Searching for a Ghost

(Zack's POV)

"You're telling me you didn't see her?" Florian paced the room, his agitation evident in every step.

I scratched my head, confused by his intensity. "What woman are we talking about exactly?"

"The one in the pearl white dress." Florian's eyes flashed with irritation. "The most beautiful she-wolf at the ceremony."

"There were dozens of females there," I reminded him. "Many of them in white."

"Not like her." Florian's voice was firm. "She wasn't just pretty—she was stunning. Natural beauty, minimal makeup. The way she carried herself..."

I'd never seen my Alpha this fixated on a woman before. It was...concerning.

"Maybe you could describe her more specifically?" I suggested.

"Green eyes with gold flecks," he said immediately. "Long dark hair with natural highlights. Slender. Moved with unusual grace."

I frowned, trying to recall anyone matching that description.

"And she was wearing an ill-fitting white dress," Florian added. "Not a wedding gown exactly, more like a simple formal dress."

I shook my head. "I honestly didn't see anyone like that."

Florian's expression darkened. "Are you questioning what I saw?"

"No," I backpedaled quickly. "I'm just saying I didn't notice her."

"She was painting in an upstairs room," Florian continued. "Created a brilliant piece with a blood-red wolf skull in the center."

This detail made me pause. "A skull? At a mating ceremony?"

"Yes," Florian nodded vigorously. "It was extraordinary."

"And nobody mentioned this...controversial artwork?" I asked carefully.

Florian stopped pacing. "There was commotion in the hallway. People were upset about it."

"Yet I heard nothing about it," I said slowly. "Which is strange, because pack gossip spreads faster than wildfire."

Florian stared at me, his frustration mounting. "What are you suggesting? That I met a ghost wolf?"

His sarcastic tone couldn't hide his growing confusion.

"I'm not suggesting anything," I replied. "What was her name?"

Florian's mouth tightened. "I don't know."

"You don't know her name?" I couldn't hide my surprise.

"She left before telling me," he snapped.

"Ok, which pack was she from?"

"I don't know that either."

I held back a sigh. "This is going to be difficult."

Florian growled low in his throat, his patience clearly exhausted. He turned and stalked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" I called after him.

"Out," he barked over his shoulder, then slammed the door hard enough to rattle the frame.

I sat down heavily, trying to make sense of what had happened. Florian Nightshade, one of the most level-headed Alphas I knew, was acting like a lovesick pup.

Something was very wrong.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through the territory social feeds. The ceremony I'd attended was definitely the Redwood-Silverstone union. Photos showed Connor Redwood and Cassidy Silverstone at the ceremonial altar.

Then a realization hit me.

The territory hall had hosted five separate pack ceremonies that night, each in different wings of the sprawling complex. Had Florian somehow wandered into the wrong event?

I groaned aloud. Finding this mystery woman would be like searching for a specific snowflake in a blizzard.

Two hours later, Florian stormed back in, looking no calmer than when he'd left.

"Find her," he commanded without preamble.

"Florian, be reasonable," I protested. "I don't have many connections in this territory. How am I supposed to track down someone when all I know is she wore white and painted something?"

"You're resourceful," he replied flatly. "Use your network."

"My network barely extends beyond our usual territory," I explained. "We're far from home."

Florian fell silent, his gaze distant. I could see he was haunted by something—maybe her voice, or those green-gold eyes he'd described.

"I don't understand," I said carefully. "You've never shown interest in submissive Northern Territory females before."

His head snapped up, eyes flashing dangerously. "There was nothing submissive about her."

The growl in his voice made me take a step back.

"We could contact the territory wardens," I suggested. "They keep records of all pack members attending formal ceremonies."

"No," Florian shook his head firmly. "I don't want to draw attention."

"Then you're asking the impossible," I told him bluntly.

As I watched his conflicted expression, I couldn't help wondering what had happened between them to leave my Alpha so thoroughly disturbed.

(Natalie's POV)

The dining room felt especially tense tonight. Cassidy had returned from her mating ceremony without Connor, and everyone was walking on eggshells around her.

I kept my eyes on my plate, pushing food around more than eating it. The less attention I drew to myself, the better. But of course, Cassidy had other plans.

"This is all your fault," she hissed suddenly, her pale blue eyes fixed on me.

I looked up, carefully keeping my expression neutral. "What is?"

"The ceremony," she snapped. "That awful painting with the red skull. You ruined the auspicious atmosphere!"

Everyone at the table froze. Uncle Richard's fork paused midway to his mouth, while Aunt Victoria narrowed her eyes at me.

"I was in a separate room, painting what I was instructed to paint," I replied calmly. "I left early because I was hungry. No one had brought me food all day."

Cassidy's laugh was brittle. "Of course you'd think about your stomach at a time like that. Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"Enlighten me," I said, unable to keep a hint of dryness from my voice.

"You were supposed to stay and complete the painting!" Cassidy slammed her hand on the table. "It was part of the ceremony! And you just wandered off without permission?"

"I wasn't aware of the protocol," I replied. "No one explained it to me."

Victoria sniffed disapprovingly. "You also wore white. White! At someone else's mating ceremony!"

"I wore what was given to me," I pointed out. "I don't choose my own clothes."

Lucas, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat. "The dress was Mother's choice. Natalie did nothing wrong."

Cassidy whirled on her brother. "Why did you insist on bringing her anyway? None of us wanted her there."

"Enough," Richard growled, the low timbre of his Alpha voice silencing the table instantly. "We will maintain pack decorum."

His cold eyes fixed on me. "Natalie, you will meet me in my study after the meal."

An hour later, I stood in front of Richard's massive oak desk. He had been sitting in silence for a full hour, a tactic he used to make me uncomfortable.

I refused to fidget, keeping my posture perfect and my face expressionless.

"Do you want to go around the back garden and run?" he finally asked.

The question caught me off guard. "I've been asking Walter for permission to go to the garden for months."

"And you've been denied," Richard said, leaning forward. "Do you know why?"

I met his gaze steadily. "Because I'm not considered a true member of this pack?"

"Don't be dramatic," he scoffed. "You are Silverstone by blood, unfortunately."

"Then why am I restricted from moving freely in the pack house?" I challenged. "Even the lowest-ranking omegas can go outside."

"Your grandmother is unwell," Richard said, his tone softening artificially. "Her Alzheimer's makes her easily disturbed. We must monitor who visits her, when."

I didn't believe him for a second. Grandmother Elaine might be confused at times, but my presence never upset her—quite the opposite.

"So when can I see her?" I asked.

"When I decide you can," he replied coldly. "Your privileges depend entirely on your obedience. Three days of separation could become three years if you continue to defy me."

The threat hung in the air between us. I knew he meant it—he'd kept me from seeing her for months once before.

I couldn't stop myself. I rolled my eyes and said, "Go to hell."

Richard's expression didn't change, but his scent shifted, becoming sharper with dominant energy.

"Recite the ancient law," he commanded.

I stared at him in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

"Recite it," he repeated. "Now."

I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to taste blood. These archaic laws hadn't been enforced in progressive packs for decades.

"A female wolf must submit to pack authority in all things," I began mechanically. "Her body, mind, and will belong first to her Alpha, then to her mate."

Richard's satisfied smile made my stomach turn. "Continue."

"Free will is a privilege granted by the pack, not a right," I recited, each word like ash in my mouth. "Defiance will be met with correction until submission is achieved."

"Remember those words," Richard said softly. "They are the foundation of pack harmony."

I said nothing, knowing any response would only make things worse. In my mind, I counted down the hours until I could escape this prison.

The next morning, Walter knocked on my door. "You have a visitor. Emma Winters is here to see you."

I tried not to show my excitement as I followed him downstairs. Emma's arrival meant my plan could finally begin.

In the foyer, Emma's vibrant presence lit up the room. She stood surrounded by Silverstone pack members, all eager to impress the daughter of the influential Winters pack.

Lucas was practically preening beside her, showing off his new watch. "I could drive you and Natalie around in my new truck," he offered.

Emma's face brightened when she saw me. "Natalie!"

She bounded across the room and threw her arms around me, a gesture that would have earned any Silverstone wolf a severe reprimand.

"Thank you for the offer, Lucas," Emma said, "but I've just gotten this beauty." She dangled her car keys. "I need to show Natalie my driving skills."

Without waiting for a response, she tugged me toward the door. "Come on!"

Once outside, Emma pulled me toward a gleaming silver Lamborghini Urus.

"I still can't believe you asked me to pick you up," she whispered excitedly as we got into her car. "Are you really doing this? Right now?"

I nodded, glancing back at the house to make sure no one was following us. "My flight leaves in four hours."

"Holy shit, Natalie!" Emma's eyes were wide. "When you said you were planning something big, I didn't think you meant running away from your pack!"

"I'm not the meek little girl they think I am," I replied firmly.

Emma grinned, starting the engine with a satisfying roar. "Now that's the Natalie I remember from when we were twelve! Bold and rebellious!"

She sped off, tires squealing against the pavement. The Silverstone compound shrank in the rearview mirror, and with it, the weight I'd carried for ten years.

Emma was absolutely exhilarated as we raced down the private road. "Do you realize what you're doing? Leaving without pack permission? This is insane!"

"I know you'll be in trouble for helping me," I said, feeling a pang of guilt.

Emma laughed, the sound carefree and confident. "Please! My parents adore me. I'll get a lecture at worst."

I knew she was right. The Winters pack had close ties to the Silvertones, but unlike my declining family, the Winters were ascending in territory politics. Emma was their pampered baby girl, untouchable and fearless.

"Besides," Emma continued, accelerating even more, "what are friends for if not to help each other escape tyrannical pack control?"

I smiled, watching the trees blur past us. Freedom was just up ahead.