Mated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 89: Unraveling Threads

Third POV

The tension in Alpha Henry’s office hung thick in the air like smoke. The older wolf looked exhausted, dark circles shadowing his eyes as he faced the angry man before him.

“This is unacceptable!” Former Beta Cohen slammed his fist on the desk, causing the pens to rattle. “My daughter is not a criminal. Why is Jessie being treated like one?”

Henry rubbed his temples. He couldn’t even fault the man for the lack of respect toward his former Alpha now. As a father, he knew too well what Cohen felt.

“It’s standard procedure, Cohen,” Henry said. “Everyone who had contact with Hazel in the days before her disappearance is being questioned.”

Before Cohen could respond, the door burst open. Alpha Joseph Lancaster of the Ironhound Pack stormed in, his face contorted with fury.

“Henry!” Joseph’s voice boomed across the room. “Why is my daughter being held prisoner in your territory?”

Henry straightened in his chair, his expression hardening. “She’s not a prisoner, Joseph. She’s a person of interest in an ongoing investigation.”

“Person of interest?” Joseph scoffed. “Bethany has done nothing wrong!”

“No one is accusing her of anything yet,” Henry replied wearily. “But my sons’ mate has been abducted. This isn’t just a simple missing person case.”

Cohen crossed his arms. “And so you detain our daughters without proof? Based on what evidence?”

“Based on proximity and opportunity,” Henry said firmly. “And they’re not the only ones. We’ve detained over twenty people from both packs. Everyone is getting the same treatment. You can rest assured that they will be in comfortable accommodations while we conduct interviews until they’ve been found guilty.”

Joseph paced the office, his boots heavy against the floor. “How long will this charade continue?”

“Hopefully, not long,” Henry said with a sigh. “They are questioning everyone they can, even their own mother.”

This caused Cohen and Joseph to share a look of shock.

“Even Former Luna Evelyn?”

“No one is above suspicion right now,” Henry replied. “I am sure you two know how bad it is to lose a mate.”

Both men fell silent. The loss of a mate was perhaps the most devastating thing a werewolf could experience. Even though Hazel wasn’t dead, her absence was a physical torture for the triplets.

Cohen’s shoulders slumped in reluctant acceptance.

“Fine,” Joseph finally conceded. “But I want updates. And I want assurance that Bethany is being treated with respect.”

Henry nodded. “You have my word.”

+++

In the stark interrogation room, Jessie sat with her arms crossed, tapping her manicured nails against the metal table. Across from her, Levi stared with cold eyes, while Callum stood in the corner, clipboard in hand.

“I’ve already told you everything I know,” Jessie huffed. “I was at the festival until everyone started making a ruckus. I headed to the clearing with the rest of the crowd, only to find out that Hazel’s missing. I don’t know what happened to your precious little mate.”

Levi’s jaw clenched. “You’ve always had a problem with Hazel.”

“Especially the comment you made right after she disappeared,” Callum added darkly under his breath.

“So? That doesn’t mean I kidnapped her.” Jessie flipped her black hair over her shoulder. “Besides, she isn’t exactly the nicest person either. If she wasn’t such a bitch, perhaps I would’ve been nicer to her.”

“A bitch?” Levi’s voice dropped dangerously low.

Callum stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Where were you before the festival started? You were appointed by Former Luna Evelyn to handle some of the decor, but eye witnesses reported you weren’t there until after the event started.”

“In bed, obviously.” Jessie rolled her eyes. “After a night of drinking, who wouldn’t be? Besides, Hazel was being a pain in the ass with the decorations. She obviously had it all handled.”

“Any witnesses?” Levi pressed.

“My mother checked on me around eight. Ask her yourself.”

Levi leaned back in his seat. “When was the last time you spoke to her?”

Jessie scoffed. “The day before when she was whining on and on about the decorations. Seriously, does she really think she’s all that just because she fucks the three of you—”

“Watch it,” Levi growled, his eyes flashing gold.

“What?” Jessie’s haughty expression returned. “It’s not like I’m saying anything that isn’t true. She was nobody until you decided she was special.”

“She’s our mate,” Levi’s voice was deadly quiet.

“Well, maybe it’s for the best she’s gone,” Jessie snapped. The meek pretense she always used in front of the triplets had been long torn to shreds. “This pack needs a real Luna, not some orphan charity case who doesn’t know her place.”

Levi surged to his feet, sending his chair crashing backward. Callum quickly moved between them, placing a restraining hand on his friend’s chest.

“I think we’re done here,” Callum said firmly. “Officer Brooks will escort you out, Miss Jones.”

As the door opened and a uniformed pack officer appeared, Jessie stood and smoothed her skirt. “You know I’m right, Levi. Deep down, even you must see it.”

After she was gone, Levi collapsed back into his chair, running his hands through his hair. The room fell silent except for the hum of the fluorescent lights.

“You okay?” Callum asked after a moment.

“No,” Levi admitted. His usual playful demeanor had vanished entirely in the days since Hazel’s disappearance. “I keep thinking about her out there somewhere, scared, while these people sit here smirking.”

Callum nodded sympathetically. “We’ll find her.”

Levi looked up. “I never apologized properly. For the hair clip thing at the festival.”

“It doesn’t matter now,” Callum shrugged.

“It does.” Levi rubbed his face. “I was a jealous asshole. You were just being a friend to her when we were too stupid to be.”

“Water under the bridge,” Callum said, though his expression turned troubled.

He pulled out his phone from his pocket, tapping the screen. It lit up, but seeing what’s there, he frowned.

“What is it?” Levi asked, observing Callum’s fallen expression.

“Nothing,” Callum said, shaking his head. “It’s just... I haven’t heard from Cassandra since Hazel disappeared. She’s not answering calls or texts.”

Levi’s eyebrows quickly furrowed. “Since when?”

“Since she mentioned she wasn’t feeling well enough to attend the festival,” Callum replied. “She said she would attend later in the afternoon, but she never showed.”

Before Levi could respond, there was a knock at the door. Officer Brooks poked his head in.

“Alpha Levi, Melanie’s here for her interview.”