"Roman. Alpha Roman Heightens."

Thorne stilled for a moment, his jaw tightening. Roman? The same Alpha who sold Adina?

Caelum stepped forward, eyes narrowing when he saw the look on Thorne's face. "What do you plan to do, your majesty?"

Thorne's jaw clenched, "Unfortunately, Roman's pack runs under my realm, and I am to protect the realm and its people, regardless of who and what they are," Thorne replied.

"So?"

"So I will be visiting the affected areas and packs. All differences aside, the number of missing people from the eastern part of the realm is alarming. I need to investigate and find out exactly what is going on."

Caelum nodded. "Understood. What are your orders?" He asked.

Thorne took a step towards the window, his gaze sweeping over the landscape. From where he stood, he could see Adina laughing as she spoke to her friend. His chest tightened at the sight.

"Your majesty," came Caelum's voice again.

Thorne nodded, turning to look at the beta. "Prepare my things for departure. Mason will be coming with me while you stay behind and look after the kingdom."

Caelum nodded, turning to leave but stopped when Thorne called him back.

"My king."

"Radek. Has there been any news on him?" He asked.

The beta shook his head. "No reports yet. He's been in bloodmoon since his release and hasn't taken a step out of the pack," he said.

Thorne didn't buy it. A man like Radek wouldn't just stay indoors for that long. "Look into it properly. Radek isn't one to sit still," he said, and the beta nodded.

"As you order."

"Has Councilman Carter made any moves recently?" He asked.

Caelum shook his head. "Nothing that I know of. His pack has been rather silent of late after the punishment," he replied.

Thorne hummed, nodding. "Have Adina come here. You're excused."

Moments later, the doors creaked open again, and Adina stepped in, a soft smile on her face. "You asked for me?" she asked, her voice soft.

Thorne turned from the window, eyes scanning her like he hadn't just seen her minutes ago from afar. "Come here," he said, hands stretched outwardly.

She walked up to him and tilted her head. "What's wrong?" She asked, slipping her hand into his.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached for her hand, gently wrapping his fingers around hers. "I'm leaving in the morning."

Adina's heart dropped for a second, eyes widening. "Leaving? What do you mean?" She asked.

"There's been an increase in disappearances. It's concentrated in the east." His thumb brushed over the back of her hand. "I need to see things for myself."

The slight frown she wore earlier slipped off her face. "The east?" She asked.

Thorne stared at her, watching the words assimilate in her head.

The east. That was where she was from. Crystal Moon pack happened to be situated right in the east, and now…

"W-what do you want me to do?" She asked quietly, wincing internally at how sharp and bothered it came out.

Thorne pulled her closer to him. "I have to visit all three packs. I have to investigate what's happening before it becomes an even worse problem than it already is." He paused. "I don't know how long I'll be gone for. A month maybe?"

"A month?" she repeated. Her spirits were down now. A month was a long time to be away from him. The soul bind they just did. It would take a toll if she was away from him for too long… coupled with the fact that she just shared his rut with him. She didn't want to be without him for such a long amount of time and yet…

"Adina." He called out to her, jolting her from her thoughts.

Adina blinked, looking up at him. "Would you come with me?" He asked.

Adina blinked, caught off guard.

Her lips parted but no words came out. For a moment, all she could do was stare up at him, at those steady golden eyes that always seemed to unravel her.

"You want me to come with you?"

Thorne nodded slowly. "I do. But only if you're sure." His voice lowered, "We'll be stopping at Crystal Moon."

The silence between them stretched… Adina looked like she was deep in thought, and Thorne didn't want to interfere in her thoughts. He was only going to bring her along if she was up for it. He wasn't ever going to inconvenience her. Ever.

Adina bit her lip, thoughts far. Going back to Crystal Moon was something she didn't even think was possible. Her old life. A place where she'd been Luna only in title. Seeing Roman again, her step-sister Catherine. The place that broke her to pieces.

Thorne watched her closely, thumb brushing lazy circles into the back of her hand. "You don't have to," he murmured. "I'll understand if it's too much—"

"No," she interrupted, her voice firmer than she expected. She lifted her eyes to his, grounding herself in the way he looked at her.

"I want to come with you."

Thorne blinked, his hand stalling. "Adina."

She shook her head, gripping his hand tight. "I want to. I didn't think I'd ever get the opportunity to go to Crystal Moon again, but now, I can. I'm not scared of them anymore. I'm not the same woman that was sold. I have no reason to be scared of Roman or Catherine—"

"Catherine?"

Adina paused. "My step-sister." She continued. "She was Roman's mistress and the one whose pup I was accused of killing."

Thorne stiffened slightly, remembering the reports Elara had given him.

Adina saw the look in his eyes and panicked. "B-but you have to know, I didn't do it intentionally. I- She came at me. She was going to kill me, and I only defended myself. I didn't think it would result in her pup dying. I would never—" she was spiraling.

Thorne pulled her into a tight hug. "I would never blame you. I was so stupid to have done that in the past, but I promise, I don't think you would do that intentionally."

Adina swallowed hard, the memories flashing in her head. "Roman had just returned, and the pack threw a party for him. There, Cassandra announced that she was expecting. I was shocked because I too had finally taken in. Cassandra found out I was pregnant, and she couldn't take it. She- she took out a knife and grew hysterical. She wanted me dead, and she leaped at me. I only defended myself against her. Somehow the knife ended up in her. Roman came in from the noise and saw me with the knife." She smiled, strained. "The rest is history."

Thorne hugged her tighter. He had been so stupid. So stupid to think she would actually kill. Whatever happened… Roman and his mistress deserved it.

And now… him sending Adina to him… gave him his mate.

Thorne couldn't find it in himself to be sad about that one fact, and so he hugged her tighter, trying to drown in the sadness she was feeling with his own emotion.

After some minutes of them hugging… "Are you certain you want to come with me? I can bring you along to the other packs and send you back home when it's time for Crystal Moon."

Adina shook her head. "Don't. I want to come with you. I don't want to be away from you for long. Crystal Moon or not. I will come." She said much firmer than before.

Thorne couldn't help but smile. Gods, he really hit a jackpot with her. He pulled her closer to him, kissing the crown of her head.

"I'll be right beside you the whole time. If you ever feel uncomfortable, or you are done and want to leave, let me know. I will not hesitate to bring you back myself."

Adina smiled warmly, all thoughts of her past with Crystal Moon drowned out of her head.

"When do we leave?"

"At dawn tomorrow. Our first stop is Silverwater pack."

Adina nodded, resting her head on his chest longer than necessary.

"Adina." Thorne called out, and she hummed, not wanting to move from where she was. My when it was this comfortable.

"Don't you want to go pack now? We leave at dawn tomorrow."

"I know." That was all she said, snuggling more into his chest.

Thorne chuckled, bringing his hand up and massaged her scalp gently.

"If you keep doing that, I won't be able to leave here." She mumbled, eyes shut tight.

"That's fine. I'll carry you."

Adina chuckled, yeah right.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips when he carried her into his arms, bridal style. "Thorne!" She whisper-yelled. "Drop me. I can—" she didn't get to complete her words as the door opened, revealing Caelum whose eyes widened slightly seeing Thorne carry Adina.

"Your majesty…"

"In a second." Thorne said, pushing past Caelum to step out of the office with Adina in his arms.

Adina hid her face in the crook of his neck, embarrassed that the beta saw him carrying her.

Meanwhile, Caelum stood still, shocked as he watched Thorne carry Adina away. He still couldn't believe this was the same man who had been so stiff and damaged.

Love was such a powerful drug.