Chapter 42

The car stopped in front of people looking around with curious faces, then the door opened and Wilkins got out first. Seeing the people standing in confusion, he opened the conversation with an awkward smile.

"Ah, I'm sorry. We've come back today for an important matter. We have something to ask you all, I wonder if anyone saw one of our team members yesterday..."

While Wilkins continued talking, the team members came out of the car and began to scatter one by one to look around. When Dane appeared, suddenly there was a commotion with exclamations and screams mixing together.

"Kyaak! He's here!"

"Dane, Dane Striker!"

"Look over here! Dane, Dane!"

"Just a moment, everyone. Please calm down..."

"Oh my, he's much more handsome than in the photos!"

"Arsonist, he's an arsonist!"

"Everyone, please calm down. We'll have a photo time later. So first, my words..."

"He set fire to my heart! Please put out the fire here!"

"Dane Striker! Kyaaak!"

"Just a moment, we're on duty. Not today, everyone please be quiet, please..."

Though Wilkins pleaded with both arms raised, the commotion wouldn't subside. As people rushed to take out their mobile phones to take pictures or record videos, the shutter sounds continued endlessly. Amid this, cheers also continued, making it impossible to speak properly. Eventually, Wilkins lowered both arms and wore a gloomy expression. The rest of the personnel had no choice but to scatter in different directions to begin their inquiries.

"Oh my, he's coming this way."

A mother and daughter who saw Dane coming in their direction immediately turned red and clasped their hands together tightly. Dane stood a few steps away from them, who didn't know what to do, gave a light greeting, and then opened his mouth.

"I'm Dane Striker. We're looking for someone..."

"Yes, yes, what is it? Please tell us!"

Someone from the neighboring house had already rushed over and was looking up at him enthusiastically. To his dismay, Dane made a disgusted expression as he saw people running toward him even from far away. He had provided enough service yesterday. He had not the slightest intention of sacrificing himself any further. Dane immediately called for Ezra.

"Hey, Ezra! These people have something to tell us!"

"Huh? Oh, oh oh."

Though confused, Ezra hurriedly ran over and stood in front of them. Soon, sighs full of disappointment and lingering attachment poured out from among the people.

"Where are you going? We're right here!"

"Wait, we said we'll tell you! Dane!"

"Dane, look over here! Dane!"

In front of the women who were shouting while watching Dane's back as he immediately left, Ezra began his explanation with cold sweat.

"Now, as I mentioned earlier, we're looking for someone. He came here with us yesterday, he's taller than Dane... Yes, and bigger too. Has anyone seen a man with blonde hair and purple eyes? He must have been quite noticeable."

"Huh?"

Fortunately, those who had been so distracted by Dane that they didn't seem to be listening to Ezra's words now turned their attention. Of course, it was certainly not because they had developed an interest in him.

"Blonde hair and purple eyes?"

"Ah, I saw him. You saw him too, right?"

"Ah, yes. Impossible not to notice. He was the first to catch my eye."

So far, so good. Just as Ezra was about to feel hopeful, another question came in abruptly.

"But is that man an extreme Alpha? With purple eyes, that's what it means, right?"

"Oh my, then was that scent pheromone scent? You know, they say extreme Alphas spray pheromones like that even normally. To prevent them from building up in their bodies."

"So that's why he looked so gorgeous. This fire station has so many delici-, I mean, handsome men."

"I didn't see him, does anyone have a photo?"

"Here, here."

"Of course I took one, look."

"Oh my, this is really fun. My goodness, this is the happiest moment of my day. Thank you!"

"This fire station is full of nothing but arsonists!"

"That's what I'm saying. I wish they would put out my fire too."

"Whew, it's hot, so hot."

Amid the bursts of laughter, Ezra felt his mind going blank.

* * *

After barely escaping the noisy commotion, Dane looked around after letting out a tired sigh. It was a quiet town with no particularly special corners. After confirming once again this peaceful space where it was unimaginable that a kidnapping could occur, he scratched the back of his head furiously in irritation. Where the hell did you disappear to, you troublemaker?

"Damn, what a piece of trash."

Just as he spat out another rough curse, he suddenly felt a gaze on him. Reflexively turning his head, he met eyes with a young boy. Dane visibly furrowed his brow and stared at him. Most people would be terrified and run away at this, but for some reason, the child stood with his fists tightly clenched, not moving.

What's with him?

Dane frowned and turned his head. He had no time to deal with a trivial child's provocation. As he walked quickly, thinking he wanted to end this irritating situation and go home soon, he suddenly heard the sound of someone running from behind.

"Mister, mister! Wait, mister! I have something to report! Misterrr!"

Ha, Dane let out a short sigh, stopped walking, and looked up at the sky. The child was calling him at the top of his lungs. Eventually, he had no choice but to turn around and walk briskly toward the child. The child, startled by the tall man who stood in front of him in just three or four steps, stretched his neck and looked up. Dane deliberately kept his eyes lowered as he looked down at him and opened his mouth.

"So, what do you want?"

His tone clearly showed his annoyance. It seemed as if he thought it would obviously be nonsense and not worth listening to. On top of that, the child was clearly intimidated by the pressure from his enormous height, but admirably, he didn't run away crying. Though tears did seem to be forming at the corners of his eyes.

"M-mister, a-are you a f-firefighter?"

The child asked, stuttering and trembling with fear. Dane looked down at the child with a cynical expression and answered.

"If the letters you read aren't wrong, then yes."

Dane pointed to the back of the t-shirt he was wearing by flipping his thumb over his shoulder. The child, who had unnecessarily turned around to confirm the large letters saying 'Fire Department,' looked up at him again.

"P-please find my friend."

"Friend?"

Dane frowned as he looked down at the child, thinking it was indeed a trivial matter.

"Is that bastard an extreme Alpha too?"

"What? What's that?"

When Dane asked suspiciously, using words that made the child reflect on the current situation, the child asked back with wide eyes in apparent confusion. Of course not, he wouldn't be. Dane waved his hand, thinking bitterly.

"Never mind, nothing. So, what do you want me to do?"

"My friend. I want you to find my friend."

By this point, the child should have been intimidated, but he stood firmly and continued his "report."

"My friend hasn't been seen for days. He hasn't come to school. His mom and dad are divorced. He lives with just his dad, and when I went to find him, they said he couldn't come out because he had measles. But that's a lie. My friend got a preventive shot. His mom said so, that when his mom was still around, he and I went to the hospital together and got shots."

Dane silently stared at the child's face. He didn't seem to be lying. To Dane, who was just listening quietly, the child seemed to gain courage and continued speaking rapidly.

"His dad sometimes hits him, he says. He says it's because he doesn't listen, but my friend is really good. It's strange that he hits him like that. My dad has never hit me, you know? My dad, when he comes home from work in the evening, he says he really likes it when I run to him and give him a kiss. But I'm almost 10 years old now. At 10, I'm an adult, right? Shouldn't I stop doing that now? I shouldn't eat the cookies my mom bakes either, right? The puppy cookies are really delicious, do you like dogs, mister, or cats? My friend has a hamster..."

"Wait, wait, stop."