Fall Harvest Moon

Chapter 9: Missing

~Elle~

Elle was on cloud nine dancing in the arms of her mate. After he had pardoned the other stranger, he introduced himself as Beta Cliff from the Golden Valley Tribe of the Southern Mountains. Feeling breathless, as the smell of Christmas pine and chocolate flooded her senses, all Elle could muster was "Elenore, everyone calls me Elle" They had barely said another word to each other but Elle felt like she knew him her entire life but just wasn't aware of it until he had touched her and the sparks were sent flying through her body and immediately connected her wolf to his. She was enjoying the electrifying vibes pulsating throughout her body with each heartbeat, it excited her and was calming at the same time. 'This is it, this is what everyone meant, you'll know.. I can't believe how amazing this is' Elle was trying to form the words to talk to Cliff, but when she looked in his intense grey eyes which made her think of a winter's storm, the world seemed to fade away she forgot everything else and wanted this moment to last forever.

Their wolves seemed intoxicated by each others scent. Crystal was stunned and silenced by the sparks and she found the whole experience exhilarating and wanted more, 'His wolf is very strong, I can feel he wants to seal the bond as we do. I can't wait to meet him.' Crystal was nearly panting. Elle could feel how badly she wanted to shift, but Elle had to be content with being held in Cliff's arms for now. Trying to keep Crystal under control, Elle tried to focus on the music, and let the rhythm and her mate take control as she relaxed further into his arms. Elle was pleased with how perfectly she fit, it felt as if his arms were molded to hold her. She could feel his muscles through his fine suit and she was amazed how firm they were, but at the same, soft and warm, she found them inviting as she felt safe and secure. She was in complete bliss as he held her close. He was like a protective shield and she felt like they were in their own world. Elle was unaware that they had already danced numerous songs together until she realized that Cliff was no longer dancing but he continued to hold her. When Elle stepped back and looked around the dance floor, she realized it was now filled with more couples from the tables and now the music has changed and some couples were leaving the floor.

Elle was excited about introducing Cliff to her parents and her best friend. Elle frowned as she realized she never saw her friend on the floor or seated at the table. Elle's parents were just returning to their seats from their dance. Elle blushed as she realized she didn't even noticed her parents were also dancing, but her worry and concerns disappeared and her knees weakened as her new mate put one hand on her back and held her other hand as she led them to her table.

Elle proudly introduced her parents to Cliff and they happily invited him to sit with them. Elle was ecstatic. Her parents seemed to love Cliff. Crystal was excited and wanted her mate's attention and wanted him to hold her close back on the floor again. But Elle wanted to introduce Cliff to Aurora, she didn't want to leave without her best friends' approval. Elle turned to Aurora's parents. "Where is Aurora? She has to meet Cliff. Did she pair with someone? She wasn't on the floor after the last song. She hasn't returned yet?" Elle noticed the quick flash of panic across both their faces , as she realized they didn't know. They thought she was on the floor dancing. They had remained seated during the dance but Elle's parents confirmed her suspicion that Aurora had not been on the dance floor. Elle knew Aurora would never leave with her partner without introducing him to her parents. Elle flushed as she realized how out of it she must have been because she haven't even realized the dance floor became crowded as more couples were paired and the floor opened to all. It felt as if they were in their own world. 'Where was Aurora?' Crystal tried to reach Zara but was unanswered.

The table went silent as Brooke also tried to mind-link Aurora. She looked at her husband, with fear clear in her eyes, "I can't reach her, there's nothing". Gabriel tried as well and when he realized Aurora was not anywhere around or responding to their calls, he excused them and said he needed to go check home.

Elle's parents volunteered to help search. She wanted to go along too. Elle looked up at her new mate and he felt her distress. He volunteered his services as well. Everyone at the table rose to leave, Beta Gabe had excused the group at the exit, stating they needed to return home to check on their daughter.

Elle was feeling guilty for not noticing her best friend from childhood was possibly in distress while she was dancing with a guy she had met only moments before.

She was grateful that he was offering his help, but the guilt was heavy on her heart.

Gabe and Brooke were able to pick up Aurora's trail from one of the side entrances, and Elle was confused. 'Why did she leave through this side? and without telling anyone?' Crystal could tell Aurora had passed through but it was combined with numerous others who had left after Aurora had. She couldn't confirm if Aurora left on her own. The group quickly traced Aurora heading in the direction of her home. Elle mind was starting to race as her emotions were starting to mix up between guilt and comfort that she wasn't alone.

When they had arrived at the family home, Aurora's parents did a quick search throughout the house but she was nowhere to be found. Crystal was trying to pick up any strange scents 'Only Zara and Aurora were here". She was trying to comfort Elle. She felt relief Aurora wasn't followed or forced to leave, but confused on what caused her to leave again.

Aurora's parents were able to tell Aurora had entered the house but her scent was growing fainter as they traced her leaving again heading into the woods. "Where could she be going??" Brooke asked clearly in growing distress.

"I've made contact with Ryan on patrol, He encountered Aurora on her way home, he left once she entered the house. They found a trail, heading north further up the trails. Any idea where she could be heading?" Beta Gabe asked his wife as he cradled her. Brooke was nearly weeping as she nestled in his arms.

Elles throat was tight and she felt herself starting to shake as her emotions were starting to spiral. Cliff walked and wrapped his arms around her from behind, Elle closed her eyes and took a deep breath of pine and she suddenly remembered Aurora's favorite place, 'Why would she be there now?' What would cause her to leave without saying anything to anyone? Aurora would never want to cause her parents to worry like this. Why couldn't anyone mind-link her?' "The overlook. We should check there, that's where I could always find her," she suggested.

"Perhaps we should change first. We don't know what's going on yet, but we should be prepared for anything" Gabe stated. Brooke was extremely worried about her daughter and wanted to find her as soon as possible, but she knew her husband was a great pack leader and was well trained for these situations. All she could do was agree and get ready as quickly as she could. Brooke gave extra clothes to Elle and her mother, they had changed from their fancy formal wear into comfortable workout clothes.

Elle was taking the butterfly clips from her hair, she didn't know what was happening but the main question was still bothering Elle "Why did Aurora leave the dance in the first place?" she asked aloud without really asking anyone, she just wanted to know that much at least. Elle looked at her mother who had no answers to give as they both looked at Auroras mother, Elle could not imagine what she must be going through. Brooke was trying to appear calm and collected but Elle saw the fear and desperation in her eyes. Her hands were trembling as she was trying to zipper her sweater. Elle's mom walked over and held Brooke's hand in hers. "We'll find her, there noway she could've gone far without someone seeing her. We know that she came here, lets check the overlook, I'm sure we'll find answers."

When they joined the men waiting in the living area, Elle noticed they were also dressed in workout clothes. Already feeling a connection with her new mate, Elle walked straight into his arms and immediately started to feel more relaxed, but her mind was racing at all the possibilities "She would never just leave and not answer my calls" she told him. Crystal was trying to calm Elle down and contact Zara, but it worried her how there was absolutely no answer, it usually only meant one thing, and Elle absolute refused to accept Aurora was gone.

Elle was feeling so guilty how she was dancing the night away while her best friend was possibly in danger. She was trying her best to hold it together in front of everyone else, Cliff could feel her distress, he was trying to help her by sending her positive vibes as he could feel the tingles of their connection as he held her tight. His wolf Xander was sending all the love and strength he could as he wanted to shift and find the source that was causing his mates distress. "I promise, Elenore, we will find out what happened here and return her home." He put all his power behind the promise to always protect his mate when he found her, and right now she needed all the support he could give.

Elle was so relieved to have her mate during this time, she was finally calm enough to realize, she was missing the whole discussion between the parents.

"Ryan says Aurora was at the overlook, but now there's no further trace of which way she went from there"

Elle felt her insides turn to stone 'Where is Aurora?'