Chapter 5 Cold and Emotionless!

Rocco watched as his Luna fell asleep, gently stroking her soft hair. Making love to her had been the most incredible experience of his life.

She was everything he could ever want-so beautiful, so passionate, so utterly perfect for him.

"Mark her, Rocco! Let's bring her to the pack. We've been searching for her for so many years. Now that we've found her, she must be with us!" Hawke, his wolf, urged with an intensity that matched Rocco's own emotions.

"Calm down, Hawke. I'm not marking her yet. I want her to love me for who I am, not just because of the bond we'll share. I want her to know and love the man I am, not just the Alpha."

"You're taking a huge risk. Without her, we're doomed to die irreparably!" Hawke's voice was a low growl, filled with worry.

"I know, Hawke, but my pride won't let me mark her until she truly loves me. My arrogance won't allow it, and you know it. If I mark her without her love, it would feel like I'm condemning us both to a lifetime of hell. I won't bond with her until I'm absolutely certain of her love."

"You're a stubborn wolf, Rocco. If we lose her because of your foolish pride, I swear I'll come after you myself. Do you hear me?!"

"Loud and clear, my friend, loud and clear..." Eventually, the weight of his emotions pulled him into a deep, yet restful sleep.

Holding his Luna close to his chest, Rocco breathed in her sweet scent, letting it calm his restless mind as he drifted into unconsciousness.

When he woke, it was slowly, his mind still foggy from sleep. The memories of the night before surged back, and his first instinct was to reach for his Luna. But she wasn't there.

Panic prickled at the edges of his consciousness as he checked the shower-empty. He returned to the bed, scanning the room for any sign of her.

That's when he noticed something on the nightstand: an engagement ring, placed neatly beside a note that read, "I don't have cash on me, but this ring should be of use to you!"

Damn it! She left me payment! The realization hit Rocco like a punch to the gut. He was furious.

Wrapping a towel around his waist, he stormed through the cabin, searching every corner, but she was nowhere to be found. Could it be true? Had she really left him while he slept? His frustration mounted as he ran a hand through his hair in desperation.

"Gryffin!" he called out to his beta through their mind link, his voice sharp with anger.

"What is it, Alpha? What do you need?" Gryffin's voice was quick, alert.

"Get to the cabin immediately, and bring the men who were guarding her last night! You have five minutes!" Rocco barked, his patience wearing thin.

"Right away, Alpha! We'll be there!" Gryffin responded, though Rocco could sense his unease.

'What's got Alpha Rocco so worked up?' Gryffin wondered to himself. 'He's not known for his mild temperament, but today he sounds ready to tear someone apart. Why couldn't I have been the beta for Alpha Vincenzo Castellano instead of Rocco?'

This can't be happening. Rocco paced the living room, every muscle in his body tense with frustration.

How could his Luna, after everything they'd shared, just leave him here like some stray dog? And worse, she left payment! Did she really think he was some kind of gigolo?

'Moon Goddess, who the hell have you paired me with?' Rocco thought, anger surging within him. 'I know you don't make mistakes, but it seems like this time you matched me with the wrong woman. How could she just walk away without caring about the bond we're meant to share?'

Within four minutes, Gryffin and the wolves who had been guarding the forest near the cabin arrived, their expressions serious.

"Orders, Alpha! We're here."

"Did any of you see a woman leaving the cabin?" Rocco demanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

"I did, Alpha," one of the sentinels stepped forward. "She left early this morning, wearing light pajamas. She was really beautiful, and she drove off at high speed."

'So, it's true. She really left me without a word, without even telling me her name!' Rocco's heart sank, and anger flared even hotter.

He was worse off now than when he couldn't find her. Now, she was in his blood, in his very soul. How the hell was he going to find her again?

Gryffin's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.

"Alpha Rocco! What's wrong? Why are you so upset? Talk to me, brother. You know you can trust me."

"Gryffin, send the sentinels back to their posts. We need to talk."

"Okay, Alpha. Give me two minutes, and I'll be right with you!"

When Gryffin returned after giving instructions to the men, Rocco took a deep breath, preparing to tell him everything.

"Roderic was here, Gryffin. He almost killed a woman. If I hadn't arrived in time, that bastard would have left me without a mate for the rest of my life."

"I don't understand, Alpha. Why do you say that? As far as I knew, you hadn't found your Luna yet."

"I have found her, Gryffin. That beautiful woman Roderic almost killed is my Luna. After searching for her for hundreds of years, I finally found her, right here!"

"By the Moon Goddess, congratulations, Alpha! I know how much you've searched for her and what this moment means to you. Where is she now?"

"Well, Gryffin, that's the problem. Where the hell did my Luna go? The little thief left me asleep! Can you believe it? I made love to my Luna, and she left me with an engagement ring as payment and a note saying she didn't have cash! What am I, Gryffin? A whore?"

"Not at all, my Alpha." Gryffin's lips twitched, barely holding back a grin. "I swear I don't mean to laugh, but you have to admit, it's a bit... unique. I've never heard of a Luna sneaking out after making love to her Alpha. Are you absolutely sure she's your Luna?"

"Absolutely! Do you think I'm so blind that I wouldn't recognize my destined mate?"

"Of course not, Alpha! I just wanted to make sure."

"I need you to find out who she is-her name, what she does-everything! I need to know about her, retrieve her as soon as possible, and punish her for this serious offense!"

Luna, you have no idea who you've crossed. You were supposed to be loving, submissive, and devoted to me, your Alpha, but instead, you've turned out to be cold and emotionless... Rocco crumpled the note in his hand, his anger barely contained. Until he found her, his fury would not subside.