Chapter 43

Lucas’s POV

“Search the western tunnels again!” I barked, my voice echoing against the stone walls of the cave. I paced in tight circles, the frustration rising in my chest like a caged beast. “Michael can’t have vanished completely. He’s out there somewhere, and we need to find him.”

One of my warriors stepped forward, brow furrowed with concern. “My Lord, we’ve scoured every inch of this place. It’s like he simply disappeared.”

“Then keep looking!” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “I won’t rest until we find him. Elara is fighting for her life. Every moment wasted could mean the difference between her recovery and… and something far worse.”

“Understood.” The warrior nodded and hurried off, rallying the others to search the southern ridge this time. I could feel the heat of desperation gnawing at me. I’d never imagined I’d be hunting a human like this, and yet here I was, consumed by a need to protect Elara.