Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers-Chapter 579: New Findings

Evaline:

I nodded slowly, fully aware who Kieran was talking about.

"I’ll call River later," I told him. "To thank him. Not just for getting the record book so quickly, but for managing to occupy it from the council for me."

A small smile tugged at my lips as I added, "I really couldn’t have asked for anything better."

Kieran hummed in acknowledgment, his expression softening just a little. He knew exactly how much that book meant to me... how long I had been searching for answers that no one else seemed able, or willing, to give.

River’s quiet efficiency, his ability to make things happen without fuss, had always been one of the things I admired about him.

Kieran leaned back against the edge of his desk, folding his arms loosely. "Are you accompanying Elion for the elite business gathering?"

I nodded, though slightly surprised by the sudden question. "Yes. Though it’s been postponed. It was supposed to be tomorrow evening, but they have pushed it back a few days. Next Wednesday now."

His brows lifted slightly. "I see."

I hesitated for a fraction of a second before asking, "Will River be joining as well?"

Kieran gave me a look that clearly said - you already know the answer to that.

"Of course," he replied smoothly. "He wouldn’t miss it even if he didn’t want to go."

I smiled faintly. Considering River was the chairman and CEO of a billion-dollar empire... and quite literally the richest businessman and alpha in our world... there was no scenario where he wouldn’t be present at a gathering like that.

Still, knowing I would be in a room full of powerful people as Elion’s partner while River would definitely be watching us... I just hoped and prayed things would go smoothly.

Once the lighter topic settled, my thoughts inevitably drifted back to the shadows looming over us.

I shifted slightly, folding my hands together. "Any new developments in the investigation?"

Kieran’s demeanor changed immediately... not darker, but sharper. Focused now.

"River managed to get in touch with the witch acquaintance we spoke about," he said. "They are discussing a meeting. We are trying to set it up as soon as possible."

My shoulders relaxed without me realizing they had been tense.

"That’s... actually great news," I said softly.

At least the witches hadn’t outright refused. That alone felt like a small victory. Even if they didn’t know the full details yet - about the soul deaths, about the Great Evil, about why River was reaching out - there was still a chance for cooperation. A chance for answers.

Kieran nodded. "It’s promising."

He paused briefly before continuing. "Jasper has also been digging through the diner’s records... the one where Miss Naira worked."

I leaned forward slightly, my attention sharpening.

"But it hasn’t been easy," he went on. "It’s been over a year. The owner doesn’t remember who the customer was that night. Apparently, there were several alcohol deliveries every day as it’s one of the biggest alcohol supplier in the area."

My heart sank a little, but I stayed quiet.

"One of the other workers did remember something, though," he continued. "The order wasn’t placed last minute. It was made a few days in advance. That particular night just happened to be extremely crowded. By the time they realized there was still a delivery pending, all the regular delivery staff had already left."

"And Naira took it," I murmured. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Yes," Kieran confirmed. "She volunteered to make the delivery before heading home."

That detail lodged itself uncomfortably in my mind.

"Jasper and his team are now going through every alcohol order placed during that entire week," Kieran said. "It’s slow work, but there’s a chance a name... or a location... might stand out. We should have a clearer picture in a day or two."

I exhaled slowly.

"At least it’s something," I said. "A lead, however small."

Kieran studied me for a moment, his gaze unusually gentle. "You are handling all of this remarkably well."

I gave a small, tired smile. "I don’t think I have a choice."

The room fell into a comfortable silence after that, the weight of the conversation slowly easing. For the first time since I had entered his office, I allowed myself to truly breathe.

Kieran was the one who broke the silence.

"Come here," he said quietly.

I didn’t waste even a second and stepped closer. He reached for me, his hands warm as they settled around my waist, pulling me in until I was standing right in front of him.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

He rested his forehead against mine, closing his eyes briefly as if grounding himself. The simple intimacy of the gesture made my chest tighten.

"You don’t always have to be strong," he murmured. "Not with me or my brothers."

My hands moved on their own, wrapping around his waist as I hugged him. "I know."

He pulled his face back slightly and looked at me. "You are carrying far more than you should."

I brushed my thumb gently across his cheek. "So are you."

That earned me a quiet chuckle.

He shifted away from the desk, lifting me effortlessly until my feet barely touched the ground. I laughed softly, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Careful," I teased. "You just said you are not as young as me anymore."

He smirked. "I lied."

He carried me the short distance to the couch and sat down, settling me onto his lap as if that was exactly where I belonged. His arms wrapped around me securely, one hand resting at my lower back, the other tracing slow, soothing patterns along my spine.

I relaxed into him, letting my head rest against his shoulder.

For a while, we stayed like that - no investigations, no council, no Great Evil. Just warmth. Just us.

"Stay for a bit," he said softly. "I miss you so much."

I smiled against his shoulder. "I miss you even more."

His lips brushed against my temple. "I know."

I closed my eyes, allowing myself this moment of peace, knowing that whatever awaited us next... we wouldn’t face it alone.