Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever-Chapter 78 Declan Is Missing

SOPHIA’S POV

After dessert, George said to me and Damien. "It’s getting late. Why don’t you both stay the night? The manor has plenty of rooms. It would mean a lot to have family here on my birthday."

I opened my mouth to politely decline. The thought of staying under the same roof as Damien and Tiffany made my wolf uncomfortable.

But before I could speak, George added, "Please, Sophia. I don’t get to see you much anymore. Humor an old man on his birthday."

The tone he used was so soft, like he was pleading. His voice made it impossible to refuse. I looked at Damien. He was watching me with a neutral expression.

"It’s up to you," Damien said quietly. "I’ll respect whatever you decide."

My wolf whimpered inside me. This felt like a test somehow, like refusing would prove something to everyone watching - that I was petty, that I couldn’t handle being around Damien for one night. So, I nodded.

"Alright. I’ll stay. Thank you, George." I said. His face lit up. "Wonderful! Helen, please have the guest rooms prepared."

Helen looked like she wanted to argue but she just nodded.

Tiffany stood up then. "I should probably head home. I have an early morning tomorrow." She smiled at George. "Happy birthday again. The dinner was lovely."

"Thank you for coming, dear." George was polite but he wasn’t as enthusiastic with her as he was with me.

Tiffany noticed. Everyone noticed.

Damien walked Tiffany to the door. I heard their voices in the hallway then the sound of a goodbye kiss. My wolf whined softly but I pushed the feeling down. It didn’t matter anymore. It shouldn’t matter.

“Has he been treating you badly?" I’d forgotten George was still here until he asked that.

I wasn’t expecting him to ask but he must have seen how I felt watching Tiffany and Damien. His question made my throat close up. So many images came into my mind.

I remembered everything - the affairs, how cold he was to me, the public humiliation, Damien sabotaging my career, Damien forcing me away from Ashley and replacing me with Tiffany.

I looked at George’s worried face and thought about what the truth would do to him. He was eighty years old. He’d just had a beautiful birthday. He loved Damien. Telling him everything would hurt him. It would force him to choose sides between his family members.

"Things have been complicated," I said. "The divorce is hard on everyone but Damien and I are trying to do what’s best for Ashley."

"That’s not what I asked." George leaned forward. "Has he treated you badly?.

Tears burned behind my eyes but I blinked them back. "George, please. I don’t want to-"

"You’re protecting him." George’s voice was gentle. "Even now, after everything, you’re protecting my grandson from facing what he’s done."

"I’m protecting you," I corrected softly. "You don’t need this stress on your birthday."

"I’m an old wolf, Sophia. I can handle the truth."

"Maybe but not tonight." I reached over and squeezed his hand. "Please, George. Just let it be. Let me enjoy this evening with you without dragging all the pain into it."

He studied my face for a long moment. Then he sighed deeply. "You’re too kind for your own good. You always have been." He squeezed back. "But I want you to know something. Whatever happened between you and Damien, you will always be welcome in this family. You’re Ashley’s mother. That makes you one of us....always.”

The tears I’d been holding back finally rolled from my eyes. "Thank you. That means everything to me."

We stood in comfortable silence for a while. Finally, George patted my hand one more time.

"Get some rest, sweetheart. You look exhausted."

"So do you." I kissed his forehead. "Goodnight, George. And happy birthday again."

"Goodnight, my dear."

I left and headed toward the guest room. The hallway was dark and quiet. Most of the family had either left or gone to bed. I was almost to my room when Damien appeared from around the corner.

"Sophia. Wait."

I stopped. My hand was already on the doorknob. "What is it? I’m tired, Damien."

"Declan is missing." He looked worried. He was breathing heavily. "He left after dinner and nobody’s seen him since. He’s not answering his phone. His car is gone from the driveway."

“Have you tried tracking him?"

"Simon tried. His phone is off. We can’t track him through any technical means." Damien ran his hand through his hair. "I know he was upset but this isn’t like him. He usually just sulks for a few hours then comes back."

"Maybe he went to a friend’s house to blow off steam."

"Maybe." But Damien didn’t look convinced. "I just wanted you to know, in case he contacts you for some reason or if you have any ideas where he might go."

"Why would he contact me? I’m the one he was mad at."

"I know. But sometimes..." Damien trailed off. "Never mind. Just let me know if you hear anything."

"I will." I turned back to my door. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Sophia."

I looked back at him.

"I’m going to drive around to look for Declan. I want to check his usual spots." Damien sighed. "Want to come?"

"What? No. It’s the middle of the night."

"I know but two sets of eyes are better than one. And..." He hesitated. "I could use the company. Please. I’m really worried.”

He really did look worried. His eyes were hollow. His clothes were wrinkled like he’d been running around. He was breathing heavily.

My wolf pushed me forward before my brain could object. There was something about his vulnerable tone and the worry on his face. Maybe it was exhaustion. Maybe it was old habits but I found myself nodding.

"Let me get my shoes." I muttered.

We walked to his car in silence. When we reached it, Damien moved to the passenger door and opened it. He held the door and looked at me.

"Stay by my side," he said quietly.