Chapter 419: Lost

THIRD-PERSON POV

Only two hours remained before the full moon, and Rebecca was beginning to regret waiting until the last minute before leaving her mother’s pack.

She sat on the edge of her bed, struggling to control the uncomfortable heat spreading through her body. Her skin was burning, and every few minutes, another wave of discomfort made her groan. She had experienced heat before, but never anything quite like this. Usually, the symptoms became unbearable only when the full moon was at its strongest. This time, however, her body seemed determined to torment her long before then.

"Oh, Goddess!" she groaned, pressing a hand against her lower stomach.

She had been at her mother’s pack since the afternoon, hoping that staying away from Kaden would make the approaching full moon easier to endure. Unfortunately, even without his scent tormenting her, the heat continued to get worse.

"Rebecca?"

Her mother’s concerned voice came from the doorway. Rebecca looked up and forced a small smile.

"Mother."

Her mother entered the bedroom and immediately frowned when she noticed her condition.

"Goodness, Rebecca. You’re sweating. Are you alright?"

"I’m fine," Rebecca replied, although another uncomfortable sensation made her shift on the bed. "It’s just the approaching full moon."

Her mother sat beside her and examined her worriedly.

"Are you sure you’ll be alright? You don’t look well."

"I’ll be fine once I get to the facility. They’ll give me the suppressants, and everything will be under control."

"Then shouldn’t you leave now? The full moon is almost here."

Rebecca nodded. "That’s what I was thinking. I was hoping the symptoms would remain manageable until I arrived, but they’re getting worse."

Her mother gently touched her forehead.

"You’re burning up. Perhaps I should accompany you."

"No, Mother. There’s no need. I’ll teleport directly to the facility. It shouldn’t take more than a few seconds."

"Are you sure you can teleport in your condition?"

"Of course."

Although Rebecca sounded confident, she wasn’t entirely certain. Her magical abilities had become increasingly difficult to control since the symptoms began. Even now, she could feel an unusual disturbance in the energy flowing through her body.

Still, she had no intention of admitting that to her mother. She had already caused enough worry.

"Alright," her mother finally said. "But promise me you’ll contact me as soon as you arrive."

"I promise."

Rebecca stood up, but the moment she straightened, another wave of heat swept through her body.

"Ah!"

She instinctively grabbed the edge of the bed.

"Rebecca!" Her mother immediately reached for her. "Are you sure you’re alright?"

"Yes," Rebecca managed, taking a deep breath. "I just need to get to the facility."

Her mother reluctantly stepped aside.

"Alright, sweetheart. Please be careful."

"I will."

Rebecca closed her eyes and concentrated on the familiar location of the facility within Kaden’s pack. She had teleported there countless times that day. All she needed to do was picture her destination clearly and allow her magic to carry her there.

Unfortunately, concentrating was proving much more difficult than usual. Her body was growing hotter, and an uncomfortable pressure continued building inside her.

Nevertheless, she forced herself to focus.

A faint glow surrounded her body.

"See you later, Mother," she whispered.

And with that, she disappeared.

However, something went wrong almost immediately.

Instead of experiencing the familiar sensation of being transported smoothly from one location to another, Rebecca felt a sudden disturbance in her magic. It was as though something had interrupted the teleportation halfway through.

Before she could understand what was happening, she felt herself falling.

"AHHH!"

She landed heavily on the ground.

For several seconds, she remained motionless, struggling to catch her breath. When she finally opened her eyes, she expected to see the familiar surroundings of the medical facility.

Instead, she found herself staring at towering trees.

"What?"

She immediately sat up and looked around in disbelief.

Thick bushes surrounded her, and the only sounds she could hear were the rustling of leaves and the distant cries of nocturnal animals.

She was in a forest.

"Oh, Goddess! You’ve got to be kidding me!"

Rebecca scrambled to her feet, ignoring the discomfort spreading through her body.

How had she ended up here?

She had clearly pictured the facility before teleporting. There was absolutely no reason for her magic to bring her into the middle of a forest.

Unless the approaching full moon was interfering with her powers.

"No. No, no, no!"

She closed her eyes again and tried to concentrate. This time, she pictured the facility’s entrance even more carefully.

"Come on," she whispered. "Just one more teleportation."

She summoned her magic.

Nothing happened.

Rebecca frowned and tried again, concentrating harder. A faint spark appeared around her fingers before disappearing almost immediately.

"What?"

She stared at her hands in disbelief.

"Come on!"

She attempted to teleport again, but the moment she tried to draw on her powers, a sharp wave of discomfort spread through her body.

"Ah!"

Rebecca doubled over, clutching her stomach. Her breathing became uneven as she struggled to remain standing.

"Shit! No!" she whispered. "Not now."

She tried one final time, but her magic refused to respond.

It was useless.

She was stranded, and the full moon was less than two hours away.

Rebecca looked around desperately, searching for anything that might help her identify her location. Unfortunately, the forest was unfamiliar, and the darkness between the trees made it impossible to determine which direction she should take.

She reached for her phone, hoping to contact someone, but the moment she checked the screen, her heart sank.

There was no network signal.

"Damn it!"

She lifted the phone higher, moving a few steps in different directions, but nothing changed.

Another wave of heat suddenly swept through her body, forcing her to lean against a nearby tree.

"Ahhh!"

Her knees trembled, and her breathing became increasingly difficult to control. She needed to get out of the forest and reach the facility before the full moon.

But when she attempted to take another step, her legs gave way.

Rebecca collapsed onto the forest floor with a painful cry.

She struggled to push herself upright, but her body refused to cooperate. Her skin was burning, her heart was racing, and the uncomfortable need spreading through her lower body was becoming unbearable.

Tears gathered in her eyes.

"Please, Goddess," she whispered. "Someone help me."

Meanwhile, at the Full Moon Pack, Kaden was becoming increasingly restless.

He had spent the past hour in his study, attempting to concentrate on some documents, but his thoughts kept returning to Rebecca.

After his conversation with Rola, he had expected to feel better knowing that Melvin was with his mate. However, something continued to bother him.

Rebecca had made it clear that she wasn’t going to the facility, but Kaden knew how stubborn she could be. Perhaps she had eventually changed her mind and decided to seek medical assistance after all.

That was what he hoped.

He glanced at the clock. The full moon was approaching quickly, and he couldn’t help wondering whether Rebecca had made the necessary arrangements.

Unable to remain seated any longer, he contacted Logan through their mind link.

Logan.

Yes, Kaden?

I need you to confirm something for me. Has Rebecca arrived at the facility?

The facility?

Yes. She was supposed to go there for her suppressants. Find out whether she’s arrived.

Alright. Give me a moment.

Kaden leaned back in his chair, waiting impatiently. A few minutes later, Logan contacted him again.

Kaden, I’ve confirmed with the facility. Rebecca hasn’t arrived.

Kaden immediately straightened.

What? Are you certain?

Yes. I spoke directly with the staff. She hasn’t checked in.

Kaden clenched his jaw.

Alright. Thanks.

He ended the mind link and immediately contacted Rebecca’s mother.

Good evening, Your Majesty, she greeted respectfully.

Good evening. I’m sorry to disturb you, but I need to ask about Rebecca.

Rebecca? Is something wrong?

Is she still at your pack?

No, Your Majesty. She left some time ago.

Kaden’s expression immediately changed.

Left? Where did she go?

She teleported to the medical facility in your pack. The full moon was approaching, and her heat was becoming difficult to manage, so she decided to leave.

Kaden stood up.

What time did she leave?

Her mother told him, and his stomach tightened.

Rebecca should have arrived long ago.

Your Majesty? her mother called worriedly. Is everything alright?

Rebecca hasn’t arrived at the facility.

What? But that’s impossible! her mother exclaimed. She teleported directly from her bedroom. I was there when she disappeared!

Kaden’s heart began beating faster.

Did she seem alright before leaving?

There was a brief hesitation.

Well... she was experiencing severe symptoms. Her body was unusually hot, and she was struggling to remain standing. I even offered to accompany her, but she insisted she could manage.

Kaden’s expression darkened.

And you allowed her to teleport in that condition?

Your Majesty, Rebecca assured me that she was fine. I had no reason to believe anything would go wrong.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. There was no point blaming her mother.

Listen carefully. If Rebecca contacts you, inform me immediately.

Of course, Your Majesty. Please, you have to find my daughter.

I will.

Kaden ended the communication and immediately attempted to contact Rebecca.

No response.

He tried again, but there was still no answer.

"Damn it!"

He paced across his study, his mind racing.

Rebecca had left her mother’s pack, but she hadn’t arrived at the facility. Where the hell was she?

Something’s wrong, his wolf suddenly growled.

Kaden stopped pacing.

What do you mean?

I don’t know. But something doesn’t feel right.

Kaden’s chest tightened.

Then another possibility crossed his mind.

Melvin.

What if Rebecca had contacted him after all?

Without wasting another moment, Kaden dialed Melvin’s number.

The call connected after several rings.

"Kaden?"

"Melvin. Is Rebecca with you?"

There was a brief silence.

"Rebecca?"

"Yes. Is she with you?"

"No. Why?"

Kaden clenched his jaw.

"Have you spoken to her today?"

"No, I haven’t heard from her. Is everything alright?"

"She left her mother’s pack some time ago, but she hasn’t arrived at her destination."

"What? Where was she going?"

"To the medical facility."

Melvin sounded surprised.

"Are you saying she’s missing?"

"I haven’t confirmed that yet."

"Do you want me to help look for her?"

"Not yet. I’ll handle it."

"Alright. But let me know if there’s anything I can do."

"I will."

Kaden ended the call.

Rebecca wasn’t with Melvin. She wasn’t at her mother’s pack, and she wasn’t at the facility.

Something was terribly wrong.

Find her! his wolf growled.

"I’m trying!"

Then stop standing here!

Kaden grabbed his phone and hurried toward the study door. He was about to summon his guards when something suddenly caught his attention.

A scent.

He stopped and inhaled deeply.

Wait.

He knew that scent.

Rebecca.

It was faint, almost impossible to detect, but there was no mistaking it.

How was that possible?

He knew she wasn’t inside the palace. She had left hours ago, yet he could smell her.

Rebecca! his wolf growled.

Kaden immediately hurried down the corridor, following the faint trace of her scent.

At first, he thought it might be lingering from the time she had spent at the palace, but the farther he walked, the stronger it became.

He passed through the main entrance and stepped outside.

The evening air was cool, but that familiar scent remained.

And it was coming from the direction of the forest.

Kaden frowned.

Why would Rebecca be in the forest?

He hurried across the palace grounds, following the scent as it led him away from the main buildings.

By the time he reached the edge of the forest, his wolf was becoming increasingly restless.

She’s here, he growled.

Kaden entered the forest, moving quickly between the trees.

The farther he went, the stronger Rebecca’s scent became, and when he finally realized what that meant, a cold wave of fear swept through him.

Rebecca was in heat.

And she was somewhere in this forest.

"Damn it!"

His pace quickened.

The forest wasn’t entirely deserted. Pack members sometimes passed through it, and with the full moon approaching, there was no telling what could happen if an unmated male caught Rebecca’s scent.

A she-wolf in heat could attract unwanted attention, especially when she was too weak to defend herself.

The thought made Kaden’s blood run cold.

Hurry! his wolf snarled.

Kaden broke into a run, pushing past branches and following Rebecca’s scent deeper into the forest.

Then he heard something.

A weak groan.

He stopped immediately.

"Rebecca?"

No response.

He listened carefully, and when another faint sound came from somewhere ahead, he rushed toward it.

And then he saw her.

Rebecca was lying on the forest floor, her body curled slightly to one side. Her clothes were dirty, her hair was disheveled, and her face was covered in sweat.

"Rebecca!"

Kaden rushed toward her and dropped to his knees.

"Rebecca, can you hear me?"

She stirred weakly.

"K... Kaden?"

His chest tightened.

"Yes. It’s me."

He gently touched her forehead and immediately frowned.

Her skin was burning.

"Goddess, Rebecca! What happened to you?"

She tried to speak, but another painful groan escaped her lips.

"I... I tried to teleport..."

"Teleport?"

"To the facility... but something went wrong."

Kaden’s jaw tightened.

So that was what had happened. Her teleportation had gone wrong.

"Why didn’t you contact anyone?"

"My phone... no signal... and I couldn’t mind-link anyone."

Her voice was barely audible.

Kaden immediately slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back.

"Alright. I’ve got you."

But the moment he lifted her into his arms, Rebecca suddenly gasped, her fingers tightening around his shirt.

"Kaden..."

"What is it?"

She raised her head slightly, her eyes filled with desperation.

"Please..."

Kaden looked down at her.

"Please what, Rebecca?"

Her lips trembled.

"Don’t... don’t take me back to the palace just to reject me again."

Kaden froze.

For a moment, he could only stare at her.

Even in this condition, she still believed he didn’t want her.

His chest tightened painfully.

"Rebecca..."

"Please," she whispered, tears gathering in her eyes. "If you’re only going to push me away again, then just take me to the facility."

Kaden swallowed hard.

He wanted to tell her everything: that he loved her, that rejecting her yesterday had been one of the hardest things he had ever done, and that the thought of another man touching her had been driving him insane.

But as he looked at her trembling in his arms, he knew this wasn’t the moment to confess his feelings.

Right now, she needed help. She needed the suppressants and the care available at the facility.

"Listen to me, Rebecca," he said firmly. "I’m not going to abandon you, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you."

She stared at him weakly.

"But..."

"No arguments. You’re coming with me."

He adjusted his hold around her and rose to his feet.

Rebecca buried her face against his chest, her breathing uneven.

Kaden tightened his arms around her protectively and began making his way out of the forest.