49

GABRIELLA’S POV
“Well, the thing is, after the meeting, the elders came to a conclusion,” Margret began, her voice filled with an air of anticipation. “And after a few chants, they have an important request for you and Nicklaus.”
My heart skipped a beat, then another, and before I knew it, it was racing at an alarming pace. What could the elders possibly request from us in return for accepting our proposal of conducting thorough research? My mind raced through various possibilities, each one more daunting than the last.
“Margret, what did they request?” I blurted out, my voice trembling with a mix of anxiety and urgency. “What’s their demand? Can we fulfill it?”
Margret tried to calm me down, her voice soothing yet hesitant. “Relax, Gabriella. You’re overthinking the whole thing.”
But her attempt at reassurance only made me fear more. Why was she avoiding telling me what the request was? This couldn’t possibly be a good thing.
“Don’t tell me to relax, Margret,” I snapped, unable to contain my panic. “We both know it’s of no use because I obviously can’t relax until I know if this is something feasible.”
She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. “Here’s the thing: the elders requested that among you and Nicklaus, one person has to surrender themselves and join the team that will carry out the task of the thorough search.”
Relief flooded through me, washing away some of the anxiety that had gripped me. So, it wasn’t some insurmountable demand or sacrifice they were asking for. I could handle this. I could offer myself because Nicklaus might not be physically prepared, and moreover, I was the one who had pushed for this process to begin. I felt a sense of responsibility for whatever happened next.
“So, who would be willing to join the team between the two of you?” Margret asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
“Me,” I responded immediately, my voice steady as I looked directly into Margret’s eyes.
“What? Why you?” Margret exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch. “Gabriella, are you crazy? Why do you want to burden yourself when there might be a better way?”
I stared at her, taken aback by her outburst. Her intense emotions were palpable, filling the room with an almost suffocating tension. It was clear that she strongly disagreed with my decision, but I couldn’t quite comprehend why.
“Margret, I can handle this,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm despite the growing confusion inside me.
“No, you can’t. This was meant for Nicklaus, not you,” she insisted, her tone unwavering.
“Why? I’m perfectly fine. I’m not sick. I can do this. I’m doing this for our daughter,” I argued, desperately trying to convince her that I was the right choice for the task.
“Gabriella, what are you even saying?” Margret’s voice grew sharper, tinged with anger. “Don’t you know the toll this process would take on you? When I told you about the request, I expected you to find a way to discuss it with Nicklaus.”
“I can’t tell him about this, Margret,” I responded, my voice filled with determination. “If he knew, he would offer himself without a second thought, and I don’t want that. I want to be present during the thorough search. I want to honor our daughter and express how much I love her.”
Margret let out a deep sigh, her resistance slowly giving way to understanding. She nodded, finally agreeing with me as she saw things from my perspective. “Fine, if that’s what you truly want. I will grant your heart’s desire,” she muttered, her voice tinged with both resignation and concern.
“Oh, Margret, thank you so much,” I breathed, overwhelmed with gratitude. The weight of the decision lifted slightly from my shoulders, knowing that she had acquiesced to my plea.
“But I’m worried about you,” Margaret admitted, her voice filled with genuine concern. She cupped my cheek, her eyes searching mine. “Will you be able to cope with all the stress that comes with this hectic process?”
“I’ll be fine,” I assured her, mustering as much reassurance as I could, even though deep down, a part of me feared that I might not have the strength to endure it all.
“Yes, you will,” Margaret whispered, her touch gentle as she rubbed my cheek. “Come here.” She pulled me into a comforting hug, wrapping her arms around me.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion, expressing my gratitude from the depths of my heart.
Margaret continued to hold me tightly, her embrace offering solace and support. In that moment, I felt a mixture of emotions-relief, apprehension, and a profound sense of purpose.
The air inside the auditorium was heavy with tension as the pack members gathered, their eyes fixed on Argatha, one of the respected elders. Her presence demanded attention, and the gravity of her words intensified the atmosphere. My heart raced with a mixture of anxiety and fear, anticipating the news she was about to deliver.
“As you all know, we usually don’t have meetings and announcements like this unless something important comes up,” Argatha began, her voice steady but laced with concern. She stood tall on the podium, commanding the attention of everyone present.
The announcement ceremony had begun, and they were currently in the part of the process where they announce to the other pack members that their Alpha, Nicholas’s daughter, had been kidnapped.
The room fell into an uneasy silence, each pack member eager to hear what Argatha had to say. The anticipation was palpable, and my mind filled with a myriad of possibilities, none of them comforting.
I cut my train of thought, steadying my gaze on Argatha as she spoke. I listened attentively, my heart racing, quickening with a mixture of anxiety and fear. “A few days ago, something which we deem alarming took place,” Argatha continued, her voice echoing through the auditorium. “Estella-the daughter of Nicholas, your Alpha, and Gabriella, our new moon goddess-went missing.”
The crowd gasped in collective shock, whispers and murmurs rippling through the room. The news hit them hard, and a sense of unease settled over them like a dark cloud.
“Silence!” Argatha’s voice boomed, resonating with authority as she slammed her hand on the podium. Instantly, the room quieted, and all eyes returned to her.
“The guards searched everywhere for her, but her presence eluded them,” Argatha revealed, her voice tinged with sadness. “It was a terrifying ordeal for her parents and those of us who were aware. However, the search party persisted; they didn’t stop. And on the third day, she was found by our patrol team, accompanied by a rogue who dared to cross our borders.”
A mixture of relief and anger washed over me as I remembered how scared I was when I heard the news that my daughter was missing. I felt relieved that in the end she was found and was able to come back to me safely, but angry at the audacity of the rogue who had taken her. He was dead, yes. But the people who sent him to do this are going to pay for it.