After dropping Dawn to her office and getting a promise from her that she would stop working by 6PM, Daryn went to the Silver House. Neal was waiting for him in the office. He had a grave expression.
"What is it Neal?" asked Daryn as he sat on his chair and swiveled to see the building that was just a block away from his, the Luna's Castle.
Neal walked to the chair opposite him. "The werewolves had gone to far lands to find Gayle. The problem is that getting different realms who are our allies is fine, but those who aren't our allies and those who have recently become our enemies would not allow our werewolves to enter their domains. They have cast spells around the portals, which wards us."
Daryn's mouth pressed in a thin line. "You mean to say that you have already checked upon the allies and they don't have any news about Gayle or Sedora?"
"That's right. We have combed through every realm we were allowed in with the help of the locals, but they were not to be found," said Neal as he crossed his hands across his chest. "So that leaves us with only a few planes that we haven't checked and can't even enter."
"Namely?" asked Daryn as he swiveled his chair back and gave him a piercing gaze.
"The Kingdoms of Faes, winged demons, dark elves and that of Valkyries."
"Valkyries?" Daryn raised his eyebrow. "They live?"
Neal twisted his mouth. "Apparently. They live in modern houses that are dispersed amongst the mortals mostly in towns where it rains consistently and where thunderstorms are normal. And each house is like a small kingdom. We don't go near those houses. But I believe they have nothing to do with us because they are a neutral party."
Daryn frowned. Valkyries would be strong allies. "So this means that Father and Sedora could be within these few realms?"
"Yes, I strongly believe that," said Neal. "Our people can't enter those realms. I suspect that we might be having werewolves who might be allowed to go there, but for now I am keeping a watch on everyone. With Gayle's disappearance there has been a lot of quiet amongst some factions."
Daryn pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. Sedora wasn't going to reveal herself anytime sooner. He knew that she would wait for the right time to strike him. "What is the news of Caleb?"
"That man is in Yorkshire. He contacted me yesterday and I briefed him with everything that happened in the last month. I have asked him to come here as soon as possible because I want to take him to Ixoviya. He must claim the title of the king over there," Neal replied with anxiety and frustration in his voice.
"What did he say?" Daryn also became curious to know. "And what is keeping him for so long? He should come and resume his duties over here too!"
Neal chuckled nervously. "Resume his duties here? Daryn, he has to resume his duties as the King of Ixoviya. Forget about his duties for the Silver House! Ixoviyans are looking for someone to head them else I smell a revolt there."
Daryn steepled his fingers and rested his chin on the index fingers. "What did he say?" he asked again.
Neal tilted his head and then softly said, "He thinks he has found his mate…"
"What?" Daryn jumped up as if a bolt of lightning was thrown at him.
Neal nodded and smiled. "He feels that he has found his mate but the girl is not ready."
Daryn got up from his place. He was so stunned to hear the news that he stared at Neal as if he had grown two horns. "So that is why he was hiding for such a long time. Please elaborate!" He couldn't wait to hear more. "Do I need to go there and help him?"
Neal laughed at his eagerness. Hell, even he was eager to see Caleb's mate. "He has asked us to give him at least a month before he can come back."
"And unless his mate accepts him, he won't leave her side even for a minute." Daryn knew that. The way he felt for Dawn, it was as if she was tethered to him at some deep level—like she was the anchor to his boat that was straying in the ocean. "Did he tell who the girl is?"
Neal pressed his lips. "Nope! He is too secretive about it."
"Ah!" Daryn understood that too. There was so much excitement that if it were for him, he would have gone to meet Caleb now, but then he had to give him all the privacy the man needed. After his horrible relationship with Pia, his brother needed time to relax, but this relaxation came as a blessing in disguise. And God knows how much he needed it. Daryn pounded lightly on the tabletop and grinned. "We will leave chasing my brother for a month. He needs all the time in the world." Suddenly his hands crackled with blue lights.
Neal was used to this sight now that the lights came involuntarily around his fingers when exhibited any emotion. But he couldn't agree more that Caleb needed time. Mates were so rare and the brothers were lucky that they both found one. As for him, he was still on a lookout. He knew that he wouldn't find one in this lifetime. There was no woman on this earth that attracted him. "Fine. We won't disturb Caleb."
"Good," said Daryn. "There's one more thing Neal."
"Sure, what is it?"
"I will not come to the office tomorrow, so you need to cancel the meetings."
"Why?" Neal frowned. Canceling meetings and rescheduling them was such a hassle. "Ask Reyna to do it!"
"Canton is coming tomorrow and I will be going to Ensmoire for training my magic," he replied with his hands in his pocket in order to suppress his magic.
I will continue to watch these realms. For any signs of Gayle or Sedora." He got up and left.
Daryn had a huge smile on his face. The day seemed better now.
The entire day went by quickly as Daryn's excitement didn't ebb. He was curious like a cat to see who Caleb's mate was. He had called Dawn at least a dozen times to tell her that he wanted to go to Yorkshire but at the same time wanted to give his brother all the space. He wanted to know if she knew girls around Yorkshire and ask them if they had seen Caleb. By the time it was 6PM, he was already in her office. Thankfully she wasn't in any meeting.
"Dawn, why don't you call your gang of girls there and ask them about Caleb!" he said. He seemed so thrilled that Dawn shook her head.
"Daryn, you cheesy poke!" she admonished him.
"What?" he said as he walked behind her towards the elevator. "Don't you have any contacts left?"
"I do have contacts there, but I will never ask about Caleb! That guy needs all the time in the world! Just let him be!"
He had heard that from Neal, said that to Neal but then he wasn't convinced. "I really want to see the girl who is holding my brother's interest!" he whined.
Dawn stopped midway, turned to look at him and narrowed her eyes. "You are not going to do anything of the sort, okay!"