Chapter 5 : The Unexpected Revelation.

    

    

    One Week Later……

    

    Damian pov:

    

    We stood at the pack borders, the tension palpable as we interrogated the group of rogues. They'd been caught snooping around our territory for the past three days, and I was running out of patience.

    

    "What were you looking for?" I demanded, my voice firm.

    

    The rogues exchanged nervous glances, but one of them spoke up. "Our leader told us to find something and bring it back to him."

    

    I leaned in, my eyes narrowing. "What thing?"

    

    The rogue clamped his mouth shut, refusing to say more.

    

    But I wasn't having it. I turned to my dad, my eyes seeking answers. "Has this ever happened before?"

    

    Dad's expression was grim. "No, Blackwood's territory is usually off limits for rogues. 

    

    I growled, my anger simmering. Neighboring packs had reported similar incidents, about these rogues snooping around their borders. They're sneaking into territories, trying to kidnap young girls. Some got caught and were killed on the spot.  But we've caught a few in our territory. We're keeping these ones alive to squeeze more info out of them.

    

    What exactly are you looking for in my territory?" I snarled, my patience wearing thin.

    

    The rogue's eyes flickered. "We were sent by the rogue king to help him find his mate."

    

    I raised an eyebrow. His mate?  Why exactly his he looking for his mate here ?  and how are you supposed to know his mate?

    

    The rogue shrugged. "He said we'd know her when we see her. 

    

    I rubbed my head, frustration etched on my face. "These rogues are not making sense," I said to my father, who nodded in agreement.

    

    "Take them to the dungeon until they come to their senses," I told the warriors.

    

    My father spoke up, "I'll send a report to the royal pack. The neighboring packs are complaining about the same thing."

    

    Uncle Ben nodded, "I'll deliver the message to the king myself."

    

    I've been stressed about Sofia, who's still in the hospital, a week after the attack. Vanessa's still locked up in the dungeon, and  Linda's been breathing down my neck to release her. My mother's told her it wasn’t going to happen that Vanessa's getting the punishment she deserves.

    

    Just as we're discussing what to do, a mind-link comes through from Philip, the warrior guarding Sofia's hospital room . "Damian, the pack’s doctor is requesting you’re present. It's urgent."

    

    I stood up, excused myself, and rushed to the hospital. When I arrived, Sofia's bandages were gone, and she looked better. The doctor smiled, Her wolf is awake. She should wake up in a day or two.

    

    I felt the mate bond surge, stronger than ever. Her wolf was awake, and I could sense it. I ran to Sofia's side, relief washing over me. The sparks between us intensified, and I kissed her forehead.

  

  Two days later..

    

    I stood in the training grounds, sweat dripping down my face as I faced off against the head warrior of our pack. He was good, but I had taken him down four times already. The pack's training had been intense, with Josh  and  Mark's help, we'd been pushing the warriors to their limits. We'd introduced new techniques and strategies, learned from our visits to other supernatural kingdoms.

    

    It had been two days since Sofia's wolf awakened, and she was still unconscious, but her body was healing rapidly. I'd spent the morning with her, but decided to take a break and oversee the pack's evening training. The rogues had been causing more trouble, and I wanted to make sure our pack was prepared.

    

    As I fought, my mind kept wandering to Sofia. Her mother's lack of concern was infuriating, but her father's presence had been a comfort. He was the only one who seemed to care.

    

    The pack elders had decided to issue a punishment to Vanessa for almost killing the future Luna of the pack. I was about to announce a thirty minute break when I received a mind-link from Philip, the warrior guarding Sofia's door.

    

    Damien, there's a situation," he said.

    

    "What is it?" I replied, my instincts on high.

    

    "Sofia is missing," he said.

    

    

    

    

    Beta Ben pov:

    

    I drove through the royal park, my heart heavy with worry.  My daughter Sofia was lying in the hospital bed, but I was relieved that she was okay and healing well, her wolf had awakened two days ago and healed her properly. The doctor had told us that she was going to wake up soon. I couldn't believe that her sister Vanessa could be so wicked and evil, hurting her to that extent. I knew Vanessa had always been jealous of Sofia, but I never knew her mother's venom ran so deep in her.

    

    As I drove, memories flooded my mind. My thoughts drifted to Rosa, my mate, the love of my life. I met her three years after I married Linda, Vanessa's mother, and I was ready to divorce her. I was prepared to leave everything behind, including Vanessa, to be with Rosa, who was already pregnant with Sofia. It was a happy time, one of the best periods of my life.

    

    But Linda decided to show her true colors, revealing herself to be an evil and conniving witch. She threatened me, trapped me, and made it impossible for me to divorce her. In the process, Rosa's life was lost, and I was left to deal with the consequences.

    

    The day Sofia was born, Rosa begged me to protect her with everything in me. Using the last of her strength, she cast a spell to suppress Sofia's powers, hiding her true nature from the world. Rosa was a witch, not a werewolf, and Sofia is an hybrid, half wolf and half witch.

    

    I remembered the joy and fear I'd felt as I held Sofia's tiny body in my arms, knowing that I had to keep her safe, no matter what. I'd suppressed her powers, hidden them from the world, to protect her from those who would seek to exploit her.

    

    As I approached the royal park, I thought about my mother, who'd helped me hide Sofia's true nature. I suspected that Linda might have been involved in her death, but I had no proof. The thought still haunted me.

    

    I pulled up to the palace gate, and the guards bowed their heads, recognizing my authority. I drove straight to the king's personal mansion, not the royal palace, but the private residence where he often retreated for peace and quiet. As I parked, I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.

    

    The royal beta, greeted me with a formal bow. "Welcome, Your Majesty.

    

    I smiled and clapped him on the back. "Uncle Kadia, please drop the formalities. Where's Popup?

    

    Uncle kadia  smiled, “He's in the study, expecting you." He gave me a warm hug, one that I needed, and I felt a sense of comfort wash over me.

    

    I walked to the study, knocked on the door, and heard my grandfather's voice call out, "Enter.

    

    As I opened the door, I saw my grandfather, King Klaus, seated behind his desk, looking every bit the powerful ruler he was. But his eyes, those piercing blue eyes, sparkled with warmth as he looked up at me.

    

    Popup, miss me?