Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 9

"What?"

Tobias's voice dropped to a growl, his wolf stirring beneath his skin in restless agitation.

"Settling in Crescent Moon Pack?！"

The words did not make sense to him. His body stiffened, disbelief creeping into his sharp features. His claws threatened to extend, his wolf's instincts urging him to hunt.

How could this be?

For years, Mia had waited for him.

Even when he had been absent for three years, she never once left their pack lands.

She had remained, raising his pup alone.

Tobias clenched his fists. She wouldn't leave.

She couldn't leave.

Because in his mind, she belonged to him.

And yet—

She was gone.

A growl ripped from his chest, loud enough to make his Beta step back.

"This isn't over," Tobias snarled. His wolf clawed at his mind, demanding to track his mate, to find her.

For the past few days, he had locked himself in the packhouse, pacing like a caged beast.

Something was missing.

No warm scent of Mia lingering in the halls. No laughter of his pup, no small footsteps running across the wooden floors.

His house—his territory—felt like an empty, abandoned den.

Valeria and Sable had come to visit him several times.

"Dad, tomorrow is my birthday! Can you take me to the Luna Festival?" Sable whined, shaking his arm with unashamed entitlement.

Tobias stiffened. For the first time, he found her voice grating.

His wolf snarled.

When Sable had been in his arms, where had Rhea been?

Had she been crying? Had she been waiting for him?

Tobias squeezed his eyes shut as flashes of Rhea's tear-streaked face flooded his mind.

"Idiot," he muttered to himself, gripping his head.

Guilt gnawed at him, sharp and unrelenting.

"No, I can't just sit here." His voice was a growl, firm with newfound clarity.

"I've hurt Mia and Rhea. I have to find them!"

Valeria panicked.

She rushed in front of him, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Tobias, since Mia left you, doesn't that mean she doesn't want to be found?"

She bit her lip and continued, "She's given up on you. Why not move forward?"