The fall of an Alpha

Five

The search continued for hours.

By the time I finally returned to my room, the palace was silent.

I removed my clothes and sat on the edge of the bed.

I was exhausted, but I still couldn't sleep.

My mind kept going back to the same question.

Where was Sepharena?

I lay down as tears rolled down my cheek slowly.

I felt guilty for it all.

I don't remember falling asleep.

I was standing in the middle of the forest.

"Sepharena!"

There was no answer.

I walked farther.

Then I saw her.

She was lying on the ground.

in a pool of blood

I ran toward her.

"Sepharena."

I saw something move beside her .

it was her heart .

" arrrrgghhhhhhh!!!"

She didn't move.

I reached for her, but before I could touch her, someone pushed me hard to the ground.

I sat up quickly, breathing heavily.

For a moment, I didn't know where I was.

I looked around my room.

Everything was quiet.

I ran a hand over my face and took a deep breath.

It was only a dream.

I got out of bed and walked toward the window.

The sky was beginning to lighten.

Morning was coming.

I looked toward the palace grounds.

The warriors were still searching.

I stood there for a while before turning away from the window.

I hadn't slept enough.

But I didn't care.

I needed to find my mate.

*

*

*

Morning came slowly.

I was still standing by the window.

The palace grounds were already busy. Warriors moved around the gardens, checking every corner while others returned from the forest.

I left my room and headed downstairs.

My Beta was waiting in the hall.

"Alpha."

"Any news?"

He shook his head.

"Nothing yet."

I looked toward the entrance.

"Keep searching."

"Yes, Alpha."

I walked outside.

The morning air was cold. I looked around the courtyard as more warriors gathered.

"Search the forest again."

My Beta nodded.

"Take the eastern path this time."

"Yes, Alpha."

The warriors left.

I stood there watching them until they disappeared from sight.

A servant approached me.

"Alpha."

I turned.

"The council is waiting for you."

"I'll be there."

I walked back inside.

I hadn't eaten, and I didn't care.

The only thing on my mind was Sepharena.

I entered the council room.

My father was already seated.

The council members stood when I entered.

"Sit."

They did.

I took my seat and looked around the table.

"What is it?"

No one spoke immediately.

I frowned.

"Speak."

One of the council members finally looked at me.

"Alpha, the guests from the eastern pack are asking whether the Luna will be joining them for breakfast."

I stared at him.

"Tell them she isn't feeling well."

He nodded.

"Yes, Alpha."

Another council member spoke.

"What about the festival activities planned for today?"

"Cancel them."

There was a brief silence.

"All of them?"

"Yes."

No one argued.

I leaned back in my chair.

"Until the Luna is found, nothing else matters."

The room became quiet again.

I looked toward the door.

I wanted to believe she was somewhere nearby.

I had to believe it.

Because the other possibility was one I wasn't ready to consider.

If anything happened to her it would affect me too.

I feared for my life.

Sepharena was somewhere

could be anywhere.

Maybe someone is doing this to get to me .

My mind went to the eastern pack.

we once had a disagreements that lingered for long, not like we settled it , we just

moved past it acting like nothing happened.

my mind went back to last night.

our dance.

maybe our last dance.