Chapter 33 CHAPTER 33
The morning sun poured through the grand windows of the Moore estate, but it did nothing to chase away Lydia’s unease. The breakfast table sat untouched -silver cutlery gleaming, plates untouched, the air thick with worry.
She paced back and forth, wringing her hands. “He’s not back yet,” she muttered for the third time. “It’s morning, Richard. He hasn’t come home.”
Richard Moore sat at the head of the table, half-hidden behind the morning paper he hadn’t read a word of. His expression was taut but restrained - the look of a man who believed control could solve anything.
“He’s a grown man, Lydia,” Richard said finally, lowering the paper. “He’ll come home when he’s ready. You worry too much.”
Her eyes flashed. “I’m his mother, of course I worry! He left last night after that argument, and you haven’t even bothered to check where he might have gone!”
Richard’s jaw flexed, but he kept his voice steady. “If he’s going to be Alpha, he has to learn to take care of himself. An Alpha doesn’t run home after every quarrel. He learns to handle criticism.”
Lydia stopped pacing and faced him squarely. “Criticism?” she repeated incredulously. “You slapped him, Richard!”
He stood abruptly, the chair scraping back against the floor. “He needed it!”
Lydia flinched at the sharpness of his tone. The echo of his raised voice bounced through the silent room.
Richard sighed and rubbed his temples. “He’s been reckless, distracted… weak. If he wants the pack’s respect, he needs to act like an Alpha, not some sulking boy.”
“He is sulking because something’s wrong,” Lydia said softly. “You can’t see it, but I can. He hasn’t been himself for weeks - no, months. There’s something eating at him, Richard. Maybe it’s the bond, maybe it’s all the pressure you keep putting on him, but our son is breaking under it.”
Richard’s expression softened slightly, though his pride fought it. “Lydia…”
“No,” she interrupted, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “You didn’t see his face last night. The things he said… He said he doesn’t even want to be Alpha anymore. Do you know how much that terrified me? He’s your son, not just your successor.”
Richard looked away, guilt flickering in his eyes before he masked it again. “He’ll come around. He always does.”
She shook her head. “No, Richard. This time feels different. I don’t think he will - not unless you meet him halfway. He doesn’t need a lecture; he needs his father.”
The room fell into a heavy silence, only broken by the ticking of the antique wall clock.
Then - a knock echoed at the door.
Both turned as one.
Richard frowned. “Who could that be at this hour?”
Lydia hurried to the foyer and opened the heavy door. Standing outside was Beta Alan, Sebastian’s trainer, dressed in his usual dark uniform, dust on his boots and concern etched on his face.
“Morning, Beta,” Richard greeted stiffly as Allen stepped in. “You’re here early.”
Allen nodded, bowing respectfully to both. “Forgive the intrusion, Alpha, Luna. I just came to check on Sebastian. He didn’t show up for training.”
Lydia’s face paled. “He didn’t?”
Allen shook his head. “No, ma’am. He wasn’t at the grounds this morning, and none of the guards have seen him either. I assumed he might be here.”
Richard’s expression hardened. “He’s not. He stormed out after our discussion last night and hasn’t been home since.”
Allen’s brows furrowed. “That’s not like him.”
Lydia folded her arms tightly. “Exactly what I’ve been saying. Something is wrong.”
Allen hesitated, glancing between them. “Has he been… acting strange lately?”
Richard sank back into his chair, rubbing his chin. “You tell me, Allen. You’ve been with him during training. Has he?”
Allen hesitated, then sighed. “If I’m being honest, Alpha, yes. For months now, Sebastian has been… off. His focus slips during sparring, his stamina fades too quickly. I’ve tried pushing him harder, but it’s like his strength keeps draining away.”
“Draining?” Lydia repeated, alarmed.
Allen nodded gravely. “He still fights well, but it’s not the same. The other warriors have noticed too, though no one dares say it out loud.”
Richard leaned forward. “Do you think it’s because of the bond?”
Allen frowned thoughtfully. “It’s possible. But this started long before the Moon Festival — before the rejection. He was already struggling, but whatever connection he still has to that girl might be making things worse. The bond could be feeding off his emotions, sapping his energy.”
Lydia’s hand covered her mouth. “Oh, goddess…”
Richard’s eyes darkened. “So the bond could be weakening him?”
“It could,” Allen admitted. “If it’s still active, it might be affecting both of them.”
Richard began pacing, deep in thought. “Then we need to sever it - for good this time. Before it drags him down completely.”
Allen hesitated. “But, Alpha, breaking a goddess bond isn’t…”
“I know what it is,” Richard cut in sharply. “I don’t intend to break divine law. But if the girl accepts my son’s rejection on her own, then the bond severs. We won’t force her – just convince her.”
He turned to Allen, his tone commanding again. “Find out what’s wrong with him. What has been eating at him. I’m also convinced it may have nothing to do with the Hale girl. Watch him closely - how he trains, how he behaves, what he feels. I want to know everything. Something is bothering my son from the inside, and I want to know what it is.”
Alan nodded firmly. “Understood, Alpha.”
Richard’s gaze sharpened further. “And one more thing. Assemble two of our best trackers. Quiet ones. Have them start looking for the girl - Cindy Hale. I want her found.”
Lydia’s head snapped toward him. “Richard….!”
He raised a hand. “Not to harm her. But if that bond truly is the problem, we need to bring her in. The council can decide what must be done next. We can’t afford for our future Alpha to keep weakening.”
Alan hesitated again but bowed. “I’ll see to it immediately.”
“Good,” Richard said curtly. “Report to me once you have anything.”
Alan nodded once more and turned to leave, but Lydia stepped forward quickly. “Allen,” she said softly. “If you find Sebastian before the trackers find that girl… bring my son home first. Please.”
Allen’s expression softened. “Of course, Luna. You have my word.”
After he left, the silence returned, heavier than before. Lydia sank slowly into a chair, her hands trembling.
“Richard,” she whispered, “what if something really bad has happened to him?”
He looked out the window - the woods beyond glimmering faintly in the morning sun and for the first time, the steel in his voice faltered.
“I’m sure It’s nothing Lydia,” he said quietly, “He’ll be back once he cools down.”