Bound to the Bar. Crowned as the Moon Dance Queen Chapter 05

Bound to the Bar. Crowned as the Moon Dance Queen Chapter 05

Ever since he found out Maren was gone, Rhys had been a total mess.

Calls went straight to voicemail. Texts wouldn’t go through. Even the pack bond they’d shared since t

were pups-that faint, steady thread between them-felt like it had snapped clean in two.

He waited by the academy gates until dark, and she never showed up.

And today was training day-why would she skip?

Fear started seeping into his bones, slow and cold.

No way.

Maren couldn’t really be gone.

She was just mad, hiding out for a few days. She was probably just pouting somewhere.

She’d come back, just like she always did after they fought.

He tried to convince himself.

But even his wolf didn’t buy it.

The next day at the academy, Maren’s seat was still empty.

He finally accepted the cruel truth–she was really gone.

Because of that stupid prank?

Impossible.

Maren had stuck by him since they were little. He’d teased her nonstop, and she’d never actually gotten m

before.

How could she leave him over something so small?

How could she leave without even saying a word?

How could she really… give up on him?

This had to be a joke.

Rhys pulled out his phone and dialed that familiar number over and over.

No answer.

He didn’t quit. He tried again and again.

Still nothing but dead silence.

Delia stepped closer. Her heavy floral scent wrapped around him. “Rhys, what’s wrong?”

“Maren transferred out.

“Wait, what? Why?” Delia clapped a hand over her mouth, faking shock.

But her eyes? For just a split second, a flash of satisfaction crossed them.

Why? He wanted to know too.

It was just a joke. A stupid prank.

They’d done way worse stuff before—she’d never actually gotten mad.

Why this time…

Rhys replayed the last look Maren gave him after they lowered her that day.

Calm. Ice-cold. Like she was looking at a stranger from a different pack.

No love.

No hate.

Just…

Nothing.

A sharp, crippling pain shot through his chest, and he doubled over.

His wolf howled inside him.

“Rhys, are you okay?” Delia reached out to touch him.

He’d liked her touch before.

But now? It made him sick to his stomach.

“Don’t touch me.” He shoved her hand away.

Delia froze–he’d never talked to her like that before.

“Rhys…”

“I said, don’t fucking touch me!”

He roared. His eyes turned amber, and he looked completely unhinged,

The whole class turned to stare at them. Wolf instinct kicked in, and everyone tensed up from the outbu

of an Alpha heir

Delia’s eyes welled up with tears, but Rhys didn’t care anymore.

Over the next few days, Rhys was like a totally different wolf.

The brash, cocky Alpha heir everyone knew? Gone.

Now he barely spoke. He zoned out during training. Sat alone during breaks. Ignored everyone who tried

talk to him.

His friends thought he’d lost it.

“Dude, Maren transferred. So what?”

“Weren’t you always complaining that she was always on your trail?”

“She’s gone now-aren’t you supposed to be happy about this?”

Happy?

He didn’t feel an ounce of happy.

Every day after training, he’d wait outside Maren’s family cabin.

Hoping she’d just gone to stay with her aunt for a few days.

Hoping she’d come back soon.

Hoping the wind would carry her familiar scent to him again.

One day.

Two days.

A whole week went by.

She never came back.

Her mom said she was doing fine where she was.

“Rhys, what happened? Maren transferred and didn’t even tell you?”

He had nothing to say.

How was he supposed to answer that?

Admitted he’d hung her from the bleachers just to impress another girl?

Admitted he’d let her be humiliated in front of the entire pack?

Eventually, he got her aunt’s address from a mutual acquaintance.

That weekend, he drove three hours to Moon Dance Academy.

He had to see her.

He had to ask her why.

He had to bring her back.

He waited outside the academy the entire afternoon.

Finally, he saw Maren walking out.

She was wearing her new uniform, laughing with a group of friends.

It was a smile he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Relaxed. Natural. Real happy.

Nothing like the smiles she gave him back when she was with him-always careful, always on edge.

So she could smile like this without him, huh.

Rhys tried to step forward, but his feet felt glued to the ground.

Suddenly, he wasn’t so sure anymore.

She looked good here, way happier than she ever was in his pack.

If he showed up now, would he just ruin this for her?

Just as he was hesitating, Maren turned her head.

And saw him.