--Xavier--Back in the Packhouse, the tension was palpable. It had been five whole hours since Alyssa, my mate, had run away, and my anger was growing by the minute. My blood boiled with each passing second, and every glance at my watch felt like a ticking time bomb. I was Alpha Xavier, ruler of the pack, and it felt like the entire world was falling apart just because my mate had vanished.Alpha Kane, the Alpha of this Pack, informed me that Alyssa lived with her grandmother, who was on her way to the Packhouse.Everyone had gone home by now, their festive spirits dampened by the chaos that followed Alyssa's disappearance. My mother, the one person who had been more eager than I was to find my mate, was arriving shortly. She had always been obsessed with me finding my mate, convinced it was the key to my happiness. Now, she'd be upset by the turn of events, fearing that my mate might reject me. She couldn’t.The guards continued to scour the woods, searching tirelessly, knowing full
--Alyssa--It had been two days now, and my hunger was gnawing at me like a wild animal. I heard the sounds of people nearby yesterday, but today there was nothing—just the eerie silence that pressed in from all sides.My stomach rumbled, a constant reminder that I needed food, and soon.But I was still scared to leave the safety of the small cabin where I was hiding in the tree. What if the people who came yesterday were still around, lying in wait? What if they were searching for me? It was a risk, and I was exhausted from hiding and running, but I knew I had to make a move. It was now evening, and the approaching darkness gave me a bit of courage. It might be easier to stay hidden in the shadows.I sniffed the air, checking for any scent that might indicate someone was nearby. Nothing. Just the scent of the forest—the damp earth, the distant smell of pine, and the faint scent of a nearby stream.I opened the door cautiously, peering outside to make sure no one was around. The coast
--Alyssa--Another two whole days had passed, and everything felt quiet. The last tuna I had found was eaten, and I was getting thirsty. I hadn't heard the sound of footsteps since I went out two days ago. That silence made me brave, though it could have been a false sense of security.Stepping outside to drink water and maybe hunt a little. The forest seemed clear, with the trees casting long shadows across the ground. I stepped out, wearing the old pants and shirt I found in the abandoned wardrobe. My clothes hung loose on me; they were not mine, but they did the job.I was so tired that I could hardly sleep. A million thoughts raced through my mind, each one competing for attention. The uncertainty of my next move, the constant fear of being found—it all kept me on edge.I walked to the stream, letting the soft rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds ease my nerves. The sound of the flowing water calmed me, and for a moment, I felt a small measure of peace.After drinking
--Alyssa--As I opened my eyes, I found myself in a room I didn't recognize. Panic surged through me, my heart racing as I tried to remember what had happened. The Alpha King, his pack—everything came rushing back in fragmented flashbacks.Tears pooled in my eyes, and I was on my feet in an instant. I glanced out the window and saw people moving about their day as if nothing had happened. I was in the pack house, high up on the second floor. It felt surreal, knowing that I was trapped here while life continued outside."Grandma," I whispered to myself. The thought of her was my anchor, a reminder of everything I had lost and everything I still needed to fight for.I was still wearing the same clothes I'd worn before the Alpha King had captured me. I had to escape, no matter what. I opened the door slowly, my eyes scanning the corridor for any sign of movement. It was empty, eerily silent. I didn't have much time.I peered down the hallway, gauging the distance to the elevator. My legs
--Alysaa--Water dripped from his hair, giving him the appearance of just having stepped out of the shower. He sported a clean haircut now, a stark contrast to the chaos of the situation."No, I do not want to go with you, please," I pleaded, seeking refuge behind my grandmother. An elderly woman stood beside him, her expression wrought with emotion. It was clear she was deeply affected by the unfolding events.As I scanned the crowd that had gathered to witness the scene, I noticed a mix of emotions directed toward me. Some regarded me with hatred, while others offered pity."You have to go with me; you are my mate," his voice boomed, his words carrying an air of authority. "Grandma, say something. It is not by force to accept him as my mate," I implored, prompting a surge of murmurs among the onlookers.He appeared on the verge of grabbing me, but my grandmother held me firmly behind her, shielding me from his grasp. "Give her a few days so that I can prepare her, please. She is not
--Alyssa--Grandma always avoided any discussion whenever I tried to tell her about my inability to stay with the alpha king. It seemed like she was purposefully diverting the conversation, perhaps to shield me from the complexities of my situation."Tell me what you did in the tree house," she suddenly asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.We were seated on the plush couches, the sunlight streaming through the windows casting a warm glow over the room.I had just taken a refreshing shower, and we were simply lounging around, enjoying each other's company. Guards patrolled outside, their presence a constant reminder of the dangers lurking beyond the safety of our home. Whenever I needed to discuss something sensitive, I communicated with Grandma through our mindlink. The constant surveillance made me feel uneasy, like I was under a microscope."Grandma, the tree house has a secret door that leads to a bedroom and a wardrobe," I began, feeling a sense of relief at finally being abl
--Alyssa--A gentle knock echoed through the room, signaling Emily's arrival for our highly anticipated sleepover. I swung the door open to reveal her beaming face, her eyes shimmering with excitement. Without hesitation, she enveloped me in a warm hug, as if afraid that letting go would make me disappear into thin air.Her exuberant greeting elicited laughter from me, but I noticed a fleeting shadow cross her face, a hint of concern. With a reassuring smile, I silently conveyed that everything was alright, despite the complexities of my situation.Glancing discreetly towards the nearby guard, a stalwart figure stationed in the background, I was reminded of the delicate circumstances dictating my every move. Their watchful presence served as a constant reminder of the restrictions imposed upon me, but in Emily's company, those constraints felt momentarily lifted."It's true then, about the house arrest," Emily remarked softly, her embrace tightening briefly in empathy.I nodded in res
--Alyssa--Emily revealed to me the whirlwind of rumors swirling around, all centered on my relationship with the Alpha king. It seemed like everyone had an opinion—some wished they were in my shoes, while others pitied me, fearing the consequences of being mated to such a powerful figure.She recounted how the entire pack was effectively put on lockdown to prevent any word from leaking out about my whereabouts, all out of concern for my safety. This revelation left me astonished; I hadn't realized the extent to which my connection to the Alpha king had put me in the spotlight.Emily didn't hold back, sharing even the intimate details of my grandmother Dorothy's worry and tears upon hearing the news. Despite her attempts to downplay it, I could tell that my grandmother's concern ran deep.What surprised me most, though, was the revelation that the Alpha king hadn't treated my grandmother as harshly as everyone had expected. In fact, rumors suggested he even pleaded with her for inform