Alpha Ryker's P.O.V
I wake up, filled with excitement about spending the day with Astrid. I can sense her growing trust and her gradual adjustment to the world of werewolves. After my shower, I head to her room and knock on the door, expecting her to be ready. To my surprise, there's no response. I knock again, growing concerned. 'Astrid, are you awake?' I call out as I cautiously open the door.
Inside, I find her bed neatly made, as if she hadn't slept in it at all. Panic begins to creep in as I notice one of her drawers left open, with her clothes scattered as though she was searching for something in a hurry. My heart sinks at the realization that she's nowhere to be found.
I sprint down the stairs, rushing into the dining room where Seth, Mia, Kane, Hayley, and even Vanessa are seated. They all stand up as I burst in, my voice trembling with worry. 'Has anyone seen Astrid?' I ask desperately. Their collective shrugs and exchanged glances only heighten my anxiety.
'She might still be asleep, Ryker,' Mia suggests with a hint of reassurance.
I shake my head frantically. 'No, she's not there! I can't find her!'
Seth steps forward, attempting to calm me. 'Alpha Ryker, I'm sure she's around somewhere. I'll mind-link the pack to keep an eye out for her.'
I continue my frantic search through the pack house, calling out for Astrid, checking every room, and trying to pick up her scent. My efforts prove fruitless as I return to the dining room. Heartache and worry fill my voice. 'She's not in the pack house!' I exclaim.
Alice enters and serves breakfast. I immediately ask her, 'Alice, have you seen Astrid at all?'
She responds calmly, 'No, Alpha. I've been in the kitchen since 6 a.m. and haven't sighted her.'
With a heavy heart, I race out of the front door, my wolf instincts taking over. I tear my clothes off and shift into my wolf form, letting out a mournful howl as I pick up Astrid's scent, determined to find her.
An hour slips by like an eternity as I delve deeper into the woods, my senses on high alert. Astrid's scent, guiding me, suddenly vanishes into thin air, leaving me bewildered and desperate. Panic surges within me, and I begin to run in different directions, growing increasingly distressed with each passing moment.
Questions swirl in my mind—why would she leave me, and
The thought crosses my mind that maybe Jim's Diner is the only logical place she might seek refuge. There's no way she would return to her father's place after what she went through there. My heart pounding in my chest, I don't waste another moment and bolt towards Jim's diner.
As I arrive at the diner, my urgency causes me to forget all modesty. I shift back into my human form without a second thought, racing into the establishment completely naked. My sole focus is finding Astrid; everything else is irrelevant.
'Jim!' I shout, my voice filled with an undeniable desperation that silences the entire diner. Patrons freeze mid-meal, their astonished eyes fixated on my nudity. One overweight man catches his wife's admiring gaze and quickly covers her eyes with his hands, casting me a disapproving look.
'Ryker! Darn it, get some clothes on! The Diner is full of customers!' Jim scolds, embarrassed.
'Astrid! Have you seen her?' I ask breathlessly, ignoring the shocked stares and the now-awkward atmosphere.
Jim shakes his head with concern as he furrows his brow. 'No, I haven't seen her since she went with you to Shadow Crest.'
I can't help but curse under my breath, my anxiety intensifying with each passing second. 'Shit! Jim, she's missing. I don't know why she would run away!' My words come out frantic.
Jim responds, 'I'll let you know if I come across her. In the meantime, you need to leave. All the female customers are gawking and smiling at you, and the men look like they want to give you a black eye!' He warns with urgency.
With a heavy sigh, I exit the diner. Once the area is clear, I shift back into my wolf form and scour the woods, desperately hoping to pick up Astrid's scent. But there's nothing—not a trace of her anywhere.
Desperation courses through me as I mind-link Seth and Kane, urging them to organize search parties and cover as much ground as possible. They acknowledge my orders, and I know the pack will do everything possible to help.
Hours turn into an entire day; still, there's no sign of Astrid. Exhausted and dejected, I return home, understanding that I must rest and recharge to continue the relentless search for my fated mate.
I wake from my restless sleep and sense an unfamiliar touch on my chest. 'Astrid!' I sit up abruptly, my eyes darting to the unexpected intruder in my bed. It's Vanessa, slumbering peacefully next to me, unaware of the rage she has sparked. My reaction is immediate. I let out a guttural growl, loud enough to rouse her from sleep.
'Ryker, don't growl at me!' Vanessa's voice, mixed with defiance and fatigue, pierces through the air. 'You need to get over her and face the fact that Astrid left you because she doesn't love you! She doesn't want you or the responsibility of being Luna!' Her words are bitter.
I can feel my blood boil, and my patience is stretched to its limit. 'Get out of my bed and out of my room now, Vanessa!' I command, my voice echoing with authority. The tension in the room is rife, and the rift between us is growing wider by the second.
'Fine!' Vanessa retorts, her voice teetering on the edge of anger and resignation. 'But sooner or later, you will have to accept me as your chosen mate, whether you like it or not, Ryker! You know the elders won't want a weak runaway as Luna!' She asserts herself defiantly.