ALFRED POV
I had missed her the minute she left my presence. Geo whimpered as her scent trail fades in each passing minute and for it to be replaced by —-
“Mira what do you want?” I said angrily looking at the she wolf with disdain. Nothing about her interest me now my mate is here.
But Mira has been my loyal bedmate for two years now…..I love exploring ….but she can hit good.
So I decided to keep her. Until now.
“Alfred” she said, using the tips of her fingers to circle me up.
You devil!
“Stop it!” I said, grabbing her hand, “ And it’s Alpha to you Mira.”
“I have missed you Alpha” she said pressing her body into mine.
Ok this has to stop.
“I have more pressing issues to take care of Mira and I’ve found my mate, so we can’t keep up with charade. Also, don’t ever stop me like this in public again, understood?” I said, holding up her hand and looking at her straight in the eyes, making her cower and uneasy.
“Y….yes Alpha” she said in a small voice with her head bowed.
Shaking my head, I dropped her hand and left.
“Where is she?” I mind-linked my beta
“At your chambers” he replied.
Hanni….her name…my mate…she isn’t the type of girl I would normally pick in a room but my goodness! She is beautiful!
And Geo purred.
I opened my door silently to see her dancing around the room and I couldn’t hold a chuckle which made her turn, looking at me with surprise on her face.
“Get in” I commanded the two serving girls standing silently by the door.
“These are your serving girls, they will help you get ready and when you are done, come have dinner.” I said leaving.
“Alpha” my beta mind-linked me.
“What is it beta?” I replied.
“I am at the third wing, there is something you need to see.”
I sensed unease in his voice and in no time I was beside him.
“Talk to me” I said loosing it.
“There had been an outbreak of poisoning earlier today at south side of the pack” he said looking grim, “we lost two of our members an hour ago and fifteen are battling with pains, not sure if they will survive the night.”
“Poison? What kind of poison” I asked unable to understand what all this is about.
“We are still unsure of the poison they took or how it was digested or why they took it because they have been wailing in pain since they arrived here and things escalated quickly when two he-wolves suddenly slumped and died on the spot. Then I knew it’s time I let you know” he said adjusting his glasses.
“Ok. Is it contagious? For seventeen wolves to be affected with this poison beta, it’s suspicious.”
“I fully understand what you are saying, Alpha and I will get to the bottom of this, you don’t have to worry.”
“Are there any symptoms of the poison on their bodies?” I asked.
“None Alpha, but they are all clutching their stomach, unable to stand straight.”
“Give them the best care Andre and get back to me immediately” I said standing up.
“Yes Alpha” he replied “have you seen your mate?”
Shit! Dinner! I had been occupied with the pack’s issue and I forgot about dinner.
Has she eaten? Is she up waiting for me?
“I need to go” I said to my beta and his lips moved but I didn’t hear what he said because I had left there.
I entered the dining hall to see the servants packing up the food and drinks.
“Has my guest eaten dinner?” I asked the head servant.
“No Alpha, we didn’t see her” She replied with her head bowed.
I turned and headed straight to my chambers, only to find her asleep on my bed, her tiny fingers clutching a book, dressed in that sinful material I had bought and intended to gift Mira after the tournament.
“Who gave it to her” I wondered, looking at the sides of her creamy breasts peeking out from the outfit.
I licked my lips and swallowed, then I went to sit on the sofa to calm my beating heart and I sat there for a while admiring her beautiful features and then I remembered once more…dinner.
I hate to wake her for I know she will be tired, but she needs to eat.
“ You must be so tired.”
**************
“A…Alpha?” She called out weakly
I sighed, stood up and walked towards her getting buried in her deep blue eyes.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I was expecting you down for dinner but as I didn’t see you, I decided to come check up on you only to find you asleep.” I said softly
“Oh” she said, sitting up “ I didn’t mean to fall asleep, it just happened.”
“It’s fine sweetling” I said smiling, couldn’t get enough of her eyes, “but you must have something to eat, I promised you a hot meal and a warm bed, remember?”
Without waiting for her reply, I gestured to the serving girl standing silently in the shadows by the door to go bring in some food and she bowed and left immediately.
As my eyes trailed down her body, I noticed every feature, every candy her small hands couldn’t hide, for she used her hands to cover her exposed breasts. My heart filled with longing, decided to work overtime to dissuade my brain and Geo from claiming her this instant….but my crotch was out of control, always behaving solo and having a mind of its own, decided to announce his presence.
With all my willpower, I walked to my wardrobe, picked out a shirt for her and took deep breaths to calm the storm raging within me.
I approached her and handed her the shirt and there and then, time stood still. We were stuck completely in our gaze for I couldn’t believe it!
My mate is sitting on my bed! Mine!
I always believed I was mateless for I had giving up long time ago searching for her. I had already presumed her married or worse, dead.
But now….it looks so good to be true.
She looks fragile like glass, with her pale skin glistening under the moonlight. I will have to be very careful with this one for she can’t know my true nature.
I caught her looking at the scars on my chest and grinned. I know I look roughened up, but that’s a ladies mark, they love the scar and by the way her eyes were dreamy, I can tell she, included.
“Alpha.”
We were both jolted back to consciousness by the serving girl who had returned with dinner.
“Come in” I ordered and she scurried in with the food, dropped it beside her and left immediately.
I carried the tray and removed the bones and cut the streak into tiny chewable pieces and handed it to her, then I returned back to the sofa to sit and watch her eat.
I watched her eat with gusto and my heart bled at the sight for it looks like she had been starved. I was filled instantly with an animalistic desire to protect my mate, to keep her from harm, I wish to gain her trust before I can claim her.
But first, I need to know who she is and what type of danger I am dealing with here.
Soon, she finished her meal and the servant carried her dishes hurriedly, she then looked at me with eyes that sparked questions and uncertainty, but I decided to go first.
“Sweetling” I said softly, careful not to startle her “so tell me, who are you and where are you from?”
HANNI POVCan I trust him?Where am I from? Can I trust him?I decided not!“My name is Hanni” I said, my voice almost a whisper while avoiding his gaze, “And I am from the eastern wing pack. I am a traveler, and I just stopped by to see my aunt, she lives here but she went on a trip.”Please moon goddess, let him buy this, I prayed fervently while he looked at me with his head bent slightly to the left, obviously digesting what I had just said.“Ok. then if you will pardon me, I will like you to be my guest, till your aunt arrives” he said.What?! No I need to keep moving. I do not want to see Lucas and my sister ever again so I need to cover more land separating us three.But I can’t tell him that.“Thank you for your hospitality and generosity Alpha, but I will have to decline.”“No, I insist! Even if it’s just for few days” he said with his face creased with determination.But I shook my head, determined to stand my ground, “Alpha, Please let me go.”How long will I stay here befo
ALFRED POVI saw uncertainty and doubt in her eyes and I know she doesn’t trust me, that made me suspicious of her answer when she told me where she came from.Is her name even Hanni?I pondered and wondered what could be wrong as I came out to meet my beta who was standing by the door and all thoughts of my mate evaporated when I saw the distress in his eyes.“I am guessing this is about the poison case” I said briskly, using my fingers to pinch the bridge of my nose, I do that anytime I am stressed.“Yes Alpha and there is more” he said quietly, obviously counting his words.“Spill it Andre” I growled impatiently, “ you didn’t bring me out here to play games, did you?”He strengthened his back and looked at me with sad eyes, his glasses amplifying the emotion on his face.“No Alpha. I just got word that we have lost thirteen of the afflicted and the pack physicians cannot decipher the substance they took or what they inhaled but what they know is that the poison is very active and it
HANNI POVI froze.I was torn between answering or ignoring her for a minute. Who knows me here? Or did the Alpha go search for my ‘aunt?’ But it was a lie!He didn’t know that though.I stood up and walked gingerly to the door, without opening I asked, “who please?”I heard a chuckle at the other end of the door and she said, “my name is Simone, Marcus’s mate. You have met him right? The slightly chubby one with the Alpha. I heard from him that Alfred have found his mate…finally and I was so eager to see you, I’m so sorry for I know it’s late……do you know what? I can just come tomorrow.”Yes it’s very late, but her voice sounded so cherry and I couldn’t resist seeing her face. So I opened the door immediately, not wanting her to leave. Also, I wanted to be polite and besides what can go wrong?“Here u are!” She exclaimed and gave me a big hug, then pulled back and looked at me in the eyes, while I shyly looked away, amazed by her enthusiasm. She is a head taller than me with a pale w
ALFRED POVI stood quietly at the door listening to her speak to Simone, I felt a pang of jealousy as she spoke freely to Marcus’s mate, I shook it off instantly, choosing only to listen to her worries and what she said, broke my heart.“It’s just that, I’m not comfortable with this mate thing, I know that this bond is crucial for us wolves but I have doubts right now for this is all new to me. I am a virgin you see? And all my life, I haven’t experience any form of male affection…well, except Josh, who is my best friend and all of a sudden, two men wants me.”The hell! She didn’t just say that!I stood still as shock engulfed me and I held my breath even more as I tried to decipher this situation….Ok, it’s understandable that she is a virgin, I wasn’t surprised for I sensed her innocence earlier, but she not believing in the mate bond and two men wants her?Me and who? I feel things are deeper than how it appears to be. But I want nothing other than her love, her affection and appare
HANNI POVI wasn’t hungry, but I knew I needed to give them some space.Before leaving, I noticed the look on the Alpha’s face. It was a look I was unfamiliar with, it was serious. A look that commands respect.As I skimmed down the stair case, with Betty sniffing for scent traces of food, because I felt I might be lost, I overheard two maids arguing faintly and I stopped immediately so as not to be noticed.“The Alpha’s mate? Unbelievable!”“Yes. I’m certain…Sara confirmed it….she served her last night….”“How does she look like? Is she beautiful like Mira?”“Beautiful?” the serving girl’s shrill laughter filled the hall “more like basic.”“Idle, aren’t we?” A familiar voice sounded from the doorway across the hall, making the maids quiver with fear with their heads bowed as Simone walks in, looking all radiant and beautiful with the air of authority all around her.“We are s…sorry, your highness, please forgive us” the shorter maid stammered, with her head bowed so low that she can
ALFRED POVI looked out the window of my study, wondering what my next steps will be. My father and grandfather did not have this kind of problems. They started with their mates as childhood lovers and there wasn’t any occurrence of poison attack during their reign.My vision was obscured temporarily that I had to shield my eyes and when it passed, I looked down to see Hanni running in the garden with Simone, her hair glinting in the sunlight and her laughter mixed with the winds, creating a melodious sound that I had to close my eyes to bask in.“Alpha?” A voice called at my door, rudely interrupting my pleasurable moment.“Who is there?” I said hoarsely for it better be important.“The council is seated my king.”I sighed and shook my head for I had forgotten totally about my summons earlier because I had been occupied with the thoughts of my mate. I shook my self to alert my consciousness and turned towards the doorway, tearing my gaze from her painfully.“Where is the beta?” I ask
ALFRED POVAndre and Marcus sat side by side in silence both having the air of seriousness as they watched me got up from my throne and with both hands behind my back, I started pacing from side to side.“This is serious, Andre.”“Yes I think so too, Alfred, I feel it’s more than just rebels, I think this is something bigger.”he replied.“You said earlier that they are moving strategically Andre, what does that mean?” Marcus asked..“I find this hard to believe that a spineless rogue will be able to poison a jar full of wine at a pub or a stall full of meat without been detected….nahhhh it’s too smart for just a normal rogue to handle.” Andre replied, adjusting his lens for he does that always, whenever he has a brain boost.He was right, for someone to poison a big pub jar without getting detected and also a stall full of meat, he has to be smart and calculating.“But what method do you think he used to poison the wine and the meat? Since it’s wolfsbane, the poison should be in liqu
HANNI POVWith my heart in my mouth, I ran through the gardens with Simone and I watched as she skimmed through the flowers and pines effortlessly, without a scratch. The flowers smelt divine and beautiful, each emitting an internal glow which was so unlike anything I had seen before.“Simone, please what type of flowers are these?” I asked, standing beside a pale green rose, looking very confused. She turned and approached me with a glint in her eyes, looking very mischievous.“That’s a serpentine.” She said, raising her eyebrows and I took a step back immediately because I didn’t like the sound of that.“What’s a serpentine?” I asked, expecting an obvious answer and I wasn’t disappointed.“A deadly flower that can kill a ware wolf in seconds, if it comes in contact with the skin.” She replied suddenly looking all serious and I panicked immediately for I had just touched a petal.“Moon goddess!” I exclaimed and ran to her, “Simone I had touched a petal! Am I going to die?”“Which one
ALFRED POVNever in the million years will I ever guess it to be Simone and Hanni….well Simone, yeah…but never Hanni. Actually I had thought it to be Snivellus and his friends who have come bearing news concerning their mission, for it’s about time we received any feedback so as to bring the matter up in court which was in fact due.“Enter” I called out as I scribbled my signature on some documents, when her scent hit me, making my senses foggy and Geo, excited.“Hello Alpha” Simone greeted with a bow and turned to smile at her mate, who stared at her with shock and confusion in his eyes and turned back at me and said, “please forgive me Alpha, I understand you are busy with the pack affairs…but I—” she turned to Hanni who was crouched behind her and smiled at me, “we…. really miss our mates and we wish to be with them, even if it’s a little while.”My eyes stayed focused on Hanni involuntarily and I couldn’t seem to peel it off, even when Simone was talking, I didn’t blink….just star
HANNI POVI haven’t seen him for days….the Alpha…my mate and I’ve been informed earlier of his busy schedule, but strangely, like I’ve known him all my life, I find myself missing him terribly.Simone have been a good friend and confidant for these past days I’ve been alone, but it still not the same with me being around him and I’ve done everything…every activity I could think of in order to get him off my mind, but it’s all to no avail for I find myself snuggled every night under his sheets, engulfed totally in his scent and I close my eyes every night dwelling in memories of him.I have taken Betty out for a run, spent all my days either in fields or at the clinic, but as there are no new cases, there isn’t much I can do—for now.“Hanni!” Simone screamed suddenly, making me jump out of my skin and stare at her in shock wondering why she had raised her voice as we were the only ones in the hall and then I realized—I had blacked out again.“Are you ok princess?” She asked with conce
ALFRED POV“A mole?” I asked puzzled, “are you sure of what you are saying Beta?”“Yes Andre” Marcus said, “You know that is huge and we shouldn’t point fingers if we are not certain.”“Besides, I thought this is purely the North mountains case” I queried, “Accusing someone from my court will change our theory.”“It might be” Andre said and shrugged as he paced around the study, with his face creased with a frown.“It might be?” I asked incredulously, Ofcourse I wanted to get to the bottom of this, but never did I imagine it being traced back to my court.I took a deep breath and asked;“Who is your suspect?”Andre stopped immediately and turned to look at me, with his eyes flashing ominously and said, “The owner of hollows ofcourse, that old mousy twit! Sir Anthony.”I stared at him in disbelief and laughed, with Andre falling suit, but I couldn’t shake away the feeling of unease building inside me for I know, Andre is no joker.“Sir Anthony have been a trusted friend of my father an
ALFRED POV“You? How? When?” Marcus spluttered in shock, while Andre stared in disbelief.I chuckled and took another sip from my glass cup, looked up at them with a smile creased on my face and said; “I have my methods and I have men tailing these brawny mules as we speak.”And soon enough, there was a knock on the door and with the thought of it been my spies, I barked;“Enter.”“G- good day Alpha” a scrawny white lab coat wearing middle aged he wolf with greasy bespectacled eyes entered with a bow and stretched his hand holding an envelope towards Andre, who took it quizzically and then it dawned at him.“The test?” He asked the healer ecstatically with a huge smile on his face.“Yes Beta” said the healer with a bow, “Head physician Mattew sent me with the result.”“So what does it say?” asked Marcus, with a shrug, “or wait let me take a guess….it shows positive for Crystal salt poison.”“Yes your highness” said the healer courteously, “ it’s the crystal poison indeed.”“Ok. You ca
ALFRED POVThe awful stench of decaying sweat and blood hit my nostrils as I crossed passed the gates to the cells and the sight that followed, made me regret my breakfast earlier and soon we stopped at a small cell positioned at the far end corner of the hall and there, my eyes fell on three beefy looking wolves, forced in a kneeling position with their hands chained backwards in-order to stop any compulsive movements, for we needed them alive.I entered the cell quietly and saw their rigid posture and noticed their defiance attitude and smiled sheepishly, for I had greatly missed this..This is what I’m used to, not poisons.I signaled to Marcus for a chair and he had one brought to me immediately, then I took my position at the front of the kneeling wolves and smiled at them as if we are having a feast.“Good day Gentlemen” I greeted with a wide smile that didn’t reach my eyes and they looked at each other with their head bowed and said nothing.“Tsk Tsk no manners” I jeered as my
HANNI POV“How are we feeling now mrs Willis?” I asked her as she eagerly wolf down her meal, looking bubbly and full of life.“I feel great” she replied as she placed some eggs in her mouth, then she stopped suddenly and looked at her hands which was thin and shriveled earlier, but now…plump and full of life and she smiled sadly making my heart drown in sorrow for I understood her emotions.She had just escaped death—by the jaws.“Thank you my lady” she said in between sobs, “I am so grateful.”“No..no it’s not me, but the Alpha” I said hurriedly as I handed her a glass of water.“I fell strong now my lady, please when am I going to be discharged?” She asked as she rested her back comfortably on the slightly raised ward bed.“Very soon mrs Willis” I replied with a huge smile and after checking to see everything in order, I bowed courteously and left the ward.“Here you are!” Mattew exclaimed as the approached me with a bounce in his steps.“Here I am Mattew” I said and smiled with my
ALFRED POVI opened my chamber doors to be greeted by unfamiliar loneliness as it had grown fond of Hanni’s presence and I glanced at the masters bed—my bed with her body imprints still etched on it and I quickly removed any traces of her from the covers so as to calm my beating heart for I miss my mate and even though I did not want to admit it…I miss being with a woman, but out of respect and wanting to be a better man for her… I find myself thinking about being with only her.“The table is set my king” a serving maid called from the chamber entrance and I grunted in reply.I mind linked Marcus to meet me in the dining hall and quickly undressed for a shower allowing my thoughts to wander again about her and this time with scenarios more erotic ….“Shit!” I hissed as a felt my member get hardened, pulsing with need…with desire…“We are running out of time Bud” Geo growled as he pants around and I couldn’t help to agree…but it’s not yet time.“Patience Geo…..patience” I said under my
ALFRED POV“Mrs Willis?” Hanni whispered, crouching down to be head level with the she wolf and raised up two fingers, “please how many fingers am I holding up?”“Two” she croaked weakly and smiled as her color returned with each passing minute.“Oh moon goddess” Hanni exclaimed happily, “Her pulse is returning back to normal.”She proceeded to check her vitals and the frequency of the machines beeping with Mrs Willis heart and she turned to face Andre and I, who had been standing silently by the door, watching her run happily around the room, checking out this and that, patiently waiting for her verdict.“I need to call Mattew” she said excitedly. “I think she will live.”“That means it worked right? The antidote” I asked, praying fervently to the moon goddess for it to be so.“I think so…she is alive” she said, in between small skips, unable to contain her joy, “If you will please excuse me, I need to call the head physician.”“Go ahead” I said and I moved from the door way to let h
ALFRED POV“I don’t know Andre, I’m tired of all this!” I stood up and paced around angrily around the office, “I would have preferred war to this, then I would have been at the battle front slicing some throats!”“I agree, that would have been better, for this is a very sneaky move for us adult wolves—” he said with his countenance calm as he sat cross legged on the sofa close to the door.“I am more concerned of their theory Andre” I said and turned to face him, “what if they are wrong and I’ve given them my permission to administer the Crystal antidote to the patients….you know what happens if they are wrong?”“Yes my king” Andre replied, “the patients will die immediately, for they then would have been injected with poison—instead of antidote.”“And if they are right, that would mean an urgent meeting, with the north mountains, demanding an explanation.” I injected.“Urgent meeting?” Andre asked with his eyes widened in surprise, “I thought you wanted to speak with the Alpha…alone