Chapter - [ 3 ]

[ Darius ]

“Alpha, the rogues attacks are increasing day by day. Last night they killed a group of pups who lost in the woods while playing in the Yellow Moon Pack. It isn’t far from our pack. Should we increase the number of patrolling team?” My Beta Keith asked me while I was staring out of my office’s window at the setting sun.

“They won’t dare to cross our territory unless they have a death wish.” I said with a proud smirk.

He bowed and nodded, “You’re right but we can take more patrols.” He added.

I shook my head, he is more stubborn than I am, always making me agree to him.

“Alright, you can go but come back within an hour. We need to discuss the next training session for the teenage wolves. My father is against this but it’s better to train them as soon as they hit puberty.” I said and walked past him to leave.

“Yes, Alpha.” He said and joined me.

“Have you seen Alex?” I asked him about my Gamma.

“He is already in the woods.” He answered and I nodded.

I made my way to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee to kill the migraine. I don’t understand why my wolf Knox is restless today. He is annoying and scratches me every single day to find our mate but I am not ready to welcome a woman who is destined to me by the Goddess.

I can’t love a mate back because I can’t forget the woman who stole my heart three years ago.

I still feel the tingles on my skin when I remember her. Something about her beauty never let me forget her. We spent the greatest time of our lives together. Her blue eyes don’t let me sleep at night. I miss her terribly every day. I can’t claim her as my mate. My father would never allow me because she is a human and if I defy him and bring her to my pack, my reputation as an Alpha would be ruined.

I miss Elena terribly.

“Alpha, we caught a trespasser. You have to come in the dungeon to see her.”

I heard Beta Keith’s voice in my head and my senses got alert. I spotted my mother approaching me but I had no time for her since she has a single agenda in her life, she wants me to find my mate and have a bunch of pups.

There has not been any trespassing in last two years because everyone fears us. I placed my cup down on the counter and stormed past everyone who bowed to me, in respect and in fear. Knox became more restless than ever.

“Can you stop it? It’s frustrating, Knox.” I reprimanded him and with quick steps I reached in the dungeon where, a place where I avoid to come because death follows me to meet the end of a sinner.

A strong feminine scent, mix of lavender and pine hit me, it was magnetic and pulled me towards it against my will. I spotted my Beta, Gamma and three patrolling members standing in front of a cell. The scent was coming from there.

“Take me to her, FAST!” Knox yelled in my mind.

I pushed them out of my way and when my eyes landed on a woman shackled in silver chains, coiled on the blood matted floor, her torn and soiled clothes revealed her milky white skin, her piercing blue eyes staring at me through the canopy of blonde hairs. Suddenly, my heart began to thump loudly. It was a strange feeling. Her eyes gave away a mixture of fear, confusion and shock.

Reality dawned upon me when I heard Knox’s next words.

“Mate!”

She is my mate. A prisoner is my mate. By judging her physical appearance and trained body and the radiance oozing from her, I could tell she belongs to a high rank.

“Alpha, we captured her in our pack’s woods. She isn’t ready to tell us her name.” Keith told me but his words went above my head. Her wolf was weak but it was trying to connect with us while she resisted.

“Who are you?” I asked her, I needed to know about her identity to confirm whether I should leave her here to die or contact her family. I can’t let my mother find about her because I am not ready to welcome a stranger and perhaps a criminal as my mate.

“I…I…am lost.” Her weak yet sweet voice rang into my ears and another wave hit my body. Knox was getting impatient to reach her and mark her but I am not like my beast.

“Your name, do not test my patience or be ready to die because if I find out you are one of those rogues who kill innocents, trust me you’ll rather prefer to die than bearing my punishment.” I gave her an indirect threat because I needed to know about her identity.

It forced her to look up at me and I got a chance to observe her unmatched beauty. Her eyes seemed to dive deep into mine.

“What are you doing? She’s our mate. You can’t leave her in a place like hell.” Knox rebelled.

“SPEAK UP!” I roared, my eyes turning dark.

“I am Celeste Miller, daughter of Alpha Paul of Riverside Pack.” She spoke inaudibly but I heard her and cursed my fate even more. She is the daughter of a rascal called Paul Miles, our neighbour pack who is always in search of a chance to strike a war with us. Maybe, he has sent her to spy on us.

“What were you doing in my pack? You know the punishment of trespassing another pack’s territory without their permission? An Alpha daughter must know everything yet you were foolish to roam foolishly at such hour.” I said blankly. I was feeling frustrated.

“I accidentally fell and hurt myself. Please, let me go. I won’t ever set my feet on your pack.” She joined both her hands and begged me with teary eyes.

I felt my chest constricting, I wanted to comfort her but I couldn’t. She can’t be trusted and I can’t cheat on my love. I turned to face Keith as it was becoming hard for me to keep my hard demeanor maintained.

“Keith, lock her here and call Alpha Paul to ask whether she is telling us the truth. If she is his daughter, ask him to come tomorrow and take her with him. Until then, she is just a trespasser, treat her like one.” I ordered my Beta and without sparing her another glance, I stormed out of the sickening place where her sweet scent invaded the putrid stench.

“Have you lost your mind, Darius? I want you to go back to our mate and bring her in the comfort of your house.” Knox yelled, he was getting impatient so I blocked him before he turns me insane. I needed a run to clear off my mind and from this new girl’s picture.

As I was about to leave the pack house, my phone vibrated in my pants’ pocket and I looked at the caller’s id. Elena was calling me. I smelled the air to confirm that I wasn’t heard by anyone and swiped the green button.

“Hello, love where have you been? I left many texts but you didn’t reply?” I heard her sweet voice complaining and I stressed more.

“I was busy. Anyways, where are you?” I asked her avoiding to give her an honest answer because it’d break her heart. She knows who I am and also that one day I would find my mate and our relationship may end. I don’t want to end things with her yet.

“I am at your apartment in the town. Are you coming to meet me, Alpha?” She answered in a teasing tone.

I thought for a second. Maybe, meeting and spending time with her clears my dilemma.

“Yes, I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” I said.

“Don’t be late. I am wearing red, your favorite.” She said and ended the call.

Perhaps, it was wrong but I am in love with Elena and I had no information on my destined mate.