Page 113 of Rescued By the Alpha SEAL
Within minutes, the team assembles. Knox arrives first, rifle slung across his back, face set in grim lines. Eli follows, medical kit in hand like he's already preparing for the worst. Ryker materializes from the shadows, silent but alert. Asa's voice crackles through the comms, confirming he's monitoring all channels.
I explain quickly, clinically, keeping emotion locked behind steel walls. "She left sometime before dawn. No signs of forced entry or struggle. Clean exit."
"Voluntary?" Knox asks, but his tone says he already knows.
I nod once, sharp.
Caleb runs a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Why would she just leave? After everything?—"
"Because she thinks she's protecting us," Eli says quietly. "After what happened with Lucia..."
The words hang in the air.
"Split up," I order, falling back on training when emotion threatens to crack through. "Canvas the town. Check every street, every building. She can't have gone far without transportation."
They move without question, years of working together making words unnecessary. Knox and Ryker take the north side. Caleb and Eli head south. Asa's voice confirms he's reviewing security footage, checking traffic cams, monitoring communications.
I head for my truck again, the engine still warm. The town spreads before me as I drive—familiar streets suddenly foreign, every shadow potentially hiding what I'm desperate to find.
Dana spots me from the doorway of her bookshop, recognition flashing across her face. She waves me down, crossing the street with quick steps.
"Logan? What's wrong?"
"Sloane," I say, the name catching in my throat. "Have you seen her?"
Dana's eyes sharpen. "No. When?"
"She's gone. Left sometime last night."
Understanding dawns in her expression. She turns, already calling to someone inside the shop. Leo emerges, toolkit in hand, face serious as Dana explains.
"I'll check the tech channels," he says, already pulling out a handheld scanner. "If she's using any electronics within range..."
Sheriff Hale joins next, drawn by the growing tension in the air. His hand rests on his sidearm as he approaches, years of law enforcement experience evident in his stance.
"Bishop. What's the situation?"
I explain again, each repetition feeling like sandpaper in my throat. Hale nods, already reaching for his radio.
"I'll put out an alert. Quiet," he adds, seeing my expression. "Just our people."
The sun climbs higher as we search, marking hours that feel like years. Every dead end, every empty building, every negative response on the comms drives the knife deeper.
She's really gone.
The realization settles like lead in my gut as shadows lengthen across the streets. The team reconvenes, exhaustion evident in their movements. Even Knox looks worn, the constant vigilance taking its toll.
"Logan," Caleb says softly, approaching where I stand at the edge of the square. "You need to rest."
I shake my head. "She's out there."
"And killing yourself won't help find her." His hand lands on my shoulder, solid and grounding. "We'll keep looking. But you need to think clearly."
But I can't stop. Can't slow down.
Because if I do, I'll have to face what this really means.
She chose to leave.
