Luna Catherine approached the maid standing in front of her, her voice carrying a hint of urgency. “Can you fill me in on everything that’s been going on downstairs?”
She moved to sit on her bed, already dressed for the engagement celebration, busy adding the finishing touches of makeup to her face. She seemed eager to finish quickly and join the rest of the guests.
“Everything is going smoothly, ma’am,” the maid said respectfully, her head slightly bowed. “But Alpha Derrick hasn’t arrived yet.”
Luna Catherine paused, her hand hovering above her makeup palette, her eyes wide in surprise. “Really? He’s not here yet?” she gasped, looking at the maid. “But the other Alphas, they’re all here, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. Most of them are already downstairs,” the maid confirmed.
Luna Catherine frowned, her mind racing. “And where is Mona? Why isn’t she down there?”
“Mona’s still getting ready in her room with a few of her friends,” the maid answered, stepping back slightly as Luna Catherine’s expression tightened.
“Alright. I’ll check on her myself. You stay here and take care of things,” Luna Catherine said briskly, standing up and heading out the door.
As she walked toward Mona’s room, she passed several guests arriving at the pack house. She felt a surge of excitement-this engagement was a monumental event. With Alpha Derrick involved, every pack wanted to be here. The air was buzzing with anticipation for what was to come.
When she finally reached Mona’s room, she could hear laughter and chatter inside. Mona and her friends were clearly enjoying themselves. As Luna Catherine entered the room, everyone fell silent, except for Mona, who continued to focus on the mirror in front of her.
“I need a word with Mona,” Luna Catherine said calmly, gesturing for the others to leave. “You can come back later.”
The girls quickly stood and exited the room, leaving Mona alone with her mother. Mona glanced at her mother through the mirror, a look of mild confusion crossing her face.
Luna Catherine sat on the bed across from Mona, her expression softening as she reached out to take her daughter’s hands. “How are you feeling, my darling?”
“I’m fine, Mama. What’s going on? Why do you look so serious?” Mona asked, her tone full of concern.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Luna Catherine said with a small, tearful smile. “I’m just so proud of you. You’ve captured Alpha Derrick’s heart, and now you’re about to be married. You’re so beautiful, my dear.”
Mona reached up and gently wiped the tear that had begun to roll down her mother’s cheek. “Don’t cry, Mama! You’ll ruin your makeup, and this is supposed to be a happy day.”
Luna Catherine chuckled softly. “I just wish your father could be here to see you now. You’ve grown into such a wonderful young woman. But when we find him, he’ll see all the pictures from today.” Her voice wavered with sadness, and Mona wrapped her arms around her mother in a comforting embrace.
“We’ll find him soon, Mama. I’m sure of it,” Mona reassured her, pulling back to smile at her mother. “But you have to promise to be happy for me today, okay?”
Luna Catherine smiled, though her eyes were still a bit misty. “Of course, sweetheart. But…” Her expression suddenly shifted. “Alpha Derrick still isn’t here. What’s going on with him?”
Mona’s eyes widened in surprise. “He hasn’t arrived yet?”
“No,” Luna Catherine said firmly, “and almost everyone else is here already.”
Mona reached for her phone on the side table. “Let me call him.”
She dialed Alpha Derrick’s number, but it went unanswered. After a few more tries, the phone was finally picked up, and Mona’s tone turned sharp. “Why haven’t you been answering my calls?”
There was silence on the other end, which only increased Mona’s frustration. “Where are you? Why haven’t you shown up yet?”
Finally, a woman’s voice came through the phone. “I’m sorry, Alpha Derrick is very busy right now. He’ll contact you as soon as he’s free.”
Before Mona could say anything, the call ended abruptly. She stared at the phone in disbelief, her hands trembling. A woman had answered Alpha Derrick’s phone. Was he with someone else?
Luna Catherine, noticing her daughter’s distressed expression, leaned forward. “What did he say? Why isn’t he here yet?”
Mona hesitated, not wanting to upset her mother. “Someone else answered his phone,” she said softly. “They said he’s busy right now.”
Luna Catherine’s face hardened. “Busy? On your engagement day? He should be here, making you his top priority!”
“Mama, please calm down,” Mona urged, trying to soothe her mother. “I’m sure he’s just tied up with something important. He’ll be here soon, I promise.”
Luna Catherine stood up, her frustration evident. “I don’t understand how you can defend him! He’s clearly not thinking about you right now.”
“Just trust me, Mama,” Mona said firmly. “He will show up.”
Luna Catherine took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. “Alright. But where is that girl, Kimberly? Why hasn’t she gone downstairs to help with the guests?”
“I’m sure she’s around,” Mona said quickly, trying to keep her mother calm.
“I’m going to check,” Luna Catherine declared, storming out of the room, with Mona hurrying after her.
They headed to Kimberly’s room, where Luna Catherine knocked loudly on the door. When there was no answer, her impatience grew, and she tried the door, only to find it locked.
“Mama, maybe she’s-” Mona started, but Luna Catherine cut her off, her temper flaring.
“Guard!” Luna Catherine called to a passing security guard. “Bring me the spare key.”
Within moments, the guard returned with the key and unlocked the door. As soon as they stepped inside, they gasped in horror.
Kimberly lay on the floor, unconscious, with a white foamy liquid spilling from her mouth.
The guard rushed to her side. “Ma’am Kimberly! Wake up!” he shouted, shaking her gently.
Mona and Luna Catherine stood frozen, their faces pale with shock.