10#10

10

The tavern remained hushed long after Lyra's exit. Her parting words echoed in my mind, her dismissal stinging more than I wanted to admit.

I left abruptly, disregarding the murmurs that trailed me. The warriors and female wolves had witnessed too much. My ego wasn't the only thing wounded; my standing was at stake.

The journey back to the pack's dwelling seemed interminable. My thoughts swirled with anger and disquiet.

Lyra had always been passionate, but tonight she was different. More powerful. Unyielding. She stood before me not as my Luna, not even as my partner, but as someone beyond my reach. It unsettled me.

As the pack's residence came into view, a servant hurried out to greet me. His face was ashen, and he panted as he bowed hastily.

"Alpha Ragnulf," he gasped. "The Luna... she's vanished."

I dismounted quickly, my footwear crunching on the gravel. "Vanished? Explain yourself."