Page 47 of Reclaiming His Lost Mate
Finally, I found my voice, grinding out, “Marissa’s taken Mia.”
Chapter 22
Selina
Panic and dread clawed at my chest as I paced the shop’s small kitchen. The warm, earthy scent of herbs and spices swirling around me like an embrace contrasted sharply with the icy grip of fear coiling around my heart. The comforting landscape of my shop had turned into a prison. My hands trembled as I clutched my phone, staring at the screen as if it held the answers to the questions spiraling in my mind—an unrelenting storm of worry and despair.
Alexis’s voice had been an anchor amidst the turmoil, stitching together the seams of my being. Just knowing he was airborne, racing toward me, brought a whisper of solace against the suffocating atmosphere clinging to my skin. The determined gruffness in his tone had made my heart clench, filled with love and a tempered fury I almost couldn’t contain.
“Mia’s going to be okay, Selina,” he had assured me, though his words were thick with tension. “I’m getting on the plane now. We’ll get her back.”
After I had ended the call, I swiftly dialed Lyvia, almost as instinctual a move as needing Alexis. She arrived alongside Seraphina, her eyes ablaze with a resolute fire that pulled me from the depths of myfear into something steadier. Both witches had immediately fallen into a deep trance, heads bent and hands weaving through the air, calling upon every ounce of magic they could muster, tracing the hint of dark energy that lingered like a bitter ghost around the back door and garden. Because they had to sort through the dark magic that had infected the shop earlier, it was taking them some time to look for anything new.
Meanwhile, I had combed the streets and frozen valley, just in case Mia had wandered off. But I knew deep in my heart she hadn’t. I could feel her absence like a hole in my heart.
Another hour passed, the sun dipping lower in the sky, casting long shadows that mingled with shades of crimson and violet. The atmosphere thickened with dread as Alexis finally landed at the small airstrip in Matsuna, usually reserved for only the cargo plane. He called me back, his footfalls telling me he was jogging. “Any updates?” he asked, the urgent undertone setting my heart racing.
“I’ve been out looking in the valley and the surrounding streets,” I replied, the heaviness in my chest making my voice tighten. “But there’s no sign of her.”
“I’ve got two packmates with me combing the area, looking for her scent,” he said, the focus in his voice bolstering my faltering spirit. I realized then that Mia’s natural scent was so similar to Alexis’s that his packmates would easily recognize it if they found it.
His breath was coming hurriedly, and he said suddenly, “I’m here, Selina.”
I rushed to the door and unlocked it. As it swung open, his familiar presence and strength cocooned me. His earthy fragrance enveloped me, and I felt my heart flutter painfully, instantly reminded of Mia’s scent.
His shoulders were squared and jaw set as his stormy eyes met mine, burning with both determination and anguish. Our gazes locked—a silent understanding passing between us. No words were needed. In that instant, we both knew that we were in this together, bound by love for our daughter.
Just then, Lyvia’s footsteps echoed behind me, a steadfast fire igniting in her amber eyes. “I can confirm that it was Marissa whokidnapped her,” she stated, her tone blaring with purpose. “The energy signature of dark magic tainting the frostvine leaves is the same as that in the garden and the back door.”
Lyvia gestured to Seraphina, who had joined us. “This is Seraphina,” Lyvia said, introducing the other witch to Alexis. “She belongs to the Silver Moon Pack and is familiar with Marissa’s dark magic.”
Seraphina nodded gravely, her jade-green eyes reflecting a wisdom far beyond her youthful appearance. “Our pack was invaded by the Black Moons several years ago. I recognize Marissa’s dark magic, which I felt in some of their shifters. I would wager she has links with the Black Moons.”
A chill crawled up my spine, an unwelcome realization flooding through me. I took in Alexis’s somber expression, the heaviness of the knowledge resting on his shoulders.
“She’s always wanted you, Alexis. She poisoned my products recently just to try to get me away from you.”
“Selina,” Alexis began, his voice steady but imbued with an undercurrent of tension, “This isn't just about her wanting me.”
“Then, what is it about?” I demanded, unable to restrain the urgency in my tone. “What does she want?”
“It’s about control. Marissa craves power—she always has. She wants to be the Luna of a powerful Alpha and secure her place in the world. That’s why she set her sights on me.” He paused, then added, “But if she’s mixing with the Black Moon Pack, that’s a new low, even for Marissa.”
The thought of Marissa bringing Black Moon Pack magic into my shop turned my stomach.
Memories of my conversations with my customer, Helen, came back to me, her warnings about the Black Moon Pack and their connections with dark magic. “But why take Mia?” I asked, trying to piece together the fragments of this sinister puzzle.
Before Alexis could respond, my phone buzzed violently in my hand, tearing me from the moment and pulling me back to the present. I glanced at the screen, dread freezing my blood. It was an unknown number, but instinctively, I knew who it was.
“Selina.” Marissa’s voice slithered through the line, cold andsmooth, like ice carving into my bones. A shiver ran down my spine. “Is dear Alexis with you?” I hit the speaker button so that Alexis could hear her.
“I’m here,” Alexis agreed, his voice low, a growl simmering below the surface.
“Where’s Mia?” I yelled, my heart pounding, each beat roaring like a war drum.
Her laughter echoed menacingly, vibrating through the air like a wicked spell. “She’s safe… for now. But if you want her returned, you need to think carefully about your next moves. I have demands.”
“What do you want?” Alexis growled, his voice vibrating with fury.
