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It takes me ten minutes to explain the plan to Mace, Alfie, Hope, Nella and a few other wolves I trust. The rest of the pack wait eagerly for us to decide what's going to happen next. Their Alpha is gone, their pack leader and I can tell it's caused emotions of anxiety and uncertainty.

Hope got hold of Fran and half of Everett's pack come straight over, ready to help with whatever we need. I barely get the chance to thank them for coming as the kitchen is swarmed with people.

I drag out a chair from underneath the table and land my two feet on it, looking around at everyone as their eyes land on me. "Listen up everyone!" I shout, the room turning dead silent. "We've got a plan and I need you to listen carefully so you know your role."

A few of them nod with determined eyes and I turn so I can address everyone.

"We've mapped out the places that Mace and I have already checked. But we need to go beyond our territory and surrounding areas, they could be anywhere and we need to be prepared for an expedition to find him and bring him home." My voice is gravelly but firm.

I swallow harshly and listen to my heart thump. "We're going to split us up into two groups, one will stay behind and rest and then swap. Between these two groups you'll be split into smaller groups to explore places beyond our territory."

Nella nods at me with encouragement. "I want all the witches to go back to where Kassian was taken, try and get a sense or a feel for where they may have gone. Pick up the rogue's scent from the deceased bodies and use this to try and get a lead."

My hand swipes down to the table to grab the map. "I've segregated the map into sections, these will be explored between the groups. Once they've been checked we can cross it off and move on, further and further out until we find these cocksuckers and get Kassian back."

"Between our pack and Everett's pack, we're going to split you in half by your surnames. A-M will go out first, N-Z will stay behind and be ready and prepared for when A-M are heading back. Is that clear?"

"Yes Luna."

My mouth opens to speak again when I hear someone mutter under their breath, "It's night time man, I just want to sleep." There is humour in their voice but I wasn't laughing.

I step down from the chair with a thud and find the brave commenter, the rest of the pack parting like the sea as I stroll through the kitchen. His eyes find mine and I physically watch his stomach drop to his ass, eyes avoiding me at all costs.

Without a second thought I raise my hand to his throat and shove him into the nearest wall, my eyes raging with pure anger. I'm sure I heard the bricks crack behind him. "What did you fucking say?!" I roar louder than I've ever before.

He blinks back at me, his face paleing like he's seen a ghost. Or the wrath of me.

"I-It was just a joke, Luna," he squirms against the wall, his pulse beating quickly against my fingers. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

My teeth grit in his direction and I give his windpipe a tight squeeze, he chokes and I release him. Listening as he pants out heavily, bending over to catch his breath.

"I swear if I hear another stupid fucking comment like that, I'll feed you to the rogues myself. That is a fucking promise. I won't hesitate to let them eat you alive whilst you're begging for your pathetic life."

His eyes find mine, bloodshot and fearful. He nods instantly and backs away from me.

I peer around at the crowd of people, my eyes hooded with deep frustration. "Anyone else got anything they want to fucking say?" I yell, my throat burning from the sensation.

No one mutters a word and I nod firmly, they've got the message.

"Kassian is in  danger, your Alpha is in danger! We cannot waste a second longer on this shit." I spit angrily, feeling the veins in my neck begin to protrude.

I walk back to the table and feel eyes on me heavily.

"A-M will be with me and Mace. N-Z will be with Alfie, Hope, Levi. Do you understand?"

"Yes Luna."

N-Z dismiss themselves, warning them to get rest and restore their energy so they're ready to go when A-M get back. If a single person is laying around, not ready. Shit will hit the fan and it won't be a pleasant thing to experience.

Mace splits up our group into smaller groups, giving them a clear objective and which areas to search. I head over to Everett, Fran and Milo standing on the opposite side of the kitchen, Fran's eyes catch mine instantly.

"We're ready, Cleo," she tells me. "So fucking ready."

I offer her a nod and glance up at Everett. "Thanks again for bringing your pack to help. It means a lot."

He shakes his head like it's nothing, blonde hair flying around his head. "You saved our sister, it's the least we can do for Kassian."

"We'll come with you and Mace, we're in the latter group but we can't stand around and do nothing," Fran explains, gripping onto my shoulder for support. "The rest of the pack can help now too."

"Thanks," I rasp out. "Mace is splitting them into groups."

"We'll head over," he says firmly before the three of them disperse.

I whip my head to the clearing outside where Mace and Nella are organising them into groups. A pair of light blue eyes find mine and I glance down at Ripley who is standing before me with a strong look on his face.

"I'm going to help as much as I can, Cleo," he nods at himself with confidence. "You've taught me how to fight, how to run, how to keep my stamina high. I'm going to use all my skills and help as much as I can."

My heart warms for the first time since the news of Kassian, I lean forward and grip his head between my hands and press a kiss to the top of his head. "Love you kid," I mumble. "Now let's fucking take down those rogues."

Ripley smiles at me and we run into the clearing, watching as wolves shift and dart off between the trees, aiming for different parts of the map. Mace and Nella give me a nod and I hold their stare.

Mace orders Nella to come with me whilst he leads a group himself, along with Everett and a few other strong wolves.

"Mace says you need to be with someone," Nella says as we remove our clothes.

"I can do this by myself." I mumble. "Shouldn't you be with the witches?"

"Yes but they're strong enough they can do it by themselves, you need someone close to you too. Whether you can do this by yourself or not, we're all here for you."

I give her one look and she stares back at me with meaning. My lips tremble out a sigh and accept it. They know me, they know I won't give up and Nella will get me back on track if I'm going stupidly insane and trying to reach the impossible.

My body shifts into my wolf and I glance back at the group, already shifted themselves.

Everyone ready?

Yes Luna.

Let's go.

. . .

The night was unsuccessful. Painfully unsuccessful.

No one found anything. The witches couldn't sense anything. It's like they vanished into thin air without a single trace and we're following the wrong signs.

I watched the sun set and now I'm watching it rise again, the light stinging my eyes as we race through the trees. Sweat covering every inch of my fur, dripping onto the floor as my chest burns.

Cleo. Nella shouts through our mindlink

I ignore her and keep going.

Cleo. She tries again but this time clamps her jaw around my foot, forcing me to look at her. You need to stop.

My head shakes, I can't stop.

Cleo. This time she sounds annoyed. You need to stop, you've been out here for over twenty hours, you haven't eaten anything, drunk anything. You're physically and mentally exhausted and if you don't rest right now. You're going to pass out.

I snap my jaw at her. I can't give up.

You're not giving up. She dismisses the idea. You're accepting when you need to rest. N-Z will take over, they probably already have. People are still out looking for him Cleo, you need to think about yourself and your wellbeing.

My head aches at her proposal, how could I deal with myself if I'm just in bed doing nothing when I can be out looking for him?

We can try again later but you need sleep and food, Cleo. I can see in your eyes that you're struggling. Your wolf is struggling, you're going to burn yourself out before we've even begun.

No. I can't give up on him.

She nips at the skin on my leg and I look at her again, her eyes didn't look friendly. I'm not asking you Cleo, I'm telling you. Go back to the pack house now before I get Mace and Everett to drag you there.

Her eyes flick between mine and she can see my heart break.

For a couple hours at least and you can get back to searching. Alfie, Hope and Levi are out, they've got it covered. Okay?

I felt sick. My stomach twisting painfully at the thought of going to bed when he's probably being tortured to near death.

Nella. My voice wobbles.

Please. Please do this. I can't see you destroy yourself. I know you love him but you need to think about yourself too.

I glance around at the wolves behind me. I can't.

You can. Just for a few hours.

My snout releases a sharp exhale and I clench my eyes shut, the ache in my heart enough to rip open the arteries and let my blood leak into my chest.

Okay. I say in defeat.

I know Nella would get Mace and Everett here and force me home if I take another step, but going home means going into our bedroom and that's my biggest fear. My head shakes, trying to rid these thoughts.

We sprint back to the pack house, my anxiety bubbling as I should be out. But maybe she's right, I need rest. My mind feels like a car crash and some sleep might level me out again.

Mace nods at Nella as we walk towards the kitchen, now in our human forms. I skip past everyone, head low and straight up the stairs. Every inch of my body is covered in thick mud, dirt and sticky sweat.

I take a breath before I press down onto the door handle into our bedroom, grounding my feet for what's about to happen. The door opens and slowly, I step inside.

His scent hits me like a slap in the face and I choke back a cry, I have to stay strong. My eyes close briefly, trying to stabilise my emotions before I break down sobbing into the carpet and never moving.

I shut the door behind me, my legs wobbling like fresh set jelly with every step I take. Taking one glance at our semi-made bed, the last place he laid with me. The last place we cuddled, the last place we kissed, the last place he told me he loves me.

Blood rushes aggressively at my memories, memories that will haunt me until he's back in my arms and I know that he's safe.

I pray to the Goddess he is safe, please keep him safe.

I tear my eyes away from the bed and jump into the shower, washing every part of my body twice then three times. I'm not sure how long I stayed inside, anything to delay getting into our bed. I don't think my heart can take it.

When my skin begins to wrinkle and the water turns cold, I jump out and slip into comforting bed clothes. I graze a jumper of Kassian's, contemplating putting it on but it'll torture me and soothe me at the same time.

My feet walk to the edge of the bed and I look at the sheets, my lips wobbling as I climb inside. Shifting my body automatically to the side that he sleeps on. His warm and homely scent swarms me, lingering on the pillows.

It instantly comforts me but then realisation of the situation hits me, I crumble like a pathetic wolf. I should be strong for him, he'd want me to be strong. He wouldn't want me to get upset.

I grip my hand into the material and clench, releasing a slow breath. My heart rattles, it feels so wrong being here without him.

"I'm gonna find you, I promise." I mumble into the pillow, nuzzling my head into the fabric. My hand smooths over the pillowcase, imagining that he's here beside me.

My eyes blink over and over, pushing back tears that I refused to let fall.

I gather the sheets in my arm and curl myself up into a ball, the edge of the duvet pressed to the tip of my nose. Everything felt empty, lonely without him. He should be right here beside me, with me. We're meant to protect each other and I didn't protect him.

I love you. I shoot through the mindlink. I love you more than life itself, Kassian. I love you for the person you have made me. You've made me better in every way.

When my eyes shut I'm convinced I won't be able to sleep but it only takes a few seconds before my body forces me to rest.

. . .

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Hello my loves. Ughhhh Cleo is so broken without Kassian and seeing her like this is so painful, she's trying to be so strong but she's in so much pain.

What did you guys think of this chapter??

I love Cleo taking charge and showing her true qualities as Luna, we love a female boss!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, see you all on the next one. Love Sav x

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