bI /bthrow the covers aside and stumble to my feet, ignoring the sharp, tearing ache in my chest, that raw emptiness where our bond should be.

    b“/bMotherb?/bb” /bMy voice trembles even as I call out, though I already know she won’t answer.

    I race through the pce halls, the marble floors cold beneath my feet as I desperately search, sniffing the air bfor /beven the faintest trace of her scent. Nothing.

    Panic surges higherb, /bchoking me as I search harderb–/broomsb, /bcorridorsb, /bgardens–each one emptyb, /beach

    one echoing the same truth. She’s gone.

    And worse–Jack’s scent is gone too.

    He left with her to bait Malik since he’s the one who has to break that damn ne once Malik’s soul is

    trapped.

    Why? Why would they leave without telling me? As though I’m some fragile child, too weak to face the truth.

    Anger surges, hot and bitter, burning through the panic. At my mother–for slipping away without even saying goodbye, without trusting me enough to tell me. At myself–for not seeing iting.

    But most of all, at Jack.

    I reach for him through our bond, my m?te, my supposed other half–and m into nothing. He’s blocked me. Cut me outpletely. I can’t feel his fear, his rage, his love. Just silence.

    “Fuck!” The word rips from me, echoing down the hall, sharp enough to make two passing omegas flinch.

    I grab one by the arm, my eyes zing. “The Queen. Alpha Jack. Did you see where they went?”

    The girl shakes her head frantically, eyes wide. “N–no, mydy. No one saw them leave.”

    With a scoff, I shove her aside and whirl on the guard stationed at the entrance. “Youb–/bspeak. Did you see the queen?b” /b

    The warrior bows stiffly. b“/bNo, Princess.”

    bI /bpress my trembling hands to my stomach, forcing deep breaths. Calm down. For the baby. If I lose control, I risk losing the tiny spark of life inside me.

    But the anger refuses to settle. My nails dig into my palms. How do I find them? How do I find Motherb? /b

    Then bmy /bfatheres to mind–the only one who could possibly know where she isb. /bMother’s warning

    bnot /bbto /binvolve him flickers in my thoughts, her voice reminding me to keep him in the dark. But right nowb? /bI don’t care. She’s gone, and he has to know something.

    It’s the first time I’ve ever sought him out here. His office is on the far wing, but his scent guides me easily -it’s powerful, like smoke and ironb, /bthreaded with something warmer. Fatherly.

    Guilt gnaws at me with every step. It drags me forward like gravity until I’m standing before a door I’ve never dared approach. I’ve kept my distance for days, even when he tried to bridge the gap. I told myself

    it was because of Celestia. Because I wasn’t the daughter he loved. Because he chose her to pour himself

    into. Maybe that was true. Or maybe I was just punishing him.

    But I don’t have the luxury of bitterness anymore. Not if it means saving her.

    I knock once. Silence.

    My heart ms against my ribs. I push the door open.

    “Fatherb?/b”

    The sight inside makes my blood run cold.

    す

    The mighty Alpha King–my father–clutches his skull in both hands, his body hunched and trembling

    violently. His skin flickers with fur, ws ripping through his fingers as his frame bulks and shrinks,

    caught between man and wolf. A guttural growl shakes the room,ced with agony so raw it makes my

    stomach turn.

    “Father!” I cryb, /brushing to his side.

    His head jerks up at the sound of my voice, eyes wild and glowing–half man, half beast. Even through the torment, surprise shes in them.

    “Father, what’s wrong?” I grip his shoulders, desperate to steady him, but his whole body quakes like he’s

    barely tethered to himself. His eyes flicker from wolf to man, his teeth snapping as if fighting some

    unseen force, and for one terrifying moment, I think his wolf will rip free entirely. His ws scrape

    across the desk, gouging deep lines in the wood.

    “It’s… the Queenb./b” The words rasp from his throat like burning coals. His chest heaves with ragged breaths. “I can’t-” His ws clutch at his chest, half–shifted hands trembling. “I can’t feel her, Kali. Our bond… it’s-” He shakes his head violently, sweat dripping from his temple. “It’s blocked. It feels like it’s breaking.”