The Runaway Luna's Daughter

Search For Her

Elisha's POV

“Keep the change,” I winked at the she-wolf as she handed me the popcorn and cups of smoothies smiling. They had run out of soda and I hoped Jenine wouldn't have any issues taking the smoothies in place of the soda.

“f**k, the shifting already began,” I muttered as I increased my pace, weaving my way through the crowd.

The crowd was thicker now that the shifting was well underway and boy, did they sway.

My hands clasped tightly around the boxes of snacks as I meandered through the cluster of bodies, pushing them roughly in my hurry.

“Jenine?”

She wasn't where I'd left her. She was supposed to wait for me. Why would she leave?

I tossed the snacks I'd gotten carelessly to the side. I needed to find her. I wasn't sure she knew her way around here so it'd be best to find her as soon as possible.

The little exchange of words at Laura's house didn't bother me but it wouldn't be a good look on me if Jenine got lost when on a date with me especially after I had told Laura some pretty hurtful things.

How on earth did the two of them even end up together? Last time I checked, Laura didn't keep any friends, so how? The Moon Goddess really knows how to twist all our fates as she pleases.

“Jenine!” I called loudly, pushing my way through the crowd, vaguely aware that she wouldn't hear me in the midst of all the ruckus and noise.

I couldn't even catch her scent if I tried. Not in this mess of bodies. It was not very likely.

And so I scoured through the whole rink, searching for her all to no avail. My heart raced as my body tensed, the worry visible on my face. I came out of the rink. What was I going to tell Laura?

“What are you doing out here?”

I swirled quickly to see Luca walking towards me, his robe flowing behind him as he came. He caught my eyes and scoffed, taking the robe off with a flourish.

“The Alpha– my dad… you know how he is.”

I nodded, turning again as my eyes glowed, staring into the woods.

On a different occasion, I would have taunted Luca for wearing that robe, but right now, I had other things on my mind. Things far more important than throwing playful banter.

Where would I start to look for her? It had been pretty easy to find her before so why couldn't I find her now? I should be able to do it again. I'd wait till people started to leave. Maybe I'd see her when she walks by.

The ceremony was almost over and people had started to leave, some earlier than others. Families whose sons and daughters had shifted talked cheeringly, their voices loud as they clasped each other's backs.

I saw a few that hadn't shifted; how they bowed their heads in shame, the look of disappointment on their parents’ faces. Sucks to be them.

“You are tense.” I heard Luca say. “You look worried. Is there a problem?” he asked.

My body shook a little as I exhaled deeply through my mouth, the cold biting into my skin.

“I lost Jenine .”

I saw Luca’s eyes squint as his lips made to curl in a smirk. He seemed to think it over.

“How?” he asked instead. “You said you were bringing her with you.”

“And I did. I went to get some snacks but couldn't find her when I got back,” I sighed again. “I hope she's okay. Maybe I'll see her when she walks by,” I said, my eyes darting between the woods and the entrance to the rink.

“What about you?” I turned to Luca.

The ceremony was almost over. Yes, but it wasn't. Not yet. He was supposed to be inside by his father's side. “What are you doing out here?”

“I scented her again,” his voice came lowly, almost a whisper. “My mate. I scented her inside the rink.”

“And…” I goaded him on as my eyes lit up.

Even if I'd lost my own love interest, it didn't mean I wouldn't be happy my friend found his mate. His fated mate.

“She was gone before I could get to her.”

Terrible night. I sighed.

Luca had always been lazy—sort of—when it came to she-wolves. If I were in his shoes, I would have sniffed out my mate within a month.

It was either he didn't have the fortitude to do it or he wasn't just interested in actively going for what's supposed to be he's. Could never be me. I'd fight tooth and nail till I got what was rightly mine.

“Who would have thought?” he said, staring bleakly into space.

I watched him through the corners of my eyes.

“Two friends standing out here, staring into the night, hoping their loves come to them.” He let out a little chuckle.

I turned to look at him. His face seemed distant like he had a lot of things going on in his head.

I placed a hand on his shoulder forgetting about my own predicament momentarily.

“You'll find her,” I tried to cheer him up.

“I sure as hell will,” his voice rose.

I saw the fire in his eyes.

“I must find her.” He gritted his teeth. “If I have to scour the whole of Lupestone, so help me Goddess.”