My Alphas' Dark Desires-Chapter 131: She Doesn’t Know

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Chapter 131

~Aira’s POV~

Golden Claw Pack—Solstice’s Bedroom

The world tilted slightly when I saw that note. Just a slip of paper. Folded neatly. No weight to it.

And yet, it felt heavier than all the grief I had ever swallowed.

I moved first.

Past the bed frame. Past the window, she always kept it half open. Her scent still lingered in the air—honeysuckle and wild spice.

My fingers brushed the note from Zade’s hands. The edge trembled in my hand as I took a much closer look at it. My breath held.

’I’m sorry, Dad, Mum. I have to go.’

That was all.

Eight words.

Eight damn words!

I clutched it tighter, something sharp pressing behind my ribs. My legs gave slightly, and I lowered myself to sit on the edge of her bed, blinking fast.

Gone.

My little girl was gone.

Zade turned away, his fists clenched so tight I thought his knuckles would split. His jaw worked back and forth, like a storm building inside him.

And Tempest... her voice cracked softly.

"No..." She stepped into the room beside me, disbelief washing across her face. "She didn’t even say where?"

Zade slammed his hand into the wall. Not hard enough to break it—but hard enough to shake the painting nearby. "Dammit!"

"Zade," I whispered. "Stop."

But even I didn’t believe the calm in my voice. Because inside, I was unravelling.

It had only been moments, and yet the fear was already clawing at me.

Solstice wasn’t like other girls. She was spirited. Wild. A spark wrapped in skin and laughter. But she wasn’t reckless. She was careful in her own messy way. She’d never just vanish.

Unless she thought it was worth the risk. Unless she thought... she had to.

To save someone important? Valerie or Sorm?

"She went after Valerie," I murmured, staring at the edge of the note again. "I know it."

Tempest looked at me. "You think she followed her?"

"I don’t think. I feel it." I touched my chest lightly. "A mother knows."

Zade turned back to face us. "But why now? Why leave without a word—no explanation, no location?"

"She’s never been subtle," I whispered. "But she’s never been quiet either. This... this silence is a cry."

Tempest rubbed at her eyes. "And you’re certain it’s about Valerie?"

"She’s been watching her more. Asking questions. Even when we thought she was distracted, she was always aware." I stood slowly. "And with the way Valerie’s magic stirred recently... Solstice must’ve sensed it too."

"Wait, what? Valerie’s magic stirred? How come no one said anything? We could have gone to meet Siona. Siona knows, only she knows how to tame that child."

I looked down, not ready to meet ehr eyes.

As a family, we agreed to do this revenge plot together and that included Tempest, my husband and kids but now, Solstice had been absorbed and was only concerned with Valerie’s safety that she had done so many things just to distract us from Valerie while they did their thing.

But not telling Tempest of this new development with Valerie was bad.

Zade cursed softly and ran a hand through his curls. "I should’ve seen this coming."

"No," I said, reaching out to place a hand on his arm. "We both should’ve. We got comfortable. Forgot she’s not a child anymore."

Tempest’s voice dropped low. "Where would she go?"

Zade’s eyes flickered. "She’s smart. She won’t go straight to PSA. She’ll follow Valerie’s trail quietly. Hide in the shadows. She’s trained for this."

"And if someone finds her before Valerie does?" Tempest asked.

I didn’t answer.

Because I’d already thought of that.

If Solstice walked into the wrong hands, if she was recognised, if they realised who she was—Valerie’s cousin, Snow’s niece—she’d be as good as bait.

Tempest moved to the window, staring out toward the eastern ridge. "You said Valerie still doesn’t know about the prophecy. Doesn’t know who she really is."

Zade nodded. "And it has to stay that way. At least for now. Not until the other heirs can be trusted."

"And what if Solstice tells her?" Tempest turned, expression grim. "You know she would if she thought Valerie was in danger."

Zade and I exchanged a glance.

She would.

Of course, she would. Because that’s who Solstice was. Unshakable. Fierce. Loyal in ways most never understood.

And a danger to herself if she thought protecting someone she loved was worth the cost.

"She’s still just a girl," I whispered.

"And that’s why we made sure not to tell her about it either."

"She’s your daughter," Tempest said softly, walking back toward me. "And Zara’s blood runs through both those girls. Stubborn doesn’t even begin to describe it."

Zade exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I’ll alert the patrol units. She can’t have gotten far. I’ll check the rail lines and send word to the southern gate. If she tries to go underground or through the merchant caravans, we’ll find her."

"And if we don’t?" I asked.

He didn’t answer.

Not because he didn’t want to but because he knew the truth as clearly as I did.

If Solstice didn’t want to be found, she wouldn’t be.

A silence fell over the room again, heavier now—the kind that settles into the bones, waiting for something to break.

I moved toward the small bookshelf by her bed. Her sketches were still stacked messily there. A few drawings of her training staff. A crude, half-finished one of Valerie—eyes too big, mouth caught mid-smirk.

I ran my thumb over it, tracing the pencil lines.

"You better find her, Valerie," I whispered to myself. "Because if anything happens to Solstice... I won’t survive another loss."

Tempest stepped beside me and gently pulled me into her arms. Her hand rubbed circles on my back, grounding me.

I hadn’t cried yet—but I would. I could feel it burning behind my ribs. Not yet.

We still had to move. Still had to act and had to believe.

"She’s going to be okay," Tempest whispered.

I nodded slowly, pressing my lips together.

"She has to be." And then my gaze darted to Zade. Just as his eyes locked with mine, I said, "Call Storm. Have him find his sister.’