Chapter 4

Alessio Pov

I left the hotel without a second glance.

Silvercrest. That was where I needed to be.

The wind felt colder tonight. Or maybe I was the one colder.

I didn’t know what to think about today. What the hell just happened? A girl tried to kill me. Not just any girl. A damn human. She wasn’t even a full werewolf. Just some half-turned being playing assassin.

And she had the nerve to pin me down and pull a blade on me.

I should have ripped her throat out.

But I didn’t.

Instead, I left.

Not because I couldn’t kill her. No. It would’ve been too easy.

I left because she intrigued me.

Alphas from other packs have plotted against me for years. Always hiding. Always whispering in the dark. None of them have the guts to come to my door. But she did.

She looked like she was in her early twenties. Fragile. But there was madness in her eyes. And fire.

I chuckled, low and dark.

Silvercrest loomed ahead. A city crawling with secrets and wolves hungry for blood. Mine especially.

I stepped out of the black SUV and lit a cigarette.

The first face I saw was Diego. My beta. Loyal. Annoying and always watching.

“Where have you been?” he asked, arms crossed.

“You don’t get to question me,” I replied.

He didn’t blink as he asked again. “Where have you been?”

I shrugged. “I just went to have some fun.”

He raised a brow. “Did you have fun?”

I took a drag. “Not really. Some girl tried to kill me.”

“What do you mean some girl tried to kill you?”

“Long story. She wanted to play. Thought she could kill me. So I played along.”

Diego’s jaw tensed. “Let me guess. She’s dead now?”

I exhaled slowly. “No. I let her go. I don’t kill women, Diego.”

“Oh. So I’m the bad guy now?” He scoffed and looked away.

I ignored him.

He changed the subject. “We’ve got Matters at hand on our land now. They’re moving closer. Word is the Alpha of Blackthorn and the Alpha of Grimshade are working together. Got it from our spy. Nikos.”

I flicked the cigarette. “That’s the least of my problems right now. Today’s been weird. I need to sleep. Wake me up if someone tries to burn down Silvercrest. If not, don’t knock.”

Diego didn’t move. He folded his arms tighter, eyes narrowing. “You really need to see the Moon Goddess. We need a Luna to lead this path with you, Alessio. You're strong, but you're not doing it right. Not anymore.”

I turned to him slowly. My eyes met his. “Ever since these fools started breaching Silvercrest, have they ever succeeded?”

“No,” Diego answered without hesitation. “But it’s getting worse. And one day, they will. You need someone beside you. Someone who can help you calm the storm you carry.”

I laughed, but there was no joy in it. “The Moon Goddess has tried, Diego. Maybe my Luna is dead. Or maybe she’s lost. So tell me, why keep wasting time? What now? Have you joined my father in his little fantasy?”

Diego’s jaw twitched. “I haven’t joined your father in anything. But the Moon Goddess said there’s one more ritual left. One more. After that, if it still doesn’t work, marry whoever you want. Or stay alone. But at least try.”

“I’ll stay alone,” I said sharply. “I can’t stand a woman trying to boss me around. You know me better than that.”

“Just do the ritual.”

I looked at him. My silence was long.

“Fine,” I said at last. “I’ll do it.”

Diego let out a breath of relief. “Good.”

“But not today.” I brushed past him, eyes heavy. “Tomorrow. When I wake up from this madness.”

I didn’t wait for him to reply. I walked into my room and shut the door behind me.

So many things to do. So many battles coming. Lunas. Wars. Expectations.

I pulled off my shirt and threw it to the chair. The weight on my shoulders was louder than any voice in the pack.

I laid down on the bed.

My muscles ached, but my mind wouldn’t rest.

Still, sleep pulled at me.

I wasn’t the kind to sleep deeply. The smallest sound could wake me.

But that wouldn’t stop me from trying.

Not tonight.

I closed my eyes.

And drifted into the silence.

******

A loud knock ripped through my sleep. Thunderous. Aggressive.

My first instinct? Ignore it.

I was buried in my sheets, still not fully awake, and I growled low. “Who the hell is knocking like that at this time?”

I tried to stay still. Maybe they’d go away.

But then I perceived the scent. It was my father.

Persistent old man. Even when he says nothing, his presence refuses to be ignored.

I sighed. Mind-linked him with annoyance in my tone. Come in.

The door creaked open. My father didn’t hesitate. He walked in like he owned the air I breathed.

“It’s too early, Dad,” I muttered, wiping my face.

“It’s eleven a.m.,” he replied, calm but sharp. “Diego told me you agreed to see the Moon Goddess today.”

“Yeah, I did say today. But not this damn early.”

“She has other things to attend to. You’re not the center of the universe, even if you think you are.”

I sat up, staring at him. “She should know I’m the Alpha of Silvercrest.”

“And that doesn’t mean you get to disrespect the sacred, Alessio. Let’s go. I was an alpha before you.”

I waved a hand lazily. “Fine. I’ll dress up. But I’m doing this to give you all the benefit of the doubt. She’s tried everything already. None of it worked. This’ll probably be another failed attempt.”

My voice was flat. I didn’t hide the boredom. “Wait outside. Unless you plan to watch me change.”

He rolled his eyes. “You take nothing seriously.” And then he turned and left.

I got dressed fast, throwing on a black shirt and dark jeans. Nothing ceremonial. I didn’t need to impress the divine.

Outside, Diego was already waiting with my father.

We left Silvercrest in silence. No one dared talk much when we were heading to meet Sheri, the Moon Goddess. The ruler of fate. The one who had the final say in mates, power, and blood.

When we arrived, the sacred grove was quiet. Cold air. Still trees. A deep kind of silence that felt like it could split your soul in half.

Sheri stood in the center, cloaked in silver light. Her eyes glowed like two full moons.

“Alessio,” she said, nodding once. Her voice was calm but commanding.

I gave her a slight bow. “Sheri.”

She didn’t waste time. “Are you ready?”

I shrugged. “Yes. Let’s get it done with. I have other things to handle.”

She said nothing to that. Just raised her hands.

The rituals began.

Light. Chanting. A sharp wind cutting through the trees.

Nothing happened.

I stood there, arms crossed. I’d done this before. Felt this silence before.

Same result. Nothing.

Until—

A burning sensation exploded in my chest.

“F—”

I couldn’t even finish the curse. I fell to my knees, gasping. The pain was sharp, crawling into my bones.

“What’s happening?” I growled, gripping the dirt. “ Sheri, what the hell is happening?”

Diego rushed forward. “Alessio! What’s wrong with him?”

Sheri stepped closer, her expression unchanging. “He’s found his mate.”

My vision blurred.

“What?”

“She’s real,” the goddess said. “She feels this same pain right now, wherever she is. The bond is awakening. Go to her. Or you both will suffer.”

I clenched my jaw, heart racing.

So she exists. And she’s hurting.

“Where is she?” I asked, breathless.

But Sheri only whispered, “You’ll find her. Just follow the pain.”