Julian’s POV

Julian returned to find his world turned upside down. Seraphina had vanished while he was away, leaving behind nothing but questions and chaos. The details he gathered painted a disturbing picture that made no sense whatsoever.

She had been ill during his absence, then disappeared without a word to anyone. Before leaving, she had apparently slapped his Gamma and shown shocking rudeness to the pack members. The woman he thought he knew would never behave this way, yet here was the evidence staring him in the face.

The most infuriating part was her complete silence. She hadn’t bothered to contact him, hadn’t explained herself, hadn’t even left a message. Nothing.

Julian had tried to give her the benefit of the doubt initially. Perhaps she needed space after whatever had made her sick. But as the days dragged on, the house felt increasingly hollow and unwelcoming. Her familiar scent, which had always brought him unexpected comfort, had faded from every room.

Even the small touches that made their home feel alive were gone. The fresh flowers she changed religiously every few days in the hallway had wilted and died, their brown petals scattered across the table like fallen hopes.

His patience wore thin as she continued ignoring his calls. Everything around him was crumbling, and he was powerless to stop it.

As Alpha, Julian prided himself on control. He was strong, capable, unshakeable. But these past days had proven him wrong in the most humiliating way possible.

The complaints started small but grew into major headaches. An omega had stormed into his office, furious about incorrect food portions. Old Mrs. Jenkins had cornered him about her still-broken roof, which should have been repaired weeks ago. Just this morning, he had watched two of his warrior wolves nearly come to blows outside his window, arguing loudly about patrol route assignments.

The realization hit him like a physical blow. Seraphina had been the one catching these small issues before they exploded into problems requiring his attention. She was the invisible force keeping everything running smoothly while he focused on the bigger picture.

Julian had believed he ran the pack, but Seraphina maintained it. She held it together with quiet efficiency, and without her, the cracks were showing everywhere. She wasn’t just his unwilling mate anymore. She was indispensable, and she was gone.

The pack was weakening without its Luna, and Julian found himself struggling to function as well. She had become such a constant presence in his life that her absence left him feeling fundamentally incomplete.

He had tried to be patient, telling himself she deserved space. After all, just like him, she had been forced into this relationship. She had every right to take time away. But as the days passed, patience gave way to worry, then anger.

Everything came to a head when the alpha succession ceremony arrived, and Seraphina was still nowhere to be found.

Yesterday, in a moment of desperation, Julian had sent the most idiotic message of his entire life. He had threatened her, lied to her face through text. He told her that if she didn’t return immediately, she would lose her position as Luna. He had expected anger, fear, anything that would provoke a response. Instead, he got the one thing that was slowly driving him insane: complete silence.

He had even mentioned finding someone else to replace her, hoping to spark jealousy. Still nothing. Not a single word in return.

What did she want from him? What was she trying to prove with this disappearing act?

Julian knew she was angry about the incident at last week’s party, but that couldn’t possibly justify abandoning everything now. Not when she knew how crucial her presence was for today’s ceremony.

His phone’s buzzing interrupted his spiraling thoughts. Alpha Maxwell’s name appeared on the screen, and Julian’s heart lurched. Seraphina’s father sounded strained when he spoke.

"Hello, Julian."

"Alpha Maxwell," Julian replied, fighting to keep his voice steady. "Is everything alright? I hope you’re on your way here." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The heavy silence on the other end stretched uncomfortably long. "Julian, I’m so sorry about Seraphina. She arrived here days ago, and we’ve been trying to work through this situation."

Maxwell explained that Seraphina felt overwhelmed by the pressure of being Luna, especially with the Alpha crowning ceremony approaching. She claimed everything was too much for her to handle.

Julian knew that was complete garbage. Even if it weren’t, she could have talked to him instead of running away like a child. He would have supported her need to visit her parents, would have understood her feelings. What he couldn’t accept was being shut out completely and ignored.

He was furious with her parents too. He had expected this call days ago, had been confused and waiting for answers. While their relationship wasn’t Maxwell’s responsibility, their alliance should have meant something. Maxwell should have advised Seraphina to return for the ceremony preparations instead of enabling her escape.

"We can discuss this when you arrive. I assume you’re already traveling here?" Julian asked through gritted teeth.

"We’ll be there before the ceremony begins," Maxwell assured him before the line went dead.

Julian descended the stairs when he sensed his parents’ arrival. He hadn’t seen them much recently due to their extensive travels. As their only child, he maintained a close relationship with both, though his father’s role in forcing this mating arrangement had caused some strain.

Interestingly, that resentment had faded. His father might not have known Seraphina’s true character when he arranged this, but she was proving to be exactly what the pack needed.

His mother enveloped him in her characteristic crushing hug, treating him like her little boy regardless of his size or Alpha status. His father offered a respectful nod, and both immediately noticed Seraphina’s absence.

"Where is Seraphina?" his mother asked, then answered herself. "She must be ensuring everything is perfect for tonight."

"I’ve said this before, but I’m proud of you. You’ll be the finest Alpha this pack has ever known, especially with such a capable and dedicated woman beside you," his father declared.

Months ago, such praise for Seraphina would have offended Julian. Now, it made him beam with pride.

He spent time updating his parents on pack affairs, carefully lying about Seraphina’s whereabouts and making her absence sound planned and unimportant. Fortunately, they didn’t probe deeper before he excused himself to prepare.

The ceremony would begin within the hour. Seraphina had to be there. She simply had to be.

Julian kept checking his phone, expecting news of her arrival. But the screen remained dark and lifeless, matching his growing dread.

Soon he stood in the packed Great Hall, surrounded by pack members, respected elders, and visiting Alphas who had come to witness this historic moment. The air thrummed with excitement and anticipation.

Elder Alpha Evelyn, a wise and ancient wolf, began the traditional ceremony with sacred words passed down through generations. This was Julian’s destiny, their shared destiny.

The moment arrived for his official crowning as Alpha. Julian stood tall, filled with purpose and pride. This was what he was born for.

Then came time for Seraphina’s part in the ceremony.

Elder Evelyn paused, her experienced eyes scanning the assembly. The space beside Julian where Seraphina should have been standing ready remained glaringly empty.

His heart pounded against his ribs as he told himself she was simply running late. Any second now, she would walk through those doors, radiant as always.

He turned toward the main entrance with a prepared smile, waiting for her appearance. Seconds stretched into eternity while people shifted restlessly and heads turned searchingly.

Relief flooded through him when he spotted her parents entering the hall, only to die instantly when he saw their faces.

Their expressions told him everything he needed to know without a single word being spoken.

Seraphina wasn’t coming.