I reached out and took the letter, my mother’s neat script confirming my guess. “We need to talk, Alpha Darrell,” I said, my voice unwavering despite the emotional storm stirring within me. “About the upcoming marriage—”
Before I could finish, a pack warrior burst into the room.
“Alpha, Carla isn’t in her quarters. We’ve searched the entire packhouse—she’s gone.”
Darrell’s entire demeanor shifted. Panic crossed his features, and without even glancing back at me, he bolted from the room to find Carla. He didn’t say another word. Not even goodbye.
With a heavy heart, I brought the gifts to the children and Elisha, doing my best to smile through the pain.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Elisha asked gently, her voice cracking slightly as she tried not to let the children hear.
“There’s nothing left for me here, Elisha,” I murmured, feeling the lump in my throat grow. “He’s made his choice. I can’t linger in the shadows of what we were.”
“What about the kids? They adore you, Debbie. And I... I don’t know how I’ll manage teaching them alone,” she said softly, her green eyes searching mine, filled with concern and sorrow.