Chapter <b>72 </b>


    Herpassion, even in crisis, was remarkable. The beast within me reluctantly retreated enough that I could think clearly. I dropped the guard, who gasped for air as he hit the floor.


    “Find out what substance was used,” I ordered instead, my voice still rough with suppressed rage. “And have Beta Ethan collect all security footage fromst night. NOW!”


    As the guards scrambled away, I turned to Summer, taking her hands in mine. “If they were druggedst night, that means Felix has been missing for hours. Not just since this morning.”


    Horror dawned in her eyes. “Oh God…”


    We marched to the hospital administrator’s office, where a nervous man in a white coat awaited us. I


    didn’t bother with pleasantries.


    “How,” I demanded, mming my palm on his desk hard enough to crack the wood, “does a CHILD go missing from your hospital for TWELVE HOURS before anyone notices?”


    The administrator–Dr. Peterson ording to his namete–visibly paled. “Alpha Alexander, Luna Summer… there was a critical failure in ourmunication protocols. The night shift nurse ims another staff member took Felix for what they said were scheduled tests. She handed him over without question because they had proper credentials.”


    “What?” Summer’s voice rose sharply. “And nobody verified this? Nobody checked with us?”


    I leaned forward, my patiencepletely evaporated. “You’re telling me,” I growled, my voice deadly quiet, “that anyone can walk into this hospital, im to be staff, and walk out with a child?”


    “N–no, of course not! They had proper ID badges and authorization codes, ording to the night nurse’s report. We’re pulling the security footage now, but-“he stammered, sweat beading on his forehead.


    Summer’s phone rang, interrupting the pathetic exnation. She nced at the screen, her expression shifting from worry to shock.


    “It’s Alpha Foster,” she whispered, her voice suddenly hollow.


    My jaw clenched so hard I could hear my teeth grinding. “Put it on speaker.”


    Summer’s hand trembled as she answered the call. “Foster? Where is my son?” Her voice held a strength I admired, despite the fear I could smell rolling off her in waves. “If you’ve hurt him-”


    “Hurt him?” Fosterughed, the sound cold and hollow. “Why would I hurt my own son? Unlike you, I actually care about his wellbeing.”


    I could see Summer’s knuckles turning white as she gripped the phone. “Then bring him back. Now.”


    “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Foster replied, his tone hardening. “He belongs with his father and his pack. The Silver Creek Pack is his birthright, his heritage.”


    “You gave up that right when you rejected us both,” Summer hissed, tears forming in her eyes.


    “A mistake I’m rectifying,” Foster replied smoothly. “Felix needs proper guidance from his true Alpha father, not whatever mockery of a family you’ve created with your… new mate.”


    I’d heard enough. I took the phone from Summer’s hand, my voice deadly calm as I spoke. “Foster. This is Alexander of the ckwood Pack. You have exactly twenty–four hours to return Felix unharmed.”


    There was a brief silence before Fosterughed again. “Alexander ckwood? I should have known. Always cleaning up others‘ messes, aren’t you? Let me make this clear: This is between me and my former Luna. Stay out of it.”


    “That’s where you’re wrong,” I growled, allowing my Alpha power to seep into every word. “Summer and Felix are under my protection now. My pack. My family. You’ve not only vited Councilw by abducting a minor, you’vemitted an act of aggression against the ckwood Pack. Return the boy, or the consequences will be severe.”


    “Such threats,” Foster mocked, though I could hear the slight tremor in his voice. Everyone knew the ckwood Pack was not to be trifled with. “Here’s my counter–offer: Summer returns to Silver Creek Pack -alone–and submits to proper pack discipline for her desertion. Once she’s back where she belongs, perhaps we can discuss visitation rights for Felix.<b>” </b>


    Summer gasped beside me, her face paling further. I wrapped my arm around her waist, steadying her.


    “That’s not going to happen,” I stated tly.


    “Then I’m afraid Summer will never see her son again,” Foster replied coldly. “My decision is final. Summer returns home, or Felix stays with me permanently. She has until midnight tomorrow to decide. I’ll text the location for her arrival. If she brings anyone–especially you, ckwood–the deal is off.”


    The line went dead.