Chapter 25

Ethan’s search for Leo was growing more frantic by the minute. He’d scoured the training grounds, the inner quarters, and even some of the less frequented areas of the pack house, but there was no sign of Leo. His frustration was mounting, and the urgency in his chest tightened like a vice. **Where could he be?** Ethan thought, his mind racing. **Lucy doesn’t have much time.**

As he rounded a corner, his eyes caught sight of Alpha Eric's guard, the one that was stalking Leo at the time Lucy lost consciousness of herself. a tall, imposing figure making his way toward the chamber hall. Ethan’s instincts kicked in. **Maybe Leo is with his father,** he mused. He knew how Leo was being monitored. Deciding to follow the guard, Ethan kept a safe distance, careful not to draw attention to himself.

The guard led him to the entrance of Alpha Eric’s hall, and there, pacing back and forth like a caged animal, was Leo. The sight of him immediately eased some of Ethan's anxiety, but only for a moment. Leo’s tense posture and the way he muttered to himself as he walked suggested he was deep in thought—perhaps troubled.

**He’s distracted,** Ethan realized. **Maybe he's thinking about her.**

He moved closer, staying behind a corner and taking his steps carefully until he was near enough to get Leo’s attention. He whispered, “Leo!”

Leo stopped mid-step, his head snapping in Ethan’s direction. The surprise on his face quickly shifted to concern as he recognized his friend. He strode over to where Ethan stood, his expression tense. “Ethan, I've been expecting you… how is she?.”

Ethan’s voice was low, urgent. “Leo, we have a problem.”

Leo’s heart skipped a beat. “What happened? Has she not woken yet?”

Ethan shook his head, though his worry was evident. “It’s not what you think. Lucy… she’s not who we thought she was.”

Leo frowned, confusion and unease bubbling up inside him. “What are you talking about? What do you mean?”

Taking a deep breath, Ethan knew he had to break this carefully. “Leo, Lucy has a wolf.”

Leo’s eyes widened, his mind struggling to process what he’d just heard. “A wolf? But… she’s wolfless. That’s what we’ve all been told and what we've seen with our eys. How… how is this possible?”

Ethan’s expression was grave as he explained. “She was cursed, Leo. Her wolf was locked away, hidden. But with everything that’s been happening lately—her emotions, the stress—it’s triggered something inside her. Her wolf is trying to break free.”

Leo’s shock was palpable. He staggered back a step, his hand running through his hair as he tried to make sense of it all. **Lucy, a wolf?** The very idea seemed impossible, yet Ethan’s words left no room for doubt. His mind raced back to all the moments he’d shared with her, all the times he’d thought she was simply human, vulnerable in a way the rest of them weren’t. And now, this revelation threatened to upend everything he thought he knew.

His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke. “Is she… is she in danger?”

Ethan nodded, his eyes full of concern. “She's locked up in a state of mind. I guess her wolf created that and she’s struggling, Leo. I don’t know how much longer she can hold on.”

Leo’s chest tightened, fear swirling inside him. **Lucy had been suffering all this time, and I didn’t even know.** His fists clenched at his sides, and he could feel the stirrings of his own wolf responding to the intensity of his emotions. He had to do something—anything—to help her. But first, he needed answers.

“But who could have cursed her? Who could have locked her wolf away? And why?” Leo demanded, his voice thick with emotion.

Ethan shook his head. “I don’t know, Leo. All I know is that she’s been like this for a long time. Whatever happened, it was meant to keep her wolf at bay, but now… now that barrier is breaking down.”

Leo’s mind reeled. He thought of the way Lucy had always seemed different, not just because of her status as a maid, but because of something deeper, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on until now. **How could I have missed this?**

Ethan placed a hand on Leo’s shoulder, grounding him. “Leo, we don’t have much time. We need to help her before it’s too late.”

Leo’s jaw tightened, and he met Ethan’s gaze with determination. “We will. But how? How do we stop this? You've tried your best and it doesn't seem to work.. What other options do we have?”

“You’re the key, Leo. You and Lucy share something—a bond. It’s more than just the feelings you have for her. It’s… deeper. You're….”

“I got it… I'm her mate, And if I can reach her, I might be able to help her regain control, to keep her wolf from tearing her apart.” Leo let out a shaky breath, his voice almost a whisper as he finished Ethan's words.

Leo’s mind raced back to a memory that had been gnawing at the edges of his consciousness.

“Ethan,” Leo began, his voice filled with a mix of regret and urgency, “the same thing happened just a few days ago. I felt it, but I didn’t know it was her wolf. I should have seen the signs…”

Ethan placed a reassuring hand on Leo’s shoulder, his eyes steady and supportive. “You couldn’t have known, Leo. But now that we do, we have to act fast.”

“And, Leo… can you do this? I mean, your Father—it could make things worse.”

Leo’s eyes flicked toward the entrance to the chamber hall. His father was inside, and there was no telling what he might do if he found out about his involvement in Lucy's matter. But Leo couldn’t let that stop him. Lucy’s life was on the line, and that was all that mattered.

He took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. “I know, we have to be careful but you should also know that I’m not going to let anything happen to her. Not while I can still do something about it.”

But just as they were about to move, the heavy wooden doors of Alpha Eric’s chamber creaked open, and the guard who had been pacing outside stepped forward. His expression was stern, his posture rigid as he addressed Leo.

“Your father wants to see you,” the guard announced, his voice carrying the authority of the Alpha. “You are to show up immediately.”

Leo’s heart sank, frustration bubbling up inside him. **Of all the times…** His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he fought to keep his anger in check. He knew he couldn’t disobey his father, not without severe consequences, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. Lucy needed him now, and every second spent elsewhere was a second she might not have.

Ethan, sensing Leo’s inner turmoil, asked in a low voice, “What should I do, Leo?”

Leo took a deep breath, trying to think clearly despite the storm raging inside him. He glanced back at Ethan, his decision made. “Find Katherine,” he said, his voice firm. “She’s the only one who knows Lucy well enough to understand what’s happening. She might be able to help, at least until I can get there.”

“I’ll find her. But Leo, you have to compose yourself. Let your mind be with your father. You can't let him sense your uneasiness.” 

Leo nodded, his jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the guard who was waiting for him.

As Ethan turned to leave, already planning his search for Katherine, Leo squared his shoulders and walked toward the chamber hall.