The Forgotten Heiress novel Chapter 82

Dani steeled herself from the anguish that he so clearly transmitted, telling herself that it was all lies. Every look, every word was a lie.

"Then I'm sorry for you." Dani looked pointedly at her wrist watch. "Sorry for cutting this short but I really must get going."

Nick sighed in defeat and ran a hand down his face; once again his pleas had landed on deaf ears. "Fine, sorry for keeping you." He got out of her way and turned to go then stopped and turned back to her just as she was getting into her car. "Dani."

Dani paused halfway into her car to look back at him. "Yeah?"

"I'm not giving up. I'm not moving on. I will find her, there's nowhere in this world where you guys can hide her that I will not look.'' His eyes glittered with conviction as they connected with hers. "I know you guys flew her out of here, it's just a matter of time until I reach the end of the trail."

His words caused waves of shivers to surge through her body like an earthquake triggered tsunami wave surging inland. She knew he'd been determined before but his words and the force he spoke them with were something new.

Dani nodded and turned away before he noticed her renewed apprehension. "Good luck with that; goodbye Nick."

Nick watched her settle in her seat, cringed when she slammed the door, the noise left his sensitive ears ringing, and turned away when she turned on her car. He had known it would be a waste of time. It always was; and even though he already knew what to expect, he couldn't stay away.

To stay away meant to go insane.

Trying to convince Jessica's' family to tell him where she had gone was all he could do. He couldn't go out looking for her like he wanted to. He was the Alpha and he couldn't leave the pack for long periods of time. Since Jessica's disappearance some members were weary and in need of the reassuring presence of their Alpha.

Also, due to the chaos that Jessica's disappearance had caused, there were some members who might see his absence as a chance to take control of the pack. A weak or absent Alpha didn't stay an Alpha for long. So he stayed, even though every breath he took hurt, even though every day was a nightmare that he couldn't escape, he stayed because they were his responsibility and he couldn't turn his back on them.

For the first time, the weight of his responsibility was unbearable. Just once, he wished someone would tell him what to do. But there was no one, no one to empathize with him, no one. He was the Alpha; he alone was responsible for the lives of his people.

Nick took a deep breath, trying to relieve the tightness in his chest and crossed the street to where Axel and Christian were leaning against the car waiting for him.

Even though it was unnecessary since they'd heard and seen everything, they still looked at him expectantly and he shook his head. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration and muttered a curse under his breath that they also clearly heard.