The flickering firelight cast shadows across the stone walls of the Alpha’s study, but Luther wasn’t focused on them. He stood in front of the window, hands clenched behind his back, eyes scanning the darkness beyond the treeline.

It had been three days since the last sighting. Three days since they’d picked up her scent near the river and lost it entirely.

Cassian stepped into the room, shutting the door softly behind him. “You missed the elders’ dinner.”

“Wasn’t hungry,” Luther muttered.

Cassian didn’t comment. He knew better. The tension in the room was thick, carved from days of silence, rage, and sleepless nights.

“The border towns?” Luther asked without turning.

Cassian sighed. “Patrols are still sweeping them. Bus stations, rest stops, motels. Nothing. Not a whisper.”

“She’s not in the territory anymore.” Luther’s voice was low, scraped raw. He hadn't shifted in days; he couldn’t trust himself not to rip someone apart. “She’s out there. Alone.”

Cassian hesitated, then added, “Gabrielle asked again to speak to you. Again.”

Luther finally turned, his gaze dark and unreadable.

“Why?”

Cassian blinked. “You know why.”

“I already marked her.” Luther’s voice didn’t waver. “There’s nothing to talk about. She should be doing her Luna duties.”

Cassian was silent. “Your father is starting to ask questions. News has already spread about Trash.”

“Let him.” A faint smile twisted Luther’s mouth, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “And Trash will be back soon.”

Cassian tilted his head. “If they find out that you’re looking for her. What would you tell him or your mother?”

“They are not the Alpha or Luna anymore. I do not answer to them. They should take a few months away from here. They always wanted to move to Aruba. They should do that. The pack is in good hands.”

Silence stretched between them.

“I just want her back,” Luther said, voice barely above a whisper. “I wasn’t stern enough with her. I must have given her too much freedom.”

“Are you going to put her back in the packhouse. Back in the basement.” Cassian said carefully.

“No,” Luther’s voice was steady. “She’ll be with me in the Alpha house.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow, “And where will Gabrielle be. There’s no way she would accept it.”

“She can stay in the pack house. She should stay amongst the pack as Luna.”

He turned his eyes back to the forest. “She spoke. Right before she jumped, all this time, I thought she was mute, but she just chose not to speak to me.”

“You’re Alpha now,” Cassian said. “You’ve got power, influence. You can make—”

“I don’t want to make her. I wanted her to want me,” Luther cut in. “But she didn’t want that. She wanted to run from me, to be free from me.”

He took a deep breath and stepped away from the window. “Sorry, Trash, but I can’t give you that.”

“Call in the long-range scouts. I want her found. I don’t care how far she’s gone. City, coast, wherever she is out there, I’ll bring her back.” Chained to my side as she was always meant to be.

Cassian nodded slowly. “And Gabrielle?”

“She’ll be fine. She’s Luna, that’s what she wanted.” Luther’s jaw tightened. “I’ll give her everything she wants, my heart, my love, even kids, as long as I keep Trash. She’ll have everything.”

Cassian looked at him for a moment longer, then turned to leave. As the door clicked shut behind him, Luther returned to the window, eyes trained on the horizon.

“She’s mine,” he whispered. “But this time, I’ll make sure she fully understands that.”