As I stared at the pup and flinched as Nala's heartache touched my soul through the bond. "Their getting younger." She whispered and I nodded slowly. The girl looked to be at the most, six months old.

All of a sudden, a pitchy scream was heard and my head female warrior, Josephine, ran across the field and fell to her knees beside the pup. "My baby!?!" she screamed. Her voice breaking as she tried desperately to get out of her mate's grip.

Nala moved quickly and led Josephine back across the field, whispering consoling words as she hugged the grieving mother.

Josephine's mate, Jordan, stood beside me and placed his hands on his head as he let out a pent-up breath. "I'm sorry Jordan." I said lowly. "I couldn't imagine how I would cope if something happened to mine, and its not even born yet." I whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"Thank you Alpha. I don't mean any disrespect Alpha but can you do what you have to do and do it quickly. I don't want my daughters' body out here any longer than it has to. He said before facing away from the small pup. "Of course." I said nodding as he dragged his hands over his face. "If you need me, I will be with my mate." He said before bearing his neck in submission. I clasped his shoulder and nodded. "Look after her Jared. You are dismissed." I said with a sad smile. He nodded before leaving me and Riley to stare at the small pup's body.

"Find the note." I said and Riley nodded in response before he and the warriors dispersed themselves to find it.

I felt Nala's hand travel over my shoulders, as sparks flew beneath her touch. "Find it?" she asked and I shook my head. "No. Their looking now." I whispered. She turned me around and made me face her. "Its going to be okay." She said lowly. I smiled and took her into my embrace, kissing her forehead protectively. "It has to be." She added in a hoarse whisper.

"I have to search the pup. I don't want you here for that." I said, avoiding her eyes, but was honestly relieved when she nodded. She turned slowly and wandered across the field. I smiled to myself as I watched my beautiful mate but my smile fell away when I bent down to search the small deformed pup at my feet. I rolled her over and studied the large wound in her back that caused the death.

It was in the shape of a crescent moon, and extremely deep. The blood had dried over the body and the ground around it. I turned slowly and surveyed the area around the pup before spying a small onesie a few feet away. I picked it up and inhaled the scent of it. It smelt of the pup and baby vomit. I inhaled once more before catching a hint of Josephine and Jordan on the baby's pyjamas.

I eyed the pyjamas warily before eyeing the pup. After hesitating I linked Jordan. 'I apologise Jordan but I would like to ask you a few questions. Can you rush back over here." I asked and his quick reply was hurried. 'I'm coming now. What is it Alpha?" before I could give him a linked overview he was sprinting straight into my personal space.

"I'm sorry Jordan but these were found a couple of metres that-a-way and I was wondering if you recognised them." I asked him holding up the small pink onesie and Jordan nodded vigorously. "Yeah, Josephine chose that for her this morning for her to wear." He said with a sad smile plastered on his face. "We argued over it because I thought she would be too hot." He added shaking his head.

His head fell and I heard a soft weep come from him. "Sorry Alpha." He said raising his head but I shook my head. "Trust me Jordan I want to let you go to your mate, but there are some questions you need to answer. "Of-course Alpha." He said bending down and staring at his lost child for whom he was grieving. "Who was looking after your pup while you and Josephine were out?" I asked staring at him closely, careful to catch any hints in his eyes.

"Gemma." He whispered. I froze instantly. "Gemma?" I asked desperately. "My little sister?" I asked, double checking, but was disappointed as he nodded. "Your mother was fine with it. We had a small arrangement that when me and Josephine wanted to go out for an hour or so, Gemma would come cover and I would pay her twenty dollars for every hour she would look after Ellie." He said staring at something in the ground.

"You trusted a six-year-old with a six-month-old?" I asked.

"Please... don't mock my decisions right now Alpha." He said, his fist clenching. "I'm sorry." I said.

It was a stab to my pride as I apologised. Usually I wouldn't say sorry but he had lost his child. I needed answers.

"Was anything different? Odd about her?" I asked.

Inside I was being torn apart as I waited to find out if my little sister had been killed or not.

Jordan shook his head. "She just bounced through the house to Ellie looking as happy as ever." He said smiling. "She loves Ellie. She would never have done this." He said. I stood beside him and let him process this while I considered everything else. "Happy?" I muttered suddenly.

His head snapped up and stared at me with a raised eyebrow. "You said she was as happy as ever. How? How do you know she was happy. Did she say anything?" I asked desperately. Before the words left hip lips, I knew what the outcome would be.

"No, not really. She was just a smiling little girl." He said before turning back to the body of his lifeless daughter. I nodded my head and sat on the ground slowly. "You're dismissed Jordan." I said and he left towards the village once more.

I was angry, upset, and vulnerable.

I undressed the small pup and got covered in its blood in the process.