Chapter 45 - Search the body

The next day dawned over the Silver Stone Moon Pack with an unsettling air of tension and uncertainty. Lucille and Trixie, their faces carefully schooled into expressions of worry and grief, went from pack member to pack member, seeking help in their supposed search for Delta Marlon. Their hearts pounded with the weight of their deceit, but they knew this performance was crucial to maintain their facade of innocence.
In Alpha Shane’s grand office, adorned with intricate woodwork and symbols of their pack’s heritage, the atmosphere was charged. Alpha Shane, a towering figure of authority and strength, sat behind his desk, his usually composed demeanor now clouded with concern. Leo, his loyal beta and assistant, stood by his side, his brow furrowed in thought.
Lucille and Trixie entered the office, their eyes red-rimmed from feigned tears. Lucille took a hesitant step forward, her voice quivering with sorrow. “Alpha Shane,” she began, “we… we don’t know what happened to Delta. He went out last night to check the backyard, but he never returned.”
Alpha Shane’s gaze sharpened, his instincts immediately on alert. “Missing?” he asked sharply. “Delta Marlon doesn’t just disappear. Leo, organize a search party. We need to find him.”
Leo nodded briskly, already moving towards the door. “Right away, Alpha Shane,” he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. He cast a wary glance at Lucille and Trixie, his suspicions flickering in the depths of his eyes.
Giselle, standing in a corner of the room, observed the scene with a mix of curiosity and jealousy. Her relationship with Alpha Shane had been one of passion and promise, but now, seeing Trixie’s distress and the urgency in Alpha Shane’s response, a pang of insecurity shot through her. She furrowed her brow, her thoughts racing with doubts and insecurities.
Alpha Shane, sensing Giselle’s unease, gently took Trixie by the arm and led her away from the group. “Trixie,” he said softly, his voice a mixture of concern and authority, “I need you to tell me everything you know. Did Delta say anything unusual last night?”
Trixie shook her head, her tears flowing freely now. “No, Alpha Shane,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “He was just… worried about the rogue activity.”
Lucille stepped forward, her face a mask of desperation. “Please, Alpha Shane,” she pleaded, “we need your help. Delta wouldn’t just leave us like this.”
Alpha Shane’s jaw clenched, his mind racing with possibilities. Delta Marlon was a respected member of their pack, a pillar of strength and wisdom. His sudden disappearance was not just a concern—it was a threat that could destabilize their pack’s unity.
“Leo,” Alpha Shane said firmly, turning to his beta, “gather every available wolf. We’re going to search every inch of our territory until we find Delta Marlon.”
Leo nodded, his expression grim. “Yes, Alpha Shane,” he replied, his voice tinged with determination. He knew the implications of Delta’s disappearance—both for their pack’s stability and for the looming questions surrounding Trixie’s parentage.
As the search party assembled outside, Alpha Shane’s mind raced with conflicting emotions. Lucille and Trixie’s grief appeared genuine, but the nagging doubt lingered. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to their story than they were letting on.
Giselle, watching from the sidelines, felt a surge of frustration and jealousy. She had dreamed of becoming Alpha Shane’s Luna, but Trixie’s presence had always cast a shadow over her aspirations. Now, with Trixie in tears and Alpha Shane’s attention divided, Giselle felt a bitter taste of resentment.
“Alpha Shane,” Giselle interjected, her voice edged with forced concern, “what if… what if Trixie knows more than she’s saying?”
Alpha Shane’s gaze snapped to Giselle, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice clipped.
Giselle hesitated, her mind racing to find the right words. “I mean,” she began carefully, “Trixie and her mother… they’ve always been… secretive. Maybe there’s something they’re hiding.”
Alpha Shane’s jaw clenched, the implications of Giselle’s words sinking in. “Leo,” he said firmly, “keep a close eye on Lucille and Trixie. I want to know everything they do.”
Leo nodded, his gaze flickering between Alpha Shane and Giselle. “Understood, Alpha Shane,” he replied, his tone serious. He knew the importance of uncovering the truth—both for their pack’s safety and for Alpha Shane’s peace of mind.
Outside, the search party began their meticulous sweep of the pack’s territory. Wolves of all ranks and ages moved with purpose, their senses finely tuned to detect any trace of Delta Marlon. The air was thick with tension and uncertainty, each member of the pack feeling the weight of their missing elder’s absence.
Meanwhile, Lucille and Trixie retreated to the privacy of their home, their masks of grief slipping momentarily as they exchanged tense whispers.
“What if they find him?” Trixie asked quietly, her eyes wide with fear.
Lucille shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “They won’t find anything,” she replied firmly. “Jack promised he would take care of it.”
Trixie nodded, but her unease was palpable. “What about Giselle?” she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety. “What if Alpha Shane starts suspecting?”
Lucille’s jaw tightened, her thoughts racing. “We can’t afford any slip-ups,” she said finally. “We have to stay calm and stick to our story.”
Back in Alpha Shane’s office, the tension was thick as Alpha Shane and Giselle remained locked in a silent battle of wills. Giselle’s jealousy simmered beneath the surface, her determination to win Alpha Shane’s favor growing stronger with each passing moment.
“Alpha Shane,” Giselle began tentatively, her voice softening slightly, “do you really think Delta Marlon just… disappeared?”
Alpha Shane sighed, his brow furrowing in frustration. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice tinged with concern. “But I can’t ignore the possibility that something else is at play here.”
Giselle stepped closer to Alpha Shane, her gaze searching his face. “Maybe… maybe Trixie knows more than she’s letting on,” she suggested carefully.
Alpha Shane’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. “Perhaps,” he conceded reluctantly. “But we need evidence before we can make any accusations.”
Leo, standing nearby, listened to their exchange with growing concern. He knew the weight of Alpha Shane’s suspicions and the danger of jumping to conclusions. Yet, he also understood the necessity of uncovering the truth—no matter how unsettling it might be.
As the day wore on, the search for Delta Marlon continued without success. The pack’s anxiety grew with each passing hour, their worries overshadowing their usual camaraderie. Lucille and Trixie maintained their facade of grief, their every move carefully calculated to avoid suspicion.
In the quiet of their home, Lucille and Trixie huddled together, their minds racing with fear and uncertainty. The plan had been set in motion, but the stakes had never been higher. They knew they were playing a dangerous game—one that could either secure their future or unravel everything they had worked for.
As night fell over the Silver Stone Moon Pack, Alpha Shane remained in his office, his thoughts consumed by the mystery of Delta Marlon’s disappearance. Leo stood silently beside him, his gaze fixed on the moonlit landscape beyond the window.
“Alpha Shane,” Leo began cautiously, breaking the tense silence, “what do you think happened to Delta Marlon?”
Alpha Shane sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping with fatigue. “I don’t know, Leo,” he admitted quietly. “But I won’t rest until we find out.”
Leo nodded, his expression grave. “Should we… should we consider the possibility that someone in the pack might be involved?” he asked hesitantly.
Alpha Shane’s jaw tightened, the implications of Leo’s question weighing heavily on his mind. “I hope not,” he said finally, his voice tinged with sorrow. “But we can’t afford to ignore any leads.”
Leo nodded again, his determination clear. “I’ll keep a close watch,” he promised. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Alpha Shane glanced at Leo, gratitude flickering in his eyes. “Thank you, Leo,” he said sincerely. “Your loyalty means everything to me.”
Leo inclined his head respectfully. “I’m here to serve the pack, Alpha Shane,” he replied earnestly. “We’ll find Delta Marlon, whatever it takes.”
Outside, the night enveloped the Silver Stone Moon Pack in an uneasy calm. Wolves moved through the darkness with vigilance, their senses alert for any sign of their missing elder. The pack’s unity was tested, their bonds strained by the uncertainty that hung in the air.