Page 158 of The Moonborn's Curse

Hagan's throat worked. He signalled for him to continue.

"I didn't see her. But I was near the market quarter, in the eastern province near her house. I was off-duty—the Highclaw had asked me to keep an eye out."

Hagan's fingers twitched. "Go on"

The wolf nodded quickly. "Her mother was there. She didn't see me. She was speaking to an older man. "

"And?" he asked tightly.

The wolf looked nervous again. "He mentioned his son, Talis, had met Seren for coffee in the human city a few hours from the eastern settlement. Said... she was safe."

He stepped back, dragging both hands through his cropped hair before gripping the back of his neck in frustrated disbelief. A breath hissed out through his teeth. He remembered that name. Talis.

He dropped his arms and forced his shoulders to relax.

"And?" he asked tightly.

The scout looked nervous again. "She asked—just quietly, not even the man seemed to catch it—if Seren was alright. "

Veyr, who had slipped into the room unnoticed, stepped forward at last. His voice was low, measured.

"Where is she?"

The scout met his gaze. "I don't know exactly. They didn't say. But Talis's father mentioned... a district near the forest edge. Somewhere the shifters mix with the witches. Said he wasn't supposed to talk about it, even with family. But he'd been worried. Said it wasn't a place for someone like her."

The silence returned, heavier now.

A heartbeat of hope.

"Thank you," Hagan said quietly. "I need...I just need some time on my own."

His heart thundered in his chest as they left him alone, the door closing behind them with a soft click. The ache of the bond, a constant companion, embraced him like an old friend.

It was his first solid lead.

But it came with a sharp edge—her mother had refused to give anything away.

Refused to speak to the wolves stationed in the eastern province. Grieving, still. Guarded. Guilt-wrapped. As though her silence could shield her daughter now in ways she hadn't been able to before.

She had lost Seren once.

She wouldn't risk betraying her again.

But the damage had already been done.

Seren had left them all behind and never looked back.

And now—finally—Hagan had a direction.

By nightfall, he stood at Draken's door.

"I'm abdicating," Hagan said, voice flat—but his eyes burned.

Draken looked up from the low-burning fire, the faintest flicker of disbelief shadowing his worn features. "What did you just say?"

"I'm stepping down," Hagan repeated, quieter this time. "Jorik can step into my role. He has been training with me."

Silence settled into the hall like smoke.

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