Leon seizes Alice's arms firmly, compelling her to walk toward me. I grip her neck tightly with my hand, my anger boiling over. 'What did you do to Astrid? Where is she?' I demand, my voice malicious and determined. Alice struggles for breath. Her face contorted with the effort to respond. She musters a grim smile in defiance of my threats. In response, I tighten my grip, my determination turning into an unmistakable warning. 'I will kill you right now if you don't tell me!' I declare with a threatening stare.
Alice's breaths come in ragged gasps as she struggles to fill her lungs with air. Her eyes plead for mercy, and despite the searing anger within me, I allow her a small measure of relief by loosening my grip, permitting her to draw in precious breaths.
In her raspy, strained voice, Alice begins to recount the events of the fateful morning. 'The morning Astrid disappeared, she came into the kitchen for something to eat,' she confesses. 'No one else was up yet. I guess she couldn't sleep. I warned her to leave. I told her to save herself the heartbreak of the elders choosing Vanessa over her. I told her to go. She was upset and hesitant about what to do, so I threatened to shift and kill her by tearing her to pieces if she didn't immediately leave.'
The primal growl of my wolf echoes within me, its fury seeking release. I battle to maintain control, knowing that vengeance won't bring Astrid back. Fueled by anger, I throw Alice across the room. 'Kane! Leon! Take them both to the pack cells, where they will remain!'
Exhausted and dizzy, I manage to return to the armchair, my strength waning. Leon and Kane re-enter the room, placing a jug of water and a glass on the table beside me. 'Alice must have drugged my dinner last night,' I explain, my voice laden with frustration. 'I became dizzy and couldn't even stand up straight. Vanessa tried to seduce and mark me, pretending she was Astrid.' I recount the horrifying events, watching as concern creeps into Leon and Kane's expressions.
'Alpha, you should rest in bed for the day until the drug fully wears off,' Kane advises with concern.
I resist the notion of rest. 'No, we need to find Astrid! Have any of you heard from Seth?' I press urgently, my eyes locking onto theirs.
Leon and Kane exchange a concerned look before refocusing on me. 'No, we'll go into the city and get him to return here for some rest. We'll take over the search,' Leon offers, his tone laced with apprehension. 'But, Alpha, you won't be much help in your current condition.'
Determined to contribute, I drink two large glasses of water to rehydrate myself. 'I'm fine,' I growl with stubborn resolve, only to falter and collapse back into the armchair, my strength depleted.
'Come on, Alpha!' Leon insists, holding one of my arms while Kane secures the other. With gentle care, they lift me to my bed.
'Rest, Alpha, and we'll mind-link you when we hear anything or find Astrid,' Kane reassures me. 'I'll have Hayley and Mia check on you throughout the day. If you need anything to eat in the meantime, mind link them.' With those words, they exit the room, their footsteps fading as they continue searching for Astrid.
After Leon and Kane leave the room, my exhaustion finally catches up, pulling me into a deep, dreamless slumber. Time drifts away unnoticed, and it isn't until the afternoon sunlight bathes my room that I stir awake, with my vision and my cognitive state back to normal. I immediately reach out through our pack's mind link, eager for any updates on our search. 'Any progress?' I urgently ask.
Kane's response darkens my hopes. 'Alpha Ryker, I don't know how to tell you this, but we haven't been able to establish contact with Seth or locate him. It's as if he has completely vanished,' he conveys with concern.
A chill courses through me as I absorb the unsettling news. Seth's absence is a worrisome development, and the uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts only intensified my unease. 'Something must have happened to him. He wouldn't just disappear like this, and he would have at least mind-linked us if he were able,' I speculate.
Leon's response is reassuring. 'Alpha, we won't give up. We'll continue our search for Astrid and Seth and keep trying to establish contact with Seth,' he affirms with determination.
'I'll be in the city soon to assist in the search. I've regained my strength and can be of better use there,' I inform them.
As nightfall descends upon us, we press on, combing through every lead, searching every corner of the city for any sign of Astrid and Seth. Searching for Astrid and now the inexplicable disappearance of Seth adds more questions, and suspicions gnaw at me. Could someone else be involved in their disappearances? But who? I have to find Astrid before her first shift.
After returning home to the pack house after I searched all night, I didn't want to go to my room; I wanted to be with Astrid. As I cross the threshold of Astrid's room, her scent envelops me, a tangible reminder of her presence. Her scent is most potent around the couch, and without hesitation, I settle onto its inviting surface. The couch wraps me in Astrid's essence, offering a rare comfort that nothing else can provide.
Lying on the couch, I wonder if Astrid has been sleeping here instead of in her bed. It would explain why her bed looks as fresh as the day she arrived.
As I gradually drift into slumber, my mind transports me into a vivid dream, a bittersweet reverie starring Astrid. In the dream, I find myself drawn to her soft, inviting lips, and my gaze locks on her mesmerizing green eyes. 'Astrid, my mate and my Luna,' I begin, my voice brimming with love and longing, 'I feel truly blessed that the Moon Goddess has chosen us to be together.'