Chapter 3 : Missing

Rylan entered the Moonlit Grove quietly, trying not to attract the attention of his friends who were talking among themselves. He tried to appear nonchalant. He even refused to take the time to talk to his other friends, even when they asked him where he had been.

He was too preoccupied with his thoughts, lost in the memories of just a few minutes before he left her. He had completely forgotten that Karenina would be back today.

Last night, he was at Pack's house when he got up to go to the door. Pulling back the door curtain, he could see that it was still dark, but he was thinking about fetching her later when the sun came up, eager to continue the search for the sacred moonstone fragment and Him, when he suddenly saw someone's shadow. Her. Glancing back to make sure no one saw him, he ran after the girl.

When he saw her, she wore a sad expression that tore at his heart. He approached her, then hugged her protective, and she hugged him back. He was somewhat surprised that she returned the hug. Holding her tightly, she rested her head on his shoulder, letting his warmth seep into her body, warming her in more ways than one.

After a few moments of silence in each other's embrace, she tightened her grip before pleading, "Rylan, please stay with me and hold me. Just for tonight, stay with me."

He couldn't refuse her or himself, finding comfort in having her in his embrace for a few more hours. 

When the sun began to rise, too early for him, he wasn't ready to leave her, but he knew he had to, lest his friends get worried or suspicious and ask questions. Knowing this, he ignored the sunrise and held her for a few more hours, his desire overcoming his reason.

Finally, he gently woke the girl from her light sleep. Then he jumped from her place on the high branch of the large oak tree and gently laid her on the ground. Not knowing what to say to her, he just looked into her eyes with sadness and longing. She looked back at him for a moment, then turned without a word and left, accompanied only by her own shadow.

Only after she was out of sight and sound did he return to Pack's house. Still lost in his thoughts, he was surprised when his friends asked, "When will Karen be here? I miss her."

Only then did he realize that it was morning. How long had he been sitting there thinking about her, the man wondered.

He stood up when one of his friends said, "I'm surprised you didn't go get her a few hours ago, Rylan."

His other friends murmured smugly, "Maybe he's trying to be nice for once and give Karen more time with her family since she hasn't seen them for almost a month."

Guilt haunted Rylan's mind, reminding him that he had kept her away from home for so long. He turned to the door and said harshly, "I'll be right back."

Everyone inside knew he was on his way to bring back their famously cheerful but tough friend, and they decided to sit and wait for her arrival. Knowing that Rylan would be the one to pick her up, they knew he wouldn't take long if he had his way.

He ran quickly to the cave that connected Karen's house to the Moonlit Grove territory. He tensed his muscles to run further before entering and letting the light of the portal transport him to the modern city area where Karenina lived. But he paused at the last second before continuing when he saw something yellow beside the well at the mouth of the cave. When he saw it, he realized that it was Karen's backpack. Then he caught Karen's scent heading away from the village and into the woods, freezing his feet and lungs in an instant before a scream in the form of the girl's name pierced the air.

"Karenina!"

He was tempted to run and follow the girl's scent, but instead he forced himself to take Karen's bag and run back to his friends. His mind was in turmoil with confusion and fear for his friend. He didn't know what made her leave her belongings and wander far from the Moonlit Grove territory, but judging by her scent, she couldn't have been gone more than an hour, maybe two. He was sure he could find Karen soon, but in what condition would they find her? He felt anxious as he entered the Pack's house.

After everyone got an explanation, they quickly went to the cave where Mike, who had expressed his opinion earlier, asked him to check if Karenina wasn't in her own house. He objected, shouting that the girl's scent had led him into the woods, but Mike was unperturbed. He said it was just a precaution. Without grace, he disappeared into the cave.

Moments later, he returned with no sign of Karenina.

"Well, Rylan? Is she in there?" his friends asked worriedly, standing next to his other friends. It was obvious from her absence, but he felt compelled to ask. He shook his head to indicate a negative answer, which brought tears to the male werewolf's eyes as hope left him. Then Selene hugged him and stroked his head, trying to comfort him.

"Can you still smell her, Rylan?" Mike asked. He can smell her too, her scent is vague in the air.

He nodded. "Yeah, let's go." Then he lifted his nose to catch Karenina's scent, along with the other werewolves, before charging into the woods.

Sighing, Mike said, "Rylan. She didn't wait for us to follow, did she?"

Without answering her friends, Selene called, "Felix," and waited as a black-furred wolf transformed into a larger form before climbing onto his back. Mike climbed behind her, holding his staff in front of Selene's waist and placing his hands on either side. Meanwhile, Samuel had transformed into a huge golden-brown furred wolf.

Without any prompting from Selene, Felix leapt into the air to chase after Rylan and Samuel, flying above them.

"Wait for me, Karen. Wait for me!" Rylan thought aloud.

As if fate was with them, the group was immediately attacked by many she-wolves. Where one fell, another came to take its place. They couldn't understand why there were so many she-wolves in the area, but they realized that the female werewolves were on the same path as their missing friend. To say they were worried was an understatement.

As evening approached, Rylan ran into a barrier that sent him flying back several feet.

"Rylan!" Selene shouted, running quickly towards him as the man snorted.

"What now?!" Samuel asked, returning to his human form in anger.

Sitting down, Rylan rubbed his nose and pointed ahead of them. "This is a barrier. Karen is on the other side now, trapped by this damn barrier, I know it!"

"Do you think we can break it?" Mike asked.

"Well, of course we can," he replied confidently, proud of his own abilities, before pulling out his ashy dagger, carved with a wolf embracing a cross on the hilt and sheath.

The dagger instantly transformed into a blood-red sword as he swung it at the barrier. Unfortunately, it didn't even shake. "What?" he whispered in confusion. Snorting in frustration, he raised his sword again to strike the barrier, but it refused to break.

"Try harder, Rylan. We have to get to Karen!" one of his friends said as he also tried to break the barrier with his strength.

A growl was the answer before Mike stepped forward and swung the staff he was holding, turning it into a crescent moon spear that emitted silver light and aimed it at the barrier. It still didn't work. They all stood and stared at the barrier with anxious eyes, hoping that their friend Karen, whom they considered a little sister, was safe.

"Karenina," Rylan whispered, looking sad and desperate.