Chapter 16: The Unraveling

Wesley's first action upon being released was to find Starling. He managed, through sheer stubbornness and a disregard for protocol, to slip past the institute's security once more. His heart, a frantic drum against his ribs, was already composing the words of his plea. But when he finally located her usual lab, it was empty. A junior researcher, wide-eyed at the disheveled Alpha's presence, informed him that Dr. Starling had returned to their home country. "Home?!" The word ignited a desperate hope within him. She's going back. She's giving us another chance! The bond wasn't completely severed; she must have felt his remorse, his suffering. His Starling was softening. He offered a hasty, barely coherent thanks to a stoic Professor Alaric and raced to the airport, his mind already picturing their reunion. The emotional and physical exhaustion of the past days, however, finally claimed him. The moment he sank into his seat on the plane, a deep, hea