Chapter 3

It's been days since I fled the library in a state of panic. The shock and disbelief that had overwhelmed me, rendered me unable to say anything coherent or even ask for his name. I hadn't seen him since that momentous encounter.

"Valeria, it would be greatly appreciated if you would actually listen to what I'm saying," my father admonished, pointing a finger in my direction.

"I apologize, Father. What were you saying?" I replied, attempting to refocus my attention on the conversation.

He sighed, rubbing his temple wearily. "You haven't been paying attention at all. Let me make this clear one last time, Valeria. You're twenty-one years old, and according to our tradition, it's time for you to assume the role of Alpha."

"What? No." I stood up abruptly, disbelief etched on my face. "What about Mavros? I can't just ignore the threat he poses and become queen. It will be a huge distraction."

Father nodded, understanding my concerns, but he held a determined expression. "I agree that Mavros must be dealt with, but you cannot run away from your responsibilities, my dear. Embracing your role as Alpha will only make you stronger, especially in the face of danger."

"I can't do this. Give the crown to Zayne. He would gladly shoulder the burden," I pleaded, desperate for an alternative.

"No, I won't allow it. Valeria, I forbid you from uttering such words to anyone else. Are you out of your mind? I'm trying to help you, and you're talking about handing the crown to your brother? Don't push me!" Father's frustration boiled over as he slammed his fist on the mahogany desk.

"You don't understand, Father. There's a deranged god fixated on me, waiting for an opportunity to strike. How can you expect me to take on the role of queen? Please, be king until I am truly ready."

I turned away from him, walking out of his office as he shouted for me to come back. Why couldn't he see things from my perspective? My top priority was to confront Mavros head-on, not to don a crown and be addressed as Alpha. My life had taken an unexpected turn in just a few short days.

"Hey."

I froze in my tracks as I heard his voice behind me. Slowly turning around, I found myself face to face with the man I had been avoiding. If anything, he looked even more breathtaking than before.

"Um... hi. Look, I'm in a rush right now, and—" I began, feeling flustered and searching for an excuse to escape this conversation.

"You're avoiding me, aren't you?" His eyes bore into mine, devoid of any expression. It sent shivers down my spine.

I let out a nervous laugh. "Avoiding you? Not at all. I'm just really busy, and it would be better if we didn't have this conversation right now."

He bit his lip and averted his gaze. "I understand. Whatever you're occupied with must be more important than getting to know your mate."

"Listen, I—" I attempted to explain, but he cut me off.

"Save it, Valeria." Disappointment clouded his eyes as he turned and walked away.

What was wrong with me? And more perplexing, what was wrong with my wolf? Normally, she would be restless and eager to establish a connection with our mate. Yet, she remained surprisingly calm in his presence. Maybe she was just shy or uncertain.

Forcing a smile, I greeted Melody as she approached. She seemed captivated by something. "Hey, Mel."

"Did you see that guy with the curly black hair?" she asked, pointing in the direction my mate had gone.

"Yeah, why?"

"He's gorgeous, obviously. I wonder what his name is."

It struck me as odd that my wolf didn't react possessively when another woman complimented our mate's appearance. It felt unfamiliar. Werewolves were inherently possessive of their mates, and alphas tended to be even more so. But my wolf remained strangely calm.

"He is. Let me tell you something," I leaned closer to her, playfully batting my eyelashes. "Be careful and don't do anything stupid. He's my mate."

Melody instantly recoiled as if I had surprised her. Her eyes widened, and she blinked rapidly, her mouth agape.

"T-That guy is your mate?!"

I quickly covered her mouth with my hand, trying to hush her. I removed my hand when she playfully swatted my arm. "Keep it down, loudmouth. And yes, he's my mate. I just find it difficult to speak when I'm around him. Even my wolf isn't as responsive as she should be. It's bothering me."

"You're both just nervous wrecks. Summon the courage to talk to him, and everything will fall into place. By the way, your father sent Carter and Logan to bring Aphrodite," Melody informed me, leaning against the wall.

"Aphrodite? Why?"

Aphrodite was a close friend of mine, a powerful witch who had once saved my life when I fell dangerously ill.

"Well, he's concerned that Mavros might strike soon, so he's seeking assistance from various supernatural beings. Except for dragons, griffins, and faes, of course."

Werewolves, vampires, and witches shared a close bond and often formed alliances. We looked out for one another. However, dragons, griffins, and faes were a different story. Dragons had erected a protective barrier, barring entry to any other supernatural beings. Griffins preferred to remain hidden, with the last sighting of one dating back centuries to the battle between dragons and faes for supremacy. As for faes, they were notoriously self-centered and indifferent towards others. I held a deep dislike for them.

"Did they agree to help?"

"Lord Kieran agreed to lend assistance if things escalate. As for Wendy, she hasn't given a definitive answer yet," Melody replied.

Lord Kieran, the Vampire King, was a peculiar individual. I had encountered him on two occasions, and he struck me as uniquely eccentric. Wendy, on the other hand, was the leader of the witch clan.

"This situation is worse than I anticipated," I said, running a hand through my hair in frustration.

Melody playfully nudged my arm. "You're going up against a god, Valeria. Do you think it's going to be as easy as eating cereal?"

"You're not helping, Mel. What if everything goes wrong, and he destroys us all? Will you still be thinking about cereal then?"

She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "Well, we'll never know until it happens." With that, she walked away, leaving me to my swirling thoughts.

There were countless thoughts racing through my mind. With the presence of powerful supernatural beings, there had to be someone who possessed the knowledge or ability to help us. I contemplated venturing out to seek such assistance, but I knew my father would never allow me to leave the pack.

"There's no escape," a chilling voice whispered into my ear.

A sudden chill ran down my spine as the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I realized that I was alone in the vicinity, and the voice implied that someone had ominous plans for me.

"You will all perish, and that is a promise."

My heart raced, and my instincts urged me to flee.

Ignoring the voice's warning, I mustered up my courage and made my way to my father's office.

When I reached my father's office, I took a deep breath and opened the door. He looked up from his desk, surprise and slight annoyance evident on his face.

"Valeria, I thought you had left," he said, his brows furrowing.

"No, Father. I'm sorry I walked out, but I want to talk to you about something important," I replied, my voice trembling slightly.

He motioned for me to take a seat across from him, and I obliged, nervously fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.

"What is it, Valeria?" he asked, his gaze focused on me.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to broach the subject. Finally, I gathered my thoughts and spoke, the words tumbling out in a rush.

"I... I met someone, Father. Someone who has had a profound impact on me. I... I believe he may be my mate."

My father's eyes widened in surprise, and he leaned back in his chair, processing my revelation. He seemed taken aback, his face a mask of concern and hesitation.

"Valeria, finding your mate is a significant event in a werewolf's life," he began, his voice tinged with caution. "But you must understand that our responsibilities to the pack should always come first. Anything that distracts you from your duty as an alpha is a risk we cannot afford to take."

I listened to his words, but my mind was filled with thoughts of my mate. How could I ignore this undeniable connection? It seemed I was the only one pushing for the bond to be acknowledged because my wolf was silent. Her reaction isn't the same as when we first saw him.

"But, Father," I interjected, my voice filled with longing, "what if my mate is the key to our survival? What if he holds the answers we seek? I can't ignore this connection, this pull I feel towards him."

My father sighed, his expression softening as he studied my expression with concern.

"Valeria, I want what's best for you and for our pack. But you must remember that we are facing a formidable adversary. Mavros is a god, and we cannot afford to be divided or distracted. Your priority must be the safety and well-being of our pack."

His words hit me like a blow. I understood his concerns, and I shared them to an extent. But the bond I felt with my mate was undeniable. It was a force that could not be ignored or easily dismissed.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled with my conflicting emotions. How could I reconcile my duty to the pack with the yearning in my heart? Could I turn my back on this connection, on the potential for strength and unity it represented?

As I sat there, torn between my responsibilities and my desires, I realized that this was a decision only I could make. I had to find a way to navigate the complexities of my role as an alpha and the pull of my mate.

I stood up from my chair and faced my father.

"I hear your concerns, Father, and I respect them. But I can't ignore the bond I share with my mate. I will find a way to fulfill my responsibilities to the pack while also performing my duties to my mate."

My father's gaze softened, but the consideration quickly disappeared. "I cannot allow you to do something reckless. You should always prioritize the safety of our pack."

"Father, I have always listened to you and have always done whatever it is you asked of me. I am afraid I won't be able to do that this time."

Leaving my father's office, my thoughts turned once again to the mysterious man who had captured my heart. I knew I had to find him, to face the uncertainties and challenges that awaited me. And as I stepped outside, the weight of my responsibilities mingled with the hope and anticipation of what lay ahead.

Only time would tell if I made the right choice.