Chapter 9: The Search
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Xavier
The dense forest surrounded us. Samuel,
two other warriors, and I tracked the underbrush, searching for any sign of Raven. My heart hammered with guilt, dread, and desperation I hadn’t felt in years. I had pushed Raven away, so I must. bring her back.
“Alpha…” Samuel‘ s voice broke the silence.
“Do you think she’ll come back with us? After everything that happened?”
I slowed my pace and frowned.
“I don‘ t know,” I admitted.
“But I’ll do whatever it takes to bring her
home.”
We followed Raven’s scent. The trail was
faint, nearly wiped out by last night‘ s storm, but it was there. Her subtle scent
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lingered beneath the damp earth.
Suddenly, Samuel caught a stronger trace of her scent.
“Alpha, I think her trail leads this way.”
I nodded and rushed to his side, and the other two warriors followed me. We moved together, searching every corner, every bush, and every break in the trees. But there was still no sign of Raven.
When we reached a small clearing, Gregory walked to my side. He walked straight ahead and gathered the courage to say,
“You know, Alpha Xavier, I never agreed with how the council handled… everything with Luna Raven.”
I stopped, turning to study his face. His eyes were honest, and I realized, like Raven, he had doubted Celeste’s claims.
“Then why didn’t you speak up,
Gregory?” I asked softly.
Gregory lowered his gaze to the ground. He looked like he was scared to offend me.
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Chapter 9: The Search
“You were… determined, Alpha. Celeste‘ s promise of an heir… it was convincing, and the council backed you. But…”
He paused, thinking whether it was right for him to speak his mind.
“Seeing Luna Raven suffer… seeing her thrown aside for… someone like Celeste… it didn’t sit right with me.”
I felt a pang of shame.
“I should have seen it myself. Celeste knew exactly how to play on my need to protect the pack.”
Gregory nodded, seeming grateful for my admission. He went silent, and we
continued to follow the trail. I picked her scent, and it led to the abandoned outpost – a small stone structure left from my father’s reign. The sight of it stirred memories of endless days of training with Raven and the other young wolves.
“The scent is strongest here, Alpha,” Samuel said as he pointed toward the
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structure.
I held up a hand and ordered them, “Wait here.”
As I approached, a shadow appeared near the edge of the trees. My heart lurched, and I recognized her immediately. Raven stood with her back to me, tense and still. She was quiet and focused as if gathering strength from the solitude around her.
“Raven,” I called softly.
She turned slowly and met my eyes. Raven looked angry, betrayed, and full of hate. Her warmth and loving aura disappeared.
“Alpha Xavier, why are you here?” Raven asked coldly.
I took a hesitant step forward. I wanted to hold her to ease her pain. But I knew Raven would hate it even more.
“I came to bring you back. I was wrong, Raven. I never should have doubted you.”
A humorless laugh escaped her, her arms.
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Chapter 9: The Search
folding across her chest as she leaned back against the stone wall.
“You think it’s that simple? You threw me out and turned everyone against me. And now you’re here, expecting me to come back?”
“I don‘ t expect anything, Raven,” I replied.
“I just want a chance to make this right. Celeste deceived me and played on my need for an heir. But I know the truth now. I am making amends. I would do whatever it takes to bring you back. Just tell me what to do.”
She scoffed and looked away.
“Whatever it takes? Alpha Xavier, you didn’t just doubt me. You stripped me of my title, threw me out, and let that snake make me a pariah. Why should I trust your
now?”
I took another step closer, determined to gain her trust.
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“Because I’ll prove it to you. I know words don’t make up for what I did, but I’ll show you every day for as long as it takes. Come back, and I swear I’ll make things right.”
“If I come back, you’ll tell the council the truth. You‘ 11 tear down every lie Celeste said just to be a Luna. You‘ ll clear Cassandra’s name and mine. And if you ever doubt me again… If it happens again, there won’t be another chance, Alpha. I’ll leave and never look back.”
I nodded and swallowed the lump in my
throat.
“I’ll tell the council everything. I’ll face whatever backlash. And I’ll see that you‘ re restored as Luna. Celeste is gone; she won’t be able to hurt you again.
Raven‘ s face softened. She studied my face, searching for any hint of a lie to what I just said. And then, finally, she gave a curt
nod.
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“All right, Alpha Xavier. But I still don’t
trust you. Not now.”
“I understand. You have my word.”
For the first time in weeks, the tension between us eased. Raven looked away and headed towards the trail going back to the pack grounds. I signaled for the others to follow and then we were on my way back home. A weight had lifted on my chest, and I was able to breathe.
As we entered the clearing near the
pack‘ s border, the silence was broken by the murmurs from the warriors we passed. Their eyes widened when they saw Raven was with me. I looked at Raven, I was worried that it might upset her to see them like that. But her chin lifted, her gaze steady, meeting their stares head–on. She was indeed the Luna that she ought to be.
Before we could even reach the pack house, Elder Malik stepped outside to meet us. His eyes furrowed in confusion and glared at Raven. We stopped in front of
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Chapter 9 The Search
him, and he asked, “Alpha Xavier, what is going on? Why is the outcast with you?”
