Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Soi-Ji

Soi-Ji had been away longer than he’d planned. He’d left Captain Oito to keep an eye on her until he got back. If he was lucky, Rize-Ji would ignore his command and stay put in the suite.

His intentions were clear, even if she was a bit headstrong.

“Who’s your chosen mate? We need to start preparations since you’re sitting out this year,” his chief advisor asked.

“Can we talk about this in the morning? I might not be in the running, but I had plans tonight.”

“I had plans too. So, who is it?”

Soi-Ji rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the tension.

“Please don’t tell me it’s Jaji,” the advisor said, peering over his glasses.

Soi-Ji winced at the mention of her name. She was fun but could be a real pain. It seemed she had a thing for Captain Oito.

“No. It’s Rize-Ji.”

“The human? You know we need a pure-blooded heir to continue the lineage. We don’t know what mixing the genes will do. Keep her as your mistress, but you need to choose someone else to mate. I have a list of the most fertile—”

“Zolix, I’ve always valued your advice, but this time, I’m going my own way,” he interrupted.

Zolix leaned back in his chair, sighing. His hair had started to turn gray this cycle. After this conversation, Soi-Ji was sure he’d see more.

They both knew the council wouldn’t be happy about this.

“Just like your father. Always making my job harder.” He stood up. “I’m glad you’re happy. Let’s hope it doesn’t cost you your head or your crown.”

That was always a risk, even now. But Soi-Ji would rather lose his head than not be with the one he chose.

“I’d like to see them try,” Soi-Ji said.

“They will. I hope you’re ready. Enjoy your night,” Zolix said, picking up his cup on his way out.

The conversation had gone better than Soi-Ji had expected. As he left the elevator, he spotted Captain Oito and his usual crew. Their faces turned pale as he approached.

“Relax. It’s a night of celebration,” Soi-Ji said. “Where is she?”

Captain Oito looked up from his drink. “She drank herself to sleep again. I left her in your suite, but you know how she likes to wander.”

He knew all too well. If he was right, she’d be asleep by the fireplace or in the wine cellar. Soi-Ji wished them a good night and headed to his floor.

Oddly, he didn’t catch her scent in the elevator. Her scent trail ended at the elevator and veered down another hallway.

The suite was dark and cold when he arrived. It was clear no one had been there.

Next, he checked the wine cellar. To his surprise, none of the bottles were open. Usually, she’d forget which one she liked and would open them until she found the right one.

Something wasn’t right, and his mind started to race. Where was she? She had mentioned not feeling well. Soi-Ji rushed back to the elevator and returned to the party.

He followed her lingering scent down the hallway.

Drops of red liquid caught his eye, as did other familiar scents. He found a room where faint aromas lingered.

Soi-Ji clenched his teeth and continued to follow the trail until it ended. A dead end. As he headed back to the party, he stopped a few guards.

“Lock down the palace and search for Rize-Ji. No one comes in or out. Send ten guards to detain Captain Oito and his friends for questioning. Put them in Midnight if they don’t cooperate,” Soi-Ji ordered.

Soi-Ji went to the surveillance room, but the footage was corrupted. Was she hurt? What if she needed him right now and he wasn’t there?

“What’s the reason for this lockdown? I need to get home,” Zolix said, a woman at his side.

“Rize-Ji is injured and missing. The footage isn’t helping, and her guard might be involved in her disappearance,” Soi-Ji said, running his hand through his hair.

“Didn’t you get her a beast cub?”

“It’s missing too,” Soi-Ji said.

He’d thought about using it to track her scent, but the scruffy little thing was nowhere to be found.

“Those usually come with a tracking device. Call the tamer and have him track it,” Zolix suggested. “It might give you a lead.”

“Thanks,” Soi-Ji said, grabbing his comm device.

“You could thank me by letting me use one of your rooms while we wait for the lockdown to end.” Zolix smiled, “Unless you need help.”

“No, I’ve got it from here. Take any room you want,” he said.

The tamer got back to him quickly. He offered to retrieve the cub and also sent instructions on how to track it himself.

Soi-Ji had Callum set everything up, and within an hour, he was watching the map. How on earth did it get outside? And how did it get halfway to the border?

The cub could barely keep up with Rize-Ji; it usually got tired on walks and made her carry it back.

The blue dot was heading toward Nadia. She wouldn’t let that cub out of her sight. There was no doubt she was with it. Had the prince gotten bold and kidnapped Rize-Ji?

Had she gone with him willingly?

His heart started to race, and his body heated up. Soi-Ji took a deep breath. He needed to stay calm and plan his next move.

They had a significant head start. Even with his fastest ships, they would cross the border before his men could reach them. The treaty hadn’t been signed yet.

If his men crossed that border, it would be seen as an act of war.

“Callum, get the prince of Nadia on the line.”