When the Hidden Luna Rises novel Chapter 34

**TITLE: Chained by Fate**
**Eliza Rowan**
**Chapter 10**

The engine of Ryan’s car roared as he raced down the winding road, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts centered solely on Tessa.

As the traffic light ahead switched to a glaring red, he felt a surge of reckless urgency. Without a second thought, he slammed his foot down on the accelerator, barreling through the intersection as if the rules of the road no longer applied to him.

He sped through several more red lights, his palms slick with sweat as anxiety coursed through his veins.

Never before had he felt such a profound sense of dread regarding Tessa’s whereabouts.

A chill crept into his heart, a gnawing fear that she might decide to leave him for good.

The drive from the venue of their mating ceremony to his home was typically a leisurely fifty-minute journey, but today, fueled by desperation, he managed to arrive in just over thirty minutes.

He burst through the front door, urgency propelling him toward the bedroom. However, the moment he crossed the threshold, he froze, his breath hitching in his throat as he took in the desolate sight before him.

The room was eerily empty, as if no one had ever inhabited the space.

Only his belongings remained, a stark reminder of what was once a shared life. His voice echoed through the house as he called out for her, but silence answered him.

Standing in the living room, his breaths came in ragged gasps, and his heart thudded loudly in his ears, each beat a reminder of his rising panic.

He turned sharply to the maid standing nearby, his voice rising in desperation, “Where’s Tessa? Where did she go?”

The maid flinched at the harshness of his tone, her eyes wide with fear, unsure of how to respond.

“Luna Tessa… didn’t she leave yesterday?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

She assumed Tessa had gone to relocate her belongings to the Slivermoon pack and dared not probe further.

Ryan’s fists clenched tightly, his frustration boiling over as he smashed a nearby vase against the wall, shards scattering like his hopes.

“Find her! Mobilize the entire pack to search for her!” he commanded, his voice echoing with authority and desperation.

“Bring Luna Tessa back!”

The servants exchanged nervous glances; they had never witnessed Ryan’s fury like this since he and Tessa had bonded as mates.

**Chapter 10**

20.06%

A cold, mocking voice from within him sneered, his wolf’s disdain evident.

“Shut up.”

“What did I do wrong? Why is Tessa treating me like this?” she cried, her voice muffled against her mother’s shoulder.

“Ryan likes me—what’s so wrong with that? I’ve always given in to her demands, and what do I get in return?”

Her words were drenched in frustration, devoid of any hint of remorse.

Audrey looked at her daughter, her heart aching for the pain Chloe was feeling. No matter her daughter’s actions, Audrey saw no fault within her; to her, Chloe was the embodiment of her hopes and dreams.

“She’s wrong for treating you this way, Chloe. Don’t cry, my dear. Once I find Tessa, I’ll ensure she’s expelled from the pack!”

“No one can hurt my daughter!”

The thought of banishing Tessa from the Bloodmoon pack had always lingered in the back of her mind, a secret desire waiting for the right moment to surface.

Deep down, she understood that Tessa was the true daughter, the rightful heir to the pack, while Chloe had merely manipulated Alpha Liam and Luna Audrey to secure her position.

Yet with Audrey’s promise, a flicker of hope ignited within her.

Not only would she gain control over the pack, but she could finally pursue her feelings for Ryan without fear of reprisal.

Chloe leaned into her mother’s embrace, a small, satisfied smile creeping onto her lips as she savored the thought of what was to come.