As Lune wandered through the halls of the estate, the weight of Marcus’s words settled heavily on her shoulders. Each step felt more burdensome than the last, the uncertainty gnawing at her spirit. She replayed the conversation in her mind, feeling more unwanted and isolated with every recollection. The truth began to take root in her heart: she was an outsider in a world where her human heritage was viewed as a liability. The whispers she had heard, the sidelong glances, the judgments—it all made her feel like a burden to Arlo, not the strong Luna he needed by his side.In that moment, a thought crystallized in her mind: perhaps the best course of action would be to leave for a while. If her presence was causing friction within the pack, maybe stepping away would allow everyone to breathe a little easier. She could clear her head and reassess her place in this world, giving herself the space to understand how to move forward. The idea of going to visit her parents became more appeali
Arlo pulled up to Lune’s family house, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The quaint home sat nestled among vibrant flowers and lush greenery, but today it felt different. There was an unsettling silence that hung in the air. As he walked up the front steps, he noticed that the door was slightly ajar, but he knocked gently before stepping inside.“Hello? Is anyone home?” he called out, hoping to find Lune or her parents.Her mother appeared from the kitchen, her expression shifting from surprise to concern when she saw Arlo. “Oh, Arlo! I’m glad you’re here. We were just about to call Lune. She said she was coming over, but we haven’t seen her yet.”Arlo’s heart sank. “What do you mean? Is she not here?”Lune’s father stepped into the room, a worried frown creasing his brow. “No, she’s not. We’ve been trying to reach her, but her phone is switched off.”Panic started to creep into Arlo’s chest. “When was the last time you heard from her?” he asked, his voice steady despite the
As Arlo continued to drive, his mind raced back to the threatening text Lune had received. The words echoed in his mind, each syllable sending a chill down his spine: "You think you can be happy after taking something that isn't yours? No, you can't, and I won't let that happen. I will make sure to strip your happiness like you did to mine. Watch your back."The anger he had felt when Lune first shared the message surged anew. Who could be so cruel? Who would threaten his Luna? The thought gnawed at him, intensifying his sense of urgency. He had vowed to protect her, to shield her from any harm, and the very idea that someone was out to hurt her made his blood boil.He recalled Lune’s frightened expression as she read the message aloud, her voice trembling. She had tried to maintain her composure, but he could see the fear behind her eyes, and it broke his heart. He had assured her that they would face it together, that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. But now, as he sat behind
A week had passed since Lune had gone missing, and each day felt heavier than the last for Arlo. The initial shock had given way to a suffocating dread that clung to him like a second skin. Every corner of the pack territory had been scoured, every lead followed, but there was still no sign of her. His heart felt like a lead weight in his chest, and with each passing hour, the fear of never seeing her again gnawed at him relentlessly.The search parties had expanded beyond the pack’s borders, reaching out to neighboring territories, but the response had been disheartening. He had even contacted Valeria, the only connection he could think of that might shed light on Lune's whereabouts. Arlo had arranged to meet her in a secluded part of the woods, where their history had once been woven into a complex tapestry of affection and heartache. But now, the only threads connecting them were the ones of desperation and anger.When Valeria arrived, her demeanor was cool, almost detached. The la
The news of Lune's disappearance spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of every major publication, social media platform, and gossip blog. Headlines screamed in bold letters, filled with sensationalism and intrigue:"Alpha's Mate Missing: Where is Lune?""Beautiful Luna Disappears: Fans Demand Answers!""Mystery Surrounds Lune: Has the Alpha's Happiness Been Stolen?""Lune: The Girl Who Vanished – Fears of a Kidnapping!""Alpha Arlo Desperate to Find His Missing Mate!"Photographs of Lune, radiant and smiling, accompanied each article. The images showcased her beauty, but they also highlighted the stark reality of her absence. Readers scrolled through pictures of her attending classes, laughing with friends, and moments shared with Arlo—each snapshot a reminder of the life she once led. The juxtaposition of her vibrant spirit against the backdrop of her mysterious disappearance fueled public fascination and concern.Social media exploded with hashtags like #FindLune, #BringBac
Lune’s eyelids fluttered, heavy as if weighed down by the fog of a distant nightmare. Blinking slowly, she took in the bright, sterile light overhead, the muted beeps, the soft shuffling of footsteps just beyond the door. As her gaze cleared, she felt a warmth surrounding her hand, strong and familiar. She looked down and saw Arlo’s hand wrapped firmly around hers, as if he hadn’t let go since she arrived.A soft sigh escaped her lips, her voice barely a whisper. “I... made it.”Arlo's head shot up, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of relief and amazement. The exhaustion etched in his face melted into a look of pure joy. “Lune… You’re awake. Are you... are you okay? How do you feel?” His voice was gentle but threaded with worry, his fingers brushing over hers with a reverence that made her heart ache.She tried to smile, though every movement seemed to tug at an ache somewhere on her body. “I think so… Just a bit sore.” She let out a shaky laugh, her fingers tightening around his
As Arlo sat by Lune’s bedside, weary from the long hours of watching over her, he noticed a young woman standing nervously near the doorway. She had a kind, familiar face, yet he couldn't recall ever meeting her before. She shifted her weight anxiously, glancing between Lune and him with evident concern in her eyes.Arlo’s brows furrowed as he rose, keeping one hand on Lune’s, as if ensuring she would still be there when he looked back. Turning to the young woman, he approached her with a mixture of curiosity and caution. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said in a calm, firm tone that held both authority and protectiveness. “And I’ve never heard Lune mention you before.”The woman blinked, as if snapping out of her own thoughts, and quickly introduced herself. “My name is Maya. I’m… well, I’m Lune’s friend from college. We’ve been studying together these past few months,” she explained, her voice respectful but a bit unsteady under his intense gaze. “I came as soon as I heard… I was so
Maya sat, bound to the chair in the pack’s interrogation room, her wrists and ankles restrained with thick ropes. She was disheveled, hair falling messily over her face, her eyes wild with defiance. Despite her situation, she held her head high, an arrogant smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as if daring anyone to intimidate her.Arlo stepped into the room, his presence filling the space with an intensity that sent a chill through everyone there. He moved slowly, his eyes never leaving Maya’s, his jaw set with barely-contained fury. Marcus stood nearby, his gaze hard and unwavering, ready to intervene if Maya tried anything. But Arlo didn’t need help—he was more than capable of handling this himself.Taking a deep breath, he stopped just in front of her. “Maya,” he said coldly, his voice echoing in the silent room. “I want to know why. Why did you do this to Lune? What did she ever do to you?”Maya chuckled, though it sounded hollow. “What did she do to me? Please, Alpha, she did