His Missing Luna

CHAPTER 46

NATHAN

FEELING ANTSY

“Who would’ve thought a day like this would come?” De Santo’s voice pulls my eyes away from Jessica’s departing back, her silhouette disappearing into the distance.

“Yeah, what can I say. I am hooked,” I confess with a guilty smile, trying to hide the worry gnawing at my gut.

“From the Alpha who was rumored to not want a mate. I guess the goddess knows how to punish defiant wolves,” he laughs, a knowing glint in his eye.

I nod, shifting the conversation. “You wanted to see me.”

“Yes. Just an echo of our thoughts concerning this case. We believe she is your mate and that Kizziah is lying about her parents.”

“Clearly.”

“We are going to carry out a secret investigation about your mate. Our spies have already been dispatched and will be on the ground before he arrives at his pack,” De Santo informs me. “As soon as we find anything, we will let you know.”

I’m not shocked to hear this. These men may be old, but their wisdom is timeless. Being great alphas in their prime afforded them a wealth of experience that has steered the affairs of the Council perfectly.

“I appreciate you informing me. Thank you.”

He shuffles on his feet, pausing as people pass us. When we’re clear, he continues.

“Have you noticed anything different about your mate? Like strange occurrences happening around her?”

I do my best to not react, pulling my brows together. “No. Not at all. Why?”

He takes a deep breath before replying. “She just reminds me of a pack. An ancient one. Based on her quoting Kizziah about giving pups that will be like her, I want to believe she might be from there.”

“Which pack?”

“It’s a deeply hidden pack that rarely interacts with the rest of us. They are powerful and blessed by the Goddess.”

This could be the confirmation I need about Jessica’s powers. “What’s the name of the pack?”

“I don’t know if they still bear the name or are still around. The last time anyone heard of them was decades ago.”

“Decades? Don’t they attend conferences, meetings, balls?”

“Like I said earlier, they are hidden and don’t like interacting with us. I am not saying she’s from there. I could be wrong or right. I will speak with someone I know and give you feedback.”

“I will appreciate that,” I start to say more when I feel Declan getting restless in my head.

“Dec?”

“Quit talking and move to where mate is,” he whines.

“Soon,” I reply, about to end my conversation with the elder when he starts to speak again.

“May I ask a favor, Alpha?”

Declan grumbles, pouting at the delay.

“I can feel your wolf getting antsy. Missing her, I presume?”

“Yes, he wants me to find her.”

“And I won’t take much of your time. I need a favor on behalf of my alpha. Our pack, as you know, is facing a drought of female mates for our males. Your pack is among the two remaining ones we haven’t sent our males to. I am asking for permission to bring them.”

This is quite a coincidence, as the females in my pack have also been facing such a shortage. That’s why Cara is still unmated. “Has your alpha found his mate?” I ask, curving my lips into a smile, hoping Cara might find an alpha mate to tame her wildness.

“Fortunately, yes.”

My face falls flat.

“You look unhappy about that. May I ask why?”

“Not really. I was hoping he could be my sister’s mate. Anyway, you’re welcome to bring your men. Just let me know when, so my Gamma can make the necessary arrangements.”

“Thank you, Alpha.” He shakes my hand and leaves.

“Thought that would never end,” Declan sneers as I make my way to the reception to find Jessica.

“Sorry about that. I am still an alpha, and my members need to find their mates.”

As we walk down the corridor, a sudden sense of foreboding falls on me. “Is this you, Dec?”

“No.”

My steps hasten towards the door, and I ask the men at the door if Jessica has arrived. They shake their heads, saying no one has come in since we left.

“Alex, is Jessica with you?” I link him, walking away from the door.

“No.”

My feet race towards the restrooms. “Something is wrong, Al. Be on the lookout for Saul and Kizziah. Let me know if you see Jessica.”

“On it.”

I shut the link and continue racing, my heart beating madly in my chest, hoping the worst hasn’t happened. The restroom corridor faintly smells of her scent and two others. I burst inside, calling out her name and checking each stall, but find no trace of her.

“Alex!”

“What are you doing here?” he replies from the door. “What’s happening? Where’s Jessica?”

“I think someone took her!” I growl, walking past him and charging down the corridor. Sasha comes my way.

“Nate! Is everything alright?” she asks, trying to hold me, but I dodge her hand. “Stay away from me!”

“Nate! What is wrong with you? You’re yelling.”

“And I will do more than yell if you don’t get out of my way!” I snarl, my hands twitching with the urge to push her aside.

She folds her hands across her chest. “Is it because of that trash that—”

Before she can finish her sentence, my fingers curl around her neck, tightening. “Call her that again and you won’t live to take your next breath.” With that, I fling her away, disgusted at myself for ever finding her worthy to bed.

Alex and I take the back door, bursting outside. We see two sets of shoeprints and a sign that something was dragged in the middle of the prints. One of Jessica’s earrings lies on the floor.

My eyes dart straight into the forest where the prints disappear, listening for sounds as I hurry towards it. Flaring my nostrils, I sniff for her scent, which I soon find. It leads me, along with the prints, to a tree surrounded by soft, short grasses.

Her scent is strongest here, as well as the other two I perceived in the corridor. My ears pick up the sounds of zips being pulled down and two masculine voices uttering the words that seal their fate.

“We should hurry before Alpha Nathan starts looking for her.”