My husband gathered the warriors from the investigation unit into a tight circle.
A large wooden board stood before them, covered with parchment notes and charcoal sketches of my reconstructed remains. Important clues were marked with red ink and pinned with silver needles.
“The bloodline tracing is complete,” one warrior reported. “Her scent and blood do not match any rogue wolves or known criminals. She does not appear to belong to any outlawed pack.”
“We also checked reports from nearby territories,” another added. “No pack has reported a missing pregnant she-wolf matching her age or description.”
A warrior frowned, troubled. “She’s been missing for days. Why hasn’t anyone searched for her?”
“Didn’t she have family? A mate? A pack?”
Aldric tapped the board thoughtfully, circling the word ‘pup’ written beside the notes.
“We can’t identify her yet,” he said calmly. “But if we find the pup that was cut from her womb, we can trace the bloodline. The Moon Goddess’ bond will lead us to the father… and then to her identity.”
Tears blurred my vision.
I crouched beside the trash basket where he had thrown the crafted fetus. My trembling hand reached for it… but passed straight through.
I could never touch it.
Our pup…
The child you once longed for…
The very clue you were searching for…
Yet you threw it away like worthless trash.
Aldric turned back to the board and circled another phrase: ‘Dismemberment Site.’
“There wasn’t much blood in the drainage tunnels,” he said. “The body was dumped there after the killing. The dismemberment happened elsewhere — somewhere the murderer felt safe.”
“That place could still hold scent traces,” one warrior added grimly.
“Find it,” Aldric ordered. “It’s our best lead.”
Then he circled another note: ‘Left Ear — Missing.’
“We searched the tunnels thoroughly,” a warrior said. “But we didn’t find her left ear or several other pieces. The killer kept them.”
Aldric frowned slightly.
“Why keep those?” another warrior muttered. “Maybe there was a mark… something that could reveal her identity.”
Aldric’s eyes fixed on the words ‘Left Ear.’
He went still.
I instinctively raised my hand to my left earlobe.
There… a small red mole.
Aldric used to pinch it playfully whenever he held me close. He once told me it made me easy to recognize… even in a crowd.
But now… he only frowned, unable to connect the thought.
“The murderer cut open her womb while she was alive,” another warrior said, voice grim. “Then filled it with that strange powder and kept her alive for days before killing her. That kind of cruelty… suggests deep hatred.”
“Poison powder… revenge…”
One warrior hesitated before glancing at Aldric.
“Captain Stormwolf… could this be revenge against us? Perhaps rogue dealers we captured before? They might be targeting someone close to us… to send a warning.”
Another warrior shook his head. “That doesn’t make sense. None of us have a missing pregnant mate. And surely, her family would have reported her disappearance.”
Aldric’s eyes widened slightly.
For a moment… something seemed to click.
Then he shook his head, dismissing the thought.
Aldric…
Did you remember when I told you I was pregnant?
You thought I was lying.
You believed I was jealous of your lost love… trying to win you back.
You missed another clue.
Among all the warriors here… who would rogue wolves hate the most?
You.
If only you had gone home.
If only you had looked at me once more.
The scattered clues might have led you straight to me.
Aldric exhaled slowly and began issuing orders.
“Split into teams. One group checks nearby territories for missing pregnant she-wolves. Another searches for the primary crime scene and missing body parts. The last team visits healer halls across the region — look for records of injured pregnant wolves.”
The warriors quickly dispersed.
They also summoned elder bone-readers — skilled healers capable of reconstructing faces using bone structure and leftover tissue. My skull had been crushed beyond recognition, but with moonstone powder and healing clay, they could rebuild my face and match it against pack records.
It would take time.
Aldric rubbed his temples, exhaustion visible in his posture.
Just then, the mindlink stone at his wrist glowed faintly.
His expression softened instantly.
“Jay… I’m scared…”
Her voice.
Soft. Fragile.
Selene.
“Where are you?” Aldric asked gently. “Alright… stay inside. Lock the doors. Light the candles if you’re afraid. I’m coming now.”
His voice held a warmth he hadn’t shown me in years.
He severed the link and glanced outside.
Night had already deepened. The moon hung high above the pack grounds.
“Everyone, return to your quarters,” he said. “We continue tomorrow.”
A wave of despair swallowed me.
Aldric was known for working without rest during investigations. Sometimes he would remain in the council hall for days.
I never dared disturb him.
Yet one frightened call from her… and he abandoned everything.
It became painfully clear.
In his heart…
I would never compare to her.
