I recognized this condition. Pheromone imbalance.
When an Omega went too long without their mate's presence and mark, their body developed this rejection response. But something was wrong. Serenity's reaction was far too severe. Normally, pheromone imbalance just caused some fatigue, nothing this painful.
Yet she trembled nonstop in my arms, like a leaf fighting the wind, as if she might wither any second.
Why was it so severe?
The question surfaced, but I had no time to investigate. I carried her into the cabin, leaned down and kissed her lips, wrapping her in my pheromones and giving her a temporary mark.
She was barely conscious, responding on instinct, her arms circling my neck. Such an intimate position. But the emotions bleeding through from deep inside her made Fenrir whimper in pain.
She was crying.
I knew it with absolute certainty.
Why? Was her life outside the mansion that hard?
My eyes traveled over her body. She was thinner than when she had lived at the mansion. Strangely, though, her abdomen had a subtle, soft curve that hadn't been there before. Serenity hadalways been careful about her figure. Why would she suddenly gain weight there?
Curious, I reached out to touch it gently.
Just then, Herman's voice came from outside: "Alpha, the ceremony's about to start! Where are you?"
I withdrew my hand and carried her out.
Herman and a small squad of warriors immediately converged on us. With a reluctance I couldn't explain, I transferred Serenity to one of the guards. "Take the Luna back to the mansion and let her rest. Then call a doctor."
The guard nodded.
I watched them carry her away until she disappeared from sight. Something heavy and impossible to release settled in my chest.
I never could have imagined that would be the last time I saw Serenity.
After the Moon Ceremony ended, Serenity vanished.
According to the guards, she woke up, realized she was at the mansion, and started screaming. Then she slipped away while they weren't watching.
Was she really that unwilling to stay?
I didn't know whether to be furious or dejected. My emotions were a tangled mess. Liv kept bragging about how successful the Moon Ceremony had been, but my heart felt hollow. I couldn't muster a shred of joy or happiness.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Serenity's pale face and lonely silhouette.
She had seemed so unwell that night. How was she now?
The question circled endlessly in my mind, making it impossible to focus on work. The only thing I could do to ease my conscience was to deposit more money into her bank account, hoping she would take care of herself.
But to my shock, the transfer was rejected.
Staring at the notification that the account had been frozen, I went blank.
The next second, I roared for Herman.
"What the hell is this?!" I demanded furiously. "This is how you carry out my orders?!"
Herman calmly glanced at the frozen notice and reminded me, "Alpha, I'm not the one handling the Luna's bank account anymore. You've delegated that responsibility entirely to Miss Liv."
His words hit me like cold water.
