008

AZRIEL’S POV

I watched as she angrily stormed out of the ballroom without saying a word to me. What just happened? I was left in a state of utter confusion. One minute we were dancing, and the next, she was angrily walking away.

‘Go after mate, ’ Jax growled in my head.

“Is everything okay? I saw Paige hurriedly leaving.” Sophia said as she stood by my side.

I let out a deep breath. “I don't know either. She just left angrily.”

“Then you should go after her, brother. Something might be wrong.” Sophia urged me.

I strolled out of the room in search of her. I scanned the area with my eyes, but I couldn't find her. I made an effort to search the rooms in the palace, but she wasn't there either.

Where could she be? I was getting worried and a bit frustrated.

I decided to mind-link Trevor, “Where are you, Trevor?”

“I'm still at the ballroom, Your Majesty.” He responded swiftly.

“Meet me outside, now!” I barked before blocking him off.

I hope you're safe, my love?

Because I wouldn't spare anyone who would cause any harm to my mate. Since today was the Annual Mating Ball, there were a lot of unmated male wolves in the premises which was the major reason for my agitation, especially since I hadn't marked her.

And since I hadn't marked her, I couldn't tell where she was.

“What’s wrong? You sounded worried.” Trevor said as he ran towards me.

“Paige is missing,” I said worriedly.

His eyes widened. “What? I saw you two dancing just a few minutes ago.” He replied in a shocked and concerned tone.

I shook my head rapidly. “Yes, we were dancing, but she suddenly walked out without a word to God knows where,” I explained to him.

“Have you checked your house?” He asked. Why didn't I think of that?

“No, I should head there now. Thanks, man.” I patted his shoulder.

“No problem. I'll also instruct guards to keep an eye out for her, just in case they see her.”

“Okay, good.” I ran back to the house, hoping to see her in the house.

Once I got to my house, I noticed the door was unlocked. My senses went on high alert as I cautiously walked into the dimly lit house.

I walked further in, and I noticed Paige wasn't in the living room, so I made my way upstairs to check our bedroom.

On getting there, I saw her curled up on the bed, still in her dress, in a fragile state. Her body shook with silent sobs as I got closer to her. I saw tears rolling down her cheeks, and I instantly felt broken seeing her that way.

“Hey baby, what's wrong? Why are you crying?” I rushed to settle beside her on the bed.

“Azriel.” She jumped into my arms as she continued to sob uncontrollably, and I pulled her onto my lap.

What could have happened?

“This better be no one’s fault,” I mumbled with a clenched jaw.

“What's wrong? Did something happen?” I continued to question and pacify her gently, but she didn't speak.

“Have you found her yet, Your Majesty?” Trevor mind-linked me.

“Yes. She's home. Thanks for your help, man.” I said to him,

“Not a problem, Your Majesty.” He replied before cutting off the link.

Eventually, her tears finally subsided after a while of crying. She gradually began to compose herself as she wiped her tears with the back of her hands.

“I saw him.” She whispered without looking at me.

“Saw who, love?” She removed her head that was resting on my chest and stared at me. Her face, red and puffy from crying.

“My father.” She blurted out. I was shocked and angry at the same time because I knew what her father did to her.

“Your father? What's he doing here?” I asked, my voice laced with anger.

“He came for the Annual Mating Ball with my stepmother.” She explained.

If her father was here, that meant he was someone in a high position.

“What pack is he from again?” I asked her.

“Who? My father?” She asked, probably wondering why I was asking.

“Yes. Tell me the name of the pack he’s from.”

“Why are you asking?” This girl does know how to ask a lot of questions.

“I need to know, love. You ask too many questions.” I playfully said, and she glared at me.

“Well, he's the Alpha of Sky Moon Pack.” She said casually.

What!!

“Your father is an Alpha?! That means you're the daughter of an Alpha.” I asked, still in shock at what she just told me.

‘Our mate has an Alpha blood in her, ‘ Jax yipped in my head.

She nodded. “Yes,” she said, leaving my lap and sitting on the bed. “My feet hurt from all the running,” she said, changing the subject.

I gazed down at her feet, which were now resting on my lap, and I saw the red blisters on them.

Great! She ran barefoot.

“Look at what you have done to yourself,” I said and gently removed her feet from my lap. I went to the bathroom to take an ointment with a wet cloth.

I got back, knelt and began wiping the dirt off her feet before gently applying the ointment on the blisters. She looked so exhausted each time I looked at her.

“You should get out of this dress,” I suggested after I was done applying the ointment.

“Yeah, you’re right.” She slowly stood up from the bed and went to the bathroom.

After she had changed out of her dress, she walked up to where I was and pulled me into a hug. I laughed at her clinginess.

“What is it, love?” I chuckled and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her back.

“Nothing. I just want to hold you for a bit.” She mumbled in my chest. We remained that way for a few minutes, just the soft feel of her breath against my skin, which sent a shiver down my spine, before we slowly pulled away.

“What are you going to do about my father?” She suddenly asked.

“Nothing serious, but he needs to pay for what he did to you. Daughter or not.” I said in a serious tone.

She let out a sigh and looked at me. “I'm hungry.” She said, pouting.

Thank God I had already ordered the maids to get her some good to eat.

“Let's get some food into this petite body of yours.” I pecked her forehead and we stepped out of the room together, side by side.

“Find me Alpha Abbott of the Sky Moon Pack and keep him in my office.” I quickly mind-linked Trevor.

“Okay, Your Majesty.”

We were hit by the delicious aroma of the food by the time we got to the dining table, which indicated that the food had already been served, ready for consumption. Paige took a seat and immediately began filling up her plate herself without hesitation. She paused and looked at me, waiting for me to sit down.

She raised her eyebrow curiously. “Are you not eating with me?” She asked.

“No, love. Just enjoy your meal, I'll be back quickly. I promise.” I felt bad knowing I was leaving her alone, but I needed to deal with that man.

“Okay, but please be quick. I don't want to sleep alone.” She said quietly.

“You won't.” I planted a soft kiss on her lips before rushing out of the room.

I went to my office inside the castle and saw Trevor and Alpha Abbott waiting for me. As soon as Alpha Abbott saw me, he bowed his head in respect while I settled in my chair.

“Your Majesty, you sent for me. I hope nothing is wrong.” He asked nervously.

“I should be the one asking you that.” I couldn't help the smirk that appeared on my face, seeing how shaken he looked.

“What did I do wrong?”

“Have you heard that your daughter is my mate?” I said, looking straight into his eyes. His eyes flicked as he gulped.

“Yes, My Lord. My sweet daughter has been ban— I mean missing for months now. But I’m grateful to the goddess that she has been found and even matched to your Lordship as a mate.” This old fucker was lying through his teeth without fear despite been in my presence. He didn't know he had sold himself out when he stammered.

“Is that so?” I asked, leaning back into my chair. “But that wasn't what I heard,” I smirked internally as he shivered.

“Whatever Paige told you is a lie. She's lying.” He said. I couldn't help the growl that escaped my mouth.

The thought of someone insulting my mate made me angry.

“How dare you call my mate a liar? We both know you're the one lying right now, Abbot.” I growled which caused Trevor and Alpha Abbott to submit to me.

“Did you or did you not accuse your daughter of trying to seduce you?” I questioned. “And do yourself a favour by answering truthfully, because I will know if you're lying.”

“I did.” He answered shamefully. How could a father do such to his own daughter?

“Why?” I asked in disgust, waiting for him to give me his stupid reasons, but he didn't.

“ANSWER ME GOD DAMN IT!!! WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!” I yelled out in anger, slamming my fist on the table.

“I didn't know what came over me, Your Majesty. I always saw my late wife in her each time I looked at her, and I miss her terribly,” he cried out in shame. “When Paige caught me, I decided to lie against her and banished her out of the pack to protect myself from what I’d done.”

“How could you do such a wicked thing to your own child?” Trevor said angrily.

“Alpha Abbott, for your lies and deceit, you are hereby stripped of your Alpha position and banished from Sky Moon Pack from this day henceforth.” I declared and left the room with Trevor behind me.

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