Chapter Three

Luka's POV

All my life, I had watched people fall in love, I have seen them find their mate like it was so easy and yet in my twenty-nine years of existence, I hadn't found her.

How was I supposed to find someone I had never seen? Someone I didn't know, how?

I didn't even think of what would happen if she didn't exist but that was impossible, right?

She had to be out there somewhere, there was no possible way she wouldn't be.

I didn't give much importance to others, they didn't matter as long as she was alive. But sometimes I couldn't help but wonder if truly I had one, maybe the goddess knew I was too damaged for her to give me anyone.

“We will find her, we just need to keep searching” Alfred's voice jolted me out of my thoughts, he was leaning against the door frame watching me closely. “You know as well as I do that we won't ever stop trying until we find your mate” I looked at him- no, glared at him. “and we still have two more packs to check”. I nodded silently, clenching my hand into a fist to suppress a shiver.

I looked away from the silver-haired man who I had known since I was born. Alfred had always been in my life for as long as I could remember but right now his once-black hair was now silver, and age was really doing a number on him but it showed in the kindness in his eyes and his easy smile that never failed to lighten my mood.

I pushed that thought away from my mind, I was never allowed to be weak, feeling was being weak. Those were Father’s words.

I was walking through the hallway of the castle, the maids stopped what they were doing to watch me pass by. My face looked like death itself, I was pale, my skin almost translucent. The dark bags under my eyes spoke volumes of what I haven’t slept in months and my normally neat and tidy hair now looked like I ran my fingers through it. My eyes were dark brown that appeared dull and lifeless, it was as if someone cut me off a part of me along the process. Even my lips looked numb.

I knew that but I loved how they trembled in fear when I passed them. It made me feel powerful, it made me feel alive. Like my father wanted us to become.

I looked at the guards standing outside my room that were staring straight ahead without any expression on their faces, just like the servants and the other members of the royal house.

I sat on the dining table, eating my breakfast that was provided by one of the maids and stared into space with unfocused eyes. I heard the door open and footsteps approaching me. I didn't bother to look up as I heard someone.

“Where is our next stop?” I asked Alfred after swallowing the food in my mouth.

“Northwest, the Blue Moon pack, then Goshen” He replied simply while standing beside me.

“And when are we arriving there?” I wondered, glancing at him, my eyes meeting his own.

“At sundown, in three” he responded simply.

“Good. We'll be leaving soon,” I mumbled before turning my attention back to my plate.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Alfred said, bowing slightly before walking away.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, running my hands through my hair. I hated this, I hated having to go through this every single day. I hated having to pretend that this was a normal routine.

But Alfred didn’t leave like I thought he would.

“Is there something else?” I snapped, glaring daggers at him. Alfred looked nervous but he didn’t say anything.

“What is it?” I knew he was trying not to upset me.

“The Blue Moon pack is having its annual celebration in two days' time and everyone is expected to be there so maybe we can leave today, so you'll get to look at the females there without looking oddly suspicious” Alfred explained.

“That’s what I thought. Now get lost” I ordered.

Yes I had taken it upon myself to find whoever this mate was, I was not getting any older, I needed an heir.and I appreciated his efforts and he knew that.

Alfred bowed and walked out of the room. I waited a few seconds before I decided that he was indeed gone and headed to the stable.

My favorite horse, Night, a black stallion who had been with me since I was born, was tied up near the entrance. He let out a soft snort when he saw me approaching and neighed loudly as soon as he saw me. His coat was grey and white in colour, like the clouds and snow. When I untied him and brushed the excess hay away, Night nuzzled into my neck, rubbing his cheek against mine.

I rubbed his neck softly and whispered sweet nothings into his ear.

Night seemed to understand me and he pulled away gently licking the side of my face.

“Thank you, old friend,” I whispered, placing a chaste kiss against Night’s forehead.

I then grabbed Night’s saddle and bridle, preparing him for a little stroll.

I led him to a nearby stream where he was free to drink and graze while I rode off on a trail through the woods, thinking about everything and nothing in particular. Night trotted peacefully behind me, not saying a word, he just enjoyed the wind blowing across his silky black mane.

We arrived at my favorite spot in the middle of the woods, a small patch of trees that allowed me a perfect view of the forest and sky above.

It was an amazing thing. One minute the ground was covered in leaves, dirt and twigs, and the next moment it was covered in a layer of beautiful sparkling bright green grass that swayed gently in the wind.

Birds flew around the branches and flowers were growing on the trunks. I always liked riding in the middle of the woods because the birds wouldn't disturb me here and it calmed me down somehow. I liked it here, it reminded me of a place where no worries could touch me, and my wolf.

I tried not to think of the possibility that this might not end well.

I needed a miracle,if I couldn’t find it in the next two packs then it would be over, my fate would be doomed forever to wander this world alone, with no hope.

Night and I continued to wander around until it was almost past noon and I decided to turn back. As I started to pull on the reins, Night came to a sudden halt and started sniffing the air. I looked at him confused. Night lowered his head but I pulled his reins harder so I can see his face more clearly

“What is it, Night?” Night ignored me and kept sniffing the air again.

“Come on, Night, I don't have all afternoon” Night huffed and started trotting towards the direction where he smelled. “No, Night!” I yelled, pulling on his rein so hard that he yelped. He turned around and glared at me. “Please calm down, Night. We have to go back” Night only responded with another glare and continued to walk in a direction that was getting closer. “I said stop! Stop! No Night, please!” I pulled harder and tugged at the reins until his back hit the ground and he gave a loud whinny of protest.

I looked frantically around but there wasn't anybody there except myself and Night. How was it possible?

Suddenly he looked calm, it was bizarre because I couldn't understand anything that had just happened.

Why did he suddenly become calm, why had he stopped? It wasn't supposed to go like this at all right?

I was able to pull him back to the castle and I handed him back to one of the servants. Alfred had the car ready for me, and I climbed inside, ignoring his worried looks. I quickly got in and took a deep breath in order to steady myself and tried to stay positive.

I didn't know when I dozed off in the ride and only woke up when Alfred told me we had gotten to the hotel where we will be spending the night.