CHAPTER 3: MISSING LUNA

DANIEL'S POV

“Well, good radiance.” I scoffed as the front door slammed shut.

The sound echoed through the pack house.

Cora was gone.

I stared at the door long after she'd disappeared.

The mate bond stretched between us like a wounded thread.

My wolf Kellion growled.

(Go after her.)

I ignored him.

"Daniel?"

Claire's voice pulled me back to reality.

She slipped her arms around my waist from behind.

"She's gone."

I remained silent.

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

For years, I'd convinced myself that Cora was the reason I was unhappy.

The reason I felt trapped.

The reason I dreaded pack gatherings and council events.

Every time I looked at her, all I saw was a woman who had stopped trying to fit me.

At least, that was what I told myself.

Yet the image currently stuck in my head wasn't the Cora I'd spent years criticizing.

It was the look on her face when Tobias called Claire prettier.

The devastation in her eyes when I told her I didn't love her anymore.

A strange discomfort settled in my chest.

Claire noticed immediately.

"You're thinking about her."

"No."

"You're lying."

I turned to face her.

"What exactly do you want me to say?"

Claire folded her arms.

"I want you to stop acting like you're the victim."

My eyes narrowed.

"The victim?"

"Yes."

Her voice sharpened.

"You chose this."

She pointed toward the door.

"You wanted her gone."

I looked away.

Claire stepped closer.

"You spent years complaining about her."

Silence.

"You spent years telling me how unhappy you were."

More silence.

"Now she's finally gone."

She grabbed my face and forced me to look at her.

"So stop looking like someone died."

Before I could respond, small footsteps echoed down the stairs.

Tobias.

"Daddy?"

My expression immediately softened.

"What is it, buddy?"

He looked around the room.

Then toward the front door.

"Where's Mom?"

The question hit harder than it should have.

Claire smiled brightly.

"Your mom needed some time alone."

Tobias frowned.

"When is she coming back?"

Neither of us answered.

His eyes moved between us.

Then he asked the question neither of us wanted to hear.

"Did I make her cry?"

Claire stiffened.

I looked away because the answer was yes and we both knew it.

The next morning, Ash Moon Pack buzzed with rumors.

By sunrise, almost everyone knew their Luna had left.

By breakfast, half the pack knew why.

By noon, the story had spread beyond our borders.

I walked into the council chamber already irritated.

Beta Mason sat at the table.

Across from him was Gamma Derek Cruise.

Cora's father.

His dark face was unreadable.

"Alpha."

Both men stood.

I nodded before taking my seat.

"Let's get this over with."

Mason exchanged a glance with Derek.

Neither looked particularly happy.

"What?" I snapped.

"The pack is talking," Mason said carefully.

I laughed humorlessly.

"When aren't they?"

"This is different."

I leaned back.

"Why?"

"Because their Luna left."

I rubbed my temple.

Former Luna.

Not that anyone seemed willing to accept that.

Derek finally spoke.

"You handled this badly."

I looked up sharply.

"Excuse me?"

The Gamma met my gaze.

"You should have rejected her properly."

I frowned.

"That's your concern?"

"What else would it be?"

His voice remained calm.

"The entire pack is gossiping."

I stared at him.

For a moment, I almost laughed.

His daughter had spent the night crying her eyes out.

Yet he was worried about appearances.

Typical Derek.

The man cared more about reputation than feelings.

Mason cleared his throat.

"Regardless, people are asking questions."

"They'll get over it."

"Not if Cora doesn't return."

My jaw tightened.

"She isn't coming back."

The room fell silent.

Derek's eyes narrowed.

"You sound certain."

"I am."

"And if she changes her mind?"

I didn't answer immediately.

The truth was, I didn't know.

A part of me expected her to return.

Cora always returned.

No matter how cold I was.

No matter how badly we fought.

No matter how many times I disappointed her.

She always came back.

Because Cora loved me.

Or at least, she used to.

"She won't."

The confidence in my voice surprised even me.

Derek nodded slowly.

"Then you've made your choice."

"I have."

The Gamma stood.

"So have I."

I frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Derek adjusted his jacket.

"It means I won't be chasing after her either."

Mason looked shocked.

"Derek."

"What?"

"She's your daughter."

His expression hardened.

"She's a grown woman."

The Beta stared at him.

"She left."

"Because she wanted to."

I couldn't help noticing the similarity between us.

Maybe that was why Cora had looked so shattered.

The two men she depended on most had both chosen pride over her.

DEREK'S POV

Several hours later I returned home.

My wife was sitting in the kitchen.

Waiting as usual.

The moment she saw me, she stood.

"Did you speak with Daniel?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"He isn't bringing her back."

She lowered her eyes.

"We should call her."

Derek sighed.

"Why?"

Her head snapped up.

"Why?"

"She's fine."

"You don't know that."

"I know Cora."

My wife laughed bitterly.

"No."

The sound surprised me.

"You don't."

I frowned.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

She looked away.

"Cora stopped telling us how she felt years ago."

Silence.

"Did you know she cried herself to sleep most nights?"

"What?"

She nodded.

"I heard her."

I remained silent.

"Did you know she stopped eating properly?"

More silence.

"Did you know she blamed herself every time Daniel insulted her?"

My jaw tightened.

"You're exaggerating."

"I'm not."

Tears filled her eyes.

"I failed her."

The words hung heavily in the air.

For years, she'd stayed quiet.

For years, she'd allowed me to make every decision.

For years, she'd watched her daughter slowly disappear beneath criticism and shame and she'd done nothing.

"We should find her."

I looked away.

"No."

The answer came too quickly.

As though I was trying to convince myself.

My wife stared at me.

"One day she'll never come back."

Something about those words unsettled me deeply but I refused to admit it.

DANIEL'S POV

That same evening.

I stood on the balcony outside my office.

The pack grounds stretched below.

Warriors trained.

The children laughed.

Life continued yet something felt wrong.

My wolf paced restlessly.

(Find her.)

"No."

(She is our mate.)

"Not for long."

(Liar.)

I clenched my fists.

The bond still existed and every hour that passed seemed to make the distance more noticeable.

A knock sounded behind me.

"Enter."

Claire walked in.

A smile spread across her face.

She looked beautiful and radiant and like a woman who had finally gotten everything she wanted.

She wrapped her arms around me.

"What are you thinking about?"

I looked toward the horizon.

Toward the road Cora had taken.

Toward the unknown future waiting for her and for the first time since she'd left, a question entered my mind.

What if she never came back?