The Chronicles of Moon
Chapter 44

White Rabbit

Moon starts pacing the room and hates, not knowing what is happening, so she leaves her room. The best place to replace out anything would be downstairs. She needs to go wherever the omegas are, they always seem to know everything happening in the pack. Moon replaces Ann in the kitchen and can see in an instant she has been crying.

“Ann, what happened?” Moon rushes to her and takes her warm hand in hers.

“I don’t know what you mean?” Ann lies badly. Moon gives her a look, and Ann’s resolve quickly starts to break.

“I’m not supposed to say anything. I shouldn’t even know anything.” Ann looks around as a few other omegas move away from the conversation. Moon can tell they all know what has happened.

“Ann, just tell me, please I need to know what has happened just as much as anyone.” Moon is gentle with her words and squeezes Ann’s hand.

“Okay, but I didn’t tell you.” Moon nods in agreement, so Ann continues. “There was an attack. Three warriors are dead, but they were set up like mannequins or something in the woods.”

Moon gasps, but she can see that isn’t all Ann is worried about.

“A pup from our pack is missing now as well.” Ann finishes as a tear slips down her cheek.

“Who?” Moon is less gentle and more demanding as her heart feels like it’s in her stomach.

“Bella,” Ann whispers.

“No! was she taken?” Moon prods Ann for more information.

“We don’t know. We hope she is hiding somewhere. I heard the warriors all talking as they passed through the yard a while ago.”

Ann is crying more now.

“I need you to tell me. Do you know if Bella has a favorite hiding spot or somewhere she likes to go?” Moon keeps asking questions, but Ann just shakes her head.

“No, she always just came here. She likes it here in the packhouse.” Ann says.

“I need you to have every omega in this house look everywhere. I can’t do it; I can’t link anyone, so I need you to. They need to check every room, every cupboard, closet, look everywhere, understand.” Moon is ordering Ann now, and Ann pauses a moment.

“We aren’t supposed to know what has happened,” Ann says slowly.

“No one will care just so long as she is found,” Moon assures her, and Ann looks blank momentarily as she links all the omegas to look for Bella. “Done. Do you think we will replace her?”

“I hope so. I know Colin is doing all he can.” Moon says. She is sure he must be beside himself and blaming himself for sending her back to the orphanage.

Moon fiddles with her neckless as she thinks.

“Ann, where is the Orphanage?” Moon asks.

“Oh, it’s just a couple blocks from here.” Ann says.

“What would Bella be doing in the woods then? Moon asks.

“She plays there sometimes. She likes it there too, I suppose.” Ann replies, drying her eyes with her sleeve.

“Will you show me where this happened and point the direction of the orphanage, please?” Moon is looking at Ann and pleading with her. Ann nods, and they head to the door.

Outside, wolves are everywhere, looking for the girl, but they are focused more on the woods and grounds. Ann stops in the middle of the driveway.

“The orphanage is that way, and the woods where the warriors were found is over there.” Ann points.

“Thank you, Ann. Let me know if any of you replace her.” Moon orders. Ann just nods and heads inside to look for Bella as well. Leaving Moon standing in the driveway.

I need you, Kiara. Moon says in her mind trying to replace her wolf again.

I’m still here. Kiara growls. She knows what has happened, and Moon can suddenly feel Kiara fighting hard to push through whatever is holding her prisoner in Moon’s mind.

We need to replace Bella. Moon tells Kiara something she already knows.

We will replace her, and then we will keep her here with us. I like her, and she should be with us. Kiara seems protective of the little girl she barely knows, but Moon feels the same way. Bella reminded Moon of herself as a child.

Where would she go? I can’t smell her. Moon scans the area, trying to think where the child could have gone if she was afraid. It would need to be somewhere no one else would think to look. Moon turns and looks at the packhouse. Then it hits her. When she was small and trying to hide away from everyone, there was a place she would always hide.

Moon rushes back into the house and starts racing up flights of stairs. She sees an omega on the Alpha floor coming out of an extra room.

“Hey, I need to know. Is there an attic here?” Moon pants, she did just run up three flights of stairs. Kiara is still fighting to regain her place in Moon’s mind.

“Yes.” The omega says. “I’ll show you the way.” She leads the way down the hall the opposite way of her’s and Colin’s rooms. She opens a door and the stairs leading up to the attic space.

“Thanks, Moon says, “you keep looking. I’ll look up there.” Moon says, not waiting for a reply and rushing up the stairs.

The attic is dark and dusty. Boxes and trunks everywhere. Lots of old furniture that are covered in sheets. Out-of-date portraits in ornate frames. Moon scans the room, and it smells of dust, but something familiar. It smells like Bella. She does come up here often. Moon is just praying she is here now.

“Bella?” Moon calls softly, but the room is silent. Moon starts looking, her heart sinking increasingly because she’s afraid Bella is not here. Moon keeps looking the room is large and full of things a little girl could easily tuck herself away and be almost impossible to replace. The dust tickles her nose as she moves sheets, looking under and behind things. She just has to be here somewhere is Moon’s only thought and care at the moment.