Chapter 71: Missing
Lily’s fingers moved carefully, following Shirley’s demonstration of the complex sign.
“Excellent,” Shirley praised with a nod. “Your progress is remarkable, Lily. Soon you’ll be able to express yourself without that notebook.”
Lily smiled, pride warming her chest. Her hands had grown more confident in the past few days, though she still kept her notebook close. A security blanket she wasn’t ready to abandon.
Shirley adjusted her glasses. “Now, let’s try something more challenging. How would you sign—”
A sharp knock interrupted her. The door swung open before either could respond, revealing Ezra’s tense face. His usual stoic appearance was nowhere to be found. He looked disheveled—shirt wrinkled, hair uncombed.
“Excuse the interruption,” he said, not sounding apologetic at all. His eyes locked on Lily. “I need to speak with you. Privately.”
Lily exchanged a glance with Shirley, who seemed to sense the urgency.
“We can continue tomorrow,” Shirley said, gathering her materials. “Practice those new signs, Lily.”
Once Shirley left, Ezra closed the door and leaned against it, running a hand through his messy hair. The bags under his eyes told Lily he hadn’t slept.
“Zayn is missing,” he said without preamble.
Lily’s heart dropped.
It had been more than three days since any of them had seen Zayn. Ezra had instructed the pack warriors and Lily to keep things under wraps while they waited. But one day turned into three.