Lucy's POV
The more time that passed, the more anxious I became. At the same time as my thoughts were racing and my eyes were locked on the door, I couldn't help but pace about the throne chamber. I was desperate for my kid, my infant, to be brought back to me. Although Tristan was standing next to me with his teeth tightened, I was hardly able to pay attention to his presence.
As my eyes began to flood up with new tears once again, I found that I was unable to stop myself from repeating, "I am completely responsible for this." It was with a little increased volume that I yelled out, "I ought to have been more vigilant."
"No, my sweetheart, you are not to blame for this. I offer you my word that Thorne will be located and that he will not be allowed to escape punishment. The look on Tristan's face changed when he responded.
"But what if we don't find our baby?" I couldn't help but weep.
"Don't say that. We will, I promise." He replied, embracing me in his arms.
My composure collapsed and I couldn't stop the tears flowing down my cheeks in torrents.
"Hey, hey, look at me. We'll locate him, I swear" Tristan replied, stroking my face.
"I'm worried Tristan. What if we never see him again?" I whimpered.
"We won't let it happen dear. We'll do anything to bring our kid home." He replied, bringing me in closer.
After I'd calmed down a little bit, several of the guards who had been sent out earlier to sweep the entire city, returned with… Well, Nothing. No leads, no news, nothing. It's as if Thorne had evaporated into thin air.
Me and Tristan exchanged a glance. He clenched his teeth, presumably because he noticed the anguish in my eyes, delivering directions to the guards.
"Search every corner of the kingdom" he roared. "Leave no stone untouched. I want my kid back, alive and uninjured".
He turned to his advisers and Beta, Mark. "Assemble the greatest trackers and fighters. Divide the search teams into quadrants covering the whole kingdom. I want to update every hour".
Everybody raced to comply, their looks sad.
"How could this happen? In our palace?? Oh, Moon goddess, please assist us," I whispered in anguish.
Tristan's gaze latched with mine, his eyes glowing with a furious intensity I'd never seen before.
"We'll find him, relax.."
Meanwhile, in a concealed passageway, Zara watched the scene unfold, a crooked smile on her naughty face.
"Well, well, don't you just love chaos?" she mumbled to herself with a seductive grin. "I'm going to enjoy this".
She muttered to herself as she sneaked out of the castle, unobserved.
As the search operations escalated, the palace hummed with activity. Guards hurried to and fro, acquiring Intel and supplies.
I couldn't handle the notion of my infant in the clutches of that awful guy, Thorne. Why would he do this? Does he not have any conscience??
Tristan's words ripped through my thoughts. "We'll locate him, Lucy. I promise".
I nodded, trying to conjure some optimism. But as the hours went by, my anxiousness just rose and worsened.
Meanwhile: Thorne stood in front of a strange man, black shrouded, face veiled from view.
The wail of a newborn could be heard nearby.
"You've done well, Alpha Thorne," the unknown person replied, voice deep and serious.
Thorne bowed in homage "as commanded my Lord."
"Time to set the wheels of the prophecy in motion, prepare for the next phase." remarked the hooded figure, eyes lingering on the infant a bit longer.
"And my reward?" Asked Thorne, eyes flashing with hunger.
"You'll get your due" answered the figure, vanishing into the darkness.
As darkness started to fall, the palace remained on high alert. I couldn't ignore the sensation of desperation seeping in.
"Lucy, we'll locate our kid. I swear it." Tristan's voice murmured in my ear.
Tears flowed down my cheeks as I clutched to him, my heart heavy with terror.
The darkness outside appeared to be closing in, and I worried whether we'd ever see our kid again.
Somewhere in an ancient hidden room known only to the King's mother and a few other traitors in the palace, Zara met with Thorne in secret that same night, right there in the castle without anyone knowing.
"Coming back here.. you've got nerves taking such a huge risk, what is your endgame?" Zara remarked, speech dripping with honey, eyes sparkling with hatred and calculation.
"You'll see soon enough, love" responded Thorne, striding out of the shadows to stand behind Zara, looming over her.
"And the child?" Inquired Zara delicately.
"Safe." Replied Thorne cryptically.
"You don't trust me enough to tell me where?" Said Zara.
"Oh love, don't play that game. I'm not that simple to manipulate" replied Thorne, bending slightly to kiss her ear lobe.
"Well, it was worth a shot" answered Zara, spinning around to wrap her hands around his neck, locking eyes with him.
"The lycan kingdom will burn soon, I'll make sure of it. And you, my lovely companion in crime, you will be mine, Luna," said Thorne, taking her lips.
"I'll ensure Lucy's cooperation" Breaking the kiss, Zara answered with a very cheeky look. Hiding her genuine goals.
Zara pulls at the edges of her dress, letting it fall in a bunch around her legs. Stepping out of the dress pile, she stares up at Thorne, fully nude, with the moonlight enhancing her contours. She Whispers, "Make love to me, Alpha Thorne."
Those quiet words were all it needed to take her right then and then, their screams and groans mingling, dancing into the chilly, silent, moonlight night.
From Lucy's point of view:
"You'll never save your child," Zara said, with a vicious chuckle.
"I'll find my child, and I'll destroy you," Tristan answered, voice dripping with resolve.
"I'll destroy all of you," he said.
Just as he was ready to rush for Zara, a blood-curdling scream rang through the castle.
I staggered into the room, my blood flowing cold, with terror and dread
"Tristan, our child... I sense something's wrong," I screamed.
My heart fell.
And then, the unimaginable occurred.
The palace doors burst open, and Thorne appeared before us, our kid, my baby, in his arms.
"Your child's fate is sealed," He snarled, his eyes glinting with hatred.
As Tristan surged forward, Thorne disappeared into thin air, taking our infant with him. On
ce again, dividing us.
My scream boomed through the castle, waking Tristan and half the palace.
It had been a nightmare.