THE MISSING LUNA
1644 Words
CHAPTER FOUR — THE MISSING LUNA
The morning after Clare’s disappearance, Crimson Snow Pack woke to tense air and restless wolves. A soft mist hung over the trees, and the usual bird sounds felt strangely muted. Something was wrong. The forest itself felt unsettled.
Beta Rowan,the male beta in this version was already waiting for Alpha Tatum near the training grounds, urgency written all over his face. He had barely slept, and the worry in his eyes showed it.
Tatum approached, wiping sweat from his forehead after an early training session. “Rowan. What’s wrong?”
Rowan bowed his head slightly. “Alpha, the patrol teams reported movement on the eastern ridge last night.”
Tatum straightened, expression sharpening. “Movement? From who?”
“Blackthorn,” Rowan answered. “Two, maybe three of their warriors. They were seen moving close to our boundary. Too close. Almost like they were scouting.”
Tatum’s jaw clenched. “Spying?”
“That’s the assumption,” Rowan said. “The warriors gave chase, but they lost them near the river.”
Tatum cursed under his breath. The tension between the packs had calmed a little after the last battle, but he knew it was far from over. Blackthorn was unpredictable. And if they were creeping near Crimson Snow’s territory now, it meant trouble was brewing again.
Rowan continued, “I’ve ordered the patrols to double their rounds, but… we might need stronger measures.”
Tatum nodded. “We’re not taking chances.”
He took a deep breath and raised his voice. “From this moment, Crimson Snow is under a state of emergency.”
Rowan gave a sharp nod and immediately relayed the order through the mind-link.
Tatum continued, voice cold and firm.
“No hunting parties. No traveling alone. No one,absolutely no one goes near the borders. Anyone seen close to the ridge will be detained until questioned.”
Several warriors nearby bowed in acknowledgment.
The pack was alert now. A threat from Blackthorn was not something to take lightly.
Tatum exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. “If Blackthorn is spying, it means something is coming. We stay ready.”
Rowan hesitated for a moment, then shifted uncomfortably.
“What is it?” Tatum asked.
Rowan scratched the back of his neck. “There’s… one more thing.”
Tatum frowned. “Go on.”
“Well… one of the night patrols said they saw Clare yesterday.”
Tatum blinked. “Clare?”
“Yes,” Rowan said. “She was seen walking into the forest near the back gate. Alone.”
Tatum paused, surprised. “Why would she go there alone?”
“I don’t know,” Rowan replied. “But she didn’t return through the same route. No one else reported seeing her after that.”
A small flicker of worry passed through Tatum’s eyes.
“Elara mentioned Clare seemed stressed yesterday,” Rowan added carefully. “Maybe she went to clear her head.”
Tatum nodded slowly. “Maybe.”
But something didn’t feel right. Clare never stayed out after dark. She always informed Jasmine or someone if she took a walk. She knew the rules about roaming near the borders.
“Elara said she’d spoken to Clare earlier,” Rowan said, trying to lighten the tension. “She said Clare seemed better after their talk.”
Tatum gave a small, reluctant smile. “Elara… she’s been trying very hard to adjust. I’m glad she reached out.”
Just then, soft footsteps approached from behind. Both men turned.
Elara stood there, wrapped in a light shawl despite the morning warmth. Her brown hair framed her face softly, and her eyes held that same gentle, fragile look she always carried. She walked slowly, one hand resting on her belly.
“Tatum,” she said softly. “Is something wrong? I could feel tension through the pack bond.”
Tatum stepped toward her. “Nothing major. Just a few Blackthorn wolves spotted near our borders. We’ve put the pack on alert.”
Elara’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh… that sounds dangerous.”
“It’s under control,” Tatum assured her. “Just stay inside today, alright?”
Elara nodded sweetly. “Of course. I trust you.”
Rowan stood quietly, waiting to be dismissed, when Elara turned to him with a small, polite smile. “Thank you for keeping us safe, Beta Rowan.”
Rowan bowed respectfully. “Just doing my job, Luna Elara.”
She blushed slightly at the title.
Then her eyes shifted, almost timidly, to Tatum.
“Tatum… um, can I ask something?” she said, voice unsure.
He turned to her. “Anything.”
Elara bit her lip nervously, seeming hesitant to speak. “Earlier… you mentioned Clare. Is everything alright?”
Tatum sighed. “We’re not sure. Rowan said she was seen going into the forest yesterday, but she hasn’t been spotted since.”
Elara blinked softly, her face pale with concern. “Oh… I hope she’s safe.”
Tatum nodded. “She probably just needed time alone.”
Elara hesitated again. “Maybe… um… this is silly, but… what if she wasn’t just walking?”
Tatum frowned lightly. “What do you mean?”
Elara wrung her hands, looking almost scared to share her thought. “I don’t want to make trouble. I really don’t. And I don’t want to seem like I’m speaking against Clare. But… maybe she was meeting someone?”
Rowan raised a brow.
Tatum stiffened. “Elara, Clare would never….”
Elara lifted her hands, eyes wide and innocent. “No, no! I don’t mean she’s doing anything wrong. Please don’t misunderstand. I just mean… maybe she saw the Blackthorn warriors. Maybe she panicked and ran deeper into the woods.”
Tatum’s shoulders lowered slightly.
Elara continued, voice soft as a whisper, “Or… maybe they were there before she went in. Maybe they were watching her.”
Tatum’s jaw tightened.
Elara stepped closer and touched his arm timidly, like she was afraid he’d pull away. “I’m not accusing her. I know she’d never hurt you or this pack. I only… I only worry because she’s alone. And if Blackthorn is spying, they won’t hesitate to take advantage of someone wandering by herself.”
Her voice trembled with genuine fear or something that sounded like it.
Tatum’s expression softened. He covered her hand gently. “You’re right. You’re just worried.”
Elara lowered her eyes shyly. “I care about Clare too… even if she doesn’t like me.”
Rowan looked between them, unsure how to react.
Tatum shook his head. “No, Elara. Clare doesn’t dislike you. She’s adjusting.”
Elara gave a tiny, sad smile. “I know. I’m trying to give her space.”
Rowan cleared his throat. “Alpha? Should we send a search party? If she’s missing, and Blackthorn wolves were nearby…..”
“No.” Tatum’s voice was firm.
Rowan blinked. “No?”
Tatum exhaled. “If she went into the forest and ran into them… going near the border now is too dangerous. We can’t risk more wolves disappearing.”
Elara’s eyes softened. “I’m sure Clare is fine. She’s strong. She’ll come back when she’s ready.”
Rowan nodded reluctantly. “Yes, Alpha.”
But Tatum didn’t look convinced.
He stared toward the forest, his brows pulled together, worry tightening his jaw.
Clare was his childhood love. His chosen partner. His friend. Even if their bond had changed… he still cared. He still knew her better than anyone.
And something in his gut told him something was wrong.
But he clenched his fists and forced himself back to reason.
“Clare knows the forest,” he said firmly. “She’ll return.”
Elara leaned her head gently against his shoulder, closing her eyes like the topic exhausted her.
“I’m sure she will,” she whispered softly. “I have faith in her.”
Tatum sighed and placed a hand over hers.
Rowan looked at both of them. Elara sweet and innocent, Tatum tired and conflicted and decided not to push further.
For now, Clare’s disappearance would remain a quiet worry in Tatum’s heart.
But a worry that slowly started to grow.
**********
Later that day, as the sun reached its highest point, Tatum stood on the balcony of the Alpha Wing, Elara resting on the couch behind him. Warriors trained below. Others guarded the border, alert and ready.
But Tatum’s thoughts were far away.
He remembered Clare’s smile.
Her laugh. Their childhood together. How she cried when he left for war.
How she trusted him more than anyone.
It was strange that he hadn’t thought about her this much in weeks.
The mate bond with Elara was overwhelming, wrapping around his mind and heart like vines. It was instinct. It was nature. It was something he couldn’t fight.
But Clare… she was memory. She was comfort. She was choice.
He rubbed his forehead.
He hadn’t meant to hurt her. He hadn’t meant for fate to collide with his life the way it did. He hadn’t meant for her to disappear.
Behind him, Elara spoke in her soft voice. “Tatum? Are you alright?”
He turned. “Yes. Just thinking.”
Elara gave him a gentle smile. “Don’t worry too much. She’ll come back.”
But something in her eyes,something faint, something deep that didn’t match her sweet expression.
And Tatum didn’t see it. Not yet.
He only nodded and returned to watching the forest.
Clare was missing, danger was close.
Blackthorn was stirring.
He hoped she was safe.
He hoped she would walk back through the gates soon. But miles away, in a cold stone cell…
Clare sat in darkness, staring into the eyes of the enemy Alpha who claimed she was his mate.
And Crimson Snow had no idea.
- Writer
