Chapter 4

Ethan

"That's it! Quit bringing up the idea of a selected Mate!"

Over and over, I'd been forced to endure this bunch harping on me repeatedly during every single gathering with the Elders.

I'd made it clear to them on numerous occasions that I refused to pick a 'fitting Luna' from the options they kept shoving in my face.

I stood resolute in my choice to hold out for my genuine mate to show up, regardless of her position or standing—it was irrelevant. I'd embrace her unconditionally.

I banged the door closed behind me as I exited,

and my Beta, Max, pulled open the car door for me, regarding me with empathy in his gaze while he tried to comfort me.

"Ethan, take it easy. No point in getting worked up over those old fossils; we've got that gathering at the Nightfall Pack to attend, and we should get moving. We're running behind schedule already."

"I don't get why you're griping. I didn't even overturn the table or cause a scene, Max. At the very least, I attended the blasted meeting."

The vehicle proceeded smoothly en route to the Nightfall Pack, and due to the draining day I'd endured, I dozed off in the rear seat.

Out of nowhere, my wolf Jax unleashed a savage, primal bellow, and the energy surging from my form was so intense that it spooked our chauffeur, causing the car to veer sharply sideways, clipping the curb momentarily before he steadied it. Max twisted around to stare at me in alarm from the front passenger side.

I was on the verge of questioning Jax about the issue when a vision of a stunning silhouette materialized abruptly in my thoughts.

Her lengthy tresses flowed down her spine like a cascade, her refined gown accentuated her shape elegantly, and her violet eyes appeared to beckon me, brimming with enchantment and enigma.

My pulse raced so fiercely that it seemed

as if it might explode right out of my ribcage.

Who could this lady be?

"Ethan! That's our mate!"

"Mate?"

I peered through the car window as we entered the Nightfall Pack's lands, and I sensed immediately that my mate was present someplace nearby.

We came to a halt at the checkpoint, and once I identified myself, they permitted us entry without any hassle. Prior to proceeding, I directed Max to determine Alpha Marcus's location.

Shortly after, Alpha Marcus approached us. Trailing him was a small

woman who didn't resemble a Luna at all based on her attire, and both appeared clearly shocked upon spotting me.

"Ethan Stormridge! I have to say, it's an honor to welcome you! Regrettably, a terrible incident occurred at the feast, and we wrapped up prematurely." Marcus welcomed me, inclining his head deferentially in the process.

"You ought to address me as Alpha, Marcus," I pointed out while eyeing the young woman at his rear. She'd evidently been rattled by my voice, as she hid behind Marcus like she wished to vanish from sight.

I tilted my head in intrigue... an odd aroma emanated from that girl, and I couldn't quite identify it.

"My regrets, Alpha Ethan." Marcus replied quickly, dipping into another bow before pivoting to comfort the diminutive girl at his back.

"My mate resides within this pack," I declared, "Locate her and deliver her to me."

"This... Alpha Ethan, I apologize, but that's not feasible..." Marcus winced.

"You've got five minutes, and I demand to view every female in your pack," I snarled.

My sole desire was to track down my mate, and an instinct warned me she wasn't in a safe spot currently. I had to lay eyes on her to confirm her well-being.

"Alright, Alpha Ethan," Marcus agreed hesitantly, directing his Beta to assemble the group as swiftly as feasible.

I observed as a collection of female wolves materialized before me, filing by one by one, exposing their throats and lowering their heads in deference while they acknowledged me.

I shut my eyes and drew in the lingering fragrances each carried, yet none struck me as correct.

No, my mate wasn't among them. Where could she be?

I exited the vehicle and marched toward Marcus's position, my eyes gleaming gold with my wolf's wrath as I seized him firmly by the throat and hoisted him from the ground.

"I instructed you to present all your females to me." I growled in fury.

The assembled females inhaled sharply in terror, and the frailer ones dropped to the earth, shaking with dread as my Alpha presence enveloped them.

Just one female remained upright, quivering intensely. "Your Majesty, this is every female in the pack. We're all accounted for.." she murmured timidly.

"Alpha Ethan, kindly release me," Marcus objected while attempting to pry himself loose.

I scoffed and intensified my grip on his neck, smashing him into the wall.

"How in the world do you plan to halt me with your feeble power, Marcus?"

"Ethan! Please!"

"I've already warned you to refer to me as Alpha, Marcus! Don't force me to say it again!" I bellowed, hurling him onto the floor.

"Luna.. Our Luna! She's confined in the dungeon!" One of the servants abruptly chimed in from her huddled spot on the ground.

I needed to locate my mate without delay, and regarding Marcus squandering my time, I'd handle that afterward.

"She's my Luna! What the hell do you think you're going to do?!" Marcus thundered from behind.

I adjusted my suit and cast a glance at him along with the woman who latched onto him like a parasite, who had been petrified since her initial glimpse of me.

"Your Luna? You imprisoned YOUR OWN LUNA in the dungeon?"

I exchanged a glance with Max before departing the scene, smirking inwardly as Marcus's furious shouts trailed after me.

"What do you think you're doing?! Halt him!"

Despite the futile efforts of the guards as they vainly attempted to impede the Alpha of the Embermoon Pack, I had no trouble dispatching them.

I sneered while vanishing from their sight and promptly reached the dungeon. The deeper I ventured, the more acutely I sensed the sorrow and torment in my mate's soul.

What on earth had befallen my mate to

evoke such emotions? I couldn't fathom the cause, so my only option was to hasten my pace while urgently scanning each enclosure for her.

The dungeon was shadowy and moist, but at last, via the grated openings, I spotted the lady who had emerged so unexpectedly in my consciousness.

The luminous moonlight streamed through the

opening, bathing her form in a nearly otherworldly glow. Her sophisticated attire was already soiled by the cell's filth, yet it continued to drape her silhouette attractively.

My eyes wandered across the cascade of chestnut locks before ultimately resting on her refined features marred by tear tracks. Our stares connected, and my heart pounded as her appearance stole my capacity to draw breath steadily amid such an exquisite being.

At last, I've discovered you, my mate.