Heart of a rogue

Chapter 29 -

I paced through the dense woods surrounding Lucille's cottage, my frustration growing with every step. My heart pounded like a war drum in my chest, each beat a painful reminder of the betrayal that had ripped through my life. I tried to block out the angry snarls of my wolf, but they echoed relentlessly in my mind, gnawing at my insides like a beast starving for blood.

Alani and Joshua flanked me, concern etched across their faces. Abel, who had reluctantly joined us, was scanning the forest floor with an intensity I rarely saw from him.

"Keep looking!" I barked, my voice taut with desperation. "She has to be around here somewhere. We can't just let her—"

"Declan, we're doing everything we can," Alani interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "But we need to stay focused. If Leo's involved, it complicates things."

Joshua, ever the practical one, held up his hand, signaling us to stop. "We need a plan. Just running around the forest won't help us find her."

Abel, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "I didn't expect her to vanish like this. Her cottage was there just minutes before. And now..." His voice trailed off, faltering as he looked at the empty space where Lucille's cottage should have been.

My heart sank. "Her cottage has vanished? Just like that?"

Abel nodded grimly. "Yes. It's not just the cottage, though. There's a sense of magic here—something powerful. And it's not something I can easily decipher. Leo's presence complicates matters further."

I clenched my fists, my knuckles turning white. The betrayal I'd been struggling with now felt even more sinister. "Leo," I spat, his name a bitter pill on my tongue. "What's he doing here? Why did he have to come back now, of all times?"

Joshua placed a calming hand on my shoulder. "We don't know what's going on yet. We need to stay level-headed and figure out our next move."

The tension among us was palpable as we continued our search. The forest seemed almost alive, conspiring against us. The trees thickened, and the underbrush grew more tangled with every step. It was as if the very land itself was trying to keep us from finding Lucille.

"Do you think she's in danger?" Alani's voice was barely more than a whisper, her eyes darting around the darkening woods.

I hesitated, my mind racing through a dozen grim possibilities. "I hope not. But with Leo involved, anything is possible. I can't stand the thought of her being alone with him."

Abel's expression was grim. "Leo is powerful, and his intentions are not always clear. If Lucille is with him, we need to be careful. He could be trying to manipulate her."

I'd lost track of time. Days blurred together in a haze of frantic searching, sleepless nights, and gnawing worry. The forest had become a maze of confusion, its familiar paths now shrouded in shadows that seemed to mock our efforts. Despite everything, Lucille's cottage remained elusive. Abel had warned us about the powerful magic in the area, but none of us expected it to be this impenetrable. Every search ended in frustration, and with no answers, our desperation only grew.

My frustration was further fueled by the growing unrest within the pack. I was aware of the whispers and accusations circulating about me and Nova. The pack had always been close-knit, and the recent scandal had torn at those bonds. I tried to keep my focus on finding Lucille, but I couldn't ignore how quickly the pack's perception of me was souring.

The pack meeting was set for the evening, and I knew it would be tense. Alani, Abel, and Joshua were with me as we headed toward the central clearing where the pack gathered for important discussions. The usual camaraderie was gone, replaced by an atmosphere of tense anticipation.

As we entered the clearing, the crowd was larger than usual, their faces drawn and serious. Conversations ceased as I stepped forward, every eye turning toward me. The weight of their judgment was suffocating.

Alani stepped up beside me, her face a mask of calm determination. "We need to address this," she whispered. "We need to clear the air and find out what's really happening."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. This wasn't just about finding Lucille; it was about defending myself against the accusations that hung heavy in the air. I had prepared a few words, but as I stepped forward, my mind raced.

"Pack," I began, my voice strong but laced with weariness. "We need to address the situation directly. Lucille is missing, and I need your help to find her. I know there are accusations and doubts about me, and I'm prepared to address those as well."

A murmur of discontent rippled through the crowd. Graham, one of the elders, stepped forward, his face twisted in anger. "Accusations? You've done more than just cause a stir, Declan. You've betrayed your Luna. You've had an affair with Nova, and you've hurt Lucille."

I clenched my jaw. "I did not intend to hurt Lucille. My actions were driven by—"

"Driven by what? Your wolf's demands? You think that excuses your actions?" Graham's voice was sharp, cutting through my defense.

Other pack members joined in, their voices overlapping in a chaotic mix of anger and accusation.

"You've broken our trust!"

"How could you do this to Luna?"

Joshua stepped forward, trying to calm the storm. "Let's keep this civil. We're here to find Lucille, and tearing each other apart won't help. Declan, explain your side."

I took a deep breath, scanning the crowd. "I made mistakes. My wolf has been... uncontrollable. I'm not proud of what happened with Nova, and I understand why you're angry. But my priority now is to find Lucille. She's gone missing, and I need your help."

Marissa, one of the wiser voices in the pack, spoke up. "We understand there's a need for heirs, but the way you've gone about it has caused a lot of pain. Nova is our best tracker, and she's been sent away for something that isn't her fault."

I nodded, feeling the weight of my actions. "I should have handled it differently. But right now, Lucille's well-being is at stake. If you want to help, we need to focus on finding her."

The discussion continued, heated and divided. Some expressed sympathy, others held onto their anger. The debate grew louder, and it was clear the pack was split.

Alani tried to bring the focus back. "Let's resolve this together. Our Alpha needs our help. Lucille is in danger, and we need to work as a pack."

Graham scowled. "And what about the breach of trust? How do we fix that?"

Abel finally spoke. "Declan's actions were wrong, but we need to find Lucille. Our strength is in our unity."

Slowly, the pack's attention shifted back to the urgent task at hand. Despite the anger and betrayal, they realized that finding Lucille was their priority. By the end of the meeting, there was a reluctant consensus to put grievances aside and focus on the search.

I left the meeting feeling a mix of relief and frustration. The road to earning back the pack's trust would be long, but for now, our goal was clear: find Lucille. As we resumed our search, guilt and determination weighed heavily on me. I had made mistakes, but I was committed to making things right.

The search continued into the night, and the magic hiding Lucille's cottage remained elusive. But I wouldn't stop until I found her. I couldn't. Finding Lucille was the only way to start repairing the damage I had done, and as I moved through the darkened woods, my heart was set on one goal: bringing Lucille back home, no matter the cost.