Chapter 5

Alfredo's POV

"Melissa!!" I growled her name, my voice echoing through the corridor as I watched her disappear from my sight, while I struggled to stand on my feet. I had no idea Melissa had so much power inside that little body of hers.

Groaning as I clutched my groin in pain, I stood up to my feet. "Let's go after her, Alfredo!" My wolf, Dex, roared with anger, at the thought of losing his mate.

"Prince Alfredo!" A guard called out to me as I made to run after her.

"What?!" I barked, as I turned to face him, Dex, flashing in my eyes.

"L– Luna Aziza sends for you," he Informed, in a trembling voice, as he pissed his pants.

"What for?!" I snarled. 

"I– I don't know Prince Alfredo," the guard stuttered. "She only told me it's important that I bring you to her."

I punched the wall beside me as frustration built up inside of me. "Fine, I'll be there soon. Get out!"

I stared at the direction Melissa went, conflicted with my feelings if I should go after her or go answer my mum.

"Prince Colbourne."

"What now?!" I snapped.

"I'm sorry, Prince Colbourne,' the guard apologized, bowing his head slightly. "But Luna Aziza insisted you come with me."

I sighed in frustration, as I knew there was no way I'd walk out of here without the guard following me behind like some persistent mosquito. 

Bam! I punched the useless guard as I made my way towards my mother. Since he was completely useless and couldn't read the room that I had somewhere important to be he could at least get a punch.

"You're a coward, Alfredo," Dex cussed. "You just let mate go."

"I'll get Melissa no matter where she goes," I assure him. "She has nowhere and no one to run to."

"Just admit it that you don't have the balls to stand up to your mother," Dex said accusingly.

I ignored Dex's words and made my way to the hall where my engagement ceremony was taking place. 

Just outside the hall, before going in, I took a deep breath and adjusted my clothes properly before plastering the fakest most genuine smile I could offer as I opened the door.

"There he is!" I heard my mother's voice. Her eyes seemed to be on the door, waiting for me.

I looked over at her and she was beaming with pride, as she waved at me to come over with a smile spread across her lips.

"Princess Sheila went looking for you," she informed me, in a stern tone, but the smile on her lips did not falter,  as I got closer to our table where Sheila's people and mind were seated. "Do you realize how embarrassing it is?" She mindlinked me in the last part.

"I'm sorry, I went to the restroom," I lied, and offered a fake apology, bowing slightly to Sheila's people.

Less than a minute after I came in, Princess Sheila also walked into the hall with graceful steps and a graceful smile on her lips like a true princess. All eyes were on her as she walked in.

"Princess Sheila is not just beautiful but graceful," one of the invited Werewolf dignitaries whispered loudly to his friend, and this made the smile on her lips widen.

"Prince Alfredo is so lucky," I heard one of the invited Werewolf dignitaries say. His eyes filled with lust.

An unexpected growl escaped my lips, as I stared daggers at them.

The werewolf dignitary bowed his head in shame.

"Awww, he's already being possessive," my mum cooed, making Sheila blush uncontrollably, as she took her seat beside me.

"Where did you go, Prince Alfredo?" Princess Sheila asked softly.

"I went to the restroom," I told her the same lie I told my mum.

"I was worried, you just walked out immediately we exchanged our bond rings," she said, looking into my eyes. "We have something important to talk about."

"Shoot," I told her, as I gulped down the glass of wine in front of me.

Sheila smiled shyly. "Not here, privately." 

The moment the words privately left her lips, I wasn't interested in whatever she said next. My thoughts drifted back to Mellissa, as I thought of the possible place she could be in the Pack.

"Dex, can you reach out to Lyra?" I asked my wolf.

"You think I haven't been trying?" He retorted. "She has blocked all communication with me, and thanks to your stupidity our bond isn't so strong anymore."

I sighed and massaged my temples.

"Why don't you mindlink the Pack's guards to look for her," Dex suggested.

"That's absolutely brilliant Dex!" I almost jumped up out of excitement. "Why didn't I think about this sooner."

Dex sighed in exasperation. "Because you're dumb," Dex insulted. "I'm the brain, and you're–"

I cut off the communication link between Dex and me. I need to pay full attention if I want to mind link all the guards at once.

"Guards!" I called out as the mind link connected.

"Yes, Prince Colbourne," they answered in unison. The guards present at the bonding ceremony looked over at my side.

"I want you all to–"

I stopped halfway as I thought about what I was about to do. I know my mum has some really trusted guards who were loyal to her to a fault, and If they got the slightest idea that Mellissa was gone, it would be the last time I'd see Melissa, for good. They'll kill her on sight.

"Prince Colbourne," the head guard voice snapped me out of my train of thought.

"Make sure You're extra alert tonight," I changed the topic. "First impressions matter, we can't afford to look weak in front of Lockhart's princess and lack members."

"Yes, Prince Colbourne," they said in unison, and I cut the mind link.

Since I couldn't go out in search of Melissa right now, I decided to mind link the one person I was certain wasn't in my mum's payroll my Beta, Sarah.

I tried reaching out to Sarah,  but for some unknown reason, I couldn't.

The clinking sound of glass broke my train of thought. Turning towards the sound, I saw my mum standing, with a glass of wine in her hand and a smile plastered on her face.

"Let's make a toast to the future Alpha and Luna of Silver Rose Pack," she said cheerfully. "To the glory and unity of Silver Rose and Lockhart Pack."