The Search
+25 BONUS
The Search
Scarlett’s POV:
I watched as Lucian sat in our bedroom, holding my ring up to the lamplight. Its magic pulsed weakly, responding to his touch.
“Lottie,”
“he whispered, using my childhood nickname “I got your ring back. I’ll bring it to you, okay? Just tell me where you are.”
He still didn’t believe I was dead. Each letter I’d arranged for Sarah to send only fueled his denial.
Through our bond, I felt his desperate hope that somewhere, somehow, I was still alive.
The next morning, he announced a worldwide bounty for information about my whereabouts. One billion dollars for any credible lead.
Money–hungry humans and wolves alike began flooding his office with supposed sightings.
“She was seen in a cafe in Paris!”
“No, she’s staying at a temple in Tokyo!”
“I swear I spotted her in New York yesterday!”
Each tip sent him flying across the globe. I followed, bound to him by our mate bond, watching as he searched city after city with growing desperation.
In Paris, he spent three days questioning every hospital staff member, showing them my picture until his voice grew hoarse.
In Tokyo, he searched every ancient temple, begging the priests to tell him if they’d seen me seeking healing.
In New York, he walked the streets until his expensive shoes wore through, thrusting my photo at strangers until they called security,
Then one day, a photo arrived that made his heart stop. It showed Bobby, the little stray dog I’d adopted, being fed by a young couple in a small mountain village.
Lucian was on his private jet within the hour. His hands shook as he studied the photo during the flight, looking for any sign of me in the background.
The village was remote, nestled in a valley between towering peaks. Lucian ran from house to house, showing my picture to every villager he met.
“Have you seen her? Please, she might have been with this dog!”
“Did she say anything? Leave any message?”
“Which direction did she go?”
But no one had seen me. They’d only seen Bobby, wandering into their village alone.
Finally, we found Bobby playing in front of a modest house, looking healthy and well–loved.
The Search
+25 BONUS
A young woman came out to call him. “Come on, puppy! Dinner time!”
Bobby wagged his tail and ran to her, clearly comfortable in his new home.
“Excuse me,” Lucian approached, his voice rough with emotion. “That dog… where did you find him?” The woman smiled warmly. “Oh, he just wandered into our village a few weeks ago. Such a sweet thing! I’m Mila, by the way.”
Her husband joined us, wrapping an arm around her waist. The casual display of affection made Lucian flinch.
“I’m Luke,” he introduced himself. “Is there something wrong with the dog?”
“He belonged to my wife,” Lucian said, his eyes fixed on Bobby. “Please, did she bring him here? Did you see her at all?”
“No,” Mila said gently. “He was alone when he found us. Hungry and tired, poor thing
“I’ll buy him,” Lucian said abruptly. “Name your price Any amount.”
Luke shook his head. “I’m sorry, but he’s not for sale. Mila loves him.”
“Ten million,” Lucian offered desperately. “Twenty million. Please, I need him.”
“It’s not about money,” Luke said firmly. “My wife has grown attached to him. I won’t sell something that makes her happy.”
Lucian watched as Luke kissed Mila’s temple tenderly. Through our bond, I felt his heart twist with regret.
“You don’t understand,” his voice cracked. “That dog. he’s all I have left of her.”
“Your wife?” Mila asked softly. “What happened?”
I
“I lost her,” Lucian whispered. “Because I was too blind to see what was right in front of me. Too stupid to appreciate the gift I had.”
se
He pulled out his phone, showing them my picture with shaking hands. “Please, if you’ve seen any sign. of her…”
Mila studied the photo sadly. “I’m sorry, but no. Bobby came alone.”
“She has to be somewhere!” Lucian’s voice rose with desperation. “She keeps sending me letters. She must be alive!”
“Letters? Luke frowned.
“They appear in my mailbox,” Lucian explained frantically. “In her handwriting, telling me about her last days… She must be close! Let me search your house, the village, everywhere!!
Luke and Mila exchanged concerned glances.
“Sir, with all due respect, if you’ve done something wrong to her and let her go. Even if she’s still alive, she may not want to see you.” Mira said carefully.
The Search
+25 BONUS
Lucian, however, seemed as if he hadn’t heard her; he had been caught up in a wild imagination.
“I’ll pay for any inconvenience,” Lucian continued, already heading for their door. “I just need to check. She might have left a sign, a message…”
He spent the next hour searching their house, then every house in the village. He looked behind every tree, under every rock, growing more frantic with each empty space.
Through our bond, I felt his grip on reality slipping. He was so desperate to believe I was alive that he couldn’t accept the truth.
Finally, exhausted and dirty from searching, he returned to Luke and Mila’s house. Bobby was still playing in their yard, happy and carefree.
“Please, begged one last time. “Let me take him home. He’s my
only connection to her.”
“I’m sorry,” Luke said firmly. “But this is his home now. Taking our dog won’t bring your wife back.”
Tears streamed down Lucian’s face as he stared at Bobby, who was now curled contentedly at Mila’s feet.
“You’re right,” he whispered finally. “Nothing will bring her back.”
He turned away, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Through our bond, I felt his heart breaking all over again.
“Wait,” Luke called after him.
