10 Seemingly A Chance


    ~Liam~


    Sleep eluded me the entire night. My mind was consumed by nightmares, haunted by the terrifying


    possibilities of what might have befallen Sophia. Restlessness permeated the air, not just within me,


    but also evident in Alex. Eventually, I sat up in bed and gazed out at the moon through my window.


    Its radiant glow captivated me, and in my desperation, I found myself wondering if it held some


    wisdom. Could the moon speak to me? Could it somehow reveal the whereabouts of Sophia?


    Perhaps its luminous beams had touched her in some way tonight. I entertained these thoughts,


    hoping for a sign or inspiration on where to search and whom to reach out to. But deep down, I


    knew it was mere wishful thinking.


    The reality was that as each day passed, the chances of finding Sophia diminished. We were now


    entering the third day, and the weight of that grim possibility pressed heavily upon me. Dread filled


    my thoughts, refusing to be averted, as I confronted the unsettling notion that time was slipping


    away.


    Morning arrived, and Harper and I embarked on our customary run through the woods. As we made


    our way, we were joined by Marvin, Miles, Oliver, Lilly, and the triplets. We had hoped that our visit


    would be brief and that we would quickly return to Grizlo, but our parents held us firmly in their


    grasp. Arriving at a stream that served as our rendezvous point, where a metal trunk housed our


    spare clothes, we gathered together. This spot had be a familiar meeting ce during our


    runs.


    I was the first to shift back to human form and retrieve the clothes from the trunk. Though it seemed


    that the collection hadn''t been refreshed in some time, I couldn''t help but feel grateful. The omegas


    responsible for maintaining the trunk never failed to ensure we had a fresh supply of clothes. I


    tossed the shorts to the guys and the oversized t-shirts to the girls. They all swiftly changed into


    their respective garments. We settled down by the stream, contemting our next course of action.


    I ryed the details of my father''s conversation with Christian to the group. Charlotte voiced the


    question that lingered in all of our minds.


    "Why does this situation feelrger than we initially thought?" she pondered, and I found myself


    without an answer.


    "I just want to find her," I confessed, my voice filled with a mix of desperation and longing.


    “I never had the chance to tell her how I truly felt. I need to see her and express my emotions.


    Moving on from this as quickly as my father hopes seems impossible. It''s incredibly challenging to


    stop caring about someone who has been such a significant part of my life. I can''t just walk away," I


    expressed, feeling the weight of my emotions. Harper reached out and gently touched my shoulder.


    "We understand, Liam, and we''re here to support you in finding her. Just say the word. I might have


    said some things yesterday, but I hate seeing you like this. If you want us to sneak away and


    conduct our own investigation, we''ve decided to do it," Harper dered, surprising me with her


    determination.


    The idea of leaving the estate and embarking on an adventure to find Sophia seemed exhrating,


    but I immediately considered the potential consequences. I thought about our parents and realised


    that it would be unfair to put them through such worry and uncertainty.


    As I contemted the situation, my father''s voice echoed through the air, summoning us to his


    lounge. Had something significant urred? We left the stream behind and hastened our way back


    to the mansion. Once inside, we neglected to change our attire, even though it wasn''t entirely


    appropriate. It was only us, after all.


    We made our way to the lounge.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    The television screen was already on, and to my astonishment, I saw a video featuring Mike,


    Margret, and a visibly distraught Sophia. They didn''t appear to be held captive, but the surroundings


    indicated an underground setting. It was difficult to determine the specific location since we had


    numerous underground hideouts, and every time my father shut one down, new ones would swiftly


    emerge. Therefore, we opted not to dwell on that particr detail. My mother approached me.


    "They are safe, Liam. Mike is sending this message because of you," she informed me, her tone


    laced with a hint of annoyance.


    I noticed that the video wasn''t ying on a typical television station, so I inquired about its source.


    My mother revealed that it had been mailed to Head Enforcer Golubev by an unidentified sender


    they had been unable to trace.


    My father pressed the y button, and I focused on Mike''s words, ready to listen to what he had to


    say.


    "I want to begin by expressing my sincere apologies to Alpha Christian for the trouble I have


    caused. I deeply regret that it hase to this, but please understand that I had no other choice. I


    wish I could go back in time and remain oblivious to the circumstances, but that is not within my


    power. Through this message, I humbly implore Alpha Christian, the Alpha council, the king''s


    council, and the crowned prince to find it in their hearts to forgive me for my actions. Although I


    cannot divulge the reason behind my actions, I earnestly request that the search be called off," Mike


    spoke directly into the camera, his gaze unwavering.


    "Prince Liam, I offer you my sincere apologies, as I understand the depth of your feelings when I


    saw you two nights ago. Please know that what urred was not intentional or born out of hatred. I


    also plead with you to let go of Sophia. As you can see, she is alive and well. I implore you to


    release her and find peace in your own life. Perhaps, one day, the truth will be revealed. But until


    then, I simply want to say sorry," the video abruptly ended, leaving us with a sense of


    ipleteness.


    The recording left us with more questions than answers. Its vagueness made it clear that the sole


    purpose was to plead for the search to cease and for me to move on. However, the motivations


    behind such a risk and the true intentions remained unclear. There had to be more to it, but we were


    left in the dark, unsure of what would transpire next.


    "There is definitely more to this situation than meets the eye," Uncle David astutely observed, and I


    was relieved that he shared my scepticism. I turned to my father, seeing the worry etched on his


    face. My uncles also expressed their concerns, with Uncle David and Uncle Dominic disying a


    touch of frustration.


    "Alpha Christian mentioned that he would bring this matter to the council. I believe we should


    pursue it," Uncle Dominic proposed, his gaze focused on me. It was evident that he made the


    suggestion for my benefit, and I felt grateful for his support. He had a knack for being cool like that


    sometimes.


    "We cannot allow this to happen to our dear Liam," Uncle Dominic continued, his eyes still fixed on


    me.


    "I mean, it''s been years since we''ve truly had any fun," he added with a mischievous smile, and I


    hoped he would say what I was hoping to hear.


    "I strongly believe that this matter warrants further investigation. Trust me, if we bring it to the


    attention of Leo and Devin, they will take action. I sense something fishy was transpiring in Grizlo,"


    Uncle Dominic voiced, and I felt a sense of relief knowing that my uncle shared my perspective. The


    fact that none of his own children was involved likely allowed him to approach the situation with


    clearer judgment, unclouded by the sentiments that may have influenced my parents.


    Uncle Theo objected, stating we had no direct connection with Grizlo, and my heart sank a bit


    because he was right. Three weeks was a long time to wait for Alpha Christian to bring the matter to


    the council.


    "Yes, you''re right, Theo. We don''t have any direct involvement with Grizlo," Uncle David


    acknowledged, understanding his concern. Uncle David turned his gaze towards me, assessing my


    countenance.


    "You won''t recklessly jeopardise your life or the lives of your cousins on matter, will you?" Uncle


    David inquired, and I shook my head in response. As much as I cared about Sophia, I wasn’t selfish


    to ruin my family for it.


    "Very well then. I propose that we appoint Justin to oversee Grizlo for the time being. After all, I


    have a deep connection to the ce. Liam and the others can work closely with him," Uncle David


    suggested, surprising me with his willingness to send his own son to Grizlo.


    "What?" Aunt Nicole eximed in protest.


    "We were supposed to head to the east. Perhaps Justin might find someone there. Besides, didn’t


    Christain say they were looking at Kaizen and Braile? Why send our son to Grizlo?" she argued, but


    Uncle David shook his head.


    "Who''s to say Justin won’t find someone special in Grizlo?" Uncle David replied with a knowing look


    in his eyes. Reminding her they had met and married in Grizlo, and I fought back the urge to smile.


    "Besides, it will be a temporary arrangement. We will conduct our investigation as well, but we''ll


    work behind the scenes," Uncle David exined, outlining his n. I nced at my father,


    recognising that he held the final decision in his hands.


    "When we return from the east, we will finalise this n. We must also ensure that Justin is willing


    to take on the position. We can''t force him to assume a role solely for the purpose of investigation.


    Additionally, Leo will provide valuable insight," my father dered. While it appeared to be a distant


    solution, I remained hopeful that he would agree. I knew that once we arrived in Grizlo, my


    predicament would be one step closer to resolution.


    After my father dismissed us, a sense of relief washed over me. I began to walk away when


    Charlotte chased after me and handed me her phone. I instantly knew it had something to do with


    Sophia. Unfortunately, I was yet to retrieve my own line, so I made a mental note to seek Kappa


    Wilson''s help with it.


    "I received four calls from an unknown number. I believe it might be Sophia, but I don''t want to call


    back in case it''s a secretmunication. I think it''s best if you hold onto it," Charlotte exined,


    and I expressed my gratitude. I swiftly left the mansion and sprinted back to the bungalow. As soon


    as I entered my room, the phone started ringing, and I answered it immediately.


    "Hello," I managed to say, my heart racing. Sophia''s voice resonated on the other end.


    "Li," she said, and before she could say anything else, my worries spilled out.


    "Are you alright, Sophia? Are you safe?" I asked anxiously, pausing for her response.


    "We are okay for now, Li," she replied in a hushed voice, and I sensed that her safety was still


    precarious.


    "Don''t ever say goodbye to me again. I''m searching for you and doing everything I can to ensure


    your safety and protection," I pleaded with her, my voice filled with determination. Over the phone, I


    heard a sniffle.


    "I''m sorry I got you involved in this mess, Li. I truly am sorry," she said, her wordsced with


    remorse. I knew the video was one of the reasons behind her apology, but I couldn''t dwell on it. I


    had to focus on what mattered most—finding a way to bring her and her mother to safety, away


    from their current location and out of the clutches of thew.


    "Do you have any idea where you might be?" I managed to ask, my concern evident in my voice.


    "We arrived at an ind. My mother and I are being held in a heavily guarded building. I believe


    they are using us as leverage to control my father. I don''t know the exact location, but I will try to


    find out andmunicate it to you," she exined, and my relief was mixed with frustration.


    "Did you notice anything distinctive when you arrived?" I inquired further, hoping for any clue that


    could aid our search.


    "We were blindfolded during the journey. Our blindfolds were only removed once we were inside the


    building. They used a strongvender scent to mask the natural smells of the area. It had a distinct


    alcoholic base. There was also a strong, constant wind, but I couldn''t see much as there were no


    windows where they''d kept me. It seems like they have nned everything meticulously. I believe


    they are using us as a means to manipte my father. I don''t fully understand the situation, but I


    want to assure you that it doesn''t seem like they intend to kill us," she revealed, providing some


    reassurance amidst the uncertainty.


    "Please, Sophia, keep a low profile and do everything you can to stay alive. Don''t ever say goodbye


    to me or ask me to move on without you because I won''t. Don''t ask for the impossible. There''s


    something I should have told you, but I was waiting for your eighteenth birthday. We were supposed


    to discuss it in person, but I won''t wait any longer. So please, hold on tightly," I dered, my


    determination and love evident in my words. I heard her let out a sigh of relief.


    "I will, Li. I will hold on for as long as I possibly can," she assured me, and we ended the call. Her


    words lifted my spirits, and I hoped that fate would be kind to us. Despite being just eighteen, I was


    certain of my feelings and resolute in my heart. I would not let her slip away.