Page 60 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

Caspar looked worried. "Your Majesty, your injuries are severe. Let me take you back to get bandaged."

"No! I'm not leaving until we find Alice!" I refused without thinking. Alice was waiting. She was in danger. How could I leave her here alone?

I struggled to stand steady, trying to walk forward.

Caspar grabbed me. His voice hesitated. "But..."

"No buts, Caspar! Alice needs me. She's scared right now, terrified! Those bitches are hurting her!" I roared, shaking him off again, limping deeper into the forest.

From dawn to sunset, we searched every corner. Every bush. Every cave. Nothing.

By the third day, I'd scoured the entire northern border. Finally, deep in the forest, I found signs of a fight. Werewolf claw marks. The scent of witch magic. And blood—so much blood soaked into the earth, turning it dark brown. I caught Alice's scent in it.

So much blood... how could she still be alive? My body shook. Massive fear gripped my heart like a vise.

"Your Majesty," Caspar approached, voice soft. He looked just as exhausted. "You haven't rested in three days. Your wounds haven't healed. Maybe go back and—"

"No." My voice was wrecked. "Keep searching."

"But—"

"I said keep searching!" I roared. "Even if... even if it's just a body, we have to find her!"

Caspar opened his mouth, looked in my eyes, and finally said nothing. He just walked away. I knew he was hurting almost as much as I was.

I dropped to my knees in that bloodstain, hands pressed into the cold mud. I knew this was probably pointless. Three days. She couldn't still be alive. But I had nothing else. The place in my chest where the bond used to be—empty. Nothing.

"I'm sorry..." My voice trembled. "Alice, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

"If I could do it over, I'd treat you right..."

"I'd believe you. Protect you. Make everyone respect you..."

"I'd tell you... I love you..."

Tears hit the ground, mixing with the blood. I pushed myself up slowly. I searched with the guards again until dark, practically tearing up every inch of this forest. But still no Alice. Not even a clue.

When dawn broke again, my hope finally shattered. I gripped the dagger in my hand. The silver blade glinted cold in the morning light.

I'd failed the pack. But without her, I couldn't live. A world without her—I couldn't last one more day.

I raised the dagger, aimed at my heart—

Suddenly.

A faint flutter in my chest. So light, so weak, I almost thought I imagined it. But it was real. The bond.

"Alice?" I shouted, the dagger clattering to the ground. That sound snapped me awake.

"Everyone!" I roared. "All of you! Assemble now!"

She was alive. There was still hope.

This time, I wouldn't lose her.

Never again.

Chapter Fifteen