27. A Finding ZAIA. or I Am The Luna Chapter 105 By Moonlight Muse
“Think Zaia… think…” I mutter as I feel under the floorboards once again. I need it, not only to track the Sable but to find Dad. Those I have sent out to search for him have so far found nothing, as I feared.
I refuse to let this put me down. This goal is all that is keeping me going strong. I’m desperate for some kind of victory as I sit there trying to think where it could be.
Mom said… our old home…
Could she possibly mean the house we lived in right after Dad and her split?
I tilt my head before I quickly begin putting the floorboards back. I have to hurry, in case someone finds out I’m here. The dust is no longer coating the planks as it was before I touched them, but there is little I can do.
I just hope no one realises someone’s been here, or that I may have found the Moon Dust; I don’t want them to know that either.
Once everything is put back to the best of my capabilities, I leave the way I entered, through the back. Pausing in the door, I look at the house Mom lived in. She didn’t like Sebastian, yet she came here, to this pack for me.
I feel the same wave of guilt that has refused to leave me since her death, and I close the door after me, not looking back. There are things we cannot change… we must simply learn from them.
I return to my car and decide that there is no point in delaying looking in the other house and so I drive towards Dad’s pack. I call Jai, deciding to tell him I’ll be late, as I have some things to do.
“Zaia, all ok?”
“Yeah, but I will be a little late, I have something I need to do.” “Zaia, please don’t do this alone. You have us. We’re here to help.”
“I know…” There are just some things I need to do alone. “I’ll be fine.”
“Ok… just take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
The roads blur past and another strong wave of emotions consumes me as I end the call. A sudden thought enters my mind, and I almost hit the brakes.
Why does Zade want the Moon Dust? What could they possibly want with it that made him torture Mom for answers? They know where we are… unlike us, who have no idea where they are located. My heart is racing and I’m sure it isn’t simply, so I don’t get my hands on it, there has to be more to it…
There is a reason they want the Moon Dust, and I need to make sure they never get their hands on it. With that in mind, I press my foot down on the accelerator, speeding up as I race towards Dad’s pack.
Yet the question never leaves my mind.
Why?
There has to be an answer. I reach Dad’s pack and I lower the window, so the guards can see who I am. The entrance to the pack is heavily guarded on my orders.
“Mind if we check the trunk, Alpha?” “Of course,” I say. Those are the rules I set. I can’t afford any carelessness. They instantly open the gates, allowing me entry.
“Alpha!” Gordon, one of the guards, says as he approaches the car and lowers his head politely. “You shouldn’t be travelling alone.”
The pack members have been relocated to the inner parts of the pack for their safety, with security and patrol heavy.
“I have things to do.” I say, “I wanted to come check how the questioning went?”
“Well, the housekeeper said she did feel worried when your mother refused to leave her room and commanded food to be left outside her door, but she admits she should have told someone.”
“Question her again. I don’t believe that. Someone should have raised the alarm if they hadn’t even seen her for days.” I say dismissively. “If we don’t get the answers, I’ll question them myself. I want answers, not excuses.”
My eyes flash as Gordon lowers his head, and I put the car into drive. “I will be at the Pack House in about an hour’s time. Bring them all there for questioning, including the guards who have been on duty for the last three weeks.”
“Yes, Alpha!”
I slide my window up and drive off, gripping the steering wheel tightly. I will find the answers, one way or another.
I pull up outside the house where Mom and I once stayed, realising I didn’t consider the chance that someone would be living here….
How do I get to the under-the-stair closet in someone else’s home? A sudden thought comes to me and taking a deep breath, I step out of the car, shouldering my bag and walk to the door. Ringing the bell, I wait.
It’s opened soon by a man in his late forties. “Hello… Alpha?” he looks confused before lowering his head politely.
“Hello… Mr…”
“Grant, Alpha.”
“Mr Grant…”
I force a smile, pretending to be upset, although it’s not hard when so many things are pushing me to the edge. One thought of Sebastian’s betrayal or Mom’s death brings tears to my eyes, and I take a deep, shaky breath.
“Do forgive me for intruding… I don’t know if you know, but this is the house that I grew up in… with my mother.” I say, wrapping my arms around myself.
His face instantly falls and looks worried. “I’m so sorry. I do remember hearing that. I am sorry about your mother. I truly am.”
“Thank you… I was wondering if I could have a moment to look around.” I say quietly. “Just one final time to reminisce about the memories we shared here.”
“Of course! Right away, come on in Alpha.” He says, quickly stepping aside. I step inside, my eyes going to the under -the-stairs closet. Could it be here?
I’m inside… but how do I send him away? I walk down the hallway. It’s changed a lot, but even then, the echoes of moments spent in these halls fill my mind.
‘Zaia! No muddy shoes inside! Mommy! Look what I found! Zaia! Dinner is ready Oh, my favourite… Zaia, will you be late? Take care of yourself… You will always have me!’
Memories swirl around my mind, and I’m not prepared for them.
Mom…
“Alpha…” I look at Grant, who offers me a tissue.
“Thank you… may I have a while alone?” I ask quietly.
“Yes, my daughter is upstairs… I will go join her. Take your time.”
“Thank you…”
He bows his head and heads upstairs.
Excellent.
I hear his footsteps fade as he heads down the hallway and I quickly walk to the under the stairs cupboard and unlatch it.
The emotions are still threatening to consume me, but I do my best to focus on the task at hand. There are a lot of coats inside but I’m relieved that the floor is pretty empty, save a few items.
Taking out the few pairs of shoes, I put down my bag and get to work as fast as possible; knowing that he could come down soon or perhaps someone could walk through the front door.
My senses are on alert as I quickly pry open the floorboard at the back. I work quickly and when I have three pried up; I remove the insulation from the ground and peer into the darkness, using my phone flashlight to help in case I miss something.
I’m feeling around, doubt creeping into my mind when I spot it; a small black pouch covered in dust, peeking out from the corner, wedged into a crack between two of the bottom planks.
My heart skips a beat, and I reach over, tugging it out. Instantly I feel a wave of power radiate from it and my eyes blaze, knowing that this is what I’m looking for.
This is it… I’ve found it!
I quickly replace everything as swiftly and silently as possible. Exhaling in relief, I quietly step out of the closet and shut the door, latching it. I walk to the bottom of the stairs and look towards the landing.
“Mr Grant?” I call up the stairs.
I hear footsteps and a door open, and he appears at the top of the steps.
“Yes, Alpha, can I help with anything?” he asks as he hurries downstairs. I smile. “Thank you for giving me a moment…” I say quietly.
He nods. “You are most welcome, Alpha.” Bidding farewell, I take my leave. The door shuts behind me and a sudden thought creeps into my mind.
If Mom had this with her from the start why did she never use it to find Zade? Surely with the right manpower, this could have helped Dad get him back…
A question I may never get the answer to, but deep down, I feel there’s more to it. Well, it’s time we moved forward with the next step.
Sebastian… I will find you soon and when I do… I swear upon the moon and the heavens that I will not go easy on you. You chose the Sable, so now… you will face the wrath of the Sublime.
