Chapter 18

Happiness wasn't meant for everyone.

The early morning light bathed Shadow Pack's territory, casting long shadows over the grounds as Francis and Kayden paced, frustration gnawing at their insides. Malinda's sudden disappearance had upended their lives, and the silence from everyone, including their father, was maddening. Kayden kicked a loose rock in his path, his patience thinning by the second.

"Where could she have gone?" he muttered, raking a hand through his hair. "It's like she vanished off the face of the earth."

Francis's eyes were hard, a storm brewing behind them as he glanced at the packhouse where their father, Alpha Nathan, had spent the last hour evading their questions. "If he knows where she is, he's not telling us," Francis said, his voice bitter. "He's stone cold."

Kayden clenched his fists, his wolf growing restless inside him. Malinda had always been there, close, reliable, someone they could protect. And now, she was just... gone. It was hard to figure out whether anger, sadness, or an all-consuming fear was driving him. "She wouldn't have just left without a reason," he growled. "And I don't buy for one second that Father doesn't know where she is."

Francis nodded, his gaze sharp and resolute. "We'll find out one way or another."

As if on cue, Alpha Nathan stepped out of the packhouse, his face unreadable as he took in the sight of his sons waiting. His eyes flickered with a hint of irritation but didn't waver this time.

"Father," Kayden began, his voice tense but controlled. "We need to know what happened to Malinda. She's gone, and no one's telling us a damn thing."

Alpha Nathan's face remained a mask of calm, though his eyes darkened. "What Malinda does is her business, not yours," he replied, his voice cold and dismissive. "It's time you two focused on your duties to the pack."

Francis stepped forward, his posture stiff with restrained fury. "We've always focused on the pack," he snapped. "But Malinda is part of it too. And if she left... if she left, there has to be a reason. Don't we deserve to know?"

Alpha Nathan's eyes hardened, a warning flashing in them. "You deserve to know what I tell you," he said, his voice firm with finality. "Malinda's path is no longer tied to yours. Let it go."

Kayden's wolf was furious at the cold dismissal, every protective instinct within him roaring in response. But one glance at the hard line of Alpha Nathan's jaw told him the argument was over before it had even started. Their father had made his decision. Nothing they said would change it.

"Fine," Kayden muttered, his voice tight with barely-contained anger. "If you won't help us, we'll find out on our own."

As the two turned to leave, a figure stepped into their path. Sharon appeared, her lips curling into a smile that barely reached her eyes. Her gaze flickered with annoyance as they brushed past her without so much as a glance. Undeterred, she quickly caught up to them, trying to sound cheerful.

"Francis, Kayden," she said sweetly, stepping between them. "You both look so serious. Is everything all right?"

Neither brother responded, their attention consumed by their own concerns. Kayden's mind was already working on ways to track down Malinda, while Francis was trying to piece together who might have information in the pack.

Sharon's smile faltered as she realized they were ignoring her. She had been playing this game for weeks, hovering between them, subtly reminding them that she was always there, always ready to make Malinda jealous. But now Malinda was gone, and the brothers' attention was slipping from her grasp. She couldn't let that happen.

"Francis?" she pressed, lightly brushing her hand over his arm. "You seem a little tense. Maybe I can help?"

Francis barely glanced at her, his focus still fixed on Kayden. "Not now, Sharon. This isn't the time."

Her lips twisted in irritation, but she quickly fell into step with Kayden instead. "Kayden, come on," she said, her voice laced with fake sweetness. "You're always in a good mood when you're with me. Maybe I can... cheer you up?"

Kayden stopped in his tracks, his expression darkening. He turned to face her, his voice low and sharp. "I'm not interested in being 'cheered up,' Sharon. And honestly, neither of us has time for this."

The day dragged on, and Sharon found herself pacing through Shadow Pack's grounds, anger simmering beneath her calm exterior. For weeks, she'd played the game, always lurking in the background, vying for their attention, trying to remind them that she was there. But now, with Malinda gone, it wasn't enough. Her patience was wearing thin.

By nightfall, Sharon had come up with a plan. If the brothers wanted to keep chasing after Malinda's ghost, then she'd make sure they remembered exactly who was here and who had always been here. And she wouldn't be gentle about it.

The next morning, Sharon headed to the training grounds where the brothers were sparring, their movements sharp, precise, and laced with frustration. She watched them, studying their every move, her anger seething just beneath the surface as they continued to avoid her.

When they took a break, she stepped forward, her tone sweet but with an edge that barely concealed her irritation. "Francis, Kayden," she called, trying to sound playful. "You both seem so tense. Maybe I can help?"

Francis didn't even look at her, his attention still locked on Kayden. "Not now, Sharon. We're busy."

Sharon's smile twisted, her voice turning brittle. "Busy? Or just... avoiding reality?"

Kayden's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening. "What do you mean by 'reality'?"

"Oh, I know plenty," Sharon replied, her voice dripping with smugness. "I know that Malinda's gone, and she didn't even bother to tell either of you. Maybe it's time you two accepted that and moved on."

Kayden's gaze darkened, but he didn't respond. Francis, on the other hand, met her with a cold, piercing stare. "And that's where you're wrong, Sharon. Malinda may be gone, but we're not about to move on just because it suits you."

Sharon's face flushed with anger, but she masked it behind a thin, forced smile. "Suit yourself," she sneered. "But you're wasting your time."

With that, Francis turned away, dismissing her without a second glance. Kayden lingered for a moment longer, his eyes giving her a faint warning before he followed his brother.

Sharon clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms as she watched them walk away. Fine, she thought. Let them keep chasing after Malinda. But Sharon had a plan, and she was only just getting started.