THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER TWENTY

Rage, anxiety, and panic swirled within Luna, each emotion a storm threatening to overwhelm her. The photo that an unknown person had sent to her phone showed an unconscious and tied Elias. The image not only made her blood boil but also clouded her thoughts. Fortunately, she was not alone—Isolde was with her and instantly snatched the phone from Luna's trembling hand.

"What...?" Isolde began, her eyes wide with shock. "How...?" She couldn't finish her sentence.

They were in Luna's castle, in her private study. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and walls lined with ancient tomes and artifacts that held the secrets of their lineage. Despite the old-world charm, the study was equipped with modern amenities—lamps that cast a warm glow, a sleek laptop on the wooden desk, and a state-of-the-art security system. The scent of old books and herbs filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of the evening's meal.

"It must be Rafe," Luna spat out, her voice laced with anger as she cursed under her breath.

"But... he's already with Alya," Isolde tried to keep calm, her voice shaking slightly as she processed the situation.

"He's never satisfied. He never will be," Luna answered bitterly, her mind racing as she grabbed her phone again and started to walk away from her best friend.

"Where are you going?" Isolde asked, her concern evident in her voice.

"Where do you think, Isy?" Luna snapped, her eyes blazing with fury. "I have to find him. I have to save Elias."

"You can't just rush in there without thinking, Lun. You don't even know where he is," Isolde urged, trying to inject some reason into the chaotic moment.

"I can't just stand here and do nothing!" Luna shouted, her voice cracking. "He is out there, suffering. I have to do something, Isy. I have to save him."

"I can feel his presence. I'll circle this city if I need to do that," Luna continued, her voice resolute and determined.

"Fine, I'll go too," Isolde said, following Luna with determination.

"No. It said I have to go alone," Luna replied, her mind racing. She started doing something on her phone, her fingers moving rapidly over the screen.

"Here, look at your phone. I'll inform you if I sense him. You go find Lukan, and maybe Lyla too," Luna said, her voice a mix of urgency and authority as Isolde immediately looked at her own phone.

Isolde hesitated for a moment, worry etched across her face, but she knew Luna was right. "Okay, but please be careful," she finally said, her voice filled with concern.

Luna nodded, her expression softening slightly. "I will. Just make sure you're ready when I call."

"But don't get too close, I don't want them to know that I was not alone. I'll give you a signal when I need help, okay?" Luna said to Isolde, making her reluctantly nod.

The heavy wooden door of the study creaked as Luna pushed it open, the modern hinges silently gliding. The corridor outside was well-lit, the stone walls lined with modern lamps and tapestries depicting scenes of past battles and triumphs. Luna's footsteps echoed softly as she moved with purpose, her senses on high alert.

The castle grounds were eerily quiet as Luna stepped outside, the usual bustling energy replaced by a tense silence that seemed to echo her own anxiety. The night air was cool, the sky above clear and filled with stars. Luna's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with thoughts of Elias. The image of his battered face flashed in her mind, fueling her determination.

She moved through the city, her senses straining to catch any hint of Elias' presence. The buildings loomed over her, their shadows long and foreboding in the dim light. As she walked, she tried to focus on her connection to him, hoping it would guide her to his location.