Page 153 of A Luna's Dynasty
Lita turned and looked at Brad. He had cuts and bites on his legs and was in no condition to help search for Asher. She gave him a thankful smile. “Please, just keep my boys safe. I’ll be back as soon as I find him. I’ll feel better knowing you’re here with my boys.”
He sighed. She was protecting him now. He nodded to her with a smile. “I’ll make sure they’re safe.”
“If we aren’t back by tomorrow, take my boys home, please.” Lita wanted them back in the safety of her pack’s territory.
“Okay, but then we’ll come back to help you.” Brad turned and walked back to their camp.
Lita took in a deep breath and started walking down the river’s edge. Caspian carried a pack of supplies as well as food and drink for them, just in case they found Asher. He reached his arm out and clasped it around Lita’s waist. She looked at him but didn’t protest. He knew she was exhausted and in pain. Without Asher being around, she wasn’t getting recharged. He didn’t need her collapsing, so he would keep a supporting arm around her.
Asher … where are you?Lita echoed the call in her mind, hoping that he could hear her. Pain shot through her like bolts of lightning. Her body was feeling limp and unresponsive. She cursed her body. Her mate needed her, but because shewas pregnant, her body refused to give her energy. Instead, it devoured it all for her little princess.
They heard a noise in front of them, the soft snapping of twigs. Then, they caught Grayson and Caden's scents.
I have Lita with me. You guys aren’t far ahead of us,Caspian linked to Caden.
What?! Why isn’t she back resting?Caden growled in his head.
The sounds closed in on them. Grayson came through the brush and immediately lifted Lita away from Caspian and into his arms.
“You are in no condition to be walking around,” Grayson growled out, though his eyes looked over her gently.
“I have to find him, Grayson.” Lita smiled at him weakly.
“I know, I know. We’ll find him. We’ve scoured the area. He must have gone further down …” Grayson frowned. He and Caden had searched both sides of the river without finding even a trace of him. The kelpies hadn’t reported anything either, which was actually a good thing. It meant they hadn’t found his body in the water.
“I can’t feel him, Grayson …” Lita frowned as she leaned her head into his chest.
His heart was breaking for her. He glanced at Caspian and Caden, who also looked distraught. A mate not able to feel the other was very serious. Either he was that far away, or … he didn’t want to think of 'or'. Asher was about to have a baby. He had to be there to see her. Asher had a pack to lead, and he had Lita, who needed him. She needed Asher while she was pregnant. How would she get through the pregnancy without him? It would be so painful for her. Mentally … physically …
Grayson held her close as they continued to trail the river. Suddenly, Lita gripped at his chest. “I can smell anise. It’s faint, but it’s there.”
He smelled it too.
“Over here!” Caden yelled from the river’s edge. Someone had washed up to shore over there.
“It was Abaas … you can smell his scent. It looks like he wandered back into the woods.” Caspian looked at the trail. It was old. Still … there was no sign of Asher.
“If Abaas was able to make it to shore, then Asher must have, too,” Lita said confidently. She felt the warm arms of Grayson tighten around her as he held her to his chest.
“I’m sure he made it too, Lita.” Grayson smiled down at her. “Let’s keep searching.”
It had been days. There was just no sign of him. The centaurs had joined in the search. A fresh, healthy herd of them had shown up to help. Lita had sent Caspian back to let her parents know what was going on. Lita refused to leave. She could not head back to the Black Ice Pack without him. Grayson had to carry her everywhere because she was extremely weak and in pain. Her wounds were all healed, but her pregnancy was taking a toll on her.
A few hippogryphs screeched in the air and landed nearby. Alice, Nathon, Caspian, and Dylan all hopped off and walked up to Grayson and Lita.
“Lita, my dear baby. Look at you. You need to rest. This isn’t good for you.” Alice reached up and stroked her daughter’s hair.
“I won’t leave him out here.” Lita shook her head.
“Lita … by now, his wounds would be healed.” Nathon’s eyes met with his daughter’s. He watched her green glow pin against him, a rage building up behind them. “I know you don’t want to hear it. Dammit, Lita, I know, okay? I’ve been through it. I’velost my mate before. Can you feel him? Can you sense him? It’s been days now. If he was alive, he would be here.”
“Then, where’s his body?” Lita spat back angrily.
“Lita … Abaas probably took the body with him. The fairy prince’s body would be quite the prize.” Nathon looked down the river. There were so many people looking for him. Caspian had filled them in on everything. “Between the kelpies searching the water and everyone searching up here … baby, I’m so sorry. You know it’s true. You all know it’s true.” Nathon’s hands shook slightly as he watched their eyes fill with tears. He was gone.
Lita felt something warm dripping onto her cheek. She glanced up to see a steady stream trickling down Grayson’s face. She looked at Caden and Caspian, who were crying as well. No … no … no …I won’t believe it … I can’t believe it. I need him.Lita bit her bottom lip and stared at everyone. They all were telling her that Asher, her mate, the love of her life … was dead.
Chapter 90
