CHAPTER 261: IT WAS A TRAP.

"We didn’t even have a proper conversation with Marcus," Hiro hissed inside the car as they drove away from Mr. Slade’s house in the quarter. They had the principal locked up in there till Marcus returned. "He was so grumpy and annoying, like it’s our fault that he lost his daughter eighteen years ago."

"Exactly. He’s pouring all his frustration on us," Taros sighed, leaning back in his seat. Kaito was silent. He hadn’t said a word or replied to any question since they got into the car. Something was bothering him deeply, something different from all their troubles.

"Are we going to wait here till Marcus asks us to move?" Hiro asked, his eyes moving to Seraphina, who had been quiet too. Her head rested against the window, her face distant. The car kept rolling slowly down the road.

"I think we should wait," Taros replied. He tapped Kaito, who turned to him for a second before focusing back on the road. "You’re quiet."

"Really?" Kaito muttered. "I was thinking about Renn... what his reaction will be when he finds out what Principal Valois did. It’s going to break him."

"He’ll feel the same way we do," Taros said, referring to Angela. "He was close to her. Is there something else to worry about?"

"Yes. I’m confused because Dave mentioned Principal Valois and Renn when we were at the hospital," Hiro said, trying to recall the exact words. Everything had happened too fast for him to think clearly.

"Is Renn still seeing Miss Valois?" Taros asked, frowning in disappointment.

"Hell no," Kaito replied, avoiding his gaze. He wasn’t sure if he should say more or wait for Renn to wake up and explain things himself. It was better if Renn said it.

"So why the jealousy?" Hiro asked. "Why did she hate Angela that much?"

"I don’t know, but it has nothing to do with Renn. I promise," Kaito said as he stopped the car and got out quickly to avoid more questions.

"Something’s wrong with your guy, did you notice?" Hiro said, stepping out of the car as he watched Kaito walk into the hospital building.

"I see it... but he won’t talk," Taros said quietly. He knew Kaito was going through something he didn’t want to share. "I’ll ask him later. We’re all a mess today. I don’t want to push it."

"Are we going in?" Seraphina asked, looking at the chaos Marcus and his sister had caused. Her chest tightened at the sight. Who was going to fix this now? Them or the authorities?

"Let’s go in," Taros said, letting her lead the way.

"How did you guys come across this girl?" Hiro asked as they entered the building.

"She’s Kaito’s prisoner," Taros answered as they climbed the stairs toward the room Renn had been moved to.

"How is he?" Kaito asked immediately, walking to the bed where Renn lay with his eyes closed. Even in sleep, he looked broken.

"He’s still resting," Dr. Dave said. "But we’ll have to vacate this building before nightfall. The damage is too much, and it’s not safe for him here."

"What about Kael?" Hiro asked curiously. He had not seen his Beta since Angela disappeared.

"He is fine and awake," the doctor replied with a sad smile before it faded away. "His test results came out clean. Right now, our focus is on Renn. He will need a few days to recover and won’t be able to join you in the search."

"I don’t want him to come, so this is a good opportunity," Kaito said, holding his brother’s hand tightly. "No one will tell him what happened to Angela until we get back."

Everyone stared at him in surprise. What he said shocked them, but deep down they knew Renn was smart enough to figure it out when he woke up.

"He will know she’s missing," Taros said quietly, wondering why Kaito wanted to hide the truth from Renn.

"He deserves to know what happened while he was asleep, and that his jealous ex caused it," Hiro insisted.

"That’s exactly why I don’t want you to tell him anything. He will blame himself for everything," Kaito said, his voice low and tired.

Hiro nodded slowly. "Maybe I won’t say that. I’ll just say the principal caused it."

"It’s all the same," Taros muttered, rubbing his head as he tried to think clearly.

"Yes, it is, Hiro," Dr. Dave said in agreement. He called for the wheelchair to move Renn to the car, but his brothers refused. Kaito stepped forward without hesitation and lifted Renn carefully into his arms. They went downstairs together, the others following behind silently.

They placed Renn in the car and drove to the East house. When they arrived, they carried him upstairs to his room. Alex, Stales, and Samuel were already there waiting.

Kaito laid Renn gently on the bed and covered him with a bedsheet. He turned to the doctor and asked, "What’s next?"

"He needs a blood transfusion. He lost too much blood," Dr. Dave said as he placed his large bag on the drawer. He opened it and brought out the blood bank.

"I’ll help," Taros said, stepping forward, his voice firm but his heart heavy.

"We will wait outside," Kaito said, leading the way. He saw the curiosity in Alex and Stales’ eyes. They were worried and confused, wondering why they had not gone to search for their friend. He knew he had to say something to calm them, something to ease their worry. "We spoke to Marcus. He will contact us soon."

"We are going to work with him?" Alex asked, his voice filled with disappointment. He never liked Marcus and never trusted him.

Kaito nodded. "Yes. We don’t have a choice. What matters most is getting Angela back safe. We will take help even from the devil if he is the only one who can help us."

"I understand," Alex said softly, looking away.

"You don’t have to worry," Kaito told him, trying to sound strong even though he felt broken inside. "When this is all over, I will ask Marcus about your father, okay?"

"Yes, Alpha," Alex replied, his voice low.

Four hours later, a call came from a strange number. Kaito picked it up while sitting quietly in the room. His brothers looked at him, waiting, their eyes filled with questions. "Who is this?" he asked.

"Marcus, boy," a deep coarse voice replied. Kaito rolled his eyes but didn’t speak. He just listened in silence. "Get your boys ready. We will pick you up soon."

"Did you find her location?" Kaito asked quickly, his heart beating fast.

"If I didn’t, we wouldn’t be talking right now. Or did you think I enjoy hearing your voice?" Marcus answered coldly.

Kaito gritted his teeth but said nothing. He could hear the sound of engines and people in the background. For the first time since the day started, a small spark of hope lit in his chest, but he refused to show it.

Before he could say a word, Marcus ended the call. Kaito stared at the phone for a moment, then shook his head as he stood up. "I can’t wait for this to be all over. I’m enduring this because of Angela."

"We are all doing it for her," Taros said, rising from his seat. He glanced at Hiro, who had been sitting beside Renn for hours without moving. "Let’s get going, bro."

"Wait... did you hear that?" Hiro leaned closer to Renn, his eyes narrowing. The others looked at him, confused. "He called Angela’s name."

"Renn is just dreaming," Kaito said, taking his black jacket from the couch. He slipped it on and gestured for them to leave, but Hiro stopped him. "What now?"

"Angela and Renn can connect through dreams," Alex said quickly. Samuel nodded, telling them about the first dream where Renn discovered Angela was a girl.

"Do you think that’s happening again?" Taros asked curiously. "We can’t connect with her. What makes you think he can?"

"He had her first. Don’t you remember?" Hiro said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "The first person to claim her has a special bond with her." His words left them silent. They all knew he was right, even if they didn’t want to believe it.

"Angela..." Renn muttered suddenly as his eyes flew open. He looked around in confusion and saw his brothers surrounding him.

"Renn, are you okay?" Hiro asked softly, taking his hand. "Did you see Angela?"

Renn nodded weakly. "She was locked up in a cell. I tried to save her, but it was a trap. It wasn’t just a dream."