the woods? Close enough to monitor the patrols, far enough not to be noticed."

 I stared at her. The idea was infuriatingly simple. And smart. Damn it why didn’t I think of that?

 "But that forest..." I muttered. "It’s dangerous. Wild magic still runs through it. And there’s no way Cyrius would risk hiding there. Not with the twins."

 Aurora’s gaze didn’t waver. "If he’s desperate enough, he would. That forest has plenty of dark corners. And the magic... it might actually help him stay hidden. You know that."

 I hesitated. But still...

 "I’ll give it ten minutes," I said finally, rising to my feet. "Prep everyone. We search there next."

 Aurora nodded sharply, no hesitation in her stride as she turned to alert the others.

 "And Auror..—" I called out, making her pause. "Do you know exactly where it is?

 She nced over her shoulder, eyes shing with something unreadable. "Yes. Back when I was still in Dahlia’s coven, we used that part of the forest for rituals. It’s rarely used now not since she vanished...but I remember the path."

 "Good," I said. "That’s where we’ll start."

 Ten minutester, the pack was prepped. Every warrior was armed some with swords, others with scent-tracking spells. The night had already bled into the sky, dark and hushed, but I didn’t care. In fact, this was better. Cyrius would let his guard down. He’d think night meant safety. Rest.

 But it would be the perfect time to strike.

 We reached the edge of the forest in silence. Tall trees stretched above us. The air was damp and heavy with old secrets. It smelled like moss, decay... and magic.

 "Stay alert," I said, stepping forward first. "Don’t make a sound unless you have to. If he’s here, he’ll hear us before we smell him."

 And then... a half tree, split unnaturally at its center.

 Aurora paused beside it, her voice hushed. "This was the ce. Where we found the babies... dead."

 I turned to her sharply. "What?"

 She nodded, eyes hollow. "This is where Cyrius and the witches performed the ritual. Right here. Which is exactly why he wouldn’te back here."

 It made sense. No sane creature would return to the scene of a failed, dark ritual especially not with a newborn and a target on his back. But still, Aurora insisted we keep going.

 "We’ve searched everywhere else," she said. "We can’t give up now."

 I sighed, reluctant but not blind. "Fine. Lead the way."

 We delved deeper into the forest. The trees grew denser, older. The light thinned, and the earth grew soft under our boots. Silence pressed in around us like fog.

 Then something caught under my foot. I stumbled slightly, looked down—and froze.

 It was an earring.

 I bent down slowly and picked it up, turning it over between my fingers. Recognition hit me like a punch to the chest.

 It was familiar. Too familiar.

 I remembered the exact moment: Iso descending the staircase on our wedding day, bouquet in her trembling hands, her hair swept up, and these earrings catching the light. She was nervous. I was scowling. At the time, all I could think about was the fact that I was marrying a human. Someone not meant for me.

 But now... witches had been here.

 Aurora just said this forest had been used by her coven long ago. What were the odds that Hazel was herr? What were the odds that this earring would be left behind here?

 And then it hit me..A scent.... Familiar.... And sharp.

 I stilled. My entire body went alert. Ragnar stirred within me, ws twitching under my skin.

 It was her. It was hazel’s.

 My eyes snapped to Aurora, and I could see it reflected in her expression..wide, stunned, knowing.

 "She was here," I whispered. "Aurora. Hazel was here."

 Aurora nodded slowly. "Cayden... there’s blood. I can smell it."

 A knot formed in my stomach. "Hazel?" I asked, voice hoarse.

 She looked at me with panic rising in her eyes. "I don’t know..."

 But I did."It’s Hazel," I said quietly. "I confirm it."

 Everything inside me shifted. My voice dropped, and my senses sharpened. My mate was close.

 "They’re here," I said. "All of them. We have to move very quietly now. No sudden movements. No sound."

 Aurora gave a sharp nod. "They must be sleeping," she whispered. "That’s why we can’t hear any heartbeats."

 I swallowed hard, the weight of it all bearing down on me..Hazel was bleeding, and Cyrius might still be somewhere in this cursed forest with my children.

 We weren’t just close. We were right on top of them.

 And I swear to the Moon Goddess, I would burn this whole forest down if it meant getting them back.

 Just the thought of what Cyrius might have done to her what could make Hazel bleed was enough to send Ragnar wing beneath my skin, howling to be set free. My wolf was barely restrained, pacing, growling, wild with the urge to tear through every tree and shred this entire forest to ash.

 My jaw clenched, muscles tightening as I tried to hold him back.

 And then we saw it.

 A hut, hidden deep within the trees. smoke curledzily from the chimney, dancing into the night air. My heart lurched.

 Aurora’s hand suddenly gripped mine. Tight.

 I raised my other hand sharply, signaling for everyone behind us to stop. Every wolf, every breath went still.

 She leaned close to me, voice barely above a whisper. "That’s it. That’s where they are."

 I nodded, eyes never leaving the hut. "Yes," I breathed. "They’re in there."

 A fire ignited in my chest. Finally. After all the searching, all the pain, all the goddamn torment..we found them.

 Hazel. The twins...And Cyrius.

 My voice dropped to a snarl, low and venomous. "We’ve caught that bastard."

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Chapter 98: Lost and found