Gina paced back and forth in Lyra's chamber, her nerves fraying with every passing second. Night had already fallen, and both Lyra and Sarah had been gone for far too long.
"I shouldn't have let her go! Alpha Kael is going to kill me!" she muttered anxiously.
Her worry wasn't for herself—it was for Lyra's safety. She had tried to stop her, and even Sarah had wanted to wait for Kael, but Lyra had already made up her mind to leave alone.
"If it wasn't for Laura, Luna wouldn't have even thought about this! Ugh, I hate her!" Gina fumed, clenching her fists.
Her frustrated rant was cut short by a loud knock at the door. She flinched, her heart pounding.
"Luna? The Alpha is here," Beta Albert's voice called from the other side.
Gina's stomach dropped.
"I'm dead," she whispered, taking a deep breath before cautiously approaching the door.
Another knock. "Gina? Are you in there?"
"What's going on?" Alpha Kael's deep, commanding voice sent a chill down her spine.
Gina sucked in a sharp breath before finally opening the door. She forced a smile and positioned herself in the doorway, blocking them from entering.
"What took you so long?" Albert narrowed his eyes. "Are you not going to let the Alpha in?"
Gina hesitated, then stepped aside, allowing Kael to enter.
"Where is Lyra?" Kael asked immediately, his sharp gaze scanning the room.
Albert did the same, his expression shifting the moment he realized Lyra was missing. Without hesitation, he grabbed Gina's arm.
"Where is the Luna?!" he demanded.
Kael's eyes darkened. "What?"
"She's not here, Alpha!" Albert confirmed.
Gina winced. "I—I'm sorry, Beta!"
Kael growled lowly, stepping forward. He wrenched Gina from Albert's grip and seized her arms instead, his fingers tightening.
"You will tell me where Lyra is, or I will slit your throat right now," he warned, his voice dangerously low.
Gina trembled, dropping to her knees.
"I-I'm sorry, Alpha! Please! I tried to stop her, but Luna insisted on leaving on her own!" Tears streamed down her face.
Kael's frown deepened. "She left?"
Gina nodded frantically. "Y-Yes, Alpha!"
"And you didn't report this immediately?" Albert's voice was laced with frustration.
Gina opened her mouth but lowered her head in shame. "I—I only followed Luna's request, Beta…"
"You fool!" Albert snapped, slapping Gina across the face. "Do you have any idea what you've done?! You put the Luna in grave danger!"
Gina sobbed. "I'm sorry, Beta! Alpha! Please believe me!"
Kael let out a roar of frustration and kicked the nearby table, sending it crashing against the wall.
"You should be punished for this!" Albert continued.
"No, please! Luna believed this was for the best… for the pack!" Gina sniffled. Then, she hesitated before adding, "If it weren't for Ms. Laura, Luna wouldn't have thought of leaving!"
Albert stiffened.
"Laura?" he echoed, his voice suddenly unsure. "What do you mean?"
Kael's red eyes snapped toward Gina. "Did Laura come here?"
Gina nodded weakly. "Y-Yes, Alpha. She came before Luna left… She told her that the pack would be better off without her. That she was only making you weak." Her voice wavered as she repeated Laura's cruel words.
Kael clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. His eyes darkened with fury as he turned sharply and stormed out of the room.
Albert followed quickly. "Alpha, wait!"
"Don't worry," Kael cut him off. "I just need to talk to her."
But Albert knew the truth—Kael wasn't sure if he could stop himself once he faced Laura.
"Let me handle it," Albert urged.
"No." Kael's tone left no room for argument.
Albert fell silent, not wanting to provoke the Alpha further.
They arrived at the Beta's house, and Kael stormed inside, his presence like a violent storm. His gaze landed on Laura, who sat peacefully at the dining table, eating her dinner as if nothing was wrong.
His blood boiled. Lyra was out there alone, and Laura was here enjoying her meal.
Laura's lips curled into a sweet smile when she saw him. "Kael! You're here—"
Her words were cut short as Kael lunged forward and wrapped his fingers around her throat, lifting her off the ground effortlessly.
Laura gasped, choking as she clawed at his hand, her legs kicking in the air.
"Alpha! Calm down!" Albert yelled, horrified.
Kael gritted his teeth, his fury barely contained. He could snap her neck right now, but for Albert's sake, he held back. With a frustrated growl, he threw her onto the floor.
Laura collapsed, coughing violently as she gasped for air.
"W-What the hell?! Are you trying to kill me?!" she screamed.
Kael's glare was ice-cold. "What did you say to Lyra?"
Laura frowned, feigning innocence. "What? I didn't tell her anything."
"Liar!" Kael roared. "If anything happens to her, I will make sure you pay for it!" With that final warning, he turned and stormed out.
Laura was left sitting on the floor, coughing. She looked up at Albert, who was torn between his loyalty to his duty and the conflict with his own blood.
"What was that?" Laura asked, her voice hoarse. "Why is he so mad?"
Albert slammed his hands on the table, making the dishes rattle. "Because of you, Lyra is gone! She left the pack alone!"
Laura paused, then slowly smirked. "She left?"
Albert scowled. "And you think that's funny?"
Laura let out a laugh. "At least she finally knows her place."
Albert's frustration hit its limit. He grabbed her arm roughly, yanking her forward so their faces were inches apart.
"You're dead, Laura. If anything happens to Lyra, do you think I'll be able to save you from Kael's wrath? She is his mate!"
Laura rolled her eyes and pushed him away. "He doesn't need her. She's wolfless. Worthless. Why is he even worried about her? In fact, he should be thanking me for helping him dodge a bullet!"
Albert clenched his fists, his jaw tightening in disbelief. "Fuck, Laura! I can't believe how blind you are!" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I told you—I won't be able to help you if anything happens to Lyra. So you better pray to the Moon Goddess that she's safe out there." With that, he turned and walked away.
Laura scoffed, unconcerned by his words. She didn't care what happened to Lyra. In fact, she would be happier if the girl never returned.
A slow, wicked smirk crept onto her lips.
"I think it's time I uncover more about you, Lyra," she murmured, eyes glinting with malice.