6. Going To Search Her

Lance’s POV

The ceremony was finally over. I returned straight to the pack house, expecting to find Cassie waiting inside, just like she always did. Like a loyal dog.

But before I could even reach the door, a familiar voice called out behind me.

“Lance, where are you going?”

I stopped walking and turned around. It was Arielle.

I clenched my jaw. “What are you doing here? Why did you follow me?”

She stepped closer, wearing that same smug expression she always had when she thought she was winning.

“Are you seriously going back to her?” she asked. “I already announced to everyone that you're mine, and that I’m yours. You didn’t even stop me. That must mean something. It means you don’t care about her anymore, right? Wherever she is now, it doesn't matter to you.”

I stared at her for a long moment before smirking widely.

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved,” I said, my voice low but firm. “You’re the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. But I need Cassie beside me now.”

Arielle's face froze for a second, but I didn’t stop.

“I told you before, Cassie was just a placeholder. Someone I used while you weren’t around.”

She gave me a tight smile. “It’s okay. I understand,” she replied like it was nothing. “But now I’m back. I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere this time. So I should be the one living in that house with you. Not her. Kick Cassie out.”

I went still.

“No,” I said coldly. “I’m not kicking Cassie out.”

“What?” she snapped. “Why not?”

I stepped closer, locking my gaze on hers. “Arielle, there’s a lot you don’t know. It’s better if you just trust me on this, why I need her.”

“But—”

“End of discussion,” I said firmly.

“I need rest,” I added. “And I need to talk to Cassie, to teach her a lesson. I’ll visit you tomorrow. Don’t worry.”

I turned my back on her and walked toward the door of the house.

I stepped inside without looking back.

But of course, Arielle followed.

“No, Lance! Get back here!” she yelled. “You can’t be serious! Tell me what’s going on and why you need her! For fuck’s sake! I don’t like that you’re keeping things from me! You chose me, and I’m going to be your Luna anyway. You should tell me!”

I groaned in frustration, wishing she would just shut up.

I ignored her, not in the mood to argue any longer.

As soon as I entered the pack house, I shouted her name.

“Cassie!”

No response.

I froze, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. The house was too quiet. The air felt heavy, like something was wrong.

Footsteps approached behind me, and I turned to see Arielle standing there. She was looking around the place, confused and slightly anxious.

“Did she run away?” she asked.

Her question hit me like a slap. The idea hadn’t crossed my mind, until now.

“No,” I said firmly, shaking my head. “She couldn’t have!”

But doubt started creeping in. I stormed down the hallway and started searching. I checked every room, every corner, every drawer. I opened closets, looked under the bed, even tore through our shared room.

Nothing.

Her scent had faded. She wasn’t here.

She really left.

I clenched my fists. My chest tightened with panic and anger. I couldn’t let this happen. I wouldn’t!

I turned to Arielle, eyes burning. “She can’t just run away like that!”

Without waiting for her to respond, I rushed out of the pack house. I didn't care about anything else. Cassie was my priority now!

I immediately summoned members of my elite tribe. “Find her,” I ordered, my voice sharp and commanding. “Track her down, now!”

“Why, Alpha?” one of them asked. “What’s going on?”

“Cassie, she ran away!” I snapped. “And I don’t want her running from me. Make sure to find where she is. I don’t care what it takes, just bring her back!”

From behind, Arielle was watching the scene unfold, disbelief written all over her face.

“Why would you want her back?” she said loudly, stepping forward. “Isn’t this the exact outcome we wanted? We pushed her to leave! That was the point, right? We don’t need her anymore!”

I turned to face her. She was angry, confused, and honestly, she had every right to be. But she didn’t understand.

“You don’t know Cassie,” I said coldly. “You never did. I’ve been with her longer. I know her better than anyone.”

“Then tell me what it is,” she demanded. “What do you know that I don’t?”

I didn’t answer her.

Instead, I walked off with purpose, heading straight to the Grand Hall.

“Lance!” she called out behind me, but I ignored her.

When she finally caught up, I was already in my office, rummaging through a locked drawer. I pulled out a folder, Cassie’s family file. Something I had been keeping hidden, just in case.

I slammed the file down on the desk and flipped it open.

“What is that?” she asked, stepping closer.

“I had a hunch,” I muttered. “Cassie... she’s not just some random she-wolf. She comes from a bloodline that carries something…something powerful.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

I looked at her, dead serious. “Power. Enough to kill anyone. Enough to destroy entire packs, if she wanted to. She just doesn’t know how to use it yet.”

Arielle went silent.

“That’s why I need her back,” I continued. “Not as my Luna. That part of our relationship is already over. But as my warrior. My secret weapon. My pet, if I have to call it that.”

She stared at me like I’d completely lost it. “So now you want her back just to use her?”

“Yes,” I said, not blinking. “Because we can use her. That kind of strength? That kind of power? We’d be fools to let it slip away.”

Arielle didn’t speak. She just stood there, trying to process everything.

But I didn’t care what she thought. I had already made up my mind.

Cassie was too valuable. Too important. I couldn't afford to lose her, not now, not ever.

Even if I had to hunt her down myself.