CHAPTER FOUR

DRACO's POV

The moment I realized Lisa was gone, fury surged through me like a raging inferno. How could she have slipped away from me? I clenched my fists, my heart pounding with a mixture of rage and fear. I had to find her, no matter the cost.

"Search every corner of this damn place!" I bellowed, my voice echoing through the halls of our home. The guards snapped to attention, fear flickering in their eyes as they scrambled to carry out my orders.

As they searched the house, I paced anxiously, my mind buzzing with thoughts. Lisa couldn't have gone too far, not with her condition. But the idea of her out there, free and on the loose, sent a shiver down my spine. She had escaped, slipped through our fingers like sand. And the consequences of her absence loomed large in my mind, threatening to unravel everything I had worked so hard to build.

Minutes dragged on like eternity as I waited impatiently for an update from the guards. With each passing moment, my frustration grew, fueled by the lingering question of how they could let Lisa slip away.

Finally, a guard approached, his face grim with defeat. "We've checked every inch of the place, boss," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But she's nowhere to be found.”

I clenched my jaw, suppressing the urge to lash out. "Nowhere to be found?" I echoed, my tone sharp with disbelief. "What were you all doing while she was making her escape?"

The guard shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. "We... we were following your orders, sir," he stammered, his words tinged with guilt. "Searching every room, every corner.”

I exhaled sharply, my anger simmering just below the surface. "Clearly not well enough," I muttered under my breath, frustration mounting with each passing second.

No sign of her. The words still hitting me like a punch to the gut. I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling within me. How could she just disappear like that? And after everything I had done to keep her safe…

I stormed through the house, my anger simmering beneath the surface as I checked every room myself. From the bedrooms to the kitchen, even the damn toilet, I searched high and low. But there was no trace of her. It was like she had vanished into thin air.

Fury boiled inside me as I returned to the main hall, my mind racing with possibilities. How had she managed to escape? Had she planned it all along, waiting for the perfect moment to slip away unnoticed?

The questions gnawed at me, tormenting me with their uncertainty. I cursed under my breath, cursing myself for letting my guard down. She was clever, I had to give her that. But I was determined to outsmart her.

One thing was certain: I would find her. No matter where she had gone or how she had escaped, I would track her down and bring her back. She may have slipped away this time, but she was mine, and no one was going to take her away from me.

With a renewed sense of determination, I turned to the guards, my voice cold and commanding. "Spread out," I ordered, my tone brooking no argument. "Search the grounds, search the neighboring villages if you have to. But find her. Now."

They nodded, fear flickering in their eyes as they hurried to carry out my orders. And as they disappeared, I was left alone with my thoughts, my anger burning hotter than ever before.

"I'm coming with you," I declared, my eyes burning with determination.

One of the guards stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "But sir, shouldn't you stay here? What if Lady Lisa returns?"

I shook my head, my resolve unwavering. "I need to find her," I insisted, my tone leaving no room for argument. "I won't rest until she's back by my side.”

As I moved to join the guards, Vivian emerged, her demeanor radiating defiance.

"You can't go," she objected, her voice edged with desperation. "It's too risky out there, especially for you."

My frustration bubbled up, my patience wearing thin. "I don't have time for this, Vivian," I snapped back, my tone firm. "I need to find Lisa, and nothing will stand in my way.”

She reached out, her hand trembling slightly as she tried to halt my progress. "But what if something happens to you?" she pleaded, her eyes searching mine.

I shook my head, dismissing her concern. "Nothing will happen to me," I assured her, my voice tinged with arrogance. "I'm the leader of this pack, remember?"

Vivian's expression hardened, her gaze cold and calculating. "That's exactly why you can't go," she retorted, her tone devoid of empathy. "You're too important to risk your life for someone who doesn't even matter anymore.”

Her words struck a nerve, anger flaring within me. "How dare you," I spat, my fists clenched at my sides.

But Vivian remained unmoved, her resolve unwavering. "She may matter to you, but she's nothing but trouble," she countered, her voice dripping with contempt. "And don't forget what she did to your father."

The mention of my father's death stung, a bitter reminder of the pain and betrayal I had endured. But even still, I couldn't let Lisa go, not when she hadn't been punished yet.

Ignoring Vivian's words, I brushed past her, my determination unyielding. "I'm going," I declared, my voice resolute. "And no one, not even you, can stop me." With that, I marched out into the night, leaving Vivian behind with her twisted intentions.

With that, I pushed past her, striding purposefully towards the waiting guards. Ignoring Vivian's protests echoing behind me, I joined their ranks, ready to scour every inch of the surrounding area in search of Lisa.

Lisa may have slipped through my grasp for now, but she wouldn't escape me for long. I would hunt her down, and when I found her, there would be hell to pay.