Chapter 2: Who dared?

Hakan’s POV

“Hakan.”

I looked up at the sound of my name.

My Beta and best friend—Callum, stepped into my office. “Your preparations to travel to Moonlight pack have been arranged. Are you ready to leave?”

I rose slowly from my chair, letting out a breath to ease the uneasiness that had settled in my chest over the past few days. 

“Yes,” I said calmly. “We’ll leave in thirty minutes.”

“Alright,” Callum replied, though he didn’t move. He lingered, hesitation evident in his eyes. I knew that look.

“Speak,” I said.

He exhaled. “Do you really think we’ll find a solution by meeting the Beta of Moonlight pack?”

I sighed. “We can at least give it a try.” “Things are getting out of hand.”

That was an understatement.

Ever since the Sapphire wolves went extinct a decade ago, balance has been slipping through our fingers. The rogue attacks wiped them out completely. Every last one of them.

Being an obsidian wolf, power had never been my weakness. But power and balance are two very different things. The Sapphire wolves were the stabilizers of the pack. Their presence kept the energy of the land steady.

Without them, everything was falling apart and as Alpha, I needed to find a solution.

Rogue attacks have become more frequent. Even the climate has been changing from sudden storms, unnatural cold to heat that lingers too long. 

Which was why I needed to visit moonlight pack.

If there's even a slight chance that we can form a strategy to restore the stability of my pack. 

I tightened the cuffs of my coat and stepped outside, the wind cold against my face.

“Callum,” I said, glancing at my Beta. “Let’s go.”

“All right,” Callum replied.

We stepped out together, the early wind brushing against my coat as we made our way to the carriage. The guards secured the rear while Callum climbed in after me. 

Within minutes, we were on the road to Moonlight pack. The journey took seven hours.

When we finally crossed into Moonlight pack’s territory, we were received immediately. Guards stood straighter. Servants bowed slightly as we passed.

Moonlight pack had lost their Alpha six months ago. His death had shaken the entire region. Since then, his younger brother and Beta had stepped in as acting Alpha.

He was the one I had come to see.

We didn’t even need to ask for directions. We met him halfway across the courtyard.

“Beta Alaric,” I greeted as we approached.

“He gave a bright smile. “Welcome, Alpha Hakan.”

Then he nodded toward Callum. “Welcome, Beta Callum.”

Callum inclined his head respectfully.

“Please,” Alaric gestured ahead. “My office is this way.”

I nodded as we entered Alaric’s office. Callum and I took our seats across from him.

“I apologize that we couldn’t prepare a banquet for your arrival, Alpha Hakan,” Alaric said as he settled into his chair.

I looked at him calmly. “There’s no need for that. We came to discuss important matters.”

“Still,” Alaric insisted politely, “you are one of the strongest Alphas in existence. It’s bad manners not to host a proper feast in your honour.”

A small chuckle left my lips. “Your pack is one of the most powerful as well. Don’t trouble yourself over formalities.”

He inclined his head, then leaned forward slightly. “Very well. What exactly did you want to discuss?”

Callum and I exchanged a brief look. I drew in a steady breath.

“My pack,” I began. “As you know, the Sapphire wolves and the Obsidian wolves have been the pillars of my territory for centuries.”

Alaric nodded.

“But after the incident a decade ago that wiped out the Sapphire wolves, we’ve struggled to maintain stability. Being an Obsidian wolf alone is not enough to preserve balance.”

The words tasted bitter. I did not enjoy admitting weakness.

“So,” I continued, “we want to join forces with your pack. Share resources, reinforce borders. And also increase guard numbers, especially during rogue attacks.”

Alaric leaned back slightly, considering. “I see.”

Just then, a maid stepped into the office carrying a tray of drinks.

The moment she moved closer, I smelled something.

My body went rigid. That sweet scent.

My hand shot out, gripping her wrist just as she set the tray down.

“Alpha?” she gasped, startled.

I rose slowly to my feet, staring down at her.

Callum stood as well. “Hakan,” he said cautiously. “What is it?”

The scent hit me again. My wolf stirred violently beneath my skin. Mate.

I knew that scent. I had waited for it all these years.

But this girl…I felt no pull or bond toward her. She wasn't the one.

“What is this I smell on you?” I demanded.

The maid looked helplessly at Alaric before turning back to me. “A-Alpha, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Callum stepped closer. “Hakan… what’s going on?”

I didn’t take my eyes off her.

“What did you do just before coming here?” My voice dropped lower, more dangerous.

She trembled in my grip, clearly terrified by my glare. “I…I just served food to the prisoners in the cells. Then I came here.”

My heart pounded hard.

“Take me there,” I ordered.

She blinked. “W-What?”

“NOW!” I roared.

The office fell silent.

Alaric stood abruptly. “What’s going on, Alpha Hakan?”

I didn’t answer him. I released the maid’s wrist only to motion sharply for her to move. Then I followed her out without another word.

We followed the maid down into the dungeon.

The air grew colder with every step. Damp stone, rusted metal, old blood. It was disgusting. My jaw tightened. Why was that scent coming from here? From the dungeon?

Did my mate work down here regularly? Or had she just passed through? None of it made sense. 

My wolf was no longer calm. He was pacing inside me, restlessly alert.

When we reached the lower corridor, the maid slowed, trembling visibly.

“U-Um… Alpha Hakan,” she whispered, stopping in front of the last cell. “This is where I was before I came to serve your drinks.”

My gaze shifted past her.

And then I smelled it fully.

My steps moved on their own, toward the final cell. And then I saw her. My sweetate was curled on the stone floor, bruised and broken.

The moment my eyes landed on her, something inside me snapped.

A violent growl escaped my throat. Mate.

There was no doubt. She was mine.

My fists clenched so tightly my knuckles went white. Rage unlike anything I had ever known flooded my veins. 

Who touched her?

Who dared?

“Who did this?” My voice came out low as I tried to contain my rage.