Page 51 of His Fated Luna

Mom gasped. I flinched at the accusation.

Ezra didn’t wait for a reply. He yanked open the door, shifted into his wolf, and took off, his furious howl echoing through the night.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” I whispered, turning to my mother. “Mom, I don’t want anything to happen to Rose. You know that, right?”

Josie’s lips parted as if to speak, but a pounding at the door cut her off. She hurried over, revealing a breathless Jake.

“We have to find her!” he barked, striding into the house. His eyes met mine. “Aiden, you have to help me find her!”

I stood up on shaky legs, the weight of my failure pressing down on me. It had been Jake who found her abandoned car, her phone lying in the dirt. My stomach churned at the memory of the blood trail leading into the woods. I had tried to pick up her scent, but it was gone—masked. That’s when I’d gotten theadults. I needed help. Tony was away on an assignment, so I called Layla to scout the woods with me.

Jake spoke quickly, his words rushed. “I searched everywhere. I can’t pick up her scent. The kidnapper is masking it.”

“You were the last to see her,” Mom said, her voice like steel.

Jake hesitated but nodded. He glanced at me warily. “We had class together, but she left early. She said she needed to get home. That her dad’s been edgy about her staying out too late.”

“Ezra suspected someone was following her,” Josie added.

My head snapped up. “What?”

Why hadn’t anyone told me?

Josie sighed. “Ever since you called her your mate in that diner… the rumors of her being the chosen luna started up again. People thought she had died. We did a good job hiding her identity until…” She shot me a pointed look, and shame curled in my gut. I had put her at risk without even realizing it. “After that, someone started following her. The pictures of her at the party—most were taken by the same person. They captured her walking to the party, entering, drinking, dancing. Her mark was visible. This wasn’t random. Someone was watching her.”

I clenched my fists. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Rose didn’t want you acting out of duty,” Josie said softly. “She already felt guilty about you and Lexia.”

I gritted my teeth. “Rose knew she was being stalked?”

Jake’s voice was hesitant. “That’s why she refused to go on a date with me this weekend. I asked her out, but she said she had things going on.” He hesitated before adding, “She didn’t even tellmethe truth.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. He was holding something back. But now wasn’t the time to press him about it.

Mom’s voice was grave. “Whoever took her knew she wasn’t marked, that she wasn’t in a relationship with you. If they thought you had claimed her, they would have known you couldtrack her. They took her before she was marked, before her mate could claim her… maybe they even knew you weren’t planning to.” Her eyes darkened. “An alpha whose true mate is in danger is a force to be reckoned with.” She shot a piercing look at Jake before turning back to me.

I pushed myself to my feet. “I have to fix this.” I met my mother’s gaze, my voice raw. “Mom… I know I messed up. But after I find her… help me fix this.”

She gave a tight nod. I could see the faith in her eyes.

She handed me the map I’d asked her to get—of the woods where Rose’s blood trail vanished. “They couldn’t have gone far. A bleeding girl being dragged through the forest—someone would have noticed.”

Jake stepped closer, glancing at the map over my shoulder.

“I’m putting together a team—” I started, but Jake cut me off.

“No offense, Alpha,” he sneered, “but I’m not part of your pack. You find her your way, and I’ll find her mine.” His golden eyes burned. “I work better alone.”

Then he turned, storming out the door. The sound of ripping fabric filled the air as he shifted mid-stride, his clothes shredding. His wolf bounded away.

Mom exhaled sharply. “He’s hiding something.”

I nodded. “I know.”

“You don’t think he’s involved, do you?”

I hesitated. “I don’t know.”