Chapter 2

The cool air of Moonridge, heavy with the scent of pine and earth, wrapped around the Lunarclaw Pack’s forensic tent like a shroud. Inside, they were still working on me—or what was left of me. Five or six wolves were pulling all-nighters, patching together the mess I’d become.

My mangled body lay on the table, surrounded by scattered remains. The sight was enough to turn anyone's stomach, even a seasoned wolf. Caden, ever calm and calculating, pointed to my torn-apart body.

"Look at this," he muttered, his brow furrowed. "The head’s missing, fingers too, and there’s a chunk gone from the ankle. Someone wanted to make sure she couldn't be recognized."

Rowan stood nearby, silent, his sharp gaze fixed on the chaos but betraying little emotion. He was probably turning it over in his mind—what made those parts different from the rest? His instincts, always razor-sharp, were likely sensing something deeper, something more sinister.

After what felt like an eternity, Rowan finally spoke. "So, who’s our unlucky guest?" His voice was calm, almost detached.

Caden shook his head. "We’ll have to wait for DNA results. No one’s filed a missing wolf report yet, but once they do, we’ll have a lead."

Rowan gave a brief nod, not sparing me more than a quick glance. Was it disgust that kept him from looking too closely? Or maybe it was guilt, buried deep beneath his stoic exterior. After all, this whole nightmare was tied to him, in more ways than one.

~

Later, at a strategy meeting with the pack enforcers, Rowan laid out his latest theory. His eyes gleamed as he connected the dots, his mind working faster than the others could follow.

"I’ve been tracking some patterns," he said, his voice low but commanding the room’s attention. "Similar killings have been popping up in Shadowhollow, just north of our borders. They’ve got their claws in some dark business—gutting wolves, draining them dry, and chopping them to bits. It’s like someone’s making a statement, trying to send a message."

Caden’s ears perked up, his face twisting in disbelief. "Shadowhollow... The rogue packs up there? You think this is their doing?" His voice had a slight edge, like he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing.

Rowan nodded, the calm certainty in his voice cutting through the room. "It matches their MO—brutality for the sake of power. They’re trying to make a name for themselves, climbing the ranks by terrorizing packs across the region."

Caden wasted no time. "We need to reach out to the Shadowhollow Enforcers. Maybe they can give us some insight, or at least some backup."

After the meeting, a young omega practically bounced beside Rowan, eyes wide with admiration. "Alpha Rowan, you’re amazing! You figured out the next move in, like, no time! No wonder everyone says you’re the best tracker in the pack."

I watched from the shadows, biting back a laugh. If only this kid knew the truth—that Rowan’s sharp mind was only part of the story. Still, his praises rang hollow. Rowan barely acknowledged the compliment with a curt nod. He’d had wolves fawning over him since childhood. It was a game he’d long since tired of.

But just as Rowan was about to walk away, the young omega reached out, plucking something off his jacket.

"Hey, Alpha, wait a sec," the boy said, holding up a long, curly strand of hair, his grin wide and teasing. "Everything good with your mate?"

Rowan’s reaction was immediate, his voice dropping to an icy tone. "None of your business." He snatched the hair from the boy’s hand and shoved it deep into his pocket before stalking off into the night.

The omega stood there, rubbing his nose awkwardly as the Alpha disappeared. I wanted to comfort him, to tell him not to worry about Rowan’s frostiness, but my hand passed right through him.

Besides, that strand of hair wasn’t mine. If the kid had seen my head—wherever it was now—he’d know my hair was short and straight, nothing like that long, curly piece. No, that one belonged to Selene, Rowan’s new flame. The night I died, she’d been curled up next to him, leaving behind a little reminder on his coat.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. Even in death, I was haunted by the remnants of their betrayal.

I hadn’t returned to Lunarclaw Manor for three days, and Rowan hadn’t even bothered to check if I was alive. The last time we fought about Selene, I’d stayed at my best friend’s den for a few days, to gather my thoughts. He must’ve assumed I was throwing tantrums, and, as usual, didn’t want to deal with it.

Then Selene called him, her voice trembling through the line. "Rowan, there’s a storm rolling in tonight, and the moon’s hidden. I’m terrified. Can you stay with me? I don’t want to be alone."

I saw Rowan’s grip on his phone tighten, then relax. He said, "Selene, I’m still married. It wouldn’t be right for me to come to your cabin."

For a moment, I thought he might actually make the right decision. But then, like clockwork, he added, "But you could come to Lunarclaw Manor. Luna isn’t home."

Even Selene sounded surprised at that. "Are you sure, Rowan? What if she comes back? How would we explain ourselves?"

I almost snorted. She knew exactly what she was doing, playing innocent like a seasoned actor.

Rowan brushed it off easily. "What would we need to explain? This is my territory, and you’re my friend. Luna doesn’t control who stays here."

He was so sure of himself. "Besides, she’s not coming back."

Selene paused for a beat, her breath catching. "How do you know?" She quickly masked her suspicion, adding, "I mean... did she get mad again?"

Rowan nodded. "Yeah. On our 10th anniversary, I told her I was going to see you."

He sounded exasperated. "I’m so tired of her jealousy. We’re just friends, but she’s always suspicious! I chose her, didn’t I? Married her. But it’s never enough for her. Unlike you, Selene. You’ve put up with so much over the years and never asked for anything. I should be the one apologizing to you."

I could hardly contain my amusement. Who celebrates their 10th wedding anniversary by meeting up with their ex? And to think, that was the day I died.

Next year, Rowan, will you celebrate your anniversary or mark the day of my death?

Selene wasted no time rushing over to the manor, her steps light as she practically threw herself into Rowan’s arms. "Rowan, it’s so dark and eerie outside. I’m scared."

I rolled my eyes from the shadows. It’s dark every night. I had never seen her rattled before.

Rowan held her close, his strong arms reassuring. "You’ve got nothing to fear. I’m here." His hand traced soft circles on her back, trying to calm her down.

To reassure her even more, he pulled out a bundle of candles. "I bought these just in case. Even if the storm knocks out the power, we’ll have light."

Selene sighed dramatically, leaning further into him. "You’re always looking out for me, Rowan. You’re my hero."

It was getting late, and Selene wanted to freshen up before bed. She headed into my bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Of course, she raided my skincare stash, casually using everything I had without a second thought. She left the bathroom a mess, caps unscrewed and bottles knocked over.

She smirked at her reflection. "Luna won’t care. She’s not coming back anyway."

I watched her silently from the mirror, my ghostly form undetectable as she played with my things. Thunder rumbled outside, and with the flash of lightning, a figure shimmered on the floor. Selene screamed, dropping a bottle, and called out for Rowan.

He burst through the door, his wolf senses heightened, ready to protect her like the Alpha he was. He swept her into his arms, holding her close, letting her shake against him.

"Isn’t this a bit... dangerous?" Selene whispered, glancing around the room as if expecting me to materialize at any moment. "What if your mate comes back?"

Rowan shrugged, his gaze cold as he stared at the storm outside. "I don’t care if she does."

The lightning illuminated his face, casting deep shadows across his features. "If she shows up, she’s got no right to say anything. If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t have stayed away, and we wouldn’t have missed all those years together."

He spoke with a certainty that sent chills down my spine. "You don’t have to worry about her, Selene. If she dies out there, it’s no skin off my back."

Alright, Rowan. Your wish is my command. Let’s see how indifferent you truly are when you find out what happened.

It was late at Silverfang Pack headquarters. The task force hadn’t let up on my case, not once, as if determined to solve what had happened to me—or, perhaps, what I had done. They’d been at it for days, scrutinizing every trace, every scent, every lead, unwilling to give up the search. The stale smell of coffee hung in the air, tinged with the scent of stress as Caden finally called for a break. Exhaustion was etched into his face, but Rowan merely nodded, his expression as unbreakable as ever.

Rowan stretched, heading toward the food counter as if on autopilot. Phoenix, one of his colleagues, nudged him with a lopsided grin. “Hey, Alpha Rowan, what’s a big shot like you doing here, queuing up for food with us?” He chuckled, adding, “Where’s your Luna tonight? Didn't she usually bring you something, some home-cooked meal or whatever?”

Rowan’s face twisted, and his grip on his cup tightened. “Why bring her up?” he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. “It’s disgusting.”

The casual banter halted immediately, a shadow falling over the group. Caden, noticing the tension, tried to defuse the moment. “Hey, it’s been a while since we saw her around. I remember she used to stop by whenever you pulled an all-nighter. Used to spoil you with snacks too, right? And half of those snacks ended up here anyway, in my gut.”

Rowan gave him a hard look, one that silenced any further jokes. “Those snacks, huh?” he sneered. “Glad someone enjoyed them.”

Phoenix raised an eyebrow, glancing at Caden as if to say, Did I say something wrong? Then he turned to Rowan, now in a more serious tone. “Alpha, is everything alright? Is she… missing?” The hesitation in his voice betrayed genuine concern.

Rowan let out a snort. “Missing?” He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “If she had even a sliver of fight in her, I might actually respect her. She was like a shadow, an annoying pup always underfoot. But now? Now it’s been two days of blissful silence. I can actually think.”

Little did he know, I was there, watching from the shadows—an invisible figure, no longer bound by the ties that held me close to him. I smiled to myself, imagining the shock that would cross his face when he realized the peace he’d longed for was now permanent.

Just then, a patrol wolf burst into the room, his face ashen, clutching a file to his chest as though it weighed him down. He made his way to Caden, voice almost a whisper. “Sir… we’ve received an identification report on the remains found near the northern border.”

Caden held out his hand, and the patrol wolf hesitated, his gaze flicking nervously toward Rowan. He cleared his throat. “Perhaps… perhaps Alpha Rowan should hear this first.”

Rowan raised an eyebrow, looking up from his coffee. “Me? I have no business with this case. You know that.”

But Caden’s eyes didn’t waver, his expression uncharacteristically tense. “Rowan, when was the last time you heard from your mate? Has she… contacted you recently?”

Rowan waved a dismissive hand, his patience thinning. “She messaged me just a few days ago. Just another one of her nagging texts, I’m sure.” He shrugged, oblivious to the worry etched on his comrades’ faces. “What’s this about?”

Caden took a step closer, his tone grave. “Rowan… has it been more than three days?”

Rowan’s face dropped as the words sank in, like a blow he hadn’t braced for. The realization hit hard, cracking the indifference he’d worn like armor. He straightened, his hands curling into fists. “What are you trying to say, Caden?”