Chapter: 41
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Leonardo spotted six Betas charging toward him and he shifted, watching intently as they drew nearer, and upon closer inspection, he recognized them, then immediately shifted back and stood on guard as they approached him slowly, deliberately, without aggression at all. He didn't know why they were here and how they knew where this was, and what they wanted, but he was certain that it wasn't anything good. He kept one ear perked to their conversations, but they seem to have noticed him and stopped conversing altogether.

One stepped forward, she was a female with dark hair and spoke up in a gentle voice. "It's alright, Alpha Leonardo, we just want to talk to you for a moment, please don't be alarmed," The female said and Leonardo could hear the tremor in her voice despite how well her voice was controlled. The five other males surrounding her shifted, and bowed before the Alpha.

"Alpha," They all chorused simultaneously, and Leonardo shifts his eyes over to each of them.

Leonardo took his time to access his son's Betas more closely, keeping them on their toes and when he was done, he nodded for them to proceed with what had brought them.

"We are sorry for coming in such an aggressive manner, Alpha, but we could not wait another second," Clyde said, he was the eldest and most mature Beta, the beta who seemed to have the most experience in handling even their Alpha's first and second chosen Betas. "Please forgive us, Alpha. We came to ask for your help." Clyde bowed, the rest of the Lycan's Betas following suit.

Leonardo nodded once more. "What do you need, Clyde?" His voice was calm. "And, if I may add, you don't need to bow for me." Leonardo's tone was mild, he'd already forgiven them. "So what is it that needs our help?" He asked, turning his attention fully on the group before him.

"We have come to ask your permission to enter your Mating Chamber," Clyde answered quickly.

Leonardo frowned, "No one goes into my Mating Chamber except my Mates," He explained, gesturing at himself and the door leading through the room. He watched with keen interest and concern at the expressions on their faces, though he remained composed, wary, like a hunting lion, prepared for any possible attack. "What is this about?" He asked, this time meeting Colleen's gaze.

Colleen swallowed with much difficulty then cleared his throat and replied. "We found our Alpha." Colleen looked at the ground and Leonardo was instantly alert.

"Where is he? Where did you find him? Is he well?!" Leonardo asked, his voice rose to full volume and he felt his claws prickling out of his fur, but forced himself to remain calm.

"That is why we have come, Alpha." Dominic pointed, "He is in there," He said, pointing at the doors of the Chamber. He took a step forward, and Leonardo instinctively moved, blocking his path with his large body.

Dominic paused, looking at Leonardo pleadingly.

"That's impossible!" Leonardo said in shock, his hands clenched into fists as he growled slowly, showing his teeth threateningly. "He's been gone for three months. You're saying he's been in there this whole time?!" He demanded and Dominic shrunk away. "I see that you all have lost your minds alongside Conri's. This is my fourth time visiting this Chambers since Conri's disappearance and I tell you that he isn't in there. Whoever led you here has clearly wasted your time and lied to you. They should be punished!" The Alpha snapped, taking a menacing step forward, towering above the Betas easily. "Who showed you to come here?" He asked.

Colleen stepped forward, holding the Alpha's gaze. "His son," He muttered in reply and Leonardo almost lost his footing.

"What? You found him? How?" He demanded and Colleen smiled.

"His Birth Omega appeared at the Gates this morning with his son in hand and when I touched him, he showed us this place," Colleen replied.

"How can this be?"

"I understand how you feel, Alpha. But, the Seer said he was the only one who can point us in the right direction, and we all saw your Mating Chamber as well as the way to find it." Dominic explained.

"But, it's been months!" Leonardo exclaimed. "And we have been here many times before now, clearly you see I'm coming out of there!"

"He would not send us here if his father wasn't here, that I'm sure," said Anya.

"We haven't found a trace of him because he's marked his scent so strongly we can not trace him, and with his scent marked, it would make it impossible for even you to detect his presence, Alpha," Mano added.

Nodding, Reece clasps a hand around his twin's shoulder drawing him closer. "I feel that he is in there, Alpha, please let us go in and look." He implored.

"This is my Mating Chamber!"

"We know, we apologize for the disrespect, but we need Rafa, a lot has gone bad since his disappearance, he needs to fix things." Colleen pleaded.

Leonardo sighed. "Of course, you're right. I heard about the attack on the Weretiger Clan last month, and it would appear he has more enemies now."

Nodding, Colleen frowned. "Well, he did promise to protect, but then he disappeared, I'd be angry too."

"I still doubt he would be in here, but since you're certain it was here you saw..." Leonardo unlocked the doors and ushered them in. Inside the Alpha's Cave, the Betas stood still, taking everything in as Leonardo closed the doors behind them. They'd never seen such a space before, or a room as magnificent as this one. It was unlike anything they'd ever seen. A long, curving tunnel stretched down the length of the room and was lined with beautiful stained glass windows, depicting various scenes from Alpha Leo's life. To one side, a massive tree grew out of the floor and was surrounded by thick foliage and ferns, the tree formed a natural barrier to keep the heat from reaching the chamber below.

On the opposite wall was a pool of water, glowing a rich golden yellow with flecks of silver swimming in its depths. There were dozens of rooms, all filled with different types of furniture, some were small and quaint while others housed plush seating areas and even larger ones with elaborate carpets. There were also numerous paintings, and sculptures on the walls as well. One entire wall was dedicated to shelves filled with books of every size and description, and several of the shelves held large bowls containing different types of berries and nuts. At the center of the chamber was a huge bed, made of gold leaf, and velvet, and covered with an ornate comforter woven in purple and black silk. Beside it was a wooden table that held a large vase filled with flowers. Behind the bed was an alcove that had several chests carved into it, each chest having the same symbol carved into it. The symbol of their Demigod Omega.

The six Beta's glanced around the cave, and Leonardo noticed that one of them seemed particularly fascinated with a series of large crystals suspended from the ceiling which glittered in the light. Leonardo cleared his throat, breaking their reverie, and raised his hands questioning. "Well, I don't see him here..." He drew.

Anya walked past Leonardo over to a dusty shelf. It looked different from others they have seen, the books weren't quite as worn or as old as the others. She ran her fingers across the spines, feeling them, reading the titles carefully. Then Anya turned to face Leonardo. "Is there a door behind this shelf?" She asked, and Leonardo nodded.

"Yes, there is, but I won't bring you in there... Even I have not entered there since the night we Bonded with our Mate. It's a sacred space, reserved for our Omega only." He explained.

Anya nodded thoughtfully. "I understand, Alpha," She said. "But, even you would agree that if Rafa would be here then that is where he will be," She stated and Leonardo narrowed his eyes. "And that he would be safe in that particular room. Clearly, he didn't wish to be disturbed or discovered, so it does sound like a perfect hide-away." Anya finished.

The Alpha considered this for a few moments, thinking that through. "If he has found his way in here, I wouldn't be so surprised he could manage to get in there, he is the son of a Demigod after all, but if he's been here this whole time then it can only mean one thing..." He pressed down a brown book and pulled, the shelves sliding apart smoothly. Behind them was a large room. It shimmered as if built with gold and jewels, with delicate filigree work inlaid everywhere; intricate patterns winding in and out of itself around the room.

In the center lies a huge bed, with gold sheets and pillows laid atop it. In the middle of the bed was a white fluffy blanket draped over the mattress, resting upon a single pillow. Beneath the coverlet the Alpha Of Alphas, his arms folded underneath his head. He's curled in on himself, and he lies motionless against the bed. "... He put himself to sleep," Leonardo confirmed as they filed into the room and watched the sleeping Lycan. "I'll Link my Mates to bring Phoenix here, he should be able to wake him, without killing him..." Leonardo trailed off, staring at his son. "... I'll wait for them here, the rest of you, can wait in the outer rooms," Leonardo ordered and they obeyed immediately. As soon as he was sure that they were all out of sight, Leonardo went to his son and sat beside his sleeping form. He needed them out of his hair so he can do what he's had in mind to do since he heard of his son's disappearance.

Leonardo kneeled beside the bed, placing his hand gently on top of his son's curled fist, and began softly whispering to him while Linking his Mates. "I have had it with this torture, I can't bear it anymore, so forgive me for what I'm about to do," He whispered and turned his son's wrist, with one sharp claw, he slit his wrist open and then bit into his own hand, he watched as his blood dripped into his son's wrist and watched as the Blood disappeared into Rafa's hands. Leonardo sealed the cut and sighed. "I have given you my essence, those of your fathers, my Mates, and of your Birth Omega... When you wake up, forget all that has caused you pain and only focus on what makes you happy. I know how hard it can be to lose a Mate, I was once there, and I just can't bear seeing you go through the same thing I did..." His voice cracked and he paused, needing a moment to collect himself before he proceeds. "...It was Drift, my twin who killed my first Mate, but it got better, yours will too. But, you must only save your strength for what is more important... The Goddess will give you what you so desperately desired." He kissed his wrist softly and got on his feet and as he walked toward the door, he called into his Link.

["Bring Phoenix to my Mating Chamber,"] He called and a smile split his lips when he heard them groaning.

["You want him to cut our heads clean?"] Kawan asked, and Leonardo snickered.

["We didn't let him walk for four days!"] Quillon yelled back.

["It's not about that!"] Leonardo said with a chuckle.

["Then it's about what?"] Both Alphas asked.

["Our son has fallen asleep,"]

["What?!"] They cried. ["Why would he put himself through such, he could die if not woken up properly!"]

["I know, which is why I need you to bring our Omega here, only he can wake him up without hurting him."]

["Poor love, he must be giving up,"] Kawan's voice broke.

["He is strong, he will pull through, maybe the sleep will help, he's been sleeping for three months, and right under our nose too... How did we not know this?!"] Quillon yelled.

["We couldn't have, he didn't want to be found, remember?"]

["We will be with you soon!"] They both answered and Leonardo nodded and shot the secret door behind him.

Everything should be better once he wakes up.