Chapter 13: The Missing Alpha on the Mating Ceremony
Chapter 13: The Missing Alpha on the Mating Ceremony
(Ana’s POV)
“What do you mean, gone?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
Olivia gripped my hands, her eyes wide with concern. “He received a call and left about thirty minutes ago. No
one knows where he went.”
My stomach dropped. The ceremonial attendants froze around me, their hands still clutching pins and fabric.
“There must be a mistake,” I said, reaching for my phone with trembling fingers. “I’ll call him.”
The phone rang several times before going to voicemail. I tried again with the same result.
“His phone is off,” I whispered, panic rising in my throat.
Olivia dismissed the attendants with a sharp gesture. Once they were gone, she crouched before me, her
purple ceremonial dress pooling around her.
“Aria, breathe. We’ll figure this out.”
But I could barely hear her over the roaring in my ears. The ceremony was supposed to start in less than an
hour. Guests were already arriving pack leaders, Council members, family friends. And Alexander, my mate,
the Alpha groom, was missing.
“My mother,” I gasped, suddenly remembering. “She’s already here. She’s been looking forward to this for so
long.”
The thought of my frail mother discovering Alexander’s disappearance sent a wave of nausea through me. She was so weak, so fragile. This would devastate her.
“I’ll handle your mother,” Olivia said firmly. “You need to call Lucas. If anyone knows where Alexander is, it’s
his Beta.”
She was right. Lucas Bell was Alexander’s right–hand man, privy to all his movements and decisions.
“Go,” 1 urged her. “Make sure my mother doesn’t hear any rumors.”
Olivia squeezed my shoulder before hurrying from the room. Once alone, I dialed Lucas’s number, my free hand unconsciously protective over my belly where our unborn pup grew.
“Luna Aria,” Lucas answered immediately, his voice tight.
“Where is he, Lucas?” I demanded, skipping any formalities. “The ceremony starts in less than an hour.”
There was a heavy pause on the line.
“Lucas, I asked you a question,” I said, my voice hardening with Luna authority I rarely used. “Where is my
mate?”
Another pause, then a resigned sigh. “He’s at Silvercrest Hospital.”
My blood turned to ice. “Is he hurt?”
“No, Luna. He’s…” Lucas hesitated again. “He received news that Claire Watson attempted suicide again. He
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Chan 13 The Missing A
left immediately.”
The words hit me like physical blows. Claire. Again. On our ceremony day.
“Are you telling me,” I began, my voice dangerously calm, “that Alexander abandoned our formal mating ceremony to rush to Claire’s side?”
“I tried to stop him,” Lucas said quickly. “But he wouldn’t listen. He said he owed her this much.”
I closed my eyes, struggling to contain the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Hurt, rage, humiliation all battled for dominance.
“Luna Aria, I’ve already sent enforcers to bring him back,” Lucas continued. “He’ll be there for the ceremony.”
“Will he?” I whispered, more to myself than to Lucas.
My wolf whimpered inside me, confused and distressed by another abandonment. I could feel her protective instincts flaring, concerned for our unborn pup.
“I’ll handle this,” I told Lucas finally. “In the meantime, make sure no one else knows where he’s gone. Especially not my mother.”
“Of course, Luna.”
After hanging up, I sat motionless, staring at my reflection in the ceremonial mirror. The elaborate headdress, the intricate markings, the beautiful gown – all for a ceremony that might not happen.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. The door opened to reveal Elizabeth Reed, my mother–in–law.
“Where is he?” she demanded without preamble, her eyes flashing amber with barely contained fury. “Where is
my son?”
I hesitated, not wanting to reveal Alexander’s betrayal to his own mother.
“Lucas just called me,” Elizabeth continued, her voice tight. “He refused to tell me where Alexander has gone,
but I know it has something to do with that girl.”
My silence was confirmation enough. Elizabeth’s face hardened.
“Silvercrest Hospital?” she asked.
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
no answer.
“I will deal with Alexander later, she promised, her eyes softening as she took in my distress. “For now, we must focus on the ceremony. The guests are gathering, and your mother is already seated in the place of
honor.”
The mention of my mother sent fresh panic through me.
actions.”
“Aria, you can’t be seen by the guests yet,” Elizabeth protested.
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