Chapter 1

• Ramsey? Ramsey!!! Oh, good goddess. Where is he?
• Luna Ava paced around the packhouse in a much-panicked state as she searched around for her cub. She decided to pay him a visit in the nursery after taking a short break from her duties, only to discover that he’d been missing all morning, nowhere to be found. Along with the ones who misplaced him, he’s not been able to do anything other than look for him ever since then.
• As she looked around, checking every where possible, there where was no one who passed by her she didn’t stop to ask.
• “Has anyone seen Ramsey?” She pleaded with her eyes, hoping for a positive answer. Sadly, they all shook their head.
• This is not the first time such a thing is happening, but each time it happens, it always feels like the first for Luna Ava, because Ramsey always comes up with something different to scare her. This is the longest period of time he’s ever been missing, and Ava still hasn’t found him. Why does Ramsey have to do this to her all the time?
• Why would this five-year-old not stay put every time he was left alone for a second? Ava knows she should always be blaming the nursery workers for things like this, they’d been letting Ramsey slip from their hands many times lately, but she also knows her son well enough, especially since he’s grown so fast these past few months; the lad’s legs don’t just seem to stay in one place.
• Her mind still troubled her as she walked along the halls, so much that she didn’t know when she bumped into Keisha who was passing by with a bowl of water in her hand.
• Luna Ava!” She shrieked. “Dear goddess… Oh, I’m so sorry.” She apologized even though thankfully, none of the water spilled on Luna Ava’s clothing.
• No, no, no,” Ava shook her head. “I should be the one apologizing. I wasn’t looking where I was going.
• The handmaid immediately noticed her lady’s mood, she knew her well enough, and she knew that whatever took Ava’s mind away from her surrounding was probably also the cause for the frown on her face.
• What troubles you, milady?” Keisha asked her, placing the bowl of water down as she led Luna Ava to the nearby bench. They both sat down.
• Luna Ava always loved the company of her handmaid, the two of them were close like sisters. Ava confided in her with many things and somehow, Keisha always knew what to say. Ava was more than thankful to have her in this house, and for the few years that passed since they met, Keisha never left her madame’s side. Ava would have loved to stay here so they could chat for a while, but sadly, she does not have the time.
• Keisha, I can’t stay here for long. I fear something terrible might have happened.
• What is it?
• My son, he’s gone missing again.
• Oh, dear,” Keisha sighed, now feeling a bit guilty for leading her madame to sit and talk when such a matter was on ground. She only did it because Luna Ava looked so tense when she saw her.
• I’m sorry,” Keisha muttered as she stood up. “Maybe I should go look for him while you rest for a bit.”
• Ava joined her on her feet. “Thank you, Keisha. I love the fact that you’re so considerate of me, but I cannot rest until Ramsey is found. It will be trouble if the alpha returns home and that boy is still missing.
• Keisha didn’t insist any longer, with the mention of alpha Lucas and also her knowledge of how much delicacy with which he treats his son, she understood Luna Ava’s position and concern very well.
• Ok, then at least, let me help you look for him. We can find him much faster that way.
• Ava nodded, “some of the nursery staff are helping me look, but sure, you can also join us.”
• Ok, milady, let me just go and drop this water in the kitchen, then I will start my search from there. Who knows if he’s playing hide and seek in one of those shelves?
• Come to think of it, Ava’s mind didn’t go there, but bummer, that’s not the only place her mind didn’t go. “Good thinking, Keisha, but this pack house is so big and there’s still a million places we haven’t looked. Even if he’s not there, we have to keep checking other places.
• On it, milady, don’t you worry. We will find him before his father returns,” Keisha assured as she proceeded to pick up the bowl of water which she’d left in the corner.
• Thank you, Keisha.
• After both servant and Luna departed ways, Ava continued her search. She realized then that she hadn’t checked Nani’s quarters, she hadn’t even seen Nani at all today and of course, Ramsey loved going there sometimes.
• In less than a second, she changed direction and walked as fast as her feet could carry her until she reached her destination. Thankfully, Nani Rosalyn was inside. She was busy mending an old rag until Ava barged in, forgetting to knock.
• Oh, goodness. Our Luna! You almost scared me to death!” Nani panicked.
• Realizing her lack of courtesy, Ava quickly apologized. “I am so sorry. My mind is a total mess right now. I should have knocked before entering.
• Seeing Ava in that troubled state, Nani quickly forgot her annoyance and led her to sit in her outer chambers.
• What is it, dear. Tell me, what happened?” Nani asked her.
• Ava almost felt like crying as she took a seat, “Nani… It’s Ramsey that’s happened. That cub will not kill me one day.”
• Being familiar with everything that went on in the packhouse, Nani didn’t need any more enlightenment to know what was going on.
• He’s gone missing again, hasn’t he?
• I am tired of the same thing always happening repeatedly, Nani. I already have enough on my plate as Luna. I wish I could just stay and keep an eye on my son all the time, but that’s not possible. And those nursery workers, I think it’s high time they should be replaced.
• Nani went to sit beside her as she took her in an embrace. “Now, now dear, calm yourself down. I understand your frustration, but you know as well as I do that they are not to blame. Ramsey isn’t the only one in their care, but he happens to be the only cub who goes missing all the time.
• Ava sighed, “I know Nani, I know. I just wish that there was something I could do to stop things like this from happening.”
• There’s not much you can control when it comes to handling a young De’ Clan. Lucas was much worse when he was Ramsey’s age. Take your eyes off him for a second and next thing you know, he’s nowhere in sight. Always very clever in running away.
• Nani’s statement made her chuckle a bit. It felt good to lighten up some of the stress. If only she could make the stress go away completely.
• Ava stood up, it’s been nice to see you, Nani, but I guess he’s not here. I have to go and resume my search for him now before Lucas returns from hunting. You know he won’t be as lenient with the workers as I was.
• Of course, I even fear what will happen to them if Lucas returns, and that boy hasn’t been found. I would have loved to come and join you, but I have to go down now to begin preparing dinner. No one else is there to do it.
• It’s no problem. You can go.
• Nani took her hand, “I wish you good luck and strength, dear Ava Maynard. You are the first dawn Luna, and you are doing great, like it’s what you’ve been prepared to do all your life.
• Ava smiled. Nani wasn’t wrong about that.
• I just hope I find him on time. I’m scared of the fact that he might wander off to any dangerous places containing weapons or sharp objects. It’s been years, but I still remember vividly what happened to me at the forbidden lake. It’s a very scary thought. I’ll never forgive myself if something like that ever happened to my baby.