CHAPTER THREE

Thane’s POV

  My breath hitched as I came to my senses.

    I had never fathomed the idea of finding my mate before. When I was younger, despite seeing my parent's happy marriage, the idea didn't appeal to me. I didn't want to be shackled to anyone or anything. There were too many beautiful women to taste, too many lips to kiss. During my five years in self imposed exile, I'd found a lover and companion in Renee but the thought of committing to a mate hadn't reached my mind. I had never considered it before until now.

  That woman, whoever she was, was my mate.

  I didn't regain myself until my mother called me. I looked back at her startled.

  “Are you okay?”

   I blinked frantically before giving a shaky nod before looking forward. The music had stopped and the dancers were exiting the stage. My body moved of its own volition as I stood up

    “Please excuse me,” I rushed out. Slipping out of the table, I moved on autopilot, only one thing on my mind.

  I needed to see her.

   Ducking out of sight through the forest, I followed the route I spotted the dancers taking, their colored silks and jewelry leading the way. Suddenly one of them moved away from the others as they dispersed and I quickly recognized her.

     Careful to not be spotted, rushed towards her exiting form as she swayed, moving closer to the buildings. As I moved, a wave of dizziness slowed me down. I'd definitely drank too much.

   She turned into another road. I rushed to reach her, yet as I turned the corner I stopped.

    The road was empty. She was gone.

   Disappointment filled me as I turned away, slinking back onto my seat. My insides felt hollow as a tap brought me up to meet Renee's eyes.

  B“Are you okay baby?” She asked, making me look up at her.

   Renee. How could I forget I had a girlfriend?

  I smiled to hide the guilt before nodding.

“I'm good,” I said, turning away to focus on the stage. ….

 ‘Who is she?'

 When I woke up the next morning, I asked the servants within the pack house as well as some of the pack members I'd found using her description, but found nothing.

   It was driving me crazy. My mate was somewhere within these packs where I was, with my girlfriend and I didn't know where she was.

   Could it be someone I knew? I pushed away the thought. If she was one of my former conquests I would have felt the bond earlier, meaning she must have been young, maybe she'd turned 18 after I'd left.

   She might not even be a member of this pack but of Red Crescent. Either way, it didn't narrow it down, and I didn't want to bring attention to it. For now I had to focus on the work I was set out for.

  “These are the projects your father was working on, they aren't much since most of the work isn't here.” Hayden said. We were former classmates but never close, as he was a withdrawn boy, which was why it shocked me at furst to find him as the newly chosen Beta.

  “Where is it then? I can't waste any time waiting.” I asked,

  “It's with Felicity in the Crescent pack.”

  ‘Felicity Addams?’ my brows furrowed. There could only be one if he refused to elaborate.

   “What the hell would she be doing with it? Did Alpha Addams request it?”

  “No, she's managing the projects herself.”

 “What?” I asked, “why would she do that?”

   “For the past one year, Felicity has been in charge of both packs.” he replied,

  Shock filled me but it quickly melted into laughter.

  “Stop joking Hayden.” I chuckled, the expanded land, buildings and crafted roads came to my mind. How could a child do all that?

  I expected him to follow along but he didn't.

   “I'm not joking Thane. “ he shook his head , “all this progress over the past few years, the expansion and projects, it was all her doing.”

  I stopped laughing.

   “She has been in charge of fostering relations in the packs. At first she was just dealing with small duties and then took over most of her father's duties. Now she even helps your father with his.

  ”My father had given power to a little girl?

BbThe one time I had asked him to put me in charge of something, years ago he'd sneered and told me off, stating that he would never trust me.

   “She's adored by both packs. Before your father collapsed, you'd always see her coming here to spend time with him. Even when she isn't here always talks about how responsible she is and praises her like a daughter. He's very proud of her. They all are.” Hayden said.

  Something bitter welled in my belly. So he'd forgotten about his only son and took up a child as his daughter.

  I hadn't met her to judge her, yet anger welled up in me.

  “She can't be that exceptional.” I bitterly retorted. Hayden shook his head.“She is. Both of our packs adore her. Despite what she went through years ago, she stole everyone's hearts. She's got it all. Brains, wit, strength and beauty.

  She is known as the Beauty of the Pack.” A soft smile came across his face.

   “Who knows ? Maybe when you see her you'll regret those words you said five years ago.” He teased, laughing. I held my tongue from retorting, as I focused on his claim of beauty.

  Five years had passed, making her 18. I tried to visualize what the gangly little girl would look like.

  Yet, thinking of a beautiful woman, my mind flew back to the mystery dancer I'd seen last night. The flawless grace on her body as she moved. I compared both images.

  “Not as pretty as her…” I murmured,

 “Sorry?” Hayden asked and I realized I'd slipped,

  “Nothing.” I quickly backtracked.

  Somehow my mind always returned to my mystery mate. The newly formed bond tugged at my senses. I wanted to see her again. Wanted to talk to her.

  But searching for her would. If only I'd reached her in time during the party…

  Wait…

  “Hayden?” I spoke casually, “for the party the next two nights, are the same performers going to be there?”

  His brows furrowed and I spotted confusion on his face.

  “Yes, why?”

  It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I smiled,“

  Just wondering,” I said, keeping my voice nonchalant while my heart raced.If it was the same performers, then it meant that the dancers were going to be there including her. A rush filled me at the thought.

  The next party, I would face her again and this time I won't miss her.

 Night couldn't come any sooner.