Chapter 291: Stranger

The nurses beside him kept their heads bowed, silent tears streaking their faces, their fear like a palpable force in the room.

They offered no words, no excuses, just the raw terror of those who knew their lives hung by a thread.

I could barely hold back the fury that threatened to erupt. Every word he spoke only twisted the knife deeper, the realization of how deep the betrayal went, how many lies had been spun around me.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to keep a grip on my control. The truth wasn’t complete yet, but I had a new, more dangerous puzzle to unravel.

A stranger, a missing child, a woman who had played me for a fool for years. My mind raced with questions, but one thing remained clear: Giselle had gone too far, and now, I would find out exactly how deep her treachery ran.

I took a step back, my voice turning cold, final. “You’ve told me just enough to save your miserable lives for now. But if I find out that you’re still hiding something, I’ll make sure you suffer every moment of your last breath.”

I turned my attention to Ryder. “Ryder, get them out of my sight. Keep them locked up until I decide what to do with them.”

Ryder nodded, his face a mask of grim determination, and moved to drag them out. Their desperate cries and pleas faded as the heavy door of the dungeon shut behind them, leaving me alone in the darkness.

I stood there, the weight of their words pressing down on me like a suffocating shroud.

My fists clenched so tightly that my nails bit into my palms, but I barely felt the pain.

All I could think of was the betrayal, the lies, and the burning need for justice.

I tried to steady my thoughts, but they spiraled back to the same question, over and over: Who was the stranger that the Pack Doctor spoke of? Who would help Giselle and why would anyone help her with something like that?

“Who do you think the stranger was, Alpha?” Ryder’s voice cut through my thoughts, low and urgent.

He stood just a few steps away, his expression as tense as my own. It was clear that the revelations had shaken him too, but now he sought answers with the same determination burning inside me.

I let out a slow, heavy sigh, feeling the frustration coil tighter around my chest. “I don’t know, Ryder,” I admitted, my voice rough with anger that hadn’t yet cooled.

Whoever that stranger was,” I began, my voice rough with barely controlled anger, “they were working for a reason. No one would just walk into a pack and risk crossing me without something to gain.” Ryder’s jaw tightened, and he crossed his arms, shifting his weight as he considered my words. “It must’ve been planned, Alpha. Whoever they are, they knew exactly what they were doing. Swapping the babies, altering the records… they went through a lot of trouble to make sure Giselle kept that child-and that you thought Ryker was hers.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, and I shook my head. “Giselle thought she could manipulate me with a child that wasn’t even hers. But that means she wasn’t the one holding all the cards. Someone else was pulling her strings. And she’s been hiding behind that person all this time.”

Ryder’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he glanced toward the closed dungeon door. “Whoever that stranger is, they must be powerful. Maybe even someone in the pack, or someone close enough to slip in and out unnoticed.”

I felt a chill crawl down my spine at the thought. Someone in the pack, someone who wants something against us.

I had always thought of the pack as my family, a place where loyalty and honor meant everything.

But now, it seemed those very principles had been used against me.

Ever since Giselle became a Luna, my power and authority as the Alpha is no longer absolute anymore which means I have to be careful.

As Ryder turned to leave. I stopped him with a sharp command. “Ryder, before you go-one more thing.” He paused, turning back to face me, his expression attentive and focused.

I met his gaze, letting the weight of

my decision settle into my voice. “I want you to put surveillance on Giselle. Monitor every movement she makes. Her routine, the people she talks to, anyone she seems close to. I don’t care if it’s a fleeting conversation or someone she lingers near for a second too long –

I want to know about it.”

Ryder’s eyes sharpened, a fierce determination flashing through them. “You want her watched round the clock?”

“Yes,” I replied, my tone leaving no

room for doubt. “I don’t want her to take a single step without us knowing about it. If she’s hiding

something, if she’s slipping annet

meet with anyone connected to this, wett be ready.”

Ryder nodded firmly, the shadows of the dungeon casting his face into hard lines. “I’ll see to it personally, Alpha. She won’t make a move without us knowing.”

“Good,” I said, a grim satisfaction settling in my chest. “Keep it discreet. She can’t know we’re onto her. The moment she suspects, she’ll try to cover her tracks. But we’ll catch her in the act, and whoever she’s meeting with – we’ll get them, too.”

Ryder’s mouth curled into a tight, humorless smile. “I’ll make sure she thinks everything’s as it always is. But in the shadows, we’ll be watching. Whatever she’s hiding, we’ll find it.”

I nodded, a dark determination settling into my bones. “We’ll give her enough rope to hang herself with, Ryder. Let her think she’s still in control But when the time comes,

we’ll bring her whole world crashing down.”

With a final nod, Ryder turned and disappeared up the steps, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I took a deep breath, letting the chill of the dungeon seep into my lungs.

Giselle thought she could keep her secrets buried, but she was wrong. I would dig them up, one by one, and make her pay for every moment she’d stolen from me.

The truth was a weapon, and I intended to wield it with the precision of a blade.

And when I was done, there would be no more lies, no more deceptions – only the cold, hard reckoning that had been long overdue.

Chapter 292: Kidnapped

Giselle’s POV

I smiled graciously, a picture of a perfect Luna, as I moved through the crowd of guests.

The pack grounds buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the vibrant energy of celebration.

Ryker’s fourth birthday was meant to be a joyous occasion, and I made sure that every detail was perfect. from the decorations to the banquet.

Behind my polite smiles and gracious words, bitterness roiled like a storm within me, growing darker with every passing moment.

Astrid.

She lingered around the pack like a shadow that refused to fade, always present, always reminding me of what I had to claw and fight for.

I could see her now, hovering near the entrance, wearing that same quiet, solemn expression she always carried, as if she bore some unspoken burden. It turned my stomach.

She claimed she was here to offer help to the pack, but I wasn’t a fool. I knew there was more to her presence than mere goodwill.

In just a few days, she’d already charmed her way into the hearts of so many those who once looked to me now turned to her, their admiration shifting with a speed that left me seething.

Somehow, without even trying, she had managed to steal the spotlight that should have been mine, making me feel like a stranger in my own home.

What infuriated me most was how easily she’d regained Killian’s favor. All it took was a few sympathetic glances, a few words spoken in that soft, humble tone of hers, and suddenly she was back in his good graces.

It should have been easy to push her out of the picture, to make her irrelevant, but Killian’s misplaced sympathy had made everything so much more difficult.

Despite all she’d lost, despite her distance from him, he still had a soft spot for her – something that made him overlook what should have been obvious: Astrid had no place here, no place in his life, no place in the pack’s future.

I clenched my jaw, forcing my smile to stay in place as another pack member congratulated me on the party.

I nodded, thanking them for their compliments, but my mind was elsewhere.

Today, everything would change.

Today, I would finally rid myself of Astrid’s shadow for good.

My heart quickened with anticipation, but I made sure my expression remained serene, welcoming.

Let them see the kind, devoted Luna that they expected. They had no idea what I was truly capable of, and neither did Astrid. She would never see it coming.

As I scanned the crowd, I spotted the Omega I had sent earlier to take care of my little… problem.

He slipped through the guests, moving with the kind of deference that made him nearly invisible.

When he reached me, he leaned in, keeping his voice low, his head bowed as if offering me a message of little importance.

“It’s done, Luna,” he whispered, his breath barely a tickle against my ear. “We lured the boy out into the forest, just as you instructed.”

I felt a rush of satisfaction course through me, though I kept my face carefully composed. Inside, my heart danced with triumph.

Finally, the plan was in motion. Ryker was safely out of sight, wandering into the woods lured far from the safety of the pack.

The Omega’s task was simple —

make sure Ryker was unharmed but ensure that he wandered far enough that it would appear as though someone had kidnapped him.

Someone like Astrid.

The corners of my mouth twitched upward into a smile, and I nodded slightly to the Omega, dismissing him with a small gesture.

“Good,” I murmured back, keeping my voice as soft as his. “Make sure no one notices his absence until I give the word.”

The Omega nodded and slipped back into the crowd, his presence forgotten in the noise and chatter.

I watched him disappear into the sea of guests, and a slow, deep satisfaction settled into my chest. Now, all I had to do was wait.

It would be perfect. When the time came, I’d stage my little performance-acting the concerned Luna, the devoted mother desperate to find her missing son.

And then, when Ryker was found, I’d make sure that a few planted pieces of evidence pointed directly to Astrid.

Perhaps a scarf with her scent on it,

left conveniently near where Ryker was last seen, or a note I’d forged to make it seem like Astrid had lured him there out of some twisted need for revenge.

Killian would be furious. He would never forgive Astrid for endangering Ryker, not when his love for his son blinded him to almost everything else.

He would cast her out of the pack for good, and I’d finally be free of her pitiful, lingering presence.

She’d have no one left to protect her,

no place to run. And I would be there to comfort Killian, the dutiful Luna, standing by his side as he dealt with his grief.’

I glanced around the gathering, letting my eyes linger on Astrid for a moment. She looked uncomfortable as ever, out of place amidst the festivities. Good.

Soon, she’d be even more uncomfortable-banished from the pack, with no one left to vouch for her.

I turned my attention back to the guests, resuming my role as the gracious hostess, accepting their compliments and polite conversation with a serene smile.

No one here would suspect me of anything but concern for my son’s well-being. Who would suspect a mother for hurting her own child.

No one would believe that I had orchestrated this from the beginning, that I had played them all.

The plan was flawless. As long as everything went smoothly, by the end of the day, Astrid would be nothing but a memory.

And I, I would finally have the peace I deserved-no ghosts, no shadows. Just me, Killian, and the power that I had fought so hard to secure.

Chapter 293: Performance

Giselle’s POV

A sudden commotion broke through the steady hum of the party, shattering the illusion of celebration.

I turned, my heart skipping a beat, and saw one of the pack warriors sprinting toward us, his face pale with urgency.

Guests stopped mid-laugh, mid-conversation, their expressions shifting from joy to alarm as he burst into the center of the gathering.

“Rogues! There’s been an attack!” he shouted, his voice ringing out across the clearing. “Everyone needs to gather around and stay put until we can secure the area! Pack guards, take your positions!” Instantly, the mood shifted, fear crackling through the air like electricity.

Guests began to murmur in panic, looking to the edges of the pack grounds, as if they might see the threat lurking beyond the trees.

Parents clutched their children closer, and people crowded together, seeking comfort in proximity. The guards moved quickly, forming a protective line around us, their faces grim with determination.

My heart pounded in my chest, panic flaring in my own veins. This wasn’t part of the plan. Ryker is out in the woods away from safety and on top of it all, there is a rogue attack!

I pulled myself together. I couldn’t afford to let anyone see my uncertainty, my fear. I forced myself to take a steadying breath, reminding myself of the part I had to play.

The perfect Luna wouldn’t cower, wouldn’t show a crack in her facade. I could still turn this to my advantage. All I had to do was shift the focus back to my original plan.

Whether Ryker is safe or not, I just had to pin everything on Astrid. If Ryker dies, Astrid and Killian would

be beyond irreparable and I wouldn’t have to take care of someone that is not my blood.

As the guests clustered together, their eyes darting nervously to the shadows, I made my move.

I widened my eyes, letting the fear show plainly on my face, and clutched my chest as if in a sudden, desperate realization.

My voice rose into a frantic, hysterical pitch, cutting through the crowd’s murmurs like a knife.

“Ryker!” I screamed, my hands trembling as I clutched the fabric of my dress. “Where is my son? Has anyone seen Ryker?!”

Heads turned toward me, expressions of shock and concern mirroring my own, and I saw the fear spread like wildfire.

I let my panic bubble over, tears welling in my eyes as I spun in circles, looking around as if expecting to see him among the crowd.

The hysteria in my voice rang out, filling the space between us with a mother’s desperation.

“Please! Someone – he’s missing! Where is Ryker?” I cried out, my voice breaking. “He – he was right here, and now he’s gone! Oh, godess, no, not my boy!”

As the realization spread through the crowd that Ryker was truly missing, the tension tightened like a noose around their necks.

I watched as their expressions shifted from confusion to panic, their eyes scanning the area, hoping to catch sight of my son.

Their voices rose, calling out Ryker’s name, the sound tinged with desperation.

It was everything I’d hoped for the chaos, the fear, the uncertainty — and it all swirled around me like a storm I had unleashed. This was my moment.

I turned to the pack guards, my face a mask of frantic desperation, and tried to push my way through them, stumbling as I made my way towards the exit.

“Let me through!” I cried, my voice raw with the desperation I forced into it. “I need to find my son! Ryker needs me – I have to go to him!”

One of the guards stepped forward, his face set in a stern expression as he blocked my path with a firm hand.

“Luna, you can’t go out there,” he said, his tone steady but unyielding. “It’s too dangerous. The rogues are out there, and we’re under orders from the Alpha. No one is to eave the grounds.” en FindNovel

I shoved against him, clawing at his arm, my breath coming in gasps. “Please, he’s just a child! He’s out there alone-he could be hurt! I can’t just stand here and do nothing t forced my voice to crack, letting tears spill down my cheeks, knowing that every eye was on me,

But the guard’s grip tightened, his expression unwavering. “We understand, Luna, but it’s our job to keep you safe. Alpha Killian’s orders were clear – no one leaves the gathering. We’re sending men to look for Ryker right now, but you

―

must stay inside where it’s safe.”

I knew I couldn’t push any further without drawing unwanted suspicion. So I let myself go limp in his hold, collapsing against him, my legs giving out as I sobbed uncontrollably.

“Please… my baby… I just want my son back,” I wailed, my voice cracking as I let hot tears stream down my face.

The sound of my sobs echoed through the crowd, drawing sympathetic glances from pack members nearby.

People began to murmur, their eyes softening as they took in the sight of me a mother, seemingly broken with worry for her lost child.

I could feel the shift in the air, the concern that rippled through them. Just as I’d hoped, they were starting to believe my anguish, starting to pity me.

They gathered closer, offering words of comfort that barely registered through my feigned hysteria. “It’s going to be all right, Luna,” someone murmured, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll find him. The warriors are strong-they’ll bring him back safely.”

I let out another shuddering sob, hiding my face behind my hands. Inside, I felt a flicker of satisfaction. This would all be worth it if it meant Astrid would be blamed. They would see me as the devastated mother, and her as the twisted woman who had taken revenge by putting my son in danger.

Chapter 294: Setback

Giselle’s

POV

As I continued my display, crying into my hands and letting my shoulders shake with every false sob, I felt a small flicker of satisfaction.

It was working – the sympathy of the pack was turning toward me. I could hear their murmured

reassurances, feel the gentle pats on my back and shoulders as they tried to comfort me.

“It’s okay, Luna. We’ll find him. The warriors are searching.”

“He’s a strong boy, Luna, just like his father. He’ll be all right.”

Their words were fuel, encouraging me to keep playing my part. My tears flowed even harder, my voice breaking as I whispered,

“He’s just a child… what if the rogues… what if-” I let my voice trail off, turning my face away as if I couldn’t bear to finish the thought.

Then, amidst the chaos of the crowd, I heard another voice rise above the anxious murmurs – a voice that cut through the noise like a knife.

It was Vanessa, her tone sharp with rising panic. “Wait – has anyone seen Hazel?”

The shift in the air was immediate. Heads turned, eyes widening with fresh alarm as people began to murmur again, this time with a different kind of urgency.

A ripple of confusion passed through the gathered pack members, their attention swinging from me to Vanessa.

The concern that had been centered on Ryker only moments ago now divided, doubling the sense of unease in the air.

Vanessa pushed through the crowd, her face pale, her eyes wide as she scanned the faces around her. “I don’t see her! Hazel… she was just here a moment ago. Has anyone seen her?” Her voice wavered, breaking slightly, but she wasn’t the sobbing mess I had made myself out to be.

She was clearly worried, but she kept a thread of control in her voice, as if trying to convince herself that this wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

I watched her through a haze of my own panic, my breath catching as I struggled to maintain my composure.

Vanessa’s concern was genuine-I could see it in the way she wrung her hands together, the way her voice strained and broke as she called out Hazel’s name.

Her fear was raw, unpolished, and real, unlike the performance I’d been putting on.

For a moment, I found myself frozen, staring at her as if the reality of the situation hadn’t quite sunk in. And then, like a crack in a dam, the realization hit me. My tears abruptly stopped, and I blinked, my mind whirling with a new and unexpected fear. Hazel? Missing?

The only person who should be missing right now is Ryker

I dropped my hands from my face, the sobs cutting off mid-breath as I turned sharply, scanning the crowd with a sense of rising confusion.

My heart pounded in my chest, and for a moment, my mask slipped entirely, leaving only the raw panic that clawed at my insides.

“What do you mean, Hazel is

missing?” The question slipped from my lips, sharper than I intended, barely above a whisper, as if the words themselves might shatter

something fragile within matter

I glanced around wildly, my gaze darting over the faces of the pack members, searching for any sign of my daughter. “No, that can’t be she was supposed to be here!”

But then, amidst the chaos, I noticed an Omega hurrying toward me, his expression tight with panic.

He pushed through the crowd, reaching my side with a quick, nervous glance at the guards around me.

I forced my breathing to slow, keeping up my performance of grief, but my eyes sharpened as I waited for him to speak.

The Omega leaned down, his voice barely a whisper as he spoke into my ear.

“Luna, there’s been… a complication,” he stammered, his words coming out in a rushed hiss. “Hazel… she followed Ryker into the forest. We had no choice but to take them both.”

A cold knot formed in my chest, but I kept my face buried in my hands, pretending to wipe away my tears as he continued. “Something went wrong, Luna. The rogue attack it disrupted everything. We lost them. Both of them.”

The blood drained from my face, and for a moment, everything around me seemed to blur.

I froze, my entire body going rigid with shock as his words sank in. My mind struggled to process what he was saying. Hazel? Lost? How could they have let this happen? This wasn’t supposed to happen. This wasn’t part of the plan!

My breath caught in my throat, and my hands fell away from my face as I stared at him, the panic in my eyes no longer an act.

I felt the world tilt beneath me, the ground slipping away as the Omega’s words echoed in my mind.

Hazel. My daughter. Out there, alone, with the rogues. My stomach twisted painfully, and for a moment, I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe.

The carefully constructed mask I had worn so well slipped, revealing a flicker of raw fear.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I had meant to use this moment to ruin Astrid, to drive her away once and for all.

But now, with Hazel missing, everything was spiraling out of my control. The rogue attack, the missing children-it was a nightmare unfolding, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I tried to keep the tremor out of my voice, but I could feel my control slipping, the panic seeping through despite my efforts to hold it back.

“How could she be missing?” I murmured to myself, my voice barely a breath. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Chapter 295: Misplaced Worry

Giselle’s POV

The panic that had been a performance just moments ago twisted into something real, sharp and icy, sinking its claws deep into my chest.

My breath caught in my throat, and I felt my control slipping away. The shock that Hazel was missing struck me like a physical blow, making my head spin and my vision blur.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not Hazel. Not my daughter.

The faces around me blurred as I staggered backward, the weight of the situation pressing down on me like a physical force.

The whispers and murmurs of the crowd became a distant hum, overshadowed by the pounding of my heart in my ears.

Through the haze of panic, I saw movement at the edge of the clearing. Killian and Damien had finally arrived.

Their expressions were grim and alert as they walked through the crowd, scanning the faces of their pack members for signs of distress.

Killian stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate attention. He raised a hand to signal for silence, and the murmur of anxious conversations gradually faded.

“Everyone, please listen,” he called out, his voice steady but filled with urgency. “I want to apologize for the confusion and fear that the rogue attack has caused. We are aware of the situation, and I assure you, we have everything under control.”

A wave of relief washed over the crowd, but apprehension lingered in the air.

Killian continued, his tone firm. “Our warriors are ready to protect everyone and to fight the rogues. We will not let the rogues harm anyone here. You are safe within these grounds.”

At his side, Damien stepped forward, his demeanor equally reassuring.

“My warriors are fighting alongside the Silvermoon Pack’s warriors,” he announced, his voice booming with confidence. “We stand united against any threat. You have nothing to worry about.”

The tension in the crowd began to ease as murmurs of agreement rippled through the pack members.

A few people nodded, exchanging glances that reflected their growing trust in their Alphas.

Without thinking, I propelled myself forward, breaking into a run as I closed the distance between us. “Killian!” I cried out, my voice cracking with genuine fear.

I grabbed his arm, my fingers digging into the fabric of his sleeve. “Killian, you have to help me! You need to send your warriors immediately.”

He turned to me, surprise flashing in his eyes. “Giselle? What’s happening? The guards reported a rogue attack. Where’s Ryker?”

For a moment, I stared at him, my mind blank. Then the words tumbled out in a rush. “It’s Hazel-she’s missing! She’s out there somewhere, and the rogues-they might have her!”

Killian blinked, confusion clouding his features. “Hazel? What are you talking about? Giselle, Ryker is missing too. Our son is out there!”

Before I could say a word, Vanessa stepped forward and hurried into Damien’s arms.

“Damien, our daughter is missing,” she said, her voice shaking with fear and concern.

She held herself together better than I was managing, her composure a stark contrast to the chaos swirling around us.

Alpha Damien’s eyes narrowed, a shadow crossing his face. “What do you mean, Hazel is missing?”

His voice was tight, barely controlled, and I could see the tension ripple through him as he processed the

news.

Vanessa opened her mouth to answer, but I beat her to it.

“She was here one moment, and then she was gone!” desperation clawed in my throat as I turned to Damien.

Vanessa stared at me when I interrupted their conversation. “I think she’s with Ryker. We have to find them and make sure that they are safe.”

Upon hearing that Hazel was missing, Damien’s demeanor shifted instantly.

The worry etched on his face deepened, and he grasped Vanessa’s shoulders, his voice firm. “Stay put, Vanessa. I promise you, I will find our daughter. Nothing will happen to her.”

He turned his gaze back to the gathering, rallying his warriors with a swift, authoritative nod.

But just as I felt the weight of my own fear press down on me, a sudden impulse surged within me.

“I’ll come with you, Damien!” I blurted out, the words spilling from my lips before I could reconsider. The tension in the air thickened, and the crowd fell silent. Eyes turned toward me, confusion spreading like wildfire.

Killian’s brow furrowed in disbelief. “Giselle, what are you talking about? You can’t leave. Ryker is missing too! We need to focus on finding him.”

The intensity of his gaze made me

falter for just a moment, but I quickly regained my composure. “I know, Killian, but Hazel is in danger! We can’t just sit here while the children are out there!”

Killian stared at me in disbelief. “Giselle, your own son is missing! How could you volunteer to help finding someone’s else’s child?”

Damien’s expression was a mix of concern and determination. “I

appreciate your willingness to help) Giselle. Don’t worry we will tell you if we have news on Ryker,” Damien answered to shield me from Killian’s suspicions.

I could feel the eyes of the crowd on me. The whispers grew, and I sensed the mounting confusion among the pack members.

The crowd exchanged looks, their expressions a mix of concern and disbelief.

It was becoming increasingly clear that my misplaced priorities were drawing attention, and I felt my heart race as I tried to regain their trust.

“Hazel and Ryker are close friends. I

know that Ryker is out there with Hazel, and they could both be in danger. We have to find them! spoke up, hoping to ease all their doubts and suspicions.

But before anyone could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps broke through the tension in the air. Heads turned as Astrid emerged from the tree line, her expression a mix of urgency and relief.

My heart sank for a moment, filled with dread, until I caught sight of Ryker beside her, safe and sound.