Chapter 30: Lucas POV

It seemed as though the world was holding its breath because the air outside Anna's apartments was so motionless and silent. With my heart racing, I paused at the door. Every step I took toward her house had been more difficult than the last, and I had no idea what I would find.

I felt a rush of emptiness when I finally pulled the door open. The afternoon sun streaming through the curtains cast a soft glow on the room, and the subtle aroma of pine and lavender filled the air, enveloping me in a memory of her. The house was as clean as ever, but Anna was not there.

Maia was sitting on the side of the bed. Her hands gripped a torn blanket, her shoulders hunched. She tried to take a firm attitude when she spotted me, but her eyes were swollen and red.

"Why are you in this place?" Her voice was sharp but quiet as she enquired.

"Where is Anna?" After entering and shutting the door, I asked.

Maia's mouth made a thin line. "She's not here."

I squinted. "Don't lie to me."

She yelled, "I'm not lying!" and suddenly stood up. She turned to face me, shaking, the blanket falling from her hands. "Lucas, she's gone. She wasn't there when I woke up. She didn’t say goodbye. She didn't leave a note."

Her comments were like a kick to the stomach. I spoke more to myself than to her when I said, "She wouldn't just leave. Not like this."

Maia's grief turned to rage as she laughed bitterly. "Why not? For years, you and the rest of the pack have been pushing her over the edge. Are you even aware of the pain you’ve caused her? Do you even care?"

With shame tugging at me, I mumbled, "That's not fair."

"Fair?" With tears streaming down her face, Maia's voice broke. "Lucas, nothing in her life has been fair. Not since she was dragged into this damned pack. And now she's gone because of all of you!"

Unable to handle the gravity of her charges, I turned my back on her. I looked around the room for any sign that Anna might have fled. However, nothing was out of place. Only the eerie quiet that seemed to reverberate with my defeat.

"I didn't want this," I said.

"What did you want then?" Maia insisted. "You've been following her around, watching her every move as if she were prey. Maybe she’s safer without you if this is what you call security."

Her words hit me harder than I expected. I was briefly unable to respond as my throat constricted.

Maia repeated, her voice cracking, "She's gone. And you'll let her go if you really care about her."

I turned and walked out the door after giving a stiff nod, my body moving naturally.

There was whispering in the packhouse halls, and the tension was so thick that it was difficult to breathe. Even though no one talked to me directly, I could hear bits and pieces of their conversations, and every glance felt like a condemnation.

"The Luna was attacked by her."

"...vanished into the night."

"Oliver is furious. If necessary, he will track her down on his own."

I made myself move toward the main hall, my hands clenched at my sides.

Oliver was moving like an animal in a cage when I arrived at the door. Even from a distance, his anger was obvious, and his aura was oppressive. His eyes narrowed as soon as he noticed me, and he charged over, his presence looming like a storm cloud.

"Lucas," he yelled.

I paused, straightened, and looked into his fiery eyes. "Oliver."

"Have you heard anything about Anna?" His voice was low and menacing, with barely controlled rage leaking into every word.

"Yes," I answered calmly, keeping a neutral demeanor.

"Like the coward she is, she attacked my mate, Amelia, and then ran away." Oliver’s neck veins protruded as his hands clenched. "I want her found. Nobody treats me or my Luna with disrespect and gets away with it."

My stomach turned over at what he said. As I thought about Anna's big, scared eyes, my drive grew stronger. I couldn’t let him find her.

I forced the lie out as firmly as I could, saying, "My job here is complete. I don’t need to be here any longer."

Oliver froze, his face darkening, then changing to one of surprise. "Excuse me?"

I went on, my voice firm, "I was sent here for a reason, and I’ve fulfilled it. I’m not concerned about Anna’s disappearance."

Oliver laughed icily, without fun. "You think you can just ignore this?" He moved in closer, his big body looming over me. "Until I say so, you are not allowed to leave."

I firmly stated, "I’ve already informed the council of my choice. I’ve completed my duty here."

"You think I care about your duty?" Oliver’s voice rose as he growled. "Lucas, this is about more than just you. You need to give me answers before you leave my pack and me."

His look didn’t make me wince, but my heart was racing. I did owe him answers, and he was right. But not the ones he wanted.

I firmly said, "I’ve told you everything you need to know," and stepped back. "Anna’s behavior is your problem, not mine."

Oliver moved in front of me, blocking my way as his growl rumbled deep in his chest. His aura pushed down on me like a tidal wave, and his eyes glinted with rage.

He growled, "You can’t leave until I give you the order to do so."