Chapter 4 (The Search)

ALPHA LUGARD’S POV

Three Weeks Earlier****

I finally come into a small clearing through the large trees, the witch’s hut up ahead. It’s compact with red brick walls and broken windows with vines curling around the wooden sill. Smoke curves up from the blackened chimney, disappearing into the dark blue sky.

Blowing out a breath, I make my way down, renewed strength entering into my weakened bones. I must find Isadora, even if it costs me everything. The witch is ready and waiting and she offers me a seat across from her in a low chair, her oddly shaped face tightened in concentration. I sit down without making any noise, staring at her hair already thinning at the sides.

"Good morning, Alpha Lord Lugard, how may I help you?" She says, revealing a broken front tooth.

"I've heard you have unquestionable insight and you are very precise when it comes to your works. There's this girl that I want to find after so many years. Her name is Princess Isadora. Tell me where she is and if I find her, I am going to reward you like no one has ever."

"I do not work for the money or the reward, Alpha, mine is to serve this Pack until my last breath." She says, I raise a brow and stay as calm as I can manage.

"Then be kind, I want to know where to find her."

"Princess Isadora, why would you want to find her though?"

"That is not part of your business, your only business is to tell me where to find her." She hums and closes her eyes briefly then opens it.

“Let’s begin,” she says, and a bright purple light materializes from her fingertips. Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, her voice stops my nerves, harsh and unyielding. “Concentrate.” her voice commands me once more.

I close my eyes, concentrating on my own thoughts. It’s filled with darkness and despair, blood-curdling screams renting the air. Years ago, Alpha Clinmim had infiltrated my pack and slaughtered everyone including the King and the Luna, taking me captive. I’d spent day and night in a dark room, my wrist and legs bound in chains, the air stuffy from dust and motes, making me give a dry rasp. I’d been starved, surviving only on the leftovers from the servants. I can remember the searing pain from the rods red-hot from the furnace and my eyelid flickers briefly.

“Concentrate,” the witch’s voice comes again, sharp like a knife slicing into my skin, and I force myself to concentrate on all the hardship and suffering I’d endured before I eventually spotted a flash of light at the end of the tunnel. Everywhere is as silent as a graveyard and even the sound of a pin dropping can be heard. The witch lets go of my hands and I feel a loss of warmth stirring in my gut. It’s as if I’m back in that dark place again, my body quivering against the cold.

She opens her eyes slowly and they glow a bright purple, the same as her fingertips. “I don't have to tell you anything, Alpha Lord Lugard. Nature is conspiring to put things into place. Sooner enough, you are going to find her. And one warning, make sure to change your name when you start school." She says with a smile and before I can say something else, she walks to the door to open it for me. She wants me to leave, I think.

I grit my teeth, fist clench and unclench. What the fuck did she say to me? I want straight answers and she was telling me about nature blah blah blah. And who said I am planning to go to school, what am I going to do there?

I drive home, dismissing my desire to tear down her weakened cottage as her cheeks. Within three weeks if I didn't find her, I am going to get rid of that witch.

That is how the whole thing came about. I had no plan of schooling no matter how Sam convinced me to. Well, later, I paid heed because my secretary, Alice, had also suggested it.

I drove from her premises straight to the office. I will meet Alicia and Sam. I am ready to go to school, that's to just take the chance. I cannot live with the regret of never trying.

"Good morning, Alpha Lord Lugard." Alice says as she follows me quickly down to my office. I disregard her, if there's one person I never like in this company then it's her, her chilly red painted lips turns me off all the time.

"Is there not any rule against entering your Alpha's office without knocking? Let me know because you have gone wayward." I offer, she looks to the floor, lowering her body a little.

"My bad, Alpha, I will get out and knock before coming in."

"That will be far better." She goes out and does the right thing, I say enter and she enters.

"What can I offer you, Alpha?"

"Sit down and give me a rundown of my schedule. Afterwards we will discuss a very good deal I would like to make with you." She manages a smile, her eyes wide with anticipation as she lowers herself in a seat across from me.

I look into her face and, I won't argue about the fact that she's beautiful and also with the most vivacious eyes in the company.

"Sam will be here in an hour, you have a press meeting with the second and third largest oil producers in the world." She pauses to look at my reaction. Certainly, I must smile at my achievement for being the first largest oil producer but I don't.

She flinches, her dress pulls up to reveal her beautiful delicate thighs. She licks her lips seductively and I elevate my brows skeptically. Of course, I would love to try her out but not like this.

"I am not sure you are done talking, shall we move on, please?" She nods repeatedly.

"The meeting must take 3 hours at least and four hours at most. From there, you have a meeting with your board. And that will be all for the day."

"Alright, good, for now I will like you to go with me to Denver City College." She frowns, "have you considered taking lessons, Alpha?"

"Yes, and I have some other businesses. Anyway, let's talk about our deal, I know you like me so this shouldn't be difficult, I guess."

"I don't understand, Alpha."

"No, you do, Alicia. I want you to be my girlfriend." I say bluntly, a cute smile appears on her face, her cheeks burn as red as tomatoes.

"And what will you gain from that, you don't sound like and strike me as a person who would want anything to do with me."

"You will find out in no time. Do you agree or not?" She shrugs and I have my answer already, who can reject me anyway?

A handsome and attractive looking young man who even beat his age of being in his early thirties. In addition to this fact, I've got a brilliant trenchant mind, with great spot-like features and of course, very prowess when it comes to the art of dealing with women.

Besides all these, there are other by-products such as being extremely wealthy, powerful and very very powerful that the whole planet can be under my command if I wish to.

Well, I can also be very cruel, hostile, dominant, aggressive, ruthless and you know, think of all the words that best describe the devil. However, no one has to know this part of me until the right time comes, yet the mention of my name will still resonate fear in people.

"Set an appointment for me to meet the president of Denver City College. Better still, let him come to my office in an hour's time, I will keep the press conference waiting for a while." I command Alicia, she nods and goes out immediately.

A wicked smile crosses my lips and I let it linger for a moment. This is the beginning of pursuing my lifetime aspirations. Oh Princess Isadora...

A call interrupts me, I press the intercom button to receive it.

"What is it, Alicia?"

"Mr. Dracula is in the area, he said he will be here in 20 minutes."

"Alright good, let him in when he arrives. And bring two cups of coffee alongside."

I put the receiver down, focusing at the entrance and waiting for Mr. Dracula to fall in.

The door burst open, there he was. A strong looking old man in his early sixties, his gray hair shining and praising his handsomeness even at that age. I stand and shake his hand enthusiastically. He smiles but I do not.

"Alpha Lord Lugard, it's an honor to meet you in person. How do you do." He says, his voice shaky for some reason.

"I want to start schooling, what do I need to do?"

"Do not worry about anything, I have all the proceedings taken care of. You can start just this week."

"That's good, and one more thing, I would prefer to be called Drake Shelton, you know, I've still got to protect myself and my identity. I want no one except you to know of my actual name or who I am."

"But..."

"No but, Mr. Dracula. If another person comes to find out about who I am then I will hold you responsible and I will deal with the both of you in the most horrible way imaginable."

He leans into his chair, his face blanch with fear and reality sinking in. I am not anyone to joke with.