Alpha’s Hybrid Cinderella
Chapter 85

Claudia

It's been a week since the attack. We still have no real clues.

Although I'm grateful to have Peelle, I'm worried sick about Osborn.

I don't understand why they want him. I thought for sure by now they would reach out requesting us to pay a large sum to get him back, but there's been nothing.

My stomach is riddled with anxiety, and I don't know how to make it stop. I don't know how to move forward.

Peelle spends lots of time with Laila and Lauren, but I can tell how much he misses his brother even though he tries to hide it. There are times he tries to play with Laila, but she enjoys all the girly thinks like playing dress up and tea parties! And he wants to play with dinosaurs and cars and it's not the same without his brother by his side.

I sit in the playroom watching the three of them together and I could picture Osborn sitting right beside them. It breaks my heart to know that he's not here.

He's somewhere all by himself alone. Have they hurt him? Has he been fed?

I feel like I could puke from the thought of all the things they could do to him. I wish I had been home so that they would've taken me instead.

Peelle comes to my side and asks, "Are you okay, mama?"

I nod as I bend down and kiss his forehead and say, "I'm just fine, pumpkin."

He smiles up at me and hugs me tightly before he nods and goes back to the girls. I can smell Evan's scent before he peeks his head in the room and I smile up at him.

He asks, "Why don't you get the nannies to come in here so we can talk?"

Something about the tone of his voice makes me know that this is important. We haven't spoken much since Osborn was taken. I kiss Peelle's head as the nannies enter the playroom and I leave.

I walk into Evan's office and ask, "What's going on?"

The corners of his mouth lift up as he says, "I have some good news, my love."

I raise one eyebrow skeptically as I wait for him to continue. He says, "We got a ransom note for Osborn. There's a picture attached and he's safe. They say they're happy to return him, but they want elf blood in return."

My head tilts to the side, "So... they don't want my blood? They want it to be pure elven blood?"

"Yes, maybe your aunt or one of your uncles would be willing."

I cross my arms and bite my lower lip. I'm sure one of them would be willing. It's my son's life at stake here. But I can't help but wonder what they want with elf blood.

These were supposed to just be rogues... right?

I ask, "Have you heard any news about Abigail?"

He shakes his head, "She still can't shift or hear her wolf. Whatever they did to her it seems like they achieved their goal."

I press my lips together and say, "Whatever they want with elf blood can't be good. But let's talk to my family about it and see what they say. All I know... is we need Osborn back."

Evan stands up and holds me in his arms as he strokes my hair then kisses the top of my head before he murmurs, "I know, Claudia. We'll get him back, I promise."

Breda, Solomon, and Alena show up later that night. Everyone dotes over Peelle, Lauren, and Laila, and although everyone is thinking about Osborn no one says anything in front of the kids. Raf sits beside me and says, "I can put Peelle down whenever I put the girls down if you want?" I nod, "That would be nice, thanks Raf."

She wraps her arm around my shoulders and squeezes me tight as she says, "We gotta stick together, girl. I'll always be here for you."

I nod as I smile from her words. She's trying to cheer me up. Everyone is, but it's impossible for me to feel happy when a part of me is missing.

A few more minutes passed before Raf and Leon took the kids up the stairs leaving Evan and I with Breda, Solomon, and Alena. Alena hugs me tightly in a motherly way as she whispers, "I'm so sorry, Claudia."

I nod as I try not to cry as she pulls away from me. Breda and Solomon both nod towards me as they can see that I can't handle anymore hugs right now.

Evan makes a face as he listens out to make sure that Peelle has been put in his room because we don't want him to overhear any of this. Evan says, "We heard from the people who took Osborn."

Everyone's heads snap toward him and it's like everyone took a sharp intake of breath. He says, "They have shown us that he is safe, but in order for us to get him back they want a vial of pure elf blood."

Solomon's face scrunches up and he shakes his head, "No, there must be a reason and it can't be a good one. Why would they want our blood?"

Alena says, "But a child's life is at stake here, Solomon. How can we refuse?"

Breda speaks up, "We don't know what they want with the blood, Alena! What if it's something that could harm us all?!"

Alena says, "It doesn't matter, we would deal with the threat then. Right now, there's a child's life at stake and that's more important."

Breda shakes his head, "One life isn't more important than the rest of humanity!"

Evan growls, "That one life is my son!"

Breda huffs, "And I'm sorry for that, Alpha, but my point still stands. One life isn't worth the death of thousands. We don't know what they could want with our blood. It's too dangerous. Our blood is different than anyone else's. The properties inside of it shouldn't be messed with." And suddenly things change from a civilized discussion into everyone talking on top of each other.

I rub my temples as I try to focus on a solution. Although, I know Breda has a point and there has to be a reason why the rogues would want elf blood, but this is my son. There must be a solution that we cannot see yet.

Their arguing gets louder until I can't stand it and I yell, "ENOUGH!"

They all stop and stare at me with wide eyes and I say, "My son's life is at stake here. There has to be a solution! But we aren't going to get there by arguing senselessly!"

My uncles look down like they're ashamed of themselves, but I can't help but think: good! They should feel ashamed!

I ask, "Are there any suggestions? I know that giving them a vial full of elf blood won't solve anything. But by appearance only, how would they be able to tell the difference between elf blood and some other kind of blood? Why can't we just give them mine? That would have some elf properties in it but wouldn't give them everything."

Alena shakes her head, "Elf blood looks different than wolf blood. I don't think yours would look the same."

Solomon nods, "The consistency is lighter more fluid like water. It's a lighter color and has specks of something in it that gives it almost a glittery sort of look."

I pucker my lips; I didn't realize that elf blood had that kind of effect. I breathe out, "Okay, what about this? Each of you get a vial of blood drawn. We will take the three vials, make sure they all look the same and then let's make a fake vial that looks like it! They won't know the difference until after Osborn is already back home safe and sound!"

Evan smiles at me and says, "This will make them angry when they learn we went against the deal. But this time we'll be ready. I've already been talking with nearby packs and warning them, and they have all said that if we needed any help to let them know. With the extra help, there's no way they'll be able to do major damage this time."

I nod, "That's perfect. And this time when they attack, we'll have all the children hidden so that they can't be harmed."

Evan caresses my face and says, "Promise me, you'll stay hidden as well. They want elf blood and when your family is back home wherever they're hidden, and you and the boys will be the only source they have."

I nod, "I'll stay safe and protect them while you protect our pack."

He smiles softly and kisses me tenderly before Breda clears his throat. We look toward him, and he says, "If you're done with your physical affection, let's get to work and save Osborn!"