Chapter Two
Emmett Swan was furious. Those good for nothing pricks at the police station had still nothing new to go on.
After three months of searching, of television appeals and offers of monetary rewards for useful information, they still didn't have jack shit on where his sister was. Lack of evidence and man power, that's what the patronising dick at the police station said when Emmett demanded to know why nothing more was being done to find his sister.
The detective's apologies sounded sincere, but there'd been something in his eyes. He knew something.
Emmett was a defence attorney, and a damned good one at that, he knew when someone was lying to him. The detective had been lying through his teeth, and Emmett didn't know why.
Rain fell softly around him as he stalked to his rental car, yanking his car door open, he slid into the seat, slamming it behind him and for a moment let his head fall back against the head rest and breathe.
Three months. It had been three months since his sister disappeared in the middle of the night. She had planned to meet up with some friends for a drink after work, but never arrived. Calls to her cell had gone unanswered and text messages were ignored.
Finally, they caught a cab to Rebecca's, the restaurant where Bella worked for the last two years. Her car had still been in the parking lot when her friends arrived, the engine cold. Her phone had been found on the floor nearby, screen smashed, and Bella was nowhere to be seen.
Emmett remembered that phone call with such clarity, it was like he received it yesterday instead of three months prior. He had been in bed, fast asleep with his new wife tucked safely in his arms, when the phone blared, startling the two of them. Emmett cursed, annoyed at the late night interruption. His irritation hadn't lasted long.
It had been Bella's friend from work, Hayley. She was sobbing, he remembered, unable to speak through her tears at first.
At that moment, all the blood in Emmett's face drained. For a second, for one awful second, he thought his sister was dead. That he'd lost her. And he had, only in a different way.
Against his will, the memory resurfaced and he was forced to relieve the worst moment of his life.
"Hello," Emmett snapped, rubbing his gritty eyes. Glancing at the alarm clock, he scowled. Who the fuck could be calling at this hour?
His ire evaporated when he realized whoever was on the line was weeping. "Emmett," a female sobbed.
"Who is this?" he demanded, his heart racing, his stomach cleanching. Fear had his blood pumping furiously through veins.
His worry was enough to alert his wife, who sat up with wide eyes.
"It's Bella," she hiccupped.
Dread threatened to overwhelm him and his heart actually hurt. "What about Bella?" he asked quietly. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think. His sister was his best friend, one of the two people he couldn't live without.
The words she spoke next strangely filled him with relief. "She's gone. Someone's taken her."
Bella disappeared. No one knew where she was. The security footage of the restaurant parking lot, and partial view of the street, had shown nothing as to who took her. And she had been taken. He knew his sister, and he knew she would never just up and leave. That's what the police thought for a while. With no evidence other than a broken phone and beat up Toyota, they had nothing else to go on and assumed she just skipped town.
Emmett insisted that his sister would never do that. She would never leave her home or her job. Not without telling him.
The police offered him a pitying look and Emmett knew they must have heard this before, but he knew his sister. The two of them only had each other for years and he knew she wouldn't abandon him without a word.
Emmett closed his eyes. He felt helpless and he didn't know what to do next.
His parents died in a car accident when he was sixteen years old, leaving him and his ten year old sister alone. With no other living relatives, and with no one willing to take on a young girl and a teenage boy, they were placed in the foster care system.
For two years it felt like it was the two of them against the world. Emmett knew they had actually been lucky. They could have been separated, losing the one family member they had left. At eighteen, legally an adult, he inherited the small amount of money his parent's had in savings and, with a heavy heart, sold the bar his parents owned together. With that money, Emmett paid for college and a small place for him and his little sister to live.
At eighteen, Emmett legally become Bella's guardian. It had been a long and gruelling process, but no way in hell was he going to leave his sister in that place. He was taking her home with him.
Emmett worked hard and had plenty of sleepless nights, but he proved he had his sister's best interests in mind. He had shown he was mature enough to take on such a responsibility and was able to financially provide for his little sister.
Despite everything, Emmett smiled at the memory of their first night in their new home. The apartment had been small, the furniture sparse, but it was theirs. For the first time in years they finally felt at home.
Even at such a young age, Emmett took his role as her guardian very seriously. Even while studying he made sure his sister was taken care of. He'd given her chores, boundaries and a lot of love. Many of his friends asked whether or not he resented his younger sibling, he couldn't go out on Saturday night or enjoy Spring Break, but he'd said no. Emmett loved his sister and would always take of her.
I failed her, Emmett thought desolately.
Bella had been taken, by God knows who, and he hadn't been there to protect her. He knew it wasn't logical, but it was how he felt.
His baby sister could be hurt, scared, begging for him to find her and she was all alone. He would do anything he could to find her, and if the police had given up on her then he'd find someone else. He had money saved, he had a good job that paid well and Rosalie's parents offered to help. He'd never accepted hand out's before, but for Bella, he wouldn't let pride stand in the way.
Glancing at the time on the dashboard, he realized he was running late for his appointment with Rebecca Jenson, Bella's boss.
I miss you, Rosalie, he thought as he made his way through the wet streets of the city where he'd called home until a year ago. While he took a leave of absence, Rosalie had only just gotten her teaching job at the elementary school and hadn't been able to get the time off as easily. She would be joining him in a couple of days and he couldn't wait. He needed her now more than ever. The police were giving up on his sister and he needed her support and her love.
Rebecca called him last night and asked to meet after his visit to the police station this morning. Instead of the restaurant, she offered to meet him at a coffee shop. She was a kind woman, he remembered. It didn't surprise him when she assumed the last place he wanted to go was the location where Bella was most likely abducted.
Emmett didn't know why she called him. Of course she contacted him when all of this happened. Told him how sorry she was to hear about Bella, said if she could help in anyway then he was to call her. But that was it.
Why would she call now, after months of no contact, and insist on speaking with him?
#
The coffee shop was small and cosy. There was a section with leather chairs and a couple of coffee table's stacked with magazines. Glass tables were spaced around the dark wood floor and booths lined the windows for those who, Emmett guessed, wanted privacy. He found Rebecca Jenson in the corner booth, far away from the other customers.
Emmett could easily see why she found fame. She was beautiful. Her black hair was pulled back into a French twist, her make-up was subtle and her brown eyes solemn as she met his gaze across the coffee shop.
Emmett rushed over, a polite smile forming on his lips. She didn't stand, but he hadn't expected her to. This wasn't a social visit.
"Rebecca," he greeted quietly.
"Hello Emmett. I know it sounds trite, but how are you holding up?" she asked softly. That was one of the things he remembered about her. She was always polite and soft spoken. It was at odds with her larger than life personality on stage.
He ran his fingers through his short hair. "I'm as good as can be expected, I suppose. I just came back from the police station. They have nothing," he bit out.
Rebecca hesitated. "That's actually the reason why I asked you to meet me. I have some information for you."
"Tell me," he ordered urgently.
Rebecca took her iPad out of her hand bag and placed it carefully on the smooth table surface. "When you reported Bella missing, the police department came to my restaurant. They took security footage, searched for finger prints, and took pictures. They were very thorough. The young officer was very nice and obviously eager to find your sister. However, a couple of weeks later, a different officer came to visit the restaurant, demanding to speak with me. He was rude and belligerent and, I have to admit, I didn't like him. There was something very off putting about him."
Emmett frowned. "Why did they pay you another visit? Did he say they found something new?" he demanded sharply. They swore there was no new evidence.
She shook her head quickly. "No. It was nothing like that." She was quiet for a moment. "Emmett, he wanted to know if I had any copies of the camera footage of that night."
"Did you?"
"Yes. I always keep a personal copy, to be safe. But he wanted it all. He was very insistent that I hand over everything I had from that night. When I questioned him about it, he said it was just a routine part of their investigation. I've read to many crime novels to believe that," she drawled.
Emmett chuckled. "You were right. Cops tend to say that when they don't want you to know the reason why they're asking certain questions. Or in this case, demanding video footage they already have. Did you give it him?"
Rebecca's blushed. "I don't know why I did it. But I went with my gut, and it's never led me wrong before. I couldn't let him take it when my instincts were telling me something was wrong. Bella's been gone for months, and I miss her. I know the rest of the staff does. We're all eager for her return."
Emmett smiled. "You have no idea good it sounds to hear someone talk about her in present tense. The news, the cops, even some of her friends refer to her as if she's dead. It feels like taking a bullet to the chest every single time," he admitted.
"I've known that girl for two years. If anyone can make it home safely, it's Bella."
He cleared his throat. His eyes burning as tears threatened to fall. He couldn't fall apart in front of Rebecca, and he needed to concentrate on whatever information she had that could help with his sisters return. "Tell me everything, Rebecca, so I can bring her home."
She nodded slightly, squeezing his hand once before releasing him to fiddle nervously with her iPad. "Like I said, I didn't know why I did it. Before I gave him the discs with the footage on, I made another copy." She inhaled deeply as she blinked back tears. "I swear to you, Emmett, I had no idea. I hadn't even thought of them until he showed up that day. When he left, I sat down in my office and watched everything recorded that night… I am so sorry, Emmett," she apologised profusely. "If only I watched it sooner, I could have saved you so much time. Bella might me home with us. But, in my defence, I thought the police were doing everything in their power to find her. I had no idea who was behind it all. Not until I watched the tapes."
Emmett leaned forward. "What did you see?" he demanded.
Rebecca pressed something on the shiny screen and turned the iPad towards him. "See for yourself."
Emmett dreaded what he would see, but looked down at the screen anyway. His heart stopped when Bella appeared on the screen. She wore a black short sleeved blouse with Rebecca's name emblazoned on the breast pocket and worn out jeans. She looked tired, but healthy and Emmett's heart soared at the sight. She was so beautiful.
He frowned when she stopped abruptly, her shoulder length hair whipping around as she searched the empty parking lot.
Oh no, he thought, sick to his stomach.
He watched as she ran across the parking lot, as she desperately tried to get into her beat up old car.
"What the hell was that?" he demanded, consumed with a helpless rage as a dark, hulking figure knocked his sister to the ground.
"Just watch," Rebecca ordered gently.
And he did. Emmett watched as his beloved sister frantically searched for her car keys. He flinched as she was knocked to the ground again and again. His hand clenching into fists as whoever abducted Bella struck her, destroyed her phone before she finally made to the street.
The camera angle changed. Switching to the street and the car that pulled up sharply in front of his terrified sister. A the tall man got out, rushing to Bella.
Fuck, he cursed silently. He knew that this wasn't her white knight, here to save her, even though his body language conveyed he was attempting to calm her. Soothe her.
"What are you doing?" he muttered as Bella locked herself in the man's car. Only to exit the vehicle a few minutes later, appearing reluctant to do so.
The camera switched back to parking lot, Emmett absently thought Rebecca had some talent with editing.
As Bella looked around for the stranger, the man in question stepped out of the shadows.
Emmett's heart thudded, this was it. This was the moment he would watch his sister struggle and scream as she was abducted. He felt sick, and the cowardly part of him wanted to turn off the iPad. To look away. He had imagined this very moment; he saw it every night in his dreams. He didn't want to see the real thing, but he knew he had to.
He clenched his fists even tighter, his knuckles turning white, forcing himself to continue. His sister lived through this, the least he could do was watch.
As his sister talked to the male, another appeared behind her. He could tell the moment his sister realized the man in front of her wasn't her white knight, but a part of her attack.
The first man snapped something and Bella, woodenly, turned to face the second male and to his absolute horror, the man… transformed.
Before Emmett's eyes, his body snapped and contorted into the shape of a wolf. A tall and hideous wolf standing on his hind legs.
"What the hell? How is that even possible?" he muttered incredulously as the male injected his sister in the neck, her body going limp in his arms. Within seconds, both man and wolf were in the black car and driving casually away. Taking an unconscious Bella with them.
His panicked eyes shot to Rebecca's. "What the fuck was that?" he demanded.
Rebecca took a deep breath. "That was a werewolf. And they have your sister."
#
"A werewolf?" Emmett demanded, dumbfounded. He knew she was right. He knew what he saw was real. This was no product of CGI technology. But how could this be real?
His sister had been kidnapped by werewolves? How could this awful, horrific, situation become so much worse?
Rebecca's smile was small, but kind. "Actually, they prefer to be called shape shifters. But you've seen what they change into. That's a werewolf, to me."
Emmett swallowed hard. "Are you a werewolf? Shape shifter, I mean," he corrected himself.
Rebecca laughed. "No, I'm not. I did, however, date a feline shifter when I was in my early twenties." Her smile became nostalgic. Her brown eyes lost in memories of a better time before focussing on Emmett and turning serious.
"Why did you break up?" Emmett wondered. All shifters couldn't be so terrible, considering how warm her smile appeared.
She laughed softly. "He wanted to settle down and my career was taking off. We were young and hard headed, neither of us was willing to compromise." She shrugged. Regret flashed in her eyes. Shaking off her memories, she continued, "When I saw the videos, I knew immediately what they were. I would have contacted you sooner, but I didn't want to get your hopes up. I hadn't spoken to my ex in over twenty years, so it took a while to track him down."
"Why did you need to track him down if you already knew what they were?" he asked, his brow furrowed his confusion.
Rebecca leaned forward, excitement lighting her eyes. It was contagious and Emmett found himself eager to hear the rest of her story.
"I knew what they were, but I had no idea how to deal with this kind of thing. Jonas, my ex, wasn't surprised when I told him about the police, about them checking to see if I had copies… and why nothing has been done to find your sister," she added quietly.
Emmett's stomach turned. "What? What do you mean?" he demanded harshly. "Of course they have." Of course things had been done to find his sister.
Rebecca shook her head sadly. "No, Emmett. Jonas told me the second they realized what they were dealing with, it would have all been handed over to their authorities. The supernatural ones," she added. "They would deal with everything and, if your sister is still alive, then she's a liability. If Bella is rescued, she could tell their secrets. Their priority is to remain hidden from humans. Bella dying would be a good thing in their eyes."
Emmett's entire body trembled. His eyes burning, for a moment he thought he was going to have a panic attack. Emmett Swan had always been cool under pressure. Not anymore. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think. The only thing going through his mind was, if everything Rebecca told him was true, the only people who could actually help his sister, who could save her, thought it would be better if she were dead.
For the first time since he received that dreadful phone call, he began to lose faith.
"Why are you telling me this?" he managed to choke out. "If Bella is as good as dead, why bring me here and show me this?" He gestured sharply to the iPad.
"Because he knows someone who may be able to help you," she replied calmly.
Emmett couldn't keep up. "What? I thought you said they would prefer it if she were dead. Who will be willing to help me with both the human and supernatural authorities want nothing to do with Bella's abduction?"
"Meute De Loups," she replied with reverence.
Emmett tried valiantly to remember his high school French. It took a moment, but he got there in the end. "Wolf pack," he whispered.
"Yes," Rebecca smiled widely. "Jonas told me the Meute De Loups are basically wolf shifters for hire. Like mercenaries," she added. "For the right price they will find Bella, Emmett. Jonas assured me they are the best at what they do."
"What's the catch?" Emmett asked, suspicious.
Rebecca grimaced. "They don't take on all cases. You'd have to go there and convince them. The alpha will decide whether or not he thinks it's worth pursuing. If he does then, though it will cost you, they won't stop until they find her. If he doesn't, they won't hesitate in tossing you out on your ass," she muttered.
Emmett nodded his head. He could be ruthless, stubborn and pig headed when he wanted to be. He wouldn't let them. "How do I make contact with them?"
Rebecca grinned as she handed him a small white business card. "Jonas, God bless him, has used his connections and already got you a meeting with them. You have an appointment in two days time at their headquarters in Northern California. The address is on the card and I've written your appointment time on the back. From what Jonas said, you're going to need to go in there guns blazing," she added seriously. "If you need any help, Emmett, I'll do all I can. They are expensive," she reminded him.
Emmett shook his head. "That won't be a problem," he assured her. "I don't know how I can ever thank you, Rebecca. You've not only given me answers, you've given me hope."
She reached over the table to hold his large hand in hers. "I really hope it works out for you, Emmett. I hope that this will help in bringing her home."
"I do, too. Please thank Jonas for me, too."
Her eyes lit up. "I will."
Emmett's eyebrows shot up. "You will, huh?" he said suggestively.
She blushed. "He's still single," she explained. "He never settled down and he admitted he could never forget me. I never forgot him," she added quietly. "No matter where I went or what I did, I could never forget about Jonas. He's coming to Salt Lake City next week."
Emmett grinned. "I'm happy for you. I hope everything works out for the two of you," he said sincerely. After all the trouble she went through to help his sister, she deserved happiness.
"I do, too," she agreed softly.
"I have to go," he said with a grimace, feeling somewhat rude to just get up and leave after everything she'd done. "I need to call my wife, bring her up to date, and book a flight to California," he explained.
"Of course, of course." She waved him off. "Get out of here and call me as soon as you have any information."
"I will," he said as he got to his feet. Going with instinct, Emmett leaned down and pulled the older woman into a tight embrace. "Thank you," he whispered.
"You're welcome," she replied as she patted his back. "Good luck, Emmett."
He grinned as he released her. "Thanks," he replied before turning around on his heel and exiting to the small coffee shop.
For the first time since he'd received Hayley's phone call on that awful night, Emmett felt uplifted. He felt like, finally, he was getting closer to finding his sister.
Pulling out his cell phone, he dialled his wife's number. When she answered, he grinned. "Hey, baby, change of plan."
#
"Are you nervous? I'm nervous," Rosalie muttered as she slammed the passenger door shut. Her body was long and willowy and dressed in tight jeans and a plain t-shirt, her long platinum blonde hair pulled back into a simple pony tail.
Emmett grinned. "You don't say," he drawled as he strolled around the Land Rover and took her hand in his. Together they made their way towards the building where he would meet with the alpha of the Meute De Loups.
The couple reunited at the Oakland International Airport. Embracing for a long time before renting a car and starting the long journey to where the Meute De Loups headquarters stood. They had just reached their turn off and pulled to a stop in front of a towering cast iron gate.
It was almost intimidating. It looked like it belonged outside a petitionary. Emmett watched as Rosalie's eyes widened.
Coming to the intercom, Emmett pressed the button and spoke to a clipped, male voice, informing him of his appointment. Emmett had to produce two forms of identification before the man buzzed them through, the heavy gates slamming shut behind them.
They drove along a dirt road for ten minutes before arriving at the building.
The brownstone building was three stories with multiple rectangular windows on each floor. Stone steps lead up to the main entrance of the building, a single door made of steel. A security camera was pointed at the door, but Emmett guessed there wasn't a single inch of the property that wasn't being recorded.
Emmett looked up at the building, admitting to himself he was nervous, but there was no way he'd admit it to Rosalie. Or anyone in that building, for that matter. They were about to be surrounded by wolf shifters. Like the people who kidnapped Bella. He knew this was dangerous and begged Rosalie to stay behind. Her response was to roll her eyes and climb in the passenger seat.
"Are you ready?" Emmett asked his anxious wife.
Flashing him a brittle smile, Rosalie reached forward and pressed the bronze button for the intercom. "Oh yeah," she muttered, squeezing his hand.
"May I help you?" a female voice answered.
"Yes, we have an appointment with the alpha," Emmett replied. Rebecca hadn't given him the alpha's name, and when he contacted her to email him the video footage stored on her iPad, he asked about the alpha's identity but she hadn't known it, either.
"Please hold up the two forms of photographic identification to the camera," she instructed.
Confused, Emmett once again pulled out his wallet and drivers licence, holding them up the security camera.
"Thank you," the woman replied after a few seconds and a buzz sounded, the steel door opening.
Hand in hand, the couple entered the building.
The air was cool in the reception area, despite the heat outside. The granite flooring was a light grey and shiny and the circular reception desk was the same shade of the cream walls. No pictures hung from the walls, no music played softly in the background, and it wasn't a welcoming environment at all. In a way, Emmett appreciated that. He wanted to get to business.
A woman in a white blouse and black pencil skirt quickly made her way to them, her sensible heels clicking on the floor. Her vibrant red hair was pulled back into a neat braid and she wore no make-up. "Hello," she greeted them in with a polite smile. "I apologize for the cloak dagger routine," she drawled. "We have to be careful, you understand."
Emmett nodded as he reached out with his free hand. "We do. I'm Emmett Swan and this is my wife, Rosalie," he introduced them as the woman took his hand in hers and shook briefly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," she replied as she repeated the action with Rosalie, but didn't offer her name in return. "The alpha is running a little late, but if you'd like, you can wait for him in his office. If you'll follow me," she added and turned on her heel, strolling away before either could respond.
Sharing a look, the couple followed the woman. "Do you think she's one of them?" Rosalie whispered.
As Emmett opened his mouth, the woman chuckled. "I am, Mrs Swan. I also have exceptional hearing. Don't be nervous. I don't bite," she said as she came to a halt in front of a black door, quickly entered a six digit number on the keypad above the silver door handle. Opening the door, she added dryly, "Usually."
Rosalie giggled as she followed him into the alpha's office.
"Take a seat. He'll be with you shortly," she said before leaving the two alone.
"I like her." She grinned as she glanced around the room.
The large mahogany desk dominated the office. The walls were the same shade as the reception and just as bare. Emmett noticed despite the computer, telephone and paperwork, the desk was empty of any personal possessions. At his office back in Salem, framed photographs of his wife, parents and sisters were scattered across his desk. His college and law school diploma hung on the walls, along with framed newspaper articles of cases he won. There was nothing like that here. Only a desk, three expensive looking high back chairs and filing cabinets.
Five minutes later, the door opened and in stepped a male that Emmett assumed was the alpha. The man who confidently walked towards them was tall, he would tower over Emmett's six foot frame, and broad shouldered. His arms and legs thick and his chest roped with muscle. His hair was a odd shade of bronze and pulled back into a tiny ponytail. His eyes were a vibrant green, his nose straight, and his defined jaw covered in thick stubble.
His clothes were informal, which surprised Emmett. He expected such an important man to dress the part, but he shrugged it off. When it came down to it, the man could wear a bikini and Emmett wouldn't say a word as long as he could find Bella. Instead of a suit, the alpha wore faded jeans, scuffed boots and a t-shirt that showed every ripple of his muscles and heavily tattooed arms.
Just like the large desk, he dominated the room. A lethal power and absolute confidence emanated from the man in waves.
Emmett had met plenty of men like the alpha. Powerful and ruthless men that were used to getting what they wanted. Emmett made sure to hide his reaction to the male. It would give the alpha an advantage. Rosalie on the other hand, who wasn't used to men like the one in front of them, gaped at the male. He squeezed her hand reassuringly as the alpha spoke.
"Sorry about the wait," he said, his tone clipped. His voice was deep and rumbling. "I'm Edward Mason," he introduced himself as he strolled around to his desk chair and sat. He moved with fluid grace and restrained power, looking the predator Emmett knew him to be. "Take a seat," he ordered as he dropped into his own.
The couple did as they were told, eager to get this over with.
Emmett cleared his throat quietly. "Mr Mason, I'm Emmett Swan and this is my wife, Rosalie," he began politely. "Firstly, I'd like to thank you for meeting with us."
The alpha's smirk was mocking. "You don't have to kiss my ass, Mr Swan. Why don't you just get to the point," he suggested.
Emmett didn't take offense. He'd been around men like Edward Mason for years. Instead, he did as the alpha had said. "My sister went missing three months ago," he began and quickly filled the alpha in on everything leading up to his conversation with Rebecca and the Meute De Loups. Pulling out his iPhone, Emmett brought up the video footage that Rebecca emailed him. Pressing play, he slid the phone across the smooth surface, towards the alpha.
The alpha silently watched the video, his expression giving nothing away. Soon the video ended and he silently pushed the phone towards Emmett. "I'm sorry about your sister," he murmured.
"Thank you," Emmett replied. "We are well aware that you only work for a certain fee and we're willing to pay whatever it takes to bring her back. For as long as it takes," he added. Rosalie nodded in agreement beside him.
The alpha sighed. "Mr Swan, I meant what I said. I truly am sorry about your sister, but I don't think we can help you."
"What?" he demanded. Emmett truly believed that after seeing the video's, seeing what his people had done to her, the alpha wouldn't be able to refuse the case.
Edward leaned forward. "Look, I'm going to be honest with you…" he trailed off and Emmett could see his struggle to find the right words.
"Just say it. Whatever it is that you're trying to sugar coat, just spit it out," Emmett snapped.
The alpha's emerald eyes hardened at Emmett's sharp tone. "Okay," he bit. "I know you don't want to hear this, but the odds of your sister being alive after three months in their hands are slim to none. If this was a human we were dealing with then she might have stood a chance, but not with wolf shifters. They wouldn't let her live this long."
Emmett heart sank. "You won't take on the case because you believe she's already dead," he muttered.
The alpha nodded. "Taking on your case would be a waste of my team's time and your money, Mr Swan. I know that's harsh, but you asked for the truth and there it is." He shrugged. His eyes so showed no compassion, no empathy. The only thing Emmett saw in his sharp green eyes was the cold, hard truth.
"You're saying no," Emmett murmured.
"Yes." The alpha's response was firm and final. He could see there was nothing he could do or say that would change his mind.
Still, he had to try. "Please," he begged hoarsely. "You are my only hope of finding my sister. I am begging you to help me. Whatever your fee is, I'll pay double. Whatever you want, I will do."
The alpha's expression didn't change. "I'm sorry, but that's my final answer."
Emmett scoffed. "Then I guess the only time wasted today was mine. Come on, Rosalie," he muttered as he shot to his feet and slammed out of the room.
He had to get outside. He couldn't breathe. They had been his only hope. Jonas said that no one else would go against their authorities. His sister was truly lost to him now.
The red headed woman, seeing his frantic need to escape, pressed the button and the steel door slid opened.
Rushing down the steps, Emmett finally reached the Land Rover car and dove inside. He failed her. It was his job to convince a jury of someone's innocence and yet he hadn't been able to convince the alpha. What good was he?
Feeling utterly helpless, Emmett rested his head on the steering wheel. It was then, that for the first time since he heard of Bella's disappearance, he cried.
