His Missing Luna

CHAPTER 76

NATHAN

BABY, DANCE WITH ME

“They didn’t come,” De Santos sighs as we step into a quieter corner of the hall, away from the crowd.

I frown, my brow furrowing in confusion. “Why not? I thought you were going to call them.”

“I did, but I was told they had an emergency.”

“Damn it!” I mutter, frustration bubbling up inside me. I had placed so much hope on Jessica meeting these people, believing it would be the surprise she needed. “Can we go to them?”

De Santos gives me a knowing look, one that hints at the complexities I’m not fully aware of. “It’s better if you don’t. I’ll try to arrange another meeting or go there myself.”

“I could come along—”

“They hardly welcome strangers into their pack,” he cuts in, his tone gentle but firm.

“But you’re going.”

“I’m an elder, and I have a relationship with their alpha,” he says, his voice carrying the weight of experience. “I’ll inform you of any progress I make.”

I sigh, realizing I’m at a dead end. There’s nothing more I can do. De Santos has been helpful since the first day we met at Kizziah’s pack, so I trust him, but the uncertainty still gnaws at me. Speaking of Kizziah, his absence is another thing that doesn’t sit right with me.

“Kizziah isn’t here,” I note, trying to piece together the puzzle.

De Santos nods gravely. “No one has seen him in his pack for almost a week now. His son, too. And the pack members are keeping silent about it. Even his Luna.”

“Strange,” I murmur, a prickle of unease creeping up my spine. Normally, I’d be worried about Jessica’s safety, but she’s right here with me, safe.

“Yeah. If they don’t show up by the end of the week, we’ll start a search for both of them. His Luna will be summoned,” De Santos says. He pats my shoulder lightly. “Try to enjoy the evening, Alpha. We’ll talk soon.”

As he walks away, I’m left with my thoughts swirling around this mysterious pack and Kizziah’s disappearance. I’ll have to get Tyler to dig deeper into these matters. There’s something off, and I need to know more, especially about that pack. Jessica has powers that no one can explain or trace back to any known origins. She deserves to know where she comes from, and I’m determined to find out for her.

And then there’s the issue of Kizziah and Saul. Their disappearance could be a sign of something sinister, maybe even a threat to Jessica. The thought gnaws at me, but I push it aside as I start walking back to where Jessica is—only to see her coming toward me with a radiant smile.

“Baby!” she gushes, pulling me down into a kiss.

I should be happy about this, and yet... something feels off. Her lips, for instance—they feel different. But before I can put my finger on it, she’s tugging me back toward the dance floor, the light in her eyes playful and eager.

“Come and dance with me,” she insists, already leading the way. As we step onto the dance floor, I notice the shocked expressions on everyone’s faces. They’re staring at us as if they’ve seen a ghost.

“Flower,” I begin cautiously, watching how effortlessly she moves. “I thought you didn’t know how to dance.”

She looks up at me with an arched brow. “I learned from the best. You,” she says smoothly.

But something about her tone, about the way she moves, sends a shiver down my spine. Declan is growling in my head, more agitated than usual.

“What is it, Dec?” I ask, feeling his unease deep within me.

“I don’t know. I feel different, and... I don’t know,” he whimpers, his voice pained. “Something’s wrong.”

“With us or with Jessica?” I press, trying to remain calm.

“Baby, are you okay?” Jessica’s voice interrupts my thoughts, her hands cupping my cheeks. But even her touch feels off—her palms aren’t as soft, her skin not as silky. Her brows aren’t as perfectly shaped as they were earlier. And why is everyone looking at me as if I’ve grown two heads?

“Kiss me, baby,” she coos, leaning in closer.

My gut clenches. Jessica never calls me "baby."

“Nathan, what are you doing?” Alex’s voice growls through the link, his tone urgent.

“Dancing with my mate!” I snap back, irritation flaring. What the hell is going on?

“That is not your mate, you fool!”

“I am your Alpha, and you will speak to me with respect!” I growl back, my frustration boiling over.

“And you will not disrespect our Luna!” Alex counters, his voice laced with anger.

“How am I doing that when she’s right here in my arms?”

“Kiss me, baby,” "Jessica" repeats, and before I can react, she presses her lips to mine. But the kiss feels wrong. Her mouth tastes different, her lips lack the softness I know so well.

“Get her away from me!” Declan snaps, his voice a snarl as he struggles for control. But I resist, confused by his reaction. Why would he say that about Jessica?

“Stop kissing her! That is not your mate, you fool!” Alex’s voice cuts through my thoughts again, his tone frantic.

I jerk back, tearing my lips away from hers, just in time to catch a glimpse of someone fleeing across the room—someone who looks just like Jessica. My men are already running after her, but how could she be there when she’s right beside me?

But is she? My mind races as I scrutinize the woman in my arms, the smile on her face, the dress, but something isn’t adding up. My hand instinctively moves to caress her cheek, and that’s when I realize—there’s no spark, no familiar tingle traveling through me.

“This is... Sasha,” I mutter, horror dawning on me.

My body recoils, and I push her back, the shock making my hands tremble. “Baby, what’s wrong?” she asks, her voice trembling as she tries to move closer.

But as I watch, her voice begins to change, her dress shifting, until suddenly, I’m no longer looking at Jessica—I’m looking at Sasha.

The room erupts in gasps and murmurs as the reality of what just happened settles over the crowd.

With a deafening roar, Declan rips control from me, half-shifting as he slashes his claws across Sasha’s face. She screams, falling to the floor, clutching her cheek in terror.

Declan’s rage merges with mine, our thoughts aligned on one thing—punishment. But before we can act, Alex’s voice cuts through the link once more.

“Go get Luna. I’ll deal with Sasha,” he orders, his tone leaving no room for argument. “She ran outside. Find her.”

Without another thought, I turn and bolt from the room, my heart pounding with fear and desperation. I need to find Jessica—my real Jessica—before it’s too late