Luna Grace walked into the dining room, a small gift in her hand. She saw Alpha Duncan and Lisa at the table, but Hailey was nowhere to be seen.
"Welcome back, Luna Grace," Duncan said, his voice strained. "How was your trip?"
Luna Grace sat down across from them, her eyes narrowing as she placed the gift on the table. “It was...enlightening," she replied cautiously. She scanned the room again before asking. “Where is Hailey? I brought her something."
Duncan's jaw clenched. "She is...indisposed."
Luna Grace’s concern deepened. “Indisposed? That does not sound like Hailey especially when she knew I was coming back. I will go check on her.”
As she moved to stand, Duncan's cold voice froze her in place. "She is...better off where she is."
Luna Grace slowly sank back into her seat, eyes now sharp with suspicion. "What do you mean, where she is'? Duncan, what is going on?"
"Oh, Luna Grace, it is awful. Hailey...she tried to—"
"I did not address you, Lisa," Luna Grace cut her off icily. "Y
