Her Return As An Alpha

Chapter 17 : The Lost Luna

Months passed. Seasons changed yet again. The night of their daughter's conception had been a moment of pure, untainted love, a shimmering beacon of hope for Eamon and Cassia. As the moonlight bathed their entwined forms, their connection deepened, and their hearts brimmed with anticipation for the life they would bring into the world. Nine months later, their joy manifested in the form of a beautiful baby girl, a symbol of their love and a new era for the Golden Arc pack.

However, the miracle of childbirth was fraught with hardship. Witches, especially those of Cassia's lineage, experienced an intense transfer of power to their newborns, a process that drained them significantly. The ordeal left Cassia teetering on the brink of death, a reflection of the pain her own mother had once endured. Eamon was a pillar of support, his presence unwavering as he cared for his frail wife. His dedication was a beacon of hope in the darkness of their trials.

Unfortunately, disaster struck them when they were vulnerable. The day their daughter turned two weeks old, a sinister shadow crept into their lives. The enemy pack, driven by malicious intent, kidnapped the infant, vanishing into the night with the precious child. Eamon, furious and desperate, followed the scent trail, leading him to the Silver Star pack. The ensuing battle was brutal; blood was spilled, and warriors fell by the number. Eamon fought with relentless determination, but his efforts were in vain. The infant remained missing, hidden from sight amidst the destruction.

As dawn broke, Eamon, gravely wounded and exhausted, whispered into the night’s silence, “Cass, forgive me.” His words were carried away by the wind, lost to the vast, unforgiving darkness.

Back at the Alpha’s manor, Cassia lay in a weakened state, recovering from the birth. Her heart was shattered, her soul in turmoil. She prayed fervently for her family's safe return, but the days dragged on with no sign of hope. Her emotions wavered beyond control, grief and despair suffocating the members within the pack. When the news of the failed rescue and Eamon’s death finally reached her, Cassia's world crumbled. She lost control, a primal scream tearing from her throat as she succumbed to the depths of her despair.

The Luna, once a figure of grace and strength, became a shell of her former self. Daily, she sat by the cradle, her eyes empty, her gaze fixed on the small, unoccupied space where her daughter should have been. Tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks, her heartache palpable to all who witnessed it. The pack members, their faces etched with sorrow, did their best to care for her. They fed her, bathed her, and attempted to comfort her, but Cassia remained inconsolable, her presence a haunting reminder of what had been lost.

The pack’s council, along with the coven of witches, sought a diplomatic resolution with the Silver Star pack. Under a flag of truce, they approached the Alpha, demanding answers. The Silver Star pack's leader, while seemingly cooperative, claimed ignorance of any wrongdoing and assured that no unclaimed child was on their territory. Despite their attempts to negotiate, the search yielded no results, and after months of fruitless efforts, the Golden Arc pack was forced to retreat, their hope waning.

In the midst of this despair, the Golden Arc pack turned to Cassia for guidance. Though she was still immersed in grief, her instincts and knowledge remained sharp. Resolute to protect her pack for her husband's safe return, Cassia began to play a crucial role in stabilizing and advancing the pack. Her frail, thin figure was often seen walking through the streets, her presence serving as a source of both inspiration and sorrow. She dedicated herself to the welfare of the people and the training of the warriors, pushing the pack towards excellence despite her own inner turmoil.

One fateful day, the manor’s maids, their faces pale with terror, fled from the mansion, their screams piercing the air. The warriors, summoned by the commotion, found the scene that would forever haunt them. Cassia was once again at the cradle, her eyes glowing a haunting golden hue. The sight was otherworldly; her gaze was vacant, robotic, as if her soul had departed.

In the cradle, an ominous wisp of black smoke hovered, pulsating faintly as it coalesced into a dark, undulating form. The warriors, struck with fear at the sight of their Luna in such a state, retreated and shut the door, their minds racing with dread.

Hours passed before they dared to return. When they finally reopened the door, the room was eerily silent. The cradle was empty, and Cassia was nowhere to be found. The once-stable room had transformed into a ghostly ice chamber, with the cradle serving as a stark reminder of what had been lost.

The pack was left in disarray, their Luna vanished into the night, leaving behind only the faint echo of her sorrow. The pack members continued their search, driven by a mixture of duty and grief, but the shadows of their past haunted them, casting a long, sorrowful shadow over their lives.

Cassia disappearance marked the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with uncertainty and sorrow. The Golden Arc pack, once a symbol of strength and unity, now faced the haunting legacy of their lost Luna and the eternal quest to find her and their missing child.

Among the relentless voices that continued to hunt for Cassia years after her disappearance, one high ranking official finally collapsed, defeat marring her fierce features, as she returned home and unbuckled her armour. Her long brown hair and dark skin was covered with dust and sweat. A young boy peeked at her from behind his bedroom door, before rushing to her and grabbing her leg.

"Mommy!"

"Hello, love," Beta Riley smiled sadly at her son, kneeling before him to give him a light hug. "Mommy has to bathe the grime and dust off me. Give me some time."

"But I missed you!"

"I know, love. But our Luna must be found. Her daughter is lost, we cannot lose her as well."

"The baby from the Alpha's house?"

"Yes." Riley straightened, making her way to the bedroom to gather her clothes. "You remember the time right after she was born?"

"Yes," the boy nodded. "Ariel!"

Despite her sorrow, Riley smiled. "She's not Ariel; Ariel is a mermaid. But she did look a little like her."

"Just like baby Ariel," the boy insisted. "Will she ever be found, mommy?"

Riley wanted to agree, to insist that the pack's princess would return, but she sighed. "I do not know, love. I pray that she's out there, somewhere. Safe, fed, and cared for."

"But what if you don't find her?"

"I cannot say. This might cause our downfall." Riley grabbed some toiletries and entered the bathroom. Just before she shut the door, her son stopped her again.

"Don't worry, mommy. We'll find them both."

"Maybe," Riley smiled.

"I mean it, mommy. If you can't find them, you can search for the Luna, while I'll help you find the princess!"

Riley blinked. "It's not that easy, love."

"But I swear it, mommy! I will bring her back and take care of her."

Riley suddenly became solemn. She knelt before her son and held his gaze, his turquoise green eyes staring seriously at her own. "Do you mean it, love?"

"Yes," he nodded eagerly. "I will take care of her if you can't find the Luna."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Riley suddenly hugged him, dirt and all. "I'm proud of you. One day, you will take over my duties and be among the best this pack has ever seen."

"Mommy, you stink!"

Riley laughed. "Will you be a good Beta, Lucian?"

Lucian's turquoise eyes glinted mischievously, his dimpled grin making a confident appearance. "The best that any pack has ever seen."