Chapter 5 5

The hall was still filled with extreme shock after Catherine got away from the guards, but Damian barely cared. He was worried about Catherine. He shouldn't have told his guards to take her to the dungeon.

He should have believed her.

His heart pounded as he stared at the huge doors she had just fled through. His mind screamed at him to chase after her, to find her before it was too late.

But he didn't move.

He couldn't.

Not with Bianca standing so close. Not with the elder council watching his every move. Not with dozens of pack members-some who were already doubting his leadership-waiting to see how their Alpha would react.

Catherine was gone.

And she wouldn't survive out there in the woods-alone.

She had no wolf. She was just an omega-a maid. A girl with no strength, no protection. The woods were full of dangers, filled with other rogue wolves that would tear her apart within seconds.

His fists clenched so tightly his nails bit into his palms. King Magnus, his father, had murdered her parents. Yet, despite everything, she had still chosen to love him. And now she was gone.

His stomach hurt with pain.

"I have to find her. I have to-"

"Damian..." Bianca's voice cut through his panic like a blade.

He barely looked at her.

"Don't!" she whispered.

His head snapped toward her, his anger showing on his face. "Don't what?"

Her lips curved-not quite a smile, but something close. "Don't go after her. That would look bad, don't you think? I'm your Luna and I'm standing right in front of you, and you're chasing after a maid?"

His jaw tightened.

He didn't care how it looked.

He cared about Catherine.

His gaze moved around the hall. The elders murmured amongst themselves. They looked pleased that he picked Bianca over Catherine. They had forced him to pick someone strong and befitting for the Luna title. Without their support, he would be nothing! But he knew they still had doubts on whether he could actually lead the Shadow Moon Pack.

Bianca stepped closer, her hand grazing his arm. "She's not one of us, Damian..." she whispered. "She never was."

His chest tightened.

She was wrong.

Catherine was his.

But had he already lost her?

If he left now to look for her, it would confirm their doubts about his leadership. He had already broken tradition by falling in love with a maid. Now, after publicly rejecting Catherine for poisoning him, he would look like a fool running after her.

Bianca was right.

He couldn't chase after her.

His hands loosened, but the tension in his body didn't leave. He swallowed the guilt pressing against his throat and turned to his bodyguard.

"Find her!" he ordered in a low voice. "Now!"

Kyle nodded and left immediately.

Damian turned without another word and walked out of the hall in anger. He didn't stop until he reached his chambers, slamming the door behind him.

His mind raced.

Catherine wouldn't poison him. She couldn't.

But she had.

Hadn't she?

He squeezed his eyes shut, running a hand through his hair. He didn't know what to think. He didn't know what to do. He was just so confused.

The elder council had warned him. They had threatened him. If he had chosen Catherine as his Luna, they would have killed her in seconds. They had the means to kill her. They were very powerful people.

His jaw clenched. He should have fought for her. He should have told them to burn in hell.

But if he had, Catherine wouldn't have been safe.

Damian exhaled sharply.

He had no choice.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Before he could tell them to leave, Bianca stepped inside.

She walked toward him slowly, her expensive perfume filling the room. "The guards didn't find her, Damian."

His head snapped up.

His heart broke. What was she talking about? How couldn't they find her? Couldn't they track her scent? How could a pack of wolves fail at their job?

Bianca's voice cut through his thoughts. "Catherine ran into the woods. The guards tracked her scent, but the trail ended suddenly." She paused, watching him carefully and then continued, "There are wild animals out there."

A cold chill ran down his spine.

No.

"She might be dead..." Bianca whispered.

Damian stepped back, shaking his head. "No."

"It's possible."

His breathing was fast.

No.

This was his fault.

He couldn't believe that she could actually be dead. She wouldn't survive in these woods. Other packs would kill her if wild animals don't kill her first.

Damian turned away, his hand pressing hard against his forehead like he was trying to hold his thoughts together.

But they were crashing-loud and fast.

His head was pounding. His chest felt tight.

Everything felt wrong.

So wrong.

"Damian, please listen to me," Bianca said softly, taking a slow step closer.

But he didn't move. He didn't answer.

He couldn't.

His throat felt tight-like something was stuck inside. Like the words wouldn't come out even if he wanted them to.

He had lost her.

The only woman he had ever truly loved.

And all because he was weak.

He should've stood up to the elder council.

He should've protected Catherine.

He should've fought harder.

But he didn't.

Instead, he stayed silent.

He let the council push him.

He made Bianca his Luna-to keep the peace.

To please them.

Not himself.

And now...

Now he was standing in his room, and all he felt was regret. All he could hear was her voice, even though she was gone.

"I know this hurts," Bianca said, her voice gentle. "I know you loved her."

Loved.

Past tense.

The word hit him like a blade.

But how could love just disappear?

How could it be gone?

Because in his heart...

He was sure he still loved Catherine.

He would give up everything-his crown, his title, his pride-just to know if she was still alive.