The fall of an Alpha

Three

I turned back to the crowd and continued speaking with the visiting Alpha.

A few minutes later, I noticed my father standing near the entrance.

He was speaking with one of the warriors, but his eyes moved toward me when I looked at him.

I excused myself and walked over.

"You're still here."

"I could say the same about you."

He looked around the hall.

"Most of the guests are leaving."

"They are."

His eyes moved toward the empty tables.

"Where is Sepharena?"

"I don't know."

He looked at me.

"You don't know?"

"I haven't seen her for a while."

"When did you last see her?"

"Earlier tonight."

He nodded slowly.

"Perhaps she has retired for the night."

"Maybe."

I looked toward the stairs.

"I'll check."

My father placed a hand on my shoulder before I could leave.

"The festival is almost over. Don't let yourself become occupied with every little thing."

"I won't."

He removed his hand.

He walked toward the exit, stopping briefly to speak with a few of the departing guests.

I watched him for a moment before turning toward the stairs.

I headed to Sepharena's chambers.

I knocked once.

There was no answer.

I knocked again.

Still nothing.

I opened the door and stepped inside.

The room was empty.

I looked around.

Her book was still on the table. The jewelry she had worn earlier was beside it.

I picked it up and looked at it before placing it back down.

I walked toward the window.

Nothing seemed out of place.

As I stepped into the hallway, my Beta approached.

"Alpha."

"Have you found the Luna?"

"No."

"Check the gardens again."

"Yes, Alpha."

He turned to leave.

"And check the guest rooms."

He nodded.

I walked back toward the main hall.

The festival was almost over, but I could still hear music coming from downstairs.

I looked around once more.

Sepharena was nowhere in sight.

*

*

*

I returned to the main hall and found my father near the entrance.

He was speaking with one of the visiting Alphas.

I walked past them and stopped beside my Beta.

"Any news?"

"Not yet."

I looked toward the stairs.

"Keep searching."

"Yes, Alpha."

He left.

I turned toward my father.

"Father."

He looked at me.

"Have you found her?"

"No."

He glanced toward the upper floor.

"When did you last see her?"

"Not long ago."

"Then give it some time."

I nodded.

A servant approached and bowed.

"Alpha, the eastern pack is ready to leave."

I looked at my father.

"I'll see them out."

He nodded.

I walked toward the entrance with the visiting Alpha and his guards. We exchanged a few words before they left the palace.

When I returned, the hall was almost empty.

The music had stopped.

Most of the servants were clearing the tables, and the remaining guests were heading to their rooms.

My Beta came toward me.

"Alpha."

I looked at him.

"Nothing?"

He shook his head.

"No one has seen her."

"Search the gardens one more time."

"Yes, Alpha."

He turned to leave.

"Take two warriors with you."

He nodded.

I stood in the middle of the hall, looking around.

Earlier that evening, the palace had been full of people.

Now it was almost silent.

I walked upstairs again.

I checked the garden from the balcony before returning to Sepharena's room.

Her book was still where I had left it.

I picked it up and opened it.

She had been reading the same page when I saw her earlier.

I closed the book.

A knock came at the door.

I looked up.

One of the guards stood outside.

"Alpha."

"What is it?"

"We checked the eastern garden and the western grounds. She isn't there."

"Check the outer grounds."

The guard hesitated.

"Tonight?"

"Yes."

He bowed and left.

I looked toward the window.

The festival was over.

Everyone was returning to their rooms.

But Sepharena was still missing.