Page 56 of Fated Alpha Baby

I glance at Conan beside me, noticing the way his fists clench at his sides. The thought already lingers between us without being spoken aloud.

If Nico was taken alive…then Clarissa was almost taken alive, too.

And if Nico’s wolf emerged early, then Clarissa, too, will receive her wolf soon.

“We believe the demons are specifically targeting hybrid children,” Amalia says grimly. “Children born from both witch and wolf blood. Which is why Alpha Conan and Sister Hannah reported a scare in the Bitterroot Valley as well.”

Annika pales instantly beside Heinrich. “Is this because of the portal?”

Amalia nods once. “That is our suspicion.”

Alpha William steps forward. “The Blood Mill Pack has also swept Milford for any signs of the portal, but for now, there is nothing.”

“Nico’s scent was lost a few meters outside of Blood Mill territory,” Orlando states, and Annika nods.

“From what I saw in my vision, the portal is near an old sawmill. If it’s not there, it’s probably because they haven’t opened it yet.”

“Or they’re doing a damn good job of concealing it,” Heinrich adds.

Sister Amalia steps forward then, her silver-threaded robes brushing softly against the floor. Though she remains composed, something troubled lingers in her expression.

“Hannah’s potion protected Clarissa for years because it concealed her wolf essence,” she explains. “Without that scent, Clarissa appeared human to demonic tracking.”

“Then why attack now?” Dedrik asks.

“Because the potion wore off,” I whisper.

All eyes shift toward me.

I know what my sisters are thinking, only learning now that Clarissa is part witch, part wolf. It had been a secret for years, but no one even questions it now.

Swallowing hard, I respond, “She hasn’t taken it in days. Her wolf fully resurfaced after the mating ritual.”

Conan’s expression darkens beside me.

Amalia folds her arms together thoughtfully. “Which is why the demons sensed her awakening. And it’s why Nico was captured. His wolf emerged only a few days ago.”

A chill slithers down my spine.

Orlando suddenly slams his fist onto the table hard enough to crack the wood. “I think we need to stop talking and find my son! We are wasting time here, and Nico is out there, all alone.”

“Nobody is wasting time,” Heinrich snaps back. “We’re trying to understand what we’re dealing with.”

“We already understand enough!” Orlando roars, grief cracking through his fury. “My son is out there with monsters!”

Milly suddenly rushes toward him, gripping his arm as tears cloud her eyes. “Orlando…calm down.”

The room falls tense again when Orlando snatches his arm away from Milly.

Then Amalia speaks softly. “We’re going to find him, Alpha Orlando. It is why we are here. If the demons are using a potion that masks Nico’s scent, there is another way we can find him. Did you bring what I asked for?”

Orlando mumbles something incoherent under his breath as he flings a blue knitted hat at Amalia. It’s Nico’s—I’ve seen him wearing it before.

Amalia grabs the hat and turns toward the ceremonial circle etched into the floor. “Prepare the chamber,” she instructs, and the witches move immediately.

Candles are repositioned. Bowls of herbs and black salt are arranged carefully around the circle while the rest of us step back to give them space.

Conan moves closer to me instinctively, his hand brushing lightly against mine before settling at the small of my back. The touch is subtle, grounding. Protective.