Stuck with the enemy

Alya pulled out the videotape with the recording from the cafe, sliding it into the player with a tense, trembling hand. As the footage played, I felt my anger rising, sharper with each frame. He was there, sitting just one table over, listening to my sister. Watching her. He was close enough to touch her if he wanted. If I ever get my hands on that bastard, I swear I'll make him pay.

I clenched my fists, barely able to keep my voice steady. "Do either of you recognize this guy?" I asked, watching as Deniz left the cafe right after getting a message.

Alya nodded slowly, her expression darkening as she thought back. "I've seen him a few times at the cafe," she admitted, her voice tight with frustration. "He always seemed to be there when Deniz was around. I didn't think anything of it before, but... maybe I should have. I don't know his name. Or maybe I do?" Alya's eyes flashed with realization.

Jacob and I exchanged a look before turning back to Alya, waiting for her to say more. She looked down, hesitating.

"There's... something I didn't mention before," she started, a tremor in her voice. "The night we went to that party... Deniz left early. On her way home, she was... attacked."

My heart twisted at the words, fury and guilt churning in my gut. She'd gone through all of this alone, and I hadn't known a thing.

Alya's voice lowered as she continued, "Someone helped her—someone named Leo, I think. At least, that's the name she mentioned. But I've never seen him. I am not sure if it was him in this video... part of me thinks it was Derek."

My head snapped up. "Derek? What does he have to do with this?" I demanded, my patience fraying.

Alya winced, clearly regretting she'd let that slip. She avoided my gaze, but the damage was done.

"Was I not supposed to know about Derek?" I said, my voice edged with anger.

Jacob took a steadying breath and stepped forward. "Aras, Derek was her mate," he explained calmly, trying to keep me focused. "Was, because he rejected her. And apparently, some of the threats she received were warnings to stay away from him."

"Well, they were right!" The mention of this only fueled the fire already burning inside me. My anger boiled over, my voice growing louder, frustration spilling out. "Why am I only finding out about this now?"

Alya's face fell, guilt etched across her features. "Aras... I'm sorry."

"She needed us—all of us. And now, because I didn't know, she's out there on her own, and I—" I stopped, unable to finish, the weight of helplessness pressing on my chest.

Jacob stepped forward, gripping my shoulder firmly. "Aras, I understand. But right now, we have to stay focused. We're going to find her. Whatever's coming, we'll face it together. We don't leave family behind. We will find our sister."

After what felt like hours of unanswered calls and relentless worry, I knew I had to make a decision. "We have to talk to Derek," I said, my voice calm, though my insides were a mess. I couldn't let any emotions slip through. I had one goal now: find Deniz.

Alya paused, her face tight with concern. "Does he know anything about this?" I asked her again, my words steady, cold.

Alya's voice was uncertain. "No. The messages warned her not to tell him. They haven't spoken in a while... the messages stopped her from saying anything."

My frustration built, but I kept it under control. "We still need to talk to him. If there's even a chance they're still connected—" I cut myself off. "If the mate bond is still there, he might be able to help. We have to try." The words felt like a betrayal, but I couldn't care. We needed answers. "Let's go."