Soraya's POV
The ride back to the palace was quiet, the soft hum of the car filling the silence between me and Thorne. I stared out the window, watching Silverfang's tall forest structures blur past, but my thoughts were elsewhere.
I tried Maya's line again—once, twice—but it still didn't connect. Each failed attempt made my chest tighten. Why wasn't her phone reachable? Maya never went this long without her phone.
I tried to remember the supermarket's office number, thinking maybe someone there could help me reach her—but it wouldn't come. Just a blank stretch in my mind.
Thorne's voice broke the silence. "Is everything alright, Luna?"
I forced a small smile. "Yes. Everything's fine."
He nodded. "Alright, then."
A pause. Then I sighed. "No… I'm not okay."
He glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
"I've been trying to reach my best friend. Her number hasn't been connecting since yesterday. I'm just… worried."
