The fall of an Alpha

Four

I stayed in the hall for a while.

The palace had become quiet.

I could hear footsteps from the upper floor and the occasional sound of warriors moving outside.

My Beta returned after some time.

"Alpha."

I looked at him.

"The servants have been questioned."

"And?"

"No one knows where the Luna went."

I frowned.

"Did anyone see her leave the palace?"

"No."

"Did anyone see her with someone?"

He shook his head.

"No."

I looked toward the entrance.

"Ask the guards at the gates."

"They've already been questioned."

"Ask them again."

He nodded and left.

I walked toward the window.

The night was cold, and the courtyard was almost empty.

I saw several warriors moving through the grounds with torches.

I watched them for a moment before turning away.

A few minutes later, my father entered the hall.

"Any news?"

"No."

He stopped beside me.

"You've searched the entire palace?"

"Almost."

"Then perhaps she left on her own."

I turned toward him.

"Without telling me?"

He shrugged slightly.

"She may have needed some time alone."

I didn't answer.

Sepharena had never disappeared without telling me where she was going.

I looked at the stairs again.

"I'll keep searching."

My father nodded.

"I'll leave you to it."

He walked away.

I watched him go before turning back toward my Beta.

"Send warriors to the forest."

"The forest?"

"Yes."

He nodded.

"How far?"

"Search the paths first. Don't go too deep until we know what we're looking for."

"Yes, Alpha."

He left.

I remained by the window.

The palace was quiet.

Too quiet.

I looked outside again.

The search continued.

*

*

*

I stayed in the hall until my Beta returned.

"Alpha."

I looked at him.

"The warriors have searched the forest paths."

"And?"

"Nothing."

I rubbed my forehead.

"Search farther."

"We will."

"Take more men."

He nodded.

I looked toward the entrance.

"Did anyone leave the palace after the festival?"

"Several guests have left."

"Check their names."

"Yes, Alpha."

He turned to leave.

"Wait."

He stopped.

"Ask the guards if they saw the Luna leave with anyone."

"I'll ask them again."

He left.

I walked toward the garden.

The flowers had been disturbed from the festival, and a few cups were still lying on the tables.

I stopped near the fountain.

This was where I had last seen Sepharena earlier that evening.

I looked around.

Nothing.

I walked toward the path leading to the eastern side of the palace.

A warrior approached me.

"Alpha."

I turned.

"We found footprints."

"Where?"

"Near the eastern path."

I followed him.

The warrior led me through the garden until we reached the edge of the path.

There were several footprints in the dirt.

I crouched and looked at them.

Some were old.

Others were fresh.

"Where does this path lead?"

"The forest."

I stood.

"How far did you follow them?"

"We stopped here."

"Why?"

"We weren't sure if they belonged to the Luna."

I looked down at the ground again.

"Follow them."

The warrior nodded.

He called two others, and they moved ahead.

I followed behind them.

The path became narrower as we moved farther from the palace.

After a while, the footprints disappeared.

I stopped.

"Nothing?"

The warrior shook his head.

"No, Alpha."

I looked around.

There was no sign of Sepharena.

I turned back toward the palace.

"Continue searching."

"Yes, Alpha."

I walked back alone.

When I returned to the palace, my father was standing near the entrance.

He looked at me.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

He nodded.

I walked past him and stopped on the stairs.

For the first time that night, I felt tired.

But I couldn't rest.

Not while I still didn't know where my mate was.