Episode 12

It had been one week since the departure of his mate. Now, Zach only stood in front of the window, staring blankly down at the spot where he used to watch his mate. His expression was empty, emotionless.

Down there was the place where Kath used to practice archery and yes, she always hit the target, even though no one ever praised her for it. Zach knew the sadness on his mate’s face, but he had chosen to stay silent, uncaring.

He should have started to care about his mate. He should have told her that he loved her. He should have cast away the selfishness in his heart. The word should echoed in his mind, accompanied by the deep regret that lingered within Zach’s heart.

Winter had arrived. Snowflakes drifted gently to the ground, yet Zach still hadn’t moved from his spot. His heart felt empty. He missed his mate the one who had left because of him.

For the past week, his wolf hadn’t spoken to him either. Zach had tried to call out to Zean; he even sought the help of a witch to bring Zean back, but it all failed.

Zach screamed in frustration, gripping his hair tightly. His heart shattered into pieces. Regret perched heavily on his chest.

He was losing his mind. His thoughts were chaotic. Fear consumed him what if his mate had been eaten by rogues? What if someone pushed her off a cliff again?

“Darling, I’m sorry,” Zach muttered, covering his face with both hands as he felt the weight of his sorrow.

“Darling, I regret everything,” he whispered painfully.

“Where is that damned Beta? Why hasn’t he brought any information yet?” Zach grumbled angrily. How could his Beta be so slow when he was in such turmoil? He reached out through the mind link.

“What is it, my lord?” said the Beta, connecting through the mind link.

“Come here.”

“Yes, my lord. I’ll be there right away,” the Beta replied before cutting the connection.

“I love you, Kath,” Zach murmured, turning his gaze back to the painting of his mate.

After some time, the Beta entered the Alpha’s chamber. He clicked his tongue in disbelief at the sight before him the Alpha was kissing a portrait repeatedly. Gods, he thought. The Alpha’s sanity is slipping.

“My lord, are you all right?” the Beta asked, approaching Zach cautiously, his face betraying his discomfort.

“So you think I’m crazy, do you?” Zach raised an eyebrow sharply.

“That’s not what I meant, my lord. It’s just that you’re being a little excessive, kissing that paint—”

Before he could finish, Zach cut him off.

“You have no right to oppose me, Beta!” Zach snapped.

“Yes, Alpha,” the Beta sighed heavily.

“How is the search for my mate going?”

“I still haven’t found her, Alpha—”

Before he could continue, Zach reacted furiously, slamming a wine bottle onto the floor with a loud crash.

“It’s been a week! How could you not find her yet?!” Zach’s voice rose an octave. It had already been a week, and yet there was no trace of his mate. Disappointment and rage consumed him.

“I’m sorry, Alpha. Miss Kath disappeared without a trace,” the Beta explained carefully.

“I don’t care. You must find my mate as soon as possible. If not, I’ll have your head,” Zach hissed, his tone sharp and threatening. The Beta swallowed hard.

“Yes, my lord.”

After the Beta left his chamber, Zach grabbed a bottle of wine and took a deep gulp. A burning sensation spread through his throat.

“Shhh... so hot. I need you,” Zach muttered. His body began to feel feverish, as though burning from the inside. His mind wandered, imagining the passionate nights he had shared with Kath. His body reacted slightly. Zach closed his eyes, pressing a hand over them.

“Darling, come back to me,” he whispered as tears slipped down his cheeks.

Zach began to lose control. He picked up a shard of glass from the broken bottle and pressed it against his arm.

“Alpha, stop!” Suddenly, a voice interrupted his desperate act. Someone had grabbed his wrist, preventing him from cutting himself.

“What are you doing here? Leave!” Zach barked.

“I know you’re frustrated, Alpha, but are you really going to keep doing this?” The voice belonged to his cousin, Fabio.

“Go away.”

“Can’t you talk to me, at least a little?” Fabio sat beside Zach, who looked utterly broken, clutching the bottle in his hand.

“Fabio, I failed. I’m to blame. But I love her so much. I’m lost I don’t know what to do,” Zach confessed, finally releasing the weight he had been carrying.

“I understand how you feel, Alpha. I’ve been in your position before,” Fabio said quietly. Zach turned to him, curious. It seemed Fabio had experienced something similar.

“I hurt my mate, too. I misunderstood her. I thought she was cheating on me, so I brought another woman to hurt her the way she hurt me.”

“Of course, she was heartbroken devastated. My mate left the pack, and I’ve never found her since. But still, I’m grateful that at a young age, I was fated to meet my mate, even if I regret the pain I caused her,” Fabio said softly, his voice heavy with sorrow.

“How did you feel after losing her, Fabio?” Zach asked.

Fabio smiled bitterly at the question. “I was shattered. I lost half of myself,” he answered.

“But I tried to move on. I kept searching for her, even though I’ve never succeeded.”

“Every night, I cried, regretting her departure. I should have sought the truth instead of taking another woman,” Fabio said, lowering his head. Zach looked at him sympathetically they shared the same fate.

“Can I ask your advice, Fabio? How can I find her quickly?”

“I suggest you go and search for your mate yourself. It’s different when you do it with your own hands rather than relying on your subordinates. At least then, your waiting will be rewarded by your own effort,” Fabio advised.

Zach thought about it for a moment. Fabio was right. He had never searched for Kath himself he had only relied on his men.

“I haven’t done anything but drown in my frustration,” Zach admitted. Maybe tomorrow he would begin his own search.

“You’re experiencing the same thing I once did, Alpha just like me,” Fabio said quietly.

“Do you know the worst thing I ever did to her, Fabio?” Zach asked, staring straight ahead. Fabio frowned, puzzled by the question.

But Zach’s next words made Fabio’s eyes widen in shock.

“I marked her... and slept with her.”