The Missing Princess
Chapter 52 – California

Kodi

I let out a breath as I stepped off the plane. I haven’t been back here in close to eight years. I was here a few months after the fire to see who was lurking around, but I didn’t see anyone, so I never came back. I wasn’t ever planning on coming back here. I have nothing against the state but after everything that happened, I just couldn’t make myself come back and now here I am. Raef and Shay hurry me to the car which heads straight for a house. Council member Theodore gave us permission to use one of his houses. He didn’t want us staying in a hotel. I was very grateful for this. I knew Reign was as well. He didn’t like the idea of a hotel and that anyone could have easy access to me. At least with this house access was limited to certain people. Uncle Aaron was going to be here in a couple of days. Myra had let us know that one of her nieces had been trying to find out what they had talked about and relaying to Amir. The girls had been found a few hours ago completely by accident. A couple of human teenage kids surfing had stumbled across the building and decided to look around. They found the girls and called the authorities. There were over two dozen being held there. We figured that they had been kidnapping them for a few months now and shifting them from place to place. The building they were found in was off the beaten path, so no one thought to look there. It also looked abandoned. I rubbed my chest. Being this far away from Reign was painful. It felt like something was pulling on my heart. Batina had come with us much to the displeasure or Askel and Bastian. The minute we had touched down I had the shadows on full alert. I could hear them whispering but right now their whispering didn’t make any sense.

“Reign called to let us know that Daenernay had popped up again and had brought her aunt with her. Her aunt said that there was someone close to Alpha Aaron, Randy, and your father that was helping Zenos. That is how they knew where you two were each time you moved. She wasn’t sure why they waited until the house here in California started to strike, but she was still trying to find out who it was. I am guessing it is that woman that we still can’t ID. Alpha Reign is trying to figure who she is.” Shay said.

“Damn I really would like to know who that woman was. It isn’t Dobrita like we thought. The hair and eyes don’t match, but they do look alike. I think they are cousins or something like that. Dobrita was there with her and Zenos was more than comfortable with her. I can see their mouths moving in my nightmares, but I can’t hear anything. I can see Uncle Randy is shocked to see her and he even looked hurt, but I am not sure why.” I replied. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Maybe he knew her.” Raef states.

“It is possible. He never said anything to me, but after that weird meeting in the field he acted strange. He moved us a week later to the house here in California. I tried to ask why we were moving, but he wouldn’t tell me.” I admitted.

“I am sure they will figure out who she is soon. When is that meeting with your publisher?” Raef asked.

I did always have a feeling that Uncle Randy knew her. I wish he would have talked with me about her, but he never would. I decided to look around this special place. The house was huge, and everything looked brand new. I was honestly afraid to touch most of the shit here. I didn’t want to break it or anything. I yelled at Shay and Raef about not touching anything. They both laughed at me which irritated the hell out of me. Batina was with me as we explored. I, however, did find the room that I planned on claiming as long as we were here. We weren’t going to go to the house until tomorrow. I patted my stomach.

“Are you okay?” Batina asked.

“Yeah, I don’t think my little man likes being away from his daddy any more than I do. He has had a lot to say since we climbed onto the plane.” I told her.

“He doesn’t like his bond being stretched any more than you do. It is only for a week then Reign will be here while Alpha Aaron watches the pack.” Shay pointed out.

He wasn’t wrong and I couldn’t wait for Reign to get here. I knew Uncle Aaron was leaving in the morning to come here, but I wasn’t sure what time his plane was leaving. I stepped out onto the balcony and looked at the ocean. I wish I had brought my board I could have caught a few waves and calmed my nerves. I knew that Cerelium had a few of his guys patrolling the oceans around here. I was surprised to find out how far his kingdom reached. It made sense for it to be larger than a packs, but damn it reached all the way here to California. I looked around and there was something eerily familiar about this place. Not necessarily this house but this place. That damn meeting kept running through my head. I let the others know that I was going to go find a quiet spot to think. I knew Shay and Raef were worried, but I told them I needed to figure out why that meeting in the field was nagging at me. I made my way down the stairs and came upon a large salt water pool. It was gorgeous. I sat down on the ledge after taking off my shoes. I dipped my feet into the water, finding it warm and set them on the first step. I closed my eyes and let the rest of the world fade away.

Reign

Dad was going to leave in the morning, they were predicting a storm to roll in, so he was getting ready to leave tonight. I was busy going back through everything we knew but there was nothing that mentioned another woman besides Dobrita. Hell, they had managed to keep Daenernay from being general knowledge. I was getting nowhere here when dad walked in.

“Where are mom’s pictures albums at?” I asked.

“Why?” Dad asked.

“I have a hunch, but I need to look through some pictures to see if I am right.” I answered.

We walked down the hall to where we had stored a bunch of mom's things. I knew dad had gone through a bunch of right after she died but we also refused to get rid of most of it. It took a while and dad left me to look through the boxes as he headed to the air strip where our private planes were. I finally found the box that I was looking for and began to flip through the many albums that mom had. I stopped flipping when I came across several pictures of them when they were around my age. I let out a growl when I realized who I was looking at.

-Don’t let that plane take off. I am throwing some shit in a bag and coming with you. - Me

-Reign what is going on? - Dad

-I will show you when I get there. - Me

-I am going with dad. I found something and I need to get to Kodi before she heads to that damn house tomorrow. Watch the pack. - Me

-Okay, but I need to know what the fuck is going on. - Ino

-I will explain once I get to the plane. - Me

I cut the link as I pulled out my phone. I called Zhamaxin and told him what I had found. He said that he would meet me at the house. He told me that the pack would be in good hands. I knew Ino could handle anything that came along, but I called Askel and Bastian. Askel said he would come to the pack and help if needed. Bastian said he would meet us at the house as well. I grabbed a bag and shoved a few days of clothes and other shit I needed into it. I was trying to figure out how to get there faster. I was about to shift when I was picked up and whisked away. The next thing I knew I was standing outside on the tarmac. Dad was standing there blinking at me as I covered my mouth trying not to vomit. I heard the shadows mumbling something, so I knew they were responsible for my quick journey to the tarmac. I took a couple of deep breaths as I got myself under control.

“Don’t ask. Let’s go so I can explain.” I told dad.

He followed me onto the plane as the door was closed behind us. I grab my back pack as the plane rolls down the runway. I pull out the album as dad looks at me.

“Tell me about Aunt Lorena.” I said.

“Lorena was from a coven on the mainland. Randy, Jasper and I all attended the same college. That is where I met your mother. Randy met Lorena a few months later when we were out having dinner and drinks at a local bar. They hit it off and that is when they chose to be each other’s mates. Unlike other supernatural’s, witches and warlocks don’t have fated mates unless they are mated to another supernatural. Lorena and Randy chose each other. Although now that I think about Lorena never did tell us which coven she was from. They moved to Texas not long after we graduated. They were on great terms with the two local packs, but as we all know Lorena was killed in a rogue attack.” dad explained.

“Are you guys she was killed?” I asked.

“Yes, I was there when she was buried. Why?” dad said.

I opened the album to the pictures I found. I knew the exact minute he realised why we all thought that woman in Kodi’s memories looked familiar and why Kodi thought Daenernay looked familiar. A growl rumbled in dad’s chest.

“She must have faked her own death. I have no idea who you all buried that day, but it wasn’t her. I have Vaesyna meeting me at the house where Kodi, Shay, Batina and Raef are staying. I don’t think Dobrita and Lorena are sisters, but I know they are related. I am thinking of cousins. However, I want Vaesyna to see these and see if I am right.” I added.

“Kodi could be walking into a trap.” He says.

“I don’t think she is. Zenos wants her and there is something about that house of something in the ruins of that house that Lorena wants. I am not sure why they didn’t think of looking at the house that is in her family when Kodi first disappeared.” I commented.

“The only people present when Lorena’s will was read was Randy, Jasper, and I. None of her family came. I don’t think her family and her were on good terms. I will call Willamena when we land. I know she was always suspicious of Lorena and now I know why. She might know something about Lorena and what coven she is from.” dad told me.

We landed late or early depending on how one looks at it. We arrived at the house as Raef opened the door. I knew he wasn’t thrilled with me waking him up letting him know we were here. I knew he was surprised to see me here. I told him we would explain in morning over breakfast. I made my way upstairs following my little copper flames scent. I shook my head when I found her cuddled in the middle of the Alaskan king bed. She looked tiny in such a huge bed, but it gave me ideas for our bed that was somewhat to small for the two of us. I stripped down to my boxers pulling back the covers. I slid into the bed and towards my little copper flame. I pulled her into my arms.

“Reign.” she slurred.

“Go back to sleep my little copper flame. I will tell you everything in the morning.” I whispered.

She mumbled something else as she melted into me. Blade and I were content. We had been feeling the strain of the bond being so far from her. Dad told me it was normal, but I hated it. I am not sure how we are going to deal with the rest of this book signing thing, but we will figure it out. I took one deep breath inhaling her scent deep into my lungs. I knew tomorrow's revelations were going to be draining and emotional.

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