With Julius off, Goddess knows where, and after meeting with Shaw and Orion, Dominic felt that fatherly pull he hadn't experienced since losing his baby all those years ago.
Once again, his baby boy had been taken from him, but this time, he was determined to get him back right away, refusing to endure the agony he'd just gone through to find him.
Dominic was set on getting out the door and into the woods to find his son, no matter who tried to stop him.
Through clenched teeth, a low growl carried the words, "Move now, Ayla."
He didn't know what had made him agree to leave, but he was determined to get him back.
Right now, the only thing in his way was Ayla.
He couldn't figure out why she seemed to be against him rather than standing by his side and charging into the woods herself.
Ayla looked at him like he'd gone completely mad, standing toe to toe with her, nostrils flaring, the fresh scar on his face throbbing right in front of her.
"I don't think so, Dominic. You can't just chase after him without a plan. Didn't you hear Raphael earlier? As far as anyone knows, you're dead. You can't risk being seen. This time, it's our turn to take the lead. You have to trust us, the young wolves, to get the job done. Consider this a temporary retirement. Stay out of sight until the moment we truly need you."
Dominic, unimpressed by her so-called speech, stepped forward to push her aside and grab the handle.
"What? No way. If there's ever a perfect time to be a phoenix, it's right now. I'm going to get my son."
Ayla rested her hand on his shoulder with a gentle, caring, and understanding touch.
"This wasn't my doing," she said, glancing at Alexander before turning back to Dominic, "But I'll get your son home safe, I promise. Even if it turns out he left on his own. He's helped me plenty of times after I've done the same to him. I still need you to be part of the plan, though."
Dominic couldn't figure out what she was trying to say.
How was he meant to stay out of it and still lend a hand at the same time?
"What's that supposed to mean? How am I meant to help from here, stuck in an apartment?"
Ayla glanced at Alexander, gave a small nod, and paused, hoping he would catch on to what she was hinting at.
When he gave a nod in return, she knew she was all set.
"Someone needs to watch over things here while we help him. Alexander will fill you in on the details, and meanwhile, the rest of us will come up with the plan. You'll quietly handle the businesses from the shadows, like the ghost you are, using his phone and computer, so together we can save the day. It's important to keep everything in check here while we're away, so it's safe when we return."
Phoenix figured she hadn't come up with a bad plan, and she'd done it so quickly, too.
Plus, her plan wasn't half bad so far, slowly talking the old wolf off the ledge.
What other things had she considered?
While Ayla, Raphael, Phoenix, Stella, and Rhae gathered to plan their trip, Alexander reviewed the business needs and itinerary with Dominic, who appeared both sad and overwhelmed.
"Don't worry, we shouldn't be gone long, or at least hopefully not, knowing Ayla. You've been around her long enough to know she's quick and efficient. If there's anyone you'd want on this operation, it's her, and we both know it. She seems more fox than wolf."
With the tension seemingly eased, Alexander's words landed just as they should, and Dominic took them in and even appeared to lift his lip slightly at the jest.
He gave a small nod before turning his attention back to the business information, quietly working out his own plan.
All he knew was that his son owned the club, Scarlett Fever, but now he'd learned that Julius and Alexander owned several other establishments as well.
Now, it felt like everything was in place except for Julius, leaving his heart weighed down with the same heaviness it had carried for so long.
With the plan in place, they figured it would be smart to catch just a few hours of sleep before setting off on their first assignment together.
It was decided that the mission would involve all three pairs of wolves.
For one thing, it was exciting, but interesting, as it was the first time the four of them had ever left town.
They say vacations bring out the best or worst of a couple.
Ayla was setting out on her first real mission, and it stirred something deep within her.
It was the first time she had ventured so far from the place she knew by heart, a place where she had mastered the art of hiding.
Being left behind in Scarlett Crest made her feel like she'd never break free from its hold, as if she were cursed to stay there, alone, forever.
After the last few weeks she had been experiencing, she began to feel like she might finally be breaking the spell that had kept her trapped.
At last, Ayla was breaking free, setting out on a mission with the three men she only vaguely knew, who were helping her break the lock on her cage.
As much as it scared her, it also thrilled her.
She still wasn't completely sure she could trust everyone, and that uncertainty only made things more exciting.
Was she willingly walking into a trap set for her?
Had Julius actually walked into a trap himself, or was he perfectly safe exploring this pack?
Her mind was always working to keep her safe, running through every possible scenario until, at last, it found the one.
Who could she really trust?
She felt like she completely trusted Alexander, but was that only because they were sleeping together?
He and Julius were best friends, and she was ready to go get him back and find some answers right then, but she knew they needed to rest first.
She was starting to get to know the other two men, Phoenix and Raphael, but somehow, she already knew they were on her side, no questions asked.
That was important, as she was sizing up potential threats before heading into the woods with the team, still mindful of the Mason incident.
As for the girls, she had only just met them.
What if it was all a trap?
Every bit of it.
Did they all know each other like they claimed, because it felt like it?
They might have faked Julius's kidnapping, just to make her believe he'd gone to get her out of the town limits.
It could just be an elaborate plan to try to catch her again.
That's why she figured maybe he was just busy, working, or something like that, and decided to give him time to come home, or maybe she could sneak out to see if he was somewhere around town.
First, they just had to make it through the night.
After that, she had a plan, though, when didn't she?
Dominic didn't like the group waiting, as he was letting his emotions get the better of him, which was another reason it was good he wasn't going on the mission.
He wanted the pack in the woods back then, and after Julius, his nervousness was enough to make Ayla believe he, more than anyone, had nothing to do with it.
Julius must have been too far away for him to sense for Dominic to be acting like that.
For that reason, it was probably just as well that he was meant to be dead and couldn't join them this time because his impulses would make it hard to stay in control if he joined them.
The last thing they needed was a loose cannon while they tried to rescue Julius, other than Ayla.
When she spoke to Alexander about his concerns, he mostly agreed with her, admitting that Ayla had some valid points, or so he claimed.
It was comforting to have her thoughts put at ease, and in some way, it meant more than Alexander could have imagined.
There was no telling what they would run into along the way or who would be waiting for them as they ran.
He kissed her forehead, then her lips, and told her she needed to take her own advice and get some sleep.
Sleep might have been the last thing on her mind, but deep down, she knew he was right.
They had a long day ahead, and it would arrive before they knew it, but she had too many questions swirling in her mind.
Lying there, she realized they had just gone off what the girls said and never bothered to investigate whether there was any merit.
After Alexander was fast asleep, dead to the world, she did what she did best, slipped from his grasp, and quietly snuck out of the apartment.
If it was true that he'd been taken from the alley by the club, it meant two things: she had to get back to bed quickly to rest for the mission ahead, and there would be some kind of sign waiting for her to find.
With the speed she was so graciously gifted, she darted through the shadows to the alley where the girls said they had discovered him.
She instantly tilted her nose to the air, taking a deep breath and moving forward, repeating the motion until the scent reached her.
The only thing she knew for sure was that they'd been told the truth: Julius had met with Shaw and Orion that night, but she wasn't done, not yet.
She stayed hidden in the shadows, following the trail of the scent to see where it would take her, and soon realized it led straight to the woods on the far side of town from the apartment building.
The girls were right, he was gone, and so were Shaw and Orion.
The only thing she couldn't wrap her head around was him leaving willingly, but if he had, it seemed like he'd led them away from the group.
Ayla was more determined than ever to track him down and get the answers she was looking for.
Getting some sleep first was necessary before she risked putting herself, Alexander, Phoenix, or Raphael in danger.
Once she was back in bed, safe and sound, it felt as though she had never left, but Alexander knew he could feel the warmth of her body settling in beside him.
He pulled her close, letting his warmth wrap around her like a blanket as she drifted to sleep, choosing not to acknowledge her brief disappearance because he knew what she had done.
Several floors below, the two other couples were doing much the same, easing each other's nerves about the morning to come.
Both girls felt nervous, not just about the trip, but also about meeting the pack in person.
For Stella, it was technically a return to the home she'd been taken from.
She wasn't sure if her parents were around or if she had any family still out there searching for her.
All she knew was that she was headed to the Moonlight Shifters, feeling both excited and a little scared.
Rhae was on her way to the pack she had chosen and been welcomed into.
They had temporarily allowed her to seek haven with them, but would they change their mind when they met her?
When she wished to join their pack, a voice warmly welcomed her.
Soft, sweet, and welcoming, yet Rhae knew it was all in her imagination.
She must have been there as the light streamed through her, though.
Phoenix found it easier to soothe Stella to sleep than Raphael did with Rhae, but eventually, the whole building settled into rest, recharging for the day ahead.
Morning usually meant the sun was starting to rise, but not on that day.
The six-person team planned on making their departure just before the sun made its break in the sky.
Operation Destination Moonlight Shifters would be in full swing before anyone even realized it.
They hoped that leaving while it was still dark would make them harder to spot and that the morning dew would better hold the scent of the wolves that had departed the night before.
First, Phoenix and Raphael woke up and gently snuggled their ladies awake with soft kisses.
For a moment, the two women nearly forgot about two things.
How early it was, and why they were waking up at that hour.
"UUUUGGGGGHHHHH," Stella's voice could be heard coming from one of the bedrooms.
"I KNOW," Rhae yelled back, "THIS IS ENTIRELY TOO EARLY. WORSE THAN THE ORPHANGE. TAKE ME BACK. HAHAHAHAHAHA."
It was obvious that Raphael had started tickling her after her latest outburst at her friend.
Rhae had one last thing to shout to her friend from across the apartment.
"I LIED! I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE."
Things grew quiet, except for the occasional moan that broke the silence every minute or so.
That came from both rooms.
It was obvious that neither woman planned on leaving, at least not right then.
On the tenth floor, waking up had its own unique rhythm.
As it got closer to the time for everyone to wake up, Alexander began to stir, moving his arm and patting the bed and pillow beside him with his hand.
He immediately refused to open his eyes.
He didn't need to in order to understand what had happened.
Once again, Ayla was nowhere to be found by his side.
At some point while he was sleeping, she slipped out of their bed, and by the time he woke up, she was gone.
By that point, he really should have known better.
That's what she does, slip out of his bed while he's still asleep.
He really should have used the damn handcuffs.