Chapter 4

"Your Highness, your esteemed knight and loyal brother has arrived," he announced. I felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. As they finally returned, a sense of unease settled within me, as if foretelling an impending event for which I was ill-prepared. However, I dismissed it as mere nervousness and fatigue catching up with me, choosing instead to take a deep breath and welcome them inside.

Derek and Black appeared unchanged despite their frequent comings and goings over the past two months. Although visibly weary, they seemed to be in good health. "Ah, I hope this time proves to be the one we've been waiting for," my brother grumbled as he collapsed onto the sofa with a resounding thud.

Black chuckled and turned his attention to me. "He's always complaining. I never want to endure another mission with him again," he remarked with a wry smile.

I nodded sympathetically and let out a sigh. "I understand your frustration. After all, you've acquired no less than twenty white wolves, yet none possess the power we seek."

The relentless search for a specific white wolf had become utterly exhausting for all of them. However, driven by my loyalty to my father and the kingdom, I had to suppress the urge to flee. Hoping that this would be the final endeavor, Black commented while taking a seat beside Derek, who seemed lost in his own thoughts, gazing into emptiness. 

Observing my brother, I raised an eyebrow, recognizing his occasional dimwittedness, but sensing a profound depth in his current expression. "Derek?" I called out, but he remained unresponsive. Something was unquestionably amiss. Disregarding Derek's detachment, Black interjected, tauntingly mentioning the small omega wolf we had discovered, causing Derek's dazed countenance.

I couldn't resist giving my brother a kick on his shin, hoping to snap him out of his daydreaming state. With a hesitant tone, I inquired, "Can you enlighten me about the wolf he mentioned? Is it the white wolf?"

If Derek had any involvement with the white wolf, I would definitely step back, even if the white wolf happened to be the one we were searching for. My brother's happiness held greater importance to me than my own.

"What? No. And just so you know, brother, I'm not even thinking about her," he responded, biting his lips and averting his gaze. I could sense that he was lying.

"So, which wolf is it then?" I persisted.

"Nobody!" Derek shouted.

Hmm, intriguing. It's unusual for my brother to lose his composure, which means it's not just "nobody."

"Speaking of girls, where's your beloved mate Elsa?" Black inquired.

I hesitated, wanting to contradict him and reveal that I no longer have a mate because she has passed away. However, I didn't wish to engage in an argument. All I desired was for everything to conclude swiftly, the sooner, the better.

"Amaya returned to her pack," I responded, trying to keep my tone neutral. "Her father summoned him for a meeting with some high-ranking wolves or something."

"Is that why you're so restless all of a sudden? Missing her?" Derek retaliated, seemingly seeking revenge for my prior interrogation.

I shook my head, taking a deep breath to steady myself. My wolf seemed unsettled, pacing around my thoughts without a clear reason.

"My wolf's behaving strangely, that's all," I said earnestly, meeting the worried gazes of both Black and Derek.

Once again, I shook my head and turned to Black, determined. "So, where's the white wolf? I want to meet her now and put an end to this."

Black gave a nod of acknowledgment and rose to his feet. "Allow me to fetch her for you, Your Highness," he said, accompanied by a sly smile. Mockingly, he bowed in my direction, aware of my distaste for such formalities, especially coming from a friend like him. Yet, his expression faltered as I chose not to pursue him. The immature Killian of the past should have long vanished from his perception. He ought to have realized that Ginni took away my kind and gentle nature with her. She used to be my guiding light, but now that she's gone, everything has turned bitter and dark.

Derek, prompted by Black's departure, prepared to follow suit, but I intervened before he could proceed. "Derek, instead of daydreaming there, contact the Elderlies," I commanded my brother, who shot me an angry glare in response. I arched an eyebrow at him, daring him to challenge my authority. Letting out an exasperated sigh, he stared at the ceiling momentarily before reluctantly turning away and exiting the room.

I let out a weary sigh as I adjusted my robe and crown, preparing for what lay ahead. "Here we go," I whispered to myself, bracing for the task at hand. The relentless pacing of my wolf was giving me a pounding headache. "Could you please calm down?" I silently implored, my frustration mounting.

Beside me, the elderly attendant noticed my discomfort and inquired, "Your Highness, is there anything you need?" He must have sensed my unease, but I reassured him, "No, I'll manage. It's just that my wolf refuses to settle."

The elderly attendant regarded me with a peculiar look, as if he possessed knowledge beyond my grasp. Yet, before I could decipher his enigmatic expression, he simply nodded and turned away.

"Your Highness," the group of Elderlies interjected, reminding me once more of our purpose, "if this is indeed the white wolf we seek, you have the option to acquire her power either forcefully or through her voluntary cooperation."

I nodded solemnly, acknowledging the fact that nobody willingly surrenders their powers. Therefore, I must forcibly strip them away. To achieve this, I need to weaken her human form sufficiently to assert control over the wolf within her. It is the wolf who harbors the power capable of liberating me from this accursed existence.

My focus snapped back to the present as the door to the hall swung open. Little did I realize that the person standing on the other side would become the revelation I had been seeking all along.