Sapphire Moon

Missing Friend

Dawn's POV

I sat there in the dirt, eyeing my uncle with distain.  I couldn't believe he just knocked me on my ass. Feeling a little embarrassed, I quickly stood up, wiped off any dirt from my leggings, and got back into a fighting stance. I needed to show the clan that they could count on me to lead and defend them. I couldn't help but feel like something unexpected was going to happen today.

Alaric smirked at me and got into his own stance. Right as we were about to begin, we were mind-linked by Michael's booming voice.

"Intruders! This is not a drill, our town has been breeched. If anyone sees two men that are identical, please report them to me immediately. Do not approach. They are considered dangerous."

"Alright, training is over for today." Hans declared. "Dawn, you should go back to the manor. It isn't safe for you out here."

"I need to stop at Riley's first!" I countered. "Once I know Riley is ok, then I'll head home. That's final." Hans gave me a look that said he understood but wasn't happy with my stubbornness.

"How about you head home, and I'LL find Riley. Once I find her, I'll send her your way. Ok?" I rolled my eyes at his desperate attempt to be close to the one who stole his heart.

"FINE. UGH. Why do you have to be such a....hopeless romantic?" I giggled out while turning to head back to the manor. 'I think I'm going to go take a shower and change.' I thought.

As I walked back to my room in the manor, I could smell something delightful. It smelled of black suede, vanilla bean, and cacao. The prefect mix of scents. I looked around trying to find the source of the smell, but I couldn't see anyone just as confused as I was. I decided to shrug it off and head to my room. I'll go looking around later, after I've showered.

HANS' POV

After leaving Dawn to go check on Riley, I decided to stop by her house first. I knew it was her day off, so she should be home. As I approached her house, I noticed that there was mud all around, and spots that looked like something had impacted. I felt a little overwhelmed with fear as I approached her door. I knocked, but there was no answer. I tried to open the front door, but it feels as if there's something against it to keep it closed. I walked around to the back door and it was wide open. I stepped into her house, and called out for her. I didn't get an answer back so I started to look around.

I could feel dread fill me when I saw things pushed up against the front door. 'It looks as if she were trying to keep the intruders out. Unless they used her house as a vantage point and kidnapped her.' I thought to myself. With that realization, I ran upstairs to her room. The only thing that was out of place was her stuffed animals and her dresser. It didn't look as if there was a struggle, but it was definitely not the Riley I know. She liked to hide part of her mural behind her dresser, and had a specific place for her stuffies.

I walked back down stairs and out the back door. When I reached outside, I looked at the ground and could see three sets of footprints. "Ok, so there is something weird going on. Where did she go?" I asked myself aloud. I could see the footprints went toward the manor, but they didn't go very far because it went from wet ground to perfectly dry. I could only assume that they went inside.

"Sir, I've found footprints outside Riley's house, and there's indication that they might have taken her." I mind linked Michael. Apparently he was too busy to reply, so I went inside. I was heading to his office when I saw Riley walking with two people.

"Riley, what are you doing here? Today is your day off and you should be at home taking cover. There's been intruders in town and we are still searching for them." I questioned, then I noticed she wasn't alone. I looked at them with skeptically narrowed eyes. "Who might these be?"

"These are the two new recruits that Michael said I needed to train." Riley said casually, as she rolled her eyes and continued. "Head maid's duty is never done. I was just about to show them around and start their new training. As for the intruders, I haven't heard anything about them. If I see anything suspicious, I'll let you know." All the distrust I had vanished when she mentioned Michael asked her to train them.

"Alright, well, I'll let you get back to training these poor souls. Please make sure you link me if you see or hear anything." Riley gave me a weak smile and nodded, which gave me the impression that she understood, but didn't want to continue talking to me.

My heart broke a little, but I turned and walked away. Riley had asked me to give her space when I found out I was her second chance mate. I tried to do anything I could to make it easier for her, but it's been over a year and I still am only at arms length.

I stopped and smacked myself on my forehead. I forgot to tell Riley that Dawn was looking for her. I'll just stop by Dawn's room, and let her know she's training some new recruits. Dawn should be relieved when I tell her that Riley is safe and actually just working. Maybe I'll ask for some advice. I don't usually get personal with anyone, but I just don't know what to do about Riley anymore.

As I walked the manor halls, I could hear multiple people talking about the storm from earlier today. I couldn't help but stop and stay out of sight while listening in. Apparently, the guards that were chasing the intruders didn't know how to keep things to themselves.

"No, it wasn't just some drifter were, it was two wolves.  They had to be high up in ranks as they were BUILT."

"How do you know they were wolves? Did you see them shift?"

"The storm came out of nowhere! One minute it was sunny, and the next, CRACK!"

"It was like the lightning was aiming for us! When one came a little too close for comfort, we bailed."

That was all I needed to hear. Magic had to have been the source. I haven't heard of any such magic being able to control the weather. Although Emma would be able to tell us if it was possible. I'll just have to make note to check on her and see if she can give me any information on it. I then continued to Dawn's room to get some advice and to let her know her friend was just working, nothing to worry about.