CHAPTER 9: The Hunt Begins
1288 Words
Dimitri’s Point of View
By the time our truck crossed into Bloodmoon territory, the night had grown darker, colder—almost as if the forest itself sensed the storm building inside me.
Rylan sat beside me, quiet for once, the weight of the situation pressing even on his normally carefree personality.
As soon as we passed the border, several patrol wolves straightened at attention.
“Alpha Dimitri,” one greeted. “Safe return.”
I only nodded, stepping out of the truck. My wolf pushed dangerously close to the surface, still restless, still furious, still terrified.
Clary was somewhere far from home. Alone.
yep... Clary, since her family calls her that it only right if I do too I mean I'm her mate even if she haven't accepted me yet it's just a matter of time.
And I wasn’t going to rest until she was found.
The moment we reached the Pack House, the doors opened and my parents Alpha Magnus and Luna Seraphina stepped out. Both wore expressions that said they already sensed something monumental had happened.
My mother hurried toward me first.
“Dimitri, what happened? We felt your wolf reacting the entire way home.”
My father crossed his arms, sharp eyes studying me. “You found your mate, didn’t you?”
I didn’t bother dragging it out.
“Yes,” I said. “I found her.”
Rylan grinned a little behind me. “More like she found him first.”
My mother gasped, her smile blooming. “Oh Dimitri, that’s wonderful! Who is she? What pack?”
The officials lined up behind my father elders, squad leaders, council members leaned forward in anticipation.
Clary’s face flashed in my mind. The way she stared at me like I was danger.
And then how she ran.
I wasn’t about to announce that to the entire council. They’d panic, send search teams, cause a diplomatic disaster with Silvercrest.
"seems like you guys were having a meeting" since there were all gathered here
“She’s from Silvercrest. The daughter of Alpha Rowan.”
Gasps. Whispers. A few muttered prayers.
“That’s a royal bloodline,” Elder Rowan said. “A powerful bond indeed.”
“But where is she now?” Elder Marien asked. “Why isn’t she with you?”
My jaw tightened.
“She needed time,” I answered smoothly. “It was a shock to both of us. I’ll be going back soon to… handle things properly.”
My father’s brows lowered slightly he knew I wasn’t giving the full truth.
But to the officials, my tone made it clear they were not to ask further.
“As you wish, Alpha,” they bowed.
My mother squeezed my arm. “When you’re ready, we’d love to meet her.”
“You will,” I said.
If I can convince her I’m not a monster.
The moment the officials dispersed, my father gestured toward his office.
“Inside. Now.”
Rylan followed us in but took a seat by the wall, respectfully quiet.
My mother closed the door and turned to me with her brows raised. “Alright. The real story. Now.”
I hesitated, then exhaled.
“She ran.” I told them about the letter and everything else,
Both parents froze.
“She didn’t reject me. She just… got scared. She hasn’t seen the outside world before. She panicked and disappeared into the forest.”
My mother covered her mouth, horrified.
My father cursed under his breath.
Rylan added, “We tracked her scent until the border, but she’s surprisingly fast for someone who never leaves home.”
“She is her mother’s daughter,” my father muttered.
I continued. “A woman from their pack Abigail told us she might have run to the human world. To stay with a relative of hers. A rebellious aunt the Alpha once mentioned.”
My mother frowned. “So she’s mixing with humans right now? Unprotected?”
“That’s why I need to leave,” I said. “Soon.”
My father cleared his throat. “How many warriors do you plan to take?”
“None,” I answered.
My mother’s eyes widened.
Rylan shot me a sideways look like here we go again.
“Only Rylan will come. Lucien stays to manage the pack while I’m gone.”
“But Dimitri...” my mother began.
“Mom.” I stepped closer. “If Clary sees a group of armed wolves coming for her, she’ll disappear. Again. I have to go quietly.”
My father let out a long sigh.
“Very well. Follow the bond. Find her before anything else does.”
My mother touched my face gently. “Bring her home. And let her know she’s loved. Even if she doesn’t feel it yet.”
I nodded. “I will.”
As soon as the conversation ended, I headed straight to the war room.
Lucien was already inside, holographic maps spread across the table, screens lit with information.
“You’re back,” he said, not surprised at all. “I assumed you’d want every human database pulled.”
“Start with Silvercrest’s logs,” I said. “Search for the Alpha’s sister—her aunt who decided to stay in the human world. Her name, identity records, human address, anything.”
Rylan leaned over Lucien’s shoulder. “Abigail said she should still be in the same place.”
“So she said,” I muttered. “But Clary’s aunt sounds rebellious. She might have moved. Changed her identity. Anything.”
Lucien typed rapidly, accessing confidential human–supernatural bridge records.
“There,” he said. “Her name is Evelyn Rowan. Changed her last name years ago to avoid supernatural attention. Now goes by Evelyn Carter.”
He zoomed in on the map.
“Location: Phoenix City, Arizona.”
Rylan whistled. “Pretty far.”
“Clary is already there,” I said quietly.
I could feel it.
Her scent ghosted in the back of my mind. Her fear. Her confusion. Her pain.
"you're not even together yet and you're already calling her Clary". Rylan said and I glared at him.
Lucien folded his arms. “I’ll prepare a direct route and secure documents for you two. Also, if anything happens in your absence, I’ll alert you immediately.”
“Good,” I said. “Keep the council calm. We do not need panic.”
Lucien nodded. “Understood.”
Rylan flopped into a chair. “So, road trip to Arizona?”
“This isn’t a joke,” I muttered.
“I know,” he said softly. “But you need to breathe. She’s out there, yeah… but she’s smart. Stronger than she looks.”
My wolf growled.
“She’s scared.”
Rylan didn’t argue.
Lucien walked up and placed a hand on my shoulder. “You will find her, Dimitri. I trust you.”
I managed a faint smile.
“Thank you.”
While the sky was still dark, Rylan loaded the truck. Supplies, maps, documents, emergency clothes.
Lucien handed me a sealed envelope. “All the information on Evelyn Carter. Her address, occupation, neighbors, public records. If Clary is there, this will lead you straight to her.”
I took it.
My pulse hammered.
I was one step closer.
My father approached and handed me a silver dagger. “Protection. Humans or rogues just in case.”
My mother hugged me tightly. “Bring our daughter-in-law home safely.”
Rylan grinned. “No pressure, right?”
I shook my head, climbed into the driver’s seat, and started the engine.
my wolf whispered through my soul:
Mate.
Find her.
Don’t stop.
And I wouldn’t.
Not until Clary was in my arms.
- Writer
