Serena I'll Find You!

KANE'S POV

The first rays of dawn filtered through the window when I awoke from my restless slumber. My mind still reeled from the events of the previous night - the night I had cast Serena aside for the final time.

Rolling over with a groan, I expected to find a warm body next to me, as I often did. But instead, I found only cold, empty space. The previous night's dalliance had already slipped away unnoticed. 

As I rose from bed and slipped into a robe, an uneasy feeling nagged at the edges of my thoughts. Something felt amiss, but I chalked it up to the lingering effects of a night spent drinking away my frustrations. 

My suspicions were confirmed when I paid a visit to Serena's old cell, now deserted. Word soon reached me - she had vanished under the cover of darkness, disappearing without a trace. 

 I summoned my head guard Markus.

"Any word on the whereabouts of the slave Serena?" I asked.       

Markus frowned. "Not since the night she vanished, Alpha. It's like she evaporated into thin air."

I held back a growl, frustrated by this response. "Search the cell again. Leave no stone unturned."

Markus bowed and departed, leaving me to brood alone. I shrugged it off with little concern. 

"Good riddance", I thought, one less burden to carry. Yet, the emptiness she left behind lingered in unsettling ways.

 As Markus hurried to carry out my orders, a messenger arrived, breathless with news. "Alpha Kane, the Lycan King demands your presence. An urgent matter."

I shot him a quizzical look. "Are you sure? What could the Lycan King want with me?"

The messenger nodded vigorously. "No mistake, Alpha. His message was clear, and he seemed enraged. It concerns a matter of great importance."

An uneasy knot tightened in my stomach. "Lead the way, then. I'll meet with the Lycan King and address whatever matter he deems urgent."

I tightened the robe around me, and as I followed the messenger through the corridors a sense of foreboding settling in.  

Once at entrance of the audience chamber, I found the Lycan King awaiting, flanked by two imposing figures.

Entering the grand audience chamber, I bowed respectfully before the Lycan King, his presence commanding attention. "Your Majesty," I began, "to what do I owe the honor of this summons?"

The Lycan King's eyes bore into mine, a mix of authority and urgency. 

"It has come to my attention that one of my subjects resided within your pack - against her will," he rumbled, fixing me with a penetrating stare.

"And who might this subject be?" I asked, though dread gripped my heart.

"Serena," came his reply. "She is of Lycan blood, lost to us for so long. Yet her heritage has finally been revealed."

I straightened, a hint of concern in my voice. "Your Majesty, I assure you, I had no knowledge of Serena's true identity. She left my palace of her own accord, and we are doing everything to find her."

The Lycan King's voice reverberated through the chamber, a mixture of authority and restrained rage. "Serena is no mere subject; she is my long-lost daughter, lost to the world when she was but a child. Her powers as a Lycan were suppressed, her true identity concealed. And you, Alpha Kane, stand accused of doing her great harm."

I stood my ground, meeting the Lycan King's gaze with a mixture of defiance and trepidation. "Your Majesty, I had no knowledge of Serena's true lineage. She left my pack of her own accord. I never intended her harm."

A snarl curled the Lycan King's lips. "Ignorance is no excuse, Alpha Kane. Serena's destiny was to be realized under my guidance, not within the confines of your pack."

Rylan, his beta, the cloaked figure, stepped forward, eyes piercing. "Alpha Kane, the consequences of Serena's departure are severe. The Lycan King's wrath is not to be underestimated. You will assist us in bringing her back, or face the consequences."

Shock coursed through me as the truth surfaced. Serena, a Lycan princess of unrivaled power and I, like a fool, had cast her aside. 

The Lycan King's eyes blazed with fury as he towered over me, his voice thundering through the chamber. "You dare to claim ignorance? I have been informed of the harsh treatment Serena endured within your pack."

I swallowed hard, my voice trembling with remorse. "Your Majesty, I swear upon the moon, I had no knowledge of Serena's true identity or the mistreatment she suffered. If I had known, I would have protected her with my life."

Remorse sliced through me as I realized what I had so carelessly tossed away. A mate of immeasurable worth, and a connection to the mighty Lycan throne. All lost due to my arrogance and fickle nature. 

I dropped to my knee, lowering my head in submission. "Please, great King, grant me a chance to make amends," I begged the Lycan King. "I will hunt relentlessly and return your kin unharmed, with your blessing."

 A low growl emanated from his throat as he considered. Finally, "One chance to redeem yourself, Alpha. Now rise and begin the hunt before I remove you as an obstacle."  

With those ominous words hanging over me, I retreated to plan my pursuit. Serena, I will find you, I vowed. And when I do, you will not escape me again. This time, I would claim you as my own and never let go.

My search began immediately, scouring every inch of my territory for any sign. But she had vanished without a trace.