SHE'S GONE

Damien's POV

I walked out of Elara's cabin. All I could think about was Freda. I tried to forget what Elara had said about Freda being in danger and tried to think of ways I could find her.

My chest tightened as I realized I could lose my mate if I didn't find her fast. I had searched everywhere, called in every favor from nearby clans and packs, hoping that she didn't go that far, and yet, Freda was still missing.

I should’ve been smarter. I should’ve known from the start where to go. Freda's pack. How had I not thought of it sooner? That’s where she would have gone, where she would’ve felt safe.

When the car dropped me at the castle I came down quickly. Ordering the first servant I found to call Volkov As I headed to my study. I had a lot of things to do. Can't keep neglecting my duties as I try my best to search for Freda.


Volkov met me in my study and I ordered him to get ten warriors ready, that we'll all be going to Freda's pack the next day.

As I dismissed Volkov, I started writing letters that would be sent out to the families of the murdered vampires to sympathize with them. Afterward, I headed to my room, hoping to get some rest, but I got none, since Freda left i couldn't sleep how can I without knowing that she is safe.


*The next day*

I quickened my pace, my jaw clenched as we made my way through the woods. It wasn't fully morning but we were so close to the werewolf land.

The pack was hours away, but I knew we could make it before dawn if I kept my pace. My mind raced ahead of my steps, already anticipating the confrontation with Alpha Winston. Freda’s father was never a fan of me. The last time he was in my kingdom, I locked him up; I'm very certain he won't let me in his pack or close to Freda.

After taking some rest, we used our super speed. As the pack’s territory drew near, the familiar scent of wolves hit me. Even before I stepped foot near their lands, I could feel their presence, and I knew they could feel mine too. The wolves were always vigilant, always ready to protect their own.

I slowed my steps, approaching the pack borders cautiously, my warriors all standing behind me. The last thing I needed was to start a war, especially with tensions between vampires and wolves. But I wasn’t leaving without answers or seeing that Freda was alive.


I took a step into the pack land waiting for the pack warriors to notice me.

"Who goes there?" A voice growled from the side.

I stepped forward, letting them see me. Immediately, one of the wolves saw that I was a vampire. The others were alerted, and we were surrounded. I didn’t flinch. I wasn't here for war, I was here for peace.

"I’m here to speak with Alpha Winston," I said, keeping my voice calm but firm. "It’s urgent."

One of the wolves, a large male with piercing green eyes, moved forward. His lip curled back in a snarl. "You think you can just walk onto our land and demand to see the Alpha, vampire?" He said as he faced me with his shoulders up high, and I could tell that the wolves around him were itching for a reason to attack.

I stood my ground, locking eyes with the one who spoke. "I’m not here to fight. I’m here for Freda. She’s missing, and I need to speak to her father. Now."

At the mention of Freda’s name, they all turned to look at each other, probably communicating through their mind link.


"Let him through." Alpha Winston said as he walked towards us.

The wolves parted and all stood behind him as he stood in front of me. Letting my pride down I bowed my head in respect.


"You have two minutes," Winston said as they stared at me. "Make it count."

I stepped forward, my heart beating in my chest. I don't want to waste time with pleasantries. "Freda’s missing. I need your help to find her."

Winston’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t say a word; he kept staring at me, which meant he knew about it.

"Where is she?" I demanded, my voice rising. "I need to see her. I need to know she’s safe."

Alpha Winston finally broke his silence, and his voice was low, almost a growl. "You think you have the right to demand anything here, Damien? You think after what you’ve done to our kind, after what you’ve done to my daughter, you can just walk in here and ask for favors?"

I suddenly felt guilty. I didn't treat his daughter right, and I was the reason she escaped and was now probably in danger. I claimed to want my mate by my side, to rule by my side but I never treated her right.

"I didn’t come here to fight with you, Alpha Winston," I started, then stopped before I continued . "I just want to know where she is. That’s it."

Alpha Winston’s narrowed his eyes and for a moment, I thought he was going to send me away. My heart dropped into my stomach, panic gripping me as I realized that if he didn’t help, I had no idea where else to look. But then, he started speaking.

"She’s gone."

His words hit me so hard. I can't believe that. Suddenly it felt really hot , and I took a step back, shaking my head. "What do you mean she’s gone?"

His expression softened as he looked at me "She left. She was here, but the elders… they didn’t want her to stay, they felt she's useless to the pack." He paused, his face darkening. "She went to stay with her mother. The last I heard from her, they were heading to New York. Something about NYU…"

I felt a sickening sense of dread settle in my chest. New York. NYU. It didn’t make sense. Freda was supposed to be safe. She was supposed to be with her family, not in some far-off city, vulnerable and alone.

"And you haven’t heard from her since?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Winston shook his head, his jaw tight. "No. But I know she’s in danger. Her mother… I can feel it. Something’s wrong, I sent out two of my warriors to check but they've not found any lead on them"

Once again, I felt guilty. Freda once told me she wanted to go back to school, but I assured her that Elara would teach her all that she needed to know; if only I had allowed her, she would be safe and protected.

I had been so focused on keeping Freda close, on keeping her safe, that I had driven her away. Now she was missing, and it was my fault. I had failed her.

"I’ll find her," I said, the words coming out more as a vow than a statement. "I’ll bring her back. I promise."

He studied me for a long moment, his face stiff, but then, to my surprise, he nodded. "Do what you have to do. Just find her and her mother. And Damien…"

I looked up, meeting his gaze.

"Make sure their safe. If anything happens to her, I won’t just come after you. I’ll come after every vampire who helped take her."