Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 57: Search Party...

Chapter 57: Search Party...

"Here’s her scent. Spread out and make sure you find her," Damian commanded, holding up one of Evelina’s worn dresses.

The fabric hung loosely in his hands, but the reason for it was clear to the group of warriors before him. Their focused, watchful eyes showed that they understood the situation’s urgency.

The werewolves stepped forward, taking turns sniffing the garment, their heightened senses absorbing the faint traces of Evelina’s scent.

Without hesitation, they split into groups and dashed off into the woods surrounding the palace grounds, moving swiftly like predators.

Damian’s jaw tightened as he watched them disappear into the distance. His silver eyes were filled with determination, and his fists clenched at his sides.

Behind him, King Lucian approached, his voice carrying an edge of disapproval. "Damian, what do you think you’re doing? Pulling warriors from their posts in the middle of the day? What if the kingdom comes under attack?"

Without looking at his father, Damian replied coldly, "No one will attack us, Father. The pack and the kingdom are the strongest in the region. Everyone knows that a direct assault would be suicide."

"And what’s worth risking the kingdom’s safety?" Lucian pressed in a low tone.

Damian turned to look his father in the eye, his silver eyes steady. "My mate... Evelina. She’s missing."

Lucian’s lips pressed into a thin line, his expression unreadable. "Perhaps she grew tired of this whole situation and ran away," he suggested in a casual manner. "It wouldn’t be the first time someone decided the palace wasn’t for them. Plus she’s a grown woman who can make decisions on her own."

Damian’s voice was sharp, almost a growl. "She didn’t run. Someone took her, and I’ll find out who."

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and strode toward the palace courtyard.

**************

"Anything?" Damian asked as he approached Jasper, who leaned casually against a low stone wall, waiting for him.

Jasper straightened, shaking his head. "Nothing concrete yet, Your Highness. A palace maid in the southern wing said she saw Lady Evelina earlier yesterday. She had a bit of an argument with Lady Selene. Apparently, Selene tried to slap her, but Evelina stood up to her and walked away after that."

Damian’s hands balled into fists, his wolf growling restlessly in his mind. "Selene," he hissed through gritted teeth. Without hesitation, he mindlinked her.

"Where the hell are you?" Damian’s voice rang in Selene’s mind.

A moment later, Selene’s honeyed voice filled his thoughts. "My Prince... how rare for you to mindlink me. To what do I owe this honor?"

"I said, where the hell are you?" Damian snapped.

There was a pause, then Selene’s teasing tone returned. "In my chambers, about to bathe. Care to join me?"

Damian’s patience snapped. "Cut the crap, Selene. Did you have anything to do with Evelina’s disappearance?"

Selene’s laugh was light and mocking. "Accusing me of kidnapping your precious mate, are we? As flattering as it is to be on your mind, I’m afraid I had nothing to do with this."

"Don’t lie to me, Selene."

Her voice hardened slightly, a hint of irritation breaking through her playful facade. "Believe what you want, Damian, but I guess Evelina pissed off someone who acts faster than they speak. Best of luck finding her."

Before Damian could answer, Selene cut off their connection, leaving him fuming in silence. He exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling as he stared angrily at the horizon. In a fit of frustration, he kicked the air, but it did little to calm the anger boiling within him.

"She’s lying," Storm growled in his mind.

"I know," Damian replied grimly. "And I’ll make her pay for it if she’s behind this. But first, we find Evelina."

***********

The moon hung low in the sky as Damian joined the search party. He moved quickly, his heightened senses alert to every sound and faint scent around him. He could still smell Evelina, but it was too weak to follow. Frustration welled up in his chest as he looked around.

He had tried mind linking her but had no luck with that. Either she was beyond reach or unconscious; both probabilities sent a chill down his spine.

Ahead, a figure emerged from the shadows. Zade. His half-brother’s emerald-green eyes were sharp, and his jaw set with determination.

"What are you doing here?" Damian asked bluntly.

Zade adjusted his gloves as he met Damian’s gaze. "Looking for Evelina," he replied curtly. "Or am I not allowed to care about her?"

Damian bristled at the edge in Zade’s voice. "You’ve never joined the search parties before. Why now?"

Zade took a step closer, his stance calm but loaded with tension. "Because this isn’t just about palace politics. Evelina doesn’t deserve whatever’s happened to her."

Storm growled faintly in his mind. "He’s too interested in her."

"I know that," Damian snapped, his voice barely above a whisper. "But she’s my mate."

Zade’s lips curled into a thin smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Trust me, I’m well aware."

Their eyes met, with unexpressed feelings swirling around them. Damian noticed a hint of resentment in Zade’s eyes—a resentment towards the connection Damian had with Evelina.

"I’ll search the eastern woods," Zade said evenly, his voice betraying none of the bitterness that Damian could sense. Without waiting for a response, he turned and disappeared into the trees.

Damian clenched his fists, his wolf snarling. "He doesn’t like that she’s ours."

"I don’t care," Damian replied silently. "I just want to find her."

********

Selene sat at her vanity in her room, wearing a soft bathrobe. Her wet hair hung around her face as she absentmindedly twisted a strand with her fingers. In front of her, her maid Lily stood with her hands nervously clasped together.

"Are you sure you didn’t see anything else?" Selene asked.

Lily shook her head. "No, my lady. I only saw the man carrying Lady Evelina out on his shoulders. His face was covered."

"And you’re certain it was her?" Selene pressed, her eyes narrowing.

"Of course, my lady," Lily confirmed. "She dropped the pearl Prince Zade gave her. That’s how I knew."

Selene turned to her vanity drawer, pulling it open with deliberate care. From inside, she retrieved the smooth, gleaming dragon pearl Lily had delivered earlier. It shimmered faintly under the candlelight.

Her lips curled into a small, calculating smile as she cradled the pearl in her palm. "Sometimes, fate delivers more than you ask for," she thought, her mind already spinning with possibilities.