At 6:30, Kieran waited at the hotel entrance as pack members arrived. Growing concerned at Thea's absence, he tried to reach her through their mate-bond, but found only silence.
His mind raced back to the afternoon. At lunch, Aurora's bleeding had sent him rushing to the healers. They'd said her distress was endangering the pup.
He'd planned to return to Thea, but Aurora had grabbed his hand, placing it on her belly. "The pup needs its father. Stay with us."
When he'd refused, citing Thea's birthday, Aurora had curled up in pain. His resolve had crumbled.
Now, unable to reach Thea, panic clawed at his chest.
The secretary approached with a box marked "Second Mating Gift."
"Your Luna prepared two surprises. Would you like to open this now?"
Kieran recoiled from the box as if it burned. He called their den keeper instead: "Where is Thea? Send her to the celebration."
"Alpha... Luna Thea left six hours ago with packed bags," the keeper said hesitantly. "She gave farewell gifts to the staff, thanking us for five years of service. She asked us not to tell you..."
Kieran's heart seized. Though the celebration demanded his presence, everything in him screamed to return home.
"Check her documents in the bedside drawer."
"Only your papers remain, Alpha. Her identity crystals, travel runes, everything is gone. She... she had all her possessions donated to the orphan pack after you left at noon."
Terror gripped Kieran's heart. Her documents gone, possessions donated... was she using her birthday to start a new life without him?
Impossible!
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