Chapter 66 Gone Again
TESSA
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I didn’t know how long I had been there. The lake lay still before me, dark as a sheet of glass, reflecting the rising moon and the gold–streaked sky above it before the last traces of light completely vanished.
My eyes were puffy–perhaps even a shade of red. I had cried for far too long, and here I was, reduced to this state. A small chuckle escaped my lips as I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the darkening waters. My eyes looked like they had been devoured by a hundred cockroaches. However, that fleeting amusement faded quickly when I remembered the situation I was in.
If I told Arden about all this, maybe I wouldn’t feel so impossibly lonely. Maybe she’d say something that would make everything feel normal again. She was the only one who could do that, the one who wouldn’t look at me with either pity or confusion.
Nobody knew what had really happened–not even Rowan. Only my older sister was aware of the details, and even then, it wasn’t the whole story. I stayed beside the lake for a while, hoping the swelling around my eyes would diminish, but the sun was sinking quickly, and I knew I had to head back. It was late. Dinner must have already started.
With a resigned sigh, I knelt next to the water and splashed my face with its coolness before standing up and making my way back to the clearing. By the time I returned, the warm light from the campfires had replaced the sunset. The fragrant scent of roasted meat and smoke filled the air, and everyone seemed to be having a grand time at dinner. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Arden.
Someone from the West nudged their head toward the woods. “She was looking for you earlier,” they said around a mouthful of food. “I think she went out into the woods.”
“What?” I gasped.
My pulse quickened. I looked around again, trying to stay calm, and then I unexpectedly bumped into someone.
Rowan.
For a moment, the world paused. Our eyes met, and I felt it again–that stupid jolt, those sparks I had tried so hard to ignore. I could barely catch my breath.
But where was Arden?
I stepped back quickly, shaking my head and brushing past him. I couldn’t afford to dwell on that now; I needed to find Cade.
The shadows of the campfire danced across the trees, and then I spotted him, deep in conversation with some of his faction members. I ran to him, my heart racing with urgency.
“Alpha!” I called, breathless.
Cade turned immediately, concern etched on his face. “Tessa?”
“Arden… did you see her?” I asked, my worry spilling over into my voice,
Cade’s brow furrowed. “Aren’t you two together?”
I bit my lip. “1-1 just needed some time, I went to take a break, and… I haven’t seen her since.”
Cade’s posture shifted in an instant. His eyes sharpened, his body becoming still, alert like a hunter.
veryone, listen up!” he barked suddenly. “Arden is missing. Start searching this area!”
Prople around us stirred with alarm, dropping their utensils and standing quickly. Some grabbed flashlights, while others. shifted on the spot, growling softly, sniffing the air.
Just as I turned to join the search, someone caught my eye.
She stood off to the side, her mouth curled in a way that was not quite a smile, but there was no trace of concern on her face.
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Chapter 66 Gone Again
Something inside me snapped. “You!” I shouted, storming toward her.
Sienna blinked, her brows rising in confusion. “What’s your problem?”
Before she could finish that thought, I lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of her perfect hair and yanking it back.
“What the hell?” she shrieked, stumbling backward.
“You did something, didn’t you?” I hissed. “You must have done something!”
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“You’re crazy!” she shouted back, struggling to push me off. “What are you talking about?! Why would I do anything? Let go!”
I held tightly to her hair, compelling her to confess. I recognized that look on her face now. I had seen her not long ago after the battle, muttering curses under her breath, her glare directed squarely at Arden.
In my fury, I failed to notice how she quickly reached for the nearest object–someone had carelessly left behind a cup of tea on the table. Hot and scalding. She snatched it up, and my eyes widened as I let her go, just in time for her to splash the tea toward me.
However, Rowan stepped in front of me.
The tea splashed across his shoulder and chest. My mouth dropped open.
“Rowan!” I gasped.
He winced slightly, glancing down at his soaked shirt.
“I–I didn’t mean-” Sienna stammered.
Jaxon had finally arrived. Rowan locked eyes with him. “Control your faction members,” he said in a
“What’s going on?” Jaxon demanded.
Cade stepped forward, a grave expression on his face. “Arden is missing.”
“What?” Jaxon’s demeanor shifted immediately, his gaze swinging toward Sienna.
“Did you have anything to do with it?” Cade pressed, his eyes boring into her.
Sienna stuttered, “N–No! I didn’t–why would I-? I don’t know what you’re-”
*She went into the woods with her,” a voice piped up from the crowd.
Everyone turned to face the source of the interruption.
voice.
It was a boy–slim, glasses fogged up with fear, clutching his plate nervously. “I was behind Arden in line. I saw her follow Sienna. They walked off together. But only Sienna came back.”
All eyes shifted again toward her, an unspoken tension building in the air,
Cade’s entire expression darkened.
Sienna began to tremble, her voice quaking as she protested, “I didn’t… I didn’t mean to- I didn’t do anything!”
Jazon seized her wrist suddenly, his grip firm. “Where did you take her?”
-I didn’t!” she cried, eyes wide with desperation. “Why are you all looking at me like that? I’m hurt too!”
Catle stepped forward, his tone unmatched in intensity, “You’ve been left off the hook for too long, Sienna.”
11 hope you regret everything,” he added.
And then, without another word, he shifted.
Fur ripped through his skin as he transformed into a large, dark gray wolf, taking off into the trees with powerful strides, 2/3
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Chapter 66 Gone Again
paws thudding against the earth.
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“Where are you going?!” Rowan called after him, but Cade didn’t even look back.
Rowan’s jaw set tightly. “We’ll follow-”
Cade’s voice drifted back, back like a chilling echo. “Take care of your injury first.”
And then he was gone, tearing through the woods like a shadow, guided purely by instinct.
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Rowan moved to follow Cade, his feet already leaving the clearing when I called out, “Rowan, wait!” I grasped his wrist, desperate to hold him back.
He tried to shrug me off, but I tightened my grip, pointing at his shoulder. “Please. Let’s treat that first.”
His brow furrowed, yet he sighed heavily, relenting as I pulled him toward the cabins. His steps were slow, reluctant. I didn’t blame him–if I weren’t so shaken myself, I’d be racing through the trees, screaming for Arden’s name too.
Once inside the room, the door clicked softly behind us, sealing us in.
I had to hold my breath for a moment as his scent enveloped my senses entirely. Rowan’s scent had always been strong and grounding, but here, in this small space, it was overwhelming. I found myself trembling as I reached for the first aid kit in the drawer.
He sat on the edge of the bed, his shirt discarded, revealing the steam of the tea burn that was now fading into angry red skin.
I dabbed at the burn gently, careful with every movement. He winced slightly but didn’t complain.
“She’s going to be alright,” Rowan muttered, breaking the heavy silence.
I looked at him, searching for a glimmer of reassurance.
“Because Cade won’t let her get lost,” I whispered. “I know that.”
Rowan didn’t reply. He merely looked away, his jaw clenched, his eyes roaming skeptically toward the window.
I swallowed hard and pulled my hands back once I’d finished. It’s done,” I murmured, hoping to ease the tension.
Rowan stood, his body tense, shoulders still taut from the earlier conflict–or perhaps from the weight of us.
“Can we talk for a moment?” I asked softly. “Just a moment, Rowan. After we find Arden, can we talk? We never got to talk… after that day. After you found out.”
His hand hovered over the doorknob, and he didn’t turn around. Not even once.
“I have to go look for Arden,” he replied instead.
And then, just like that, the door slammed shut behind him.
Cone again.
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