The fall of an Alpha

Seven

I returned to my study and waited.

It wasn't long before there was a knock.

"Come in."

The warrior stepped inside and bowed.

"Alpha."

I looked at him.

"You were stationed near the eastern path during the festival."

"Yes, Alpha."

"What time did you leave?"

"After the festival ended."

"Did you see the Luna?"

He paused for a moment.

"Yes."

I looked at him.

"When?"

"Earlier that evening."

"Where?"

"Near the garden."

I leaned back in my chair.

"Was she alone?"

"Yes."

I watched him for a moment.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Alpha."

I nodded.

"What happened after that?"

"I returned to my post."

"Did you see anyone else near the eastern path?"

He thought for a moment.

"I saw a few people passing through."

"Who?"

"I don't remember."

I stared at him.

"You don't remember?"

"No, Alpha."

I nodded slowly.

"Alright."

He bowed.

"Can I go?"

"Yes."

He turned toward the door.

"Wait."

He stopped.

"You said you returned to your post after seeing the Luna?"

"Yes."

I nodded.

"That's all."

He left.

I remained in my chair.

His answers hadn't given me much.

But there was something about the way he spoke that I couldn't ignore.

I picked up the letter from the table and looked at it again.

Then I placed it back down.

*

*

*

The next few days passed without any sign of Sepharena.

The search continued around the palace and the forest, but nothing changed.

Every morning, more warriors were sent out. They checked the roads, the forest paths and the areas around the pack.

They always returned with the same answer.

Nothing.

I kept thinking about the warrior I had questioned.

His answers had been simple.

Maybe too simple.

I didn't know.

One evening, I saw him again near the training grounds.

He was speaking with my Beta.

I stopped for a moment.

They talked for a few minutes before the warrior walked away.

My Beta noticed me.

"Alpha."

I walked toward him.

"You've known him for a long time."

"Yes."

"How long?"

"Almost five years."

I nodded.

"Has he ever caused you any trouble?"

"No."

"Nothing?"

My Beta shook his head.

"He's reliable."

I looked in the direction the warrior had gone.

"Does he usually stay around the eastern side?"

"Sometimes. His unit is often stationed there."

I nodded.

"Has he ever asked to be moved from there?"

"No."

I looked at him again.

"Alright."

I started walking away.

"Alpha."

I turned.

"Is there something you're worried about?"

I looked at him for a moment.

"Sepharena is still missing."

He bowed his head.

"I don't want to overlook anything."

He nodded.

"I understand."

I looked toward the training grounds again.

The warriors had started another round of training.

The warrior was already back with them.

I watched for a few seconds before turning away.

I had spent days searching for Sepharena, but every path seemed to lead nowhere.

I needed something.

Anything that could tell me where she had gone.

I took a few steps toward the palace when a sharp pain suddenly hit my chest.

I stopped.

My hand went to my chest as I tried to breathe through it.

It lasted only a few seconds before fading.

I stood there for a moment.

My Beta looked at me.

"Alpha?"

"I'm fine."

I continued walking.

I barely made it through the palace doors before the pain came again.

This time, it was worse.

I grabbed the side of the wall and closed my eyes.

My breathing became heavier.

"Alpha!"

I heard my Beta behind me.

I tried to straighten myself.

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

Before I could answer, another wave of pain hit me.

I couldn't ignore it anymore.

They took me to the hospital wing.

The healers checked me, but they couldn't find anything wrong with me.

I stayed there for a while, waiting for the pain to settle.

When it finally did, I sat up.

"Can I leave?"

The healer looked at me.

"You should rest."

"I don't have time to rest."

I got out of the bed.

My Beta was waiting outside.

He looked at me.

"What happened?"

"I don't know."

I looked down at my hands.

The pain had stopped, but I could still feel something was wrong.

I had felt this kind of pain before.

Not often.

But I knew what it meant.

The mate bond.

I looked toward the door.

Something had happened to Sepharena.

And for the first time, I was afraid that she wasn't simply missing.