MATED TO THE BEAST ALPHA BROTHERS-Chapter 16: War Arising.

Archer stormed up the steps of the Beckett manor, his golden eyes blazing with fury. His wolf snarled within him, clawing at the surface. Every step he took felt heavier, the blame from his wolf pounding relentlessly in his head.

"You should've gone with her."

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"She needed you."

"You failed her."

Behind him, Artemis and Aunt Selene followed closely, their faces grim. Artemis's stormy gray eyes scanned the shadows, his jaw clenched tightly. Aunt Selene's presence was a sharp contrast to their visible rage....her silver eyes were cold and calculating, her every movement precise and deliberate.

Arthur greeted them at the door, his expression indifferent, as though the sudden arrival of an enraged Alpha King was no surprise. "What brings you here, Archer?" he asked coolly.

"You know why I'm here," Archer growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Where is Haelyn?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Haelyn? Isn't she with you?"

Archer's fists clenched at his sides, his wolf snarling louder. "Don't play games with me, Arthur. I know she came here."

Arthur's lips curled into a mocking smile. "And you think I'm responsible for her disappearance? That's quite an accusation, Archer."

"She's here," Artemis interjected, his voice sharp. He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Stop wasting time and tell us where she is."

Arthur spread his hands in mock surrender. "Search the house if you want, but you won't find her. She's not here."

Artemis stepped closer, his voice rising. "Haelyn!" he called, his voice echoing through the manor. "Haelyn, where are you?"

Silence.

Archer's patience snapped. He moved toward the doorway, fully intending to barge in and tear the place apart. "If you've done anything to her—"

"Archer, stop!" Selene's voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding. She placed a firm hand on his chest, stopping him in his tracks.

"He's lying," Archer growled, his golden eyes flickering dangerously. "I know she's here."

"Of course he's lying," Selene said calmly. "But losing control won't help us find her."

Before Archer could respond, a familiar, grating voice spoke up from behind Arthur.

"Well, well, isn't this dramatic?" Layla smirked as she sauntered into view, her arms crossed. "Maybe she's not here because she doesn't want to be found."

"Layla," Artemis warned, his voice low. "Don't push it."

Layla ignored him, her smirk widening. "Or maybe she's run off with someone. A rogue, perhaps?" She paused, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "There's that one... what's his name? Caelan? She always did have a soft spot for him."

Archer's growl reverberated through the air, his wolf straining against his control. His fists trembled at his sides, and for a moment, it seemed like he might snap.

"Enough," Selene snapped, her sharp gaze cutting to Layla. "If you want to keep that pretty little head of yours, I suggest you stop talking."

Layla's smirk faltered, and she stepped back slightly, muttering under her breath.

Archer turned to Arthur, his voice deadly calm. "You've made a mistake by crossing me, Arthur. If I find out you've harmed her..."

"You'll what?" Arthur interrupted, his tone mocking. "Tear my pack apart? You're welcome to try, Archer. But you're wasting your time. She's not here."

Artemis stepped forward again, his voice shaking with fury. "Haelyn!" he shouted once more. But again, there was no response.

Selene placed a hand on his arm, pulling him back gently. "We'll find her," she said softly. "But not like this."

Archer's jaw tightened, his wolf raging against him as they turned and left the manor. But the moment they stepped outside, he punched a nearby tree, the bark splintering under his strength. "She's in there," he growled. "I can feel it."

Selene's silver eyes softened slightly. "And we'll get her back. But not if you lose control."

*In the Beckett Manor Basement*

Haelyn's vision was blurry from the tears streaming down her face. She was tied tightly to a chair in the damp, dark basement....a place she hadn't been in since she was a child. The cold stone walls seemed to close in around her, the memories of her father's punishments clawing at the edges of her mind.

Her mouth was taped shut, muffling her cries as she struggled against the ropes binding her hands and feet.

"Stop squirming," Malcolm sneered as he stepped into her line of sight. His dark eyes glinted with malice, and the faintest smirk tugged at his lips. "You're only making this harder on yourself."

Haelyn's muffled cries grew louder, her tears spilling faster as she tried to shield her stomach with her tied hands.

"What's the matter?" Malcolm taunted, crouching down to her level. "Afraid I'll hurt your precious little secret?"

Her eyes widened in terror, and she shook her head frantically.

Malcolm's smirk widened. "Oh, don't worry. Father didn't say I couldn't rough you up a little."

He straightened and kicked her in the stomach, the force of the blow knocking the chair backward slightly. Haelyn screamed into the tape, her body convulsing as she tried to protect herself.

"Pathetic," Malcolm muttered, kicking her again. "Always so weak. Always so useless. I don't know why Father wastes his time with you."

He kicked her once more, harder this time, and Haelyn's vision swam. Her tears mixed with the blood dripping from her lip where she'd bitten down too hard.

Malcolm leaned in close, his voice a low hiss. "When I finally get rid of you, maybe Father will finally see me as something more than his shadow."

Haelyn's muffled sobs filled the basement as Malcolm straightened, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeves.

"Don't worry," he said mockingly as he turned to leave. "You won't be here long. Father's got big plans for you."

As Malcolm ascended the stairs, Haelyn's body trembled violently. Her tears streaked down her face as she closed her eyes, her wolf stirring faintly within her despite the pain.

In the silence, the faint sound of footsteps reached her ears. Someone was coming.

But was it salvation... or something worse.

Kieran knelt before Alpha Cerius, his face grim as he recounted the events he had witnessed. The glow of the fire illuminated Cerius's sharp features, his expression unreadable as he listened in silence.

"I saw them, Alpha," Kieran began, his voice low but steady. "They drugged her at the graveyard...Malcolm, that cowardly snake, jabbed her with something and dragged her back into the house."

Cerius's fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest of his chair, his dark eyes locked on the fire. "And no one intervened?"

Kieran shook his head. "They were careful, calculated. The others were inside. No one noticed." He hesitated before continuing. "She's tied up in the basement now. Malcolm's been rough with her, but Arthur hasn't made his move yet. It's only a matter of time before he does."

Cerius's jaw tightened, his anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. "That fool Arthur. Always scheming, always pushing his limits."

Kieran leaned forward slightly. "Alpha, we can't wait any longer. If we don't act now..."

"I know," Cerius interrupted, his voice sharp. His eyes flicked to Kieran, his gaze piercing. "You've done well, Kieran. But this isn't something we'll handle recklessly. Haelyn is too important."

Kieran nodded, swallowing his impatience. "What are your orders, Alpha?"

Cerius leaned back, his fingers steepled under his chin. He closed his eyes for a moment, his mind calculating. When he spoke, his voice was firm.

"Bring Marlyil into this."

Kieran's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly nodded. "Understood, Alpha. I'll make the arrangements."

Cerius opened his eyes, the firelight reflecting in them like molten steel. "It's time we remind the Becketts that they're not untouchable."

Kieran rose, bowing deeply before disappearing into the shadows, leaving Cerius alone with his thoughts.