Chapter one: The strip that changed everything

Landon POV 

Ten years on this throne. No Mark. No Mate. And three months…

“Turn around and take off your robes.” The high priestess’s voice rang loudly across the throne room, interrupting my thoughts.

“Your grace? You can check now.” Tristan, my beta whispered. “They are all the remaining maidens born under the blood moon.”

I lifted my head, my eyes roamed across their bare backs—one after the other till the last one standing, and it was all empty—their lower back.

No sign of the mark… and no sign of my mate.

‘What the fuck is this?’ Zane, my wolf growled at me, eyes blazing with anger as he tried to push his way out.

‘Can you calm the fuck down? I am trying my best here to help find out, mate’ I pushed him back, taking control.

‘Well, you are not trying enough. I want my mate. Find her!’ He snapped at me and reined back in with a huff.

“Get them out of here.” I said through gritted teeth as heat surged through me and my veins felt like they were on fire.

It was happening…

My back burned; it felt like a knife carving out my flesh, like something under my skin was trying to crawl out.

I clenched my fist. My jaws tightened. My eyes mist over, and all I was seeing was red—a scream tore out my throat. Raw. Unfiltered.

It sounded so far away, like it wasn't mine but I knew better.

I bit my tongue hard. Tasted the metallic taste of the blood on it.

I didn't move a muscle. Didn't breathe. I just held it in, trying all I could not to lose concentration and shift.

This always happens every time I end up not finding her—the girl with the Wolf Seal birthmark, my fated mate, the only one who could lift my curse.

Every day of the week, I wake with high hopes of finding her till it slowly starts to wither.

I have searched every pack. Every girl child born under the blood has been brought before me. None were her. Not even close. 

And now I have less than three months to live.

The curse is affecting my wolf more, and he is going crazier with every full moon. I have been able to keep him at bay for a long time now with the help of the high priestess.

But I can feel him breaking through. And I don't know how much longer I can stop him.

Out of nowhere, a wave of calmness washed over me, and everything stopped. The pain. My wolf was clawing at his cage and cursing at me.

I lifted my head to see the high priestess standing before me.

“Your Grace. That's the last of them.” She murmured in a soft and shaky voice.

I looked at her like she had grown horns, but one look at my beta's face told me all I needed to know. But was I ready to accept it? 

No… Not a chance.

“What do you mean that's the last of them?” I asked them both, “High priestess?"

“Your Grace.” She fell at my feet. “We have tried our best. The alphas are getting way more suspicious now. They still don't want to believe you just enjoy looking at their daughters and pack members.” 

“I don't care, priestess. You hear me? I don't care.” I stormed out of the throne room but stopped at the door. “You find me the girl with the Wolfseal birthmark or get me a fucking coffin and plan my fucking death memorial.” 

“Landon. Landon.” Tristan ran to catch up with me.

***

“What is it, Tristan?”

“We came up with a new idea.” He said, nudging the high priestess, but she just shook her head.

“This better be good. I am running on thin patience here.”

“I am your friend, Landon.” He started, “Beta or not. I would always want the best for you. I'll be damned if your brother sits on this throne.”

“And I am loyal to the throne,” the high priestess butts in.

“Can you just spill already?” I snapped, my ear perked up, eager to hear the solution.

“Since we have searched every pack. Every nook and cranny of both the northern and southern packs in Greystone Vale, and there's no sign of you, mate. We were thinking…” 

“Don't you dare.” My claws were digging at the edge of my bed, seconds away from shifting. “Don't… you… fucking… dare… say… it,” I warned, growling so loudly it shook the entire castle.

They all fell to their knees, baring their necks in submission.

“No, your grace. He meant… to say… you should… go to the… Sterling Falls… and seek for… her.” The high priestess said with so much difficulty, “She… might… be there.”

“What?” My brain reset immediately, and my wolf perked up, welcoming the idea.

“That's what I meant, but you didn't allow me to finish.” Tristan, rubbing his throat.

“Absolutely no fucking way. That's not happening.” 

“There's not much choice left, Landon.” He shrugged, “We have to try.”

I hissed, hating that he's right again, but there's no way I am going—no way she's there—the moon goddess wouldn't do that to me.

She would not give me a weakling as a mate. Knowing full well the consequences.

“No, I am not going.” I grumbled, “You know how much I hate and distrust them.”

“I know, Alpha, but we have to try.” Tristan pressed on.

“So we go there? And then what?” I asked him, “You think no one is going to notice the cursed Alpha sniffing around?”

“Uuhh…” He stood speechless, staring at me before smiling. “No, they won't. You're the faceless king. No one knows what you look like...” 

He continued, “We dress as normal people, try to blend in and get what we're looking for.” 

“Oh yeah?” I can't help snickering, Tristan has always been quite the dreamer. “How are we going to pull this shenanigans out?” 

He dashed beside me and took his seat, his eyes glistening. “It's simple. We can enroll as college students. Go to all the parties that girls attend to see if there would be any luck.” 

Yeah, did I add he's also a player? He is.

I didn't know when I burst out laughing, my worries half forgotten. 

“And what's funny.” He scowled, “I am trying to help here.”

“Tristan, we graduated ten years ago.” I said in between laughter. “What do you think is going to happen when they see us — grown men with beards as students?”

“It doesn't matter. We are not really there for that and we don't care.” He said like it's nothing. “So are we going?” 

“Do I have a choice?” 

“No.” He grinned, devilishly.

***

When I say Tristan is going to get one of us killed  these days… this is the day.

We are currently seated at the dean's office, Professor Johnson. He is one of the oldest professors in the school. He is a close acquaintance of my father.

He looked ashen, like he'd seen a ghost. 

“What…are…you…doing…here, Landon?” He stuttered, “I mean, Your Highness…”

“Didn't you hear anything I said?” Tristan said, looking offended.

But the professor didn't spare him a glance.

“Nice to meet you again, Mr. Johnson.” I spoke for the first time. “We are here to enroll.”

He looked flabbergasted. “Enroll? I don't understand. You graduated ten years ago. So…”

“I am aware, Mr. Johnson.” I stood up, walked to the window, and stared at the buildings. “However, I am here on a special assignment. That's why I need to enroll so it doesn't look suspicious.”

“Ok, what year do you want?” He resigned, opening the laptop on his desk.

“Senior year.” I said without thinking.

“What?” Both Tristan and the professor yelled.

“Yes, I don't have time to waste.”

Mr. Johnson sighed, “If that's the case, then you would have to join the hockey team.” He said, making hand gestures, “So all of this looks real.”

“Done deal.” I used to play hockey anyway.

Tristan fist-pumps the air, jumping like a child.

Mr. Johnson didn't waste time introducing me to Haggard, the hockey team coach, who was really happy with the addition of players, even though it's the mid-season.

“So guys, our first game is tonight. We are not slacking off. Let's get this cup back, boys.” 

He held his hand up. “To North Shade.” 

Everyone chorused, “To North Shade.” 

***

“To our boy of the night.” The coach whistled, “I am so proud of you, Merrill, and guess what, guys…”

“What.” The chorus.

“Say hi to the new captain of the team. Landon.”

Everyone went quiet. Some were shocked. Some were surprised.

But one protested. “What? That's supposed to be my title.” 

“Yes, Grimsonbach. Just like when you made us lose last season?” The coach spat, “You were never going to be captain. I told you so.” 

He left after telling us to go celebrate, and tomorrow is a training-free day.

We are at the most visited strip club in Sterling Falls—after much persuading from the team and Tristan pleading with me.

“So this is the club?” Tristan asked in surprise, looking at the shabby old building.

“Yes, every businessman comes here. It's exclusively on invite only.” One of the players said, waving a ticket, “I got us one, and I heard Siren will be performing today.” 

We sat down, and I looked around—the interior is not bad.

Music is playing. She came out and started dancing. 

The way grown older perverted men were cheering was repulsing me. I wanted to rip their throat out.

They kept chanting her name… Siren. Siren. Like it is some kind of prayer.

The idea of finding my mate here disgusts me—it's not the kind…

I didn't get to finish when she turned, and there it was, shining through the light.

The Wolfseal mark. Her birthmark.

I sensed it at that moment. The mate bond. It's faint, but it's still there.

How? How can this be? I can't have a mate who strips-dances for a living.