Ch.004

Janus

My skull feels like it’s splitting open, that same restless pull clawing through me again, since I marked my mate and she disappeared, the bond has been threatening to rip my heart out of my chest. I can’t think. I can’t breathe. 

I have told them I do not want to see anyone in my room until I request their presence. Why the hell is a maid here and serving me food and medicine?

I didn't wait for her to explain herself. The pain of being separated from my mate leaves me irritable every day.

The maid in front of me screams as the bullet from my gun hits the wall behind her, missing her head by just an inch.

“Janus!”

My beta, Sager, yells from the door, rushing toward her. The loud bang of the gun, her scream, and his voice all crash into my head at once.

I throw my head back, resting against the couch, the gun still in my hand, my glass of whiskey in the other.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?” He snaps. “Maybe you don't care about cleaning up blood and bodies, but it takes a fucking toll on me.”

“Damn it…” I groan. “Lower your voice, will you?”

“You also need to understand that right now, nobody is willing to accept this high-paying job anymore. This is the last maid. Unless… you want to start cleaning the floors yourself.”

My eyes snap open, and I shoot him a glare, but he doesn’t back down.

Asshole.

I'm his Alpha, but right now I know he's speaking as my best friend.

But hell… everything inside me feels like it’s being torn apart.

“Get her and that tray of food and medicine out of my sight, or I won't miss next time.” I growl.

He turns sharply to the girl. “I told you to stay there until I say so.”

“Th..the Grand Luna ordered that I bring the food and medication to Alpha.” Her body shakes, her teeth catching her lower lip.

He finally sends her away with the tray.

“Janus, I understand how you feel—”

I cut him off before he can continue. “You don't understand shit, Sager. What do you understand, huh? Is it the way I feel the pull of a mate, but it cuts off halfway? I can't trace her. I feel like I'm dying. I can't sleep, yet staying awake is hell. And you say you understand?”

He exhales, dragging a hand down his face before letting it rest on his waist, frustration tightening his expression. “I'm sorry… just give me a little more time to find her. Since you said she wasn’t a maid, then she must have been one of the guests. But without knowing what she looks like… it’s a dead end.”

It’s been two hellish months since that night in Sherwood Pack.

By the time I realized something had been laced in my drink, it was already too late. And it wasn’t poison. If it was, Laycon, my wolf, would have sensed it.

I woke up with no memory of her face, only that she wore a short red dress… and that I mated and marked her. She only left that emerald ring.

Why did she leave? Did she find out about my identity and my engagement?

I was going to cancel the engagement with Risa Sherwood from the beginning, but refusing my mother, the Grand Luna’s request would only give me an ear full of nagging. So I agreed, hoping to find something, anything, to call it off even though my mother had suddenly become worried about my delay in finding my mate.

But then… this happened.

I told Sager not to say a word about it. I don’t want anyone trying to impersonate her when I can’t recall a single damn thing about her.

Even though I didn’t go through with the engagement, I couldn’t completely stop it. It’s a long-standing agreement between our packs that the heirs will marry.

But the current daughter of Alpha Sherwood… Risa…

She is not the kind of woman I want as my Luna.

A snake. Smart… yes. But underneath, she hides something far more dangerous.

I told her father to delay things until I return, without giving any reason or telling them what happened.

If they could lace my drink with a rut inducer, I don’t trust what they could do with that kind of information.

I sigh, setting the glass down on the table, the gun following beside it.

“Maybe find a witch,” I mutter. “Someone who can trace my mate's bond… find the other end that feels faded. It’s not completely cut… it just feels like it’s not there.”

I raise my head to look at Sager, who has sunk into the couch beside me.

“Well, you have to fix your state of mind for the time being, and act as better as you can. Risa Sherwood has been invited to the pack house by the Grand-Luna.” 

Hell, no… My mother didn't seriously invite the one woman I have no interest in seeing at all right now.

I hiss, my brows pulling together. Sager gives me a mocking grin before a knock comes at the door, and Sager turns toward it. From the single knock, it’s a guard.

“What is it?” he calls.

The guard steps in, shutting the door gently behind him.

“Apologies, Beta Sager, but the maid who was hired a week ago seems to have dropped her uniform and run away.” He reports.

Sager’s gaze flicks to me for a second before returning to the guard. “Are you sure? She could be bathing.”

“I’m very certain, Beta. Her room is completely empty. She left no trace.”

Sager doesn’t respond immediately, he just nods slightly.

“Where am I supposed to get another maid, Janus? How many has it been in the past few weeks? This one lasted over a week, but your temper had to ruin it.”

“There are rogues looking for a pack to belong to. Offer them more money if you must.” I reply, my voice flat.

Sager grits his teeth, his hand clenching hard on the armrest.

“Damn it… not again.” he mutters. 

“But the new recruits you asked for a week ago arrived in the pack already, we will begin screening immediately if you wish, Alpha.” The guard says.

“That's a relief then,’’ Sager breathes and gestures to the guard to leave. “I'll send a new maid tonight.” He says and I don't bother responding. 

I don’t care about the maid, but saying that would only make Sager angry and start his nagging again. This fucking migraine is already enough to deal with. How long am I supposed to endure it? I have to find that girl, I need to find my mate.