Chapter 5

The follow-up appointment starts at nine sharp.

Darius holds Serena's hand through the ultrasound, watches the monitor as their son kicks and turns.

"Perfect development," Dr. Reeves announces. "The silver exposure didn't affect him at all."

"Like his father." Serena beams up at Darius.

He nods, but his mind is elsewhere.

Elena.

He's sent seventeen messages since last night.

None delivered.

All failed.

"Alpha?" Dr. Reeves waves a hand in front of his face. "Did you hear me?"

"Right. Yes." Darius pulls out his phone again.

Still nothing.

"Are you even listening?" Serena's voice has an edge now.

They walk through the medical wing, and everyone stops to congratulate them.

"Such a blessing!"

"The pack's future Alpha!"

Darius smiles mechanically and keeps checking his phone.

Where the hell is she?

Marcus intercepts them at the car.

"Alpha, the Voss residence says Elena hasn't been there since the wedding. They assumed she was still at the fortress."

"What?" Darius's grip tightens on his phone. "Check her apartment."

"Already did. Burned to the foundation. No one's seen her since the fire."

No.

"Find her." Darius's voice drops to Alpha command. "I don't care if you have to search every inch of this territory."

Marcus hesitates. "Alpha, there's something else. The pack is talking about the New Moon Hall. They're saying you're building it for Serena."

I did approve it for Serena.

"Let them talk," Darius mutters.

"Also, Elder Thorne is taking bets. Says Elena will come crawling back before the week is out."

She won't.

The certainty hits him like a physical blow.

She's really gone.

"Tell the treasury to prepare a gift," Darius says suddenly. "Jewelry. Send it to the Voss estate."

"Alpha, they just said she's not—"

"She'll go there eventually. When she cools off."

She has to.

That night, Darius stands in his office and does something he hasn't done in five years.

He lights a cigarette.

The smoke curls toward the ceiling, and he stares at Elena's empty desk.

Her nameplate is still there: Luna Elena Voss Blackwood.

He should have it removed.

He doesn't.

His phone buzzes—Marcus with an update.

Marcus: No sign of her anywhere in territory.

Darius types back: Expand the search to neighboring packs.

He takes another drag and opens a new message.

To: Pack Leadership Elder Thorne's birthday celebration is in five days. Luna Elena is NOT to attend. If she appears, she will be stripped of pack citizenship and exiled permanently.

He hits send before he can reconsider.

If I can't have her here, no one can.

"Darius?" Serena appears in the doorway. "Are you coming to bed?"

"In a minute."

"You've been saying that for two hours." She crosses the room. "You're thinking about her."

Always.

"I'm thinking about pack business," he lies.

"She's gone, Darius." Serena's voice is soft. "She made her choice. You made yours. It's time to move on."

He stubs out the cigarette and pulls her close.

Move on.

But when he closes his eyes, he sees Elena walking through flames.

Sees her smile through the oxygen mask.

Sees the helicopter lifting off with her inside.

Who was in that helicopter?

His phone buzzes again.

Unknown Number: Stop looking for her. She doesn't want to be found.

Darius stares at the message.

Types back: Who is this?

No response.

"Come to bed," Serena whispers, taking his hand. "Forget about her."

Darius lets her lead him away.

But he doesn't forget.

He never forgets.

And somewhere, three hundred miles north, Elena is learning to breathe again.

Learning what it feels like to be chosen.

Some doors, once closed, stay closed forever.

Darius doesn't know it yet.

But he's about to find out.