Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The darkness was thick and unbroken as Marissa slid into the black car that had arrived in the dead of night. It was 3 a.m., the moon a faint glow on the horizon, and the pack grounds lay silent, as if holding its breath for what was to come. Her heart raced, her fingers clutching the worn leather of her seat as the driver–a silent, stoic figure in a dark suit–closed her door and took his place at the wheel.

As the car rolled forward, her heart beat. like a drum against her ribs, a hollow thump of both fear and excitement. Marissa’s gaze drifted to the packhouse, the familiar building standing tall and silent, fading into the mist as they made their way down the winding road. She took a shaky breath, letting her fingers intertwine, pressing her palms together in a futile attempt to calm her nerves.

This is it, she told herself. A new life, a fresh start. She closed her eyes, imagining the strength of her soon–to–be mate–the Alpha King. Her fate would finally be sealed, her blood anchored by the bite of a powerful mate who could stabilize her raging lycan blood. A part of her felt relief at the thought, knowing her pain would ease. No more sleepless nights filled with bone–deep aches or constant reminders of the strength she couldn’t control. Soon, the searing burn that had always threatened to consume her would finally calm.

She clenched her hands tighter. She didn’t care what he looked like, or if he was every bit as ruthless as they said. This was her path, and she would walk it. As dawn broke over the Shadow Pack grounds, Alpha Caleb sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes against the faint light spilling through the window. His sleep had been fitful, his mind troubled by strange. dreams of Marissa slipping through his fingers, disappearing into the shadows.

He’d brushed it off as nonsense, but the knot of unease refused to leave him. He padded out of his room, his footsteps light as he made his way to the kitchen, preparing a mug of coffee.

Caleb ran a hand through his hair, frustration lacing his features. He could not erase the dream from his head. He kept thinking about it and somehow, he felt worried.

But then, he laughed, though the sound was strained. “She‘ s probably just sleeping in,” he said to himself, forcing lightness into his tone. “She was acting. pretty secretive yesterday, but it’s not like. she’s just going to up and leave.”

But even as he said it, he couldn’t shake the strange tightness in his chest. The way Marissa had spoken yesterday, cold and dismissive–it had been so unlike her. And that mountain of gifts… something had changed. She was holding something back, something important.

“Should I check on her?” Caleb whispered to himself, his eyes narrowing. At that moment, he hesitated, then set his coffee down, his mind made up. He slipped outside and crossed the grounds. to Marissa’s parents‘ home. He knew that Marissa had been staying there. Actually, he knew that whenever his girlfriend was sad or mad, he would rather sleep in her room at her parents‘ residence.

The silence seemed heavier, as though the whole pack held its breath. When he reached the door, he rapped his knuckles against it, listening to any sign of movement inside. But there was nothing.

“Marissa? Beta Roven?” He called, knocking again.

Still no answer.

With a glance, Caleb twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open. There was no one in the sala, and when he went upstairs to go to the woman’s room, the sight that met their eyes made his stomach drop. The room was empty. Completely empty. Not a trace of her remained–no clothes, no bags, not even her scent lingered in the air.

Caleb‘ s voice was hoarse, filled with a mix of anger and hurt. “She‘ s gone.”

And Marissa only left one note, “I’m breaking up with you. You’re free to take care of your child’s breeder, Alpha.”