In minutes everyone was on full alert, trying to track down the missing prisoner, but I knew it was a waste of time. Outside the house I watched the flurry of activity as my pack began to search the property in the hope that we would find Crystal and the Keeper.
How?James asked when he arrived a few minutes later.
Crystal.I didn't know how but I knew she was behind it. She had been against my decision to end the Keeper's life to ensure her safety.
There was no way she could have done what she had on her own, though. She had been with me only a few hours before and I'd had no idea. I felt the betrayal that she had done this but it was soon overridden by the fear for her safety.
I couldn't lose her. It wasn't a possibility.
She couldn't have done it alone,he said, voicing what I had already figured out.
Where's Bay?I asked him, knowing that she had been a part of this. Her connection with the Keeper would have made her the best person to help Crystal.
You think she helped?he asked. I nodded my head, struggling to keep a lid on my anger.
Why would Crystal do this?James asked.
I shrugged, not wanting to think about that.
"What's going on?" Cade asked when he joined us.
"The Keeper is gone."
"But that's not possible. How did he get out?" he asked, not believing that someone from the pack would have helped him escape.
"Crystal."
Cade frowned. "Why?"
I let out a heavy sigh as I rubbed my forehead.
"She didn't agree with my decision to get rid of the Keeper." I looked at Cade. "She believed that it would only secure the war that has been threatening us since their arrival."
"I don't understand why her actions will change any of this," James said.
They didn't know Crystal like I did.
"If Flynn is returned to the Keepers with the information he knows about Crystal, they will not stop until they have her."
They still looked at me with confusion, not understanding.
"The only thing that will stop them is if she gives herself to them." Saying the words out loud made my chest ache like a knife was embedded in my heart.
The understanding sank in and a look of horror passed over James' features.
"We need to find her before she gets to the Keepers," Cade said, already in alpha mode, trying to come up with solutions.
But I was realistic.
"It's too late." I felt like something inside me was dying and there was nothing I could do to save it.
"But they could still be on the compound," Cade offered, but I shook my head.
"They're gone." Despite everyone still searching, I knew that they wouldn't be found here.
There was no room for anger or feelings of betrayal. There was only one last thing for me to do. Loving her made my next decision an easy one. I looked at James.
"I need you to stay and manage the pack with Uncle Nate," I instructed. But he shook his head.
