Chapter 2 - The Royal Notice

Zackary's POV

"…we have guests," the girl called down the hallway and quickly guided us down the other way.

"She seems anxious about us being here," Lupa, my wolf, growled.

I nodded in response, yet silently observed the girl as I followed her to the living room, and a moment later an older she-wolf joined us.

"Royal warriors?" she gasped. She seemed upset by our visit but quickly tried to hide her worry behind a smile and gestured for us to take a seat.

"No, thank you," James, a warrior, said. "We're not staying... we're only here to make an announcement and then take our leave..."

"Very well," she replied. "What brings you to my home, gentlemen?"

Her overly sweet voice made my skin crawl and Lupa growl in agreement. He didn't trust this she-wolf—neither did I.

My gaze swept over the two women—they seemed to be well-off—but why would they live this far out? Something about them didn't sit quite right with me.

My gaze landed on the older she-wolf, now called Angelica. She was openly flirting with my warriors, trying to keep their attention.

"They are power-hungry leeches," Lupa growled.

"I can see that," I replied, trying hard to keep my composure.

I didn't enjoy wasting my time on she-wolves like them, but this was royal business—and because I was the Royal Beta, I didn't have any other choice but to endure it.

I nodded at James to continue; however, he was already caught in the web of the she-wolf's beauty.

Jacob, James's brother, grabbed his brother's arm, shaking it lightly. "You better get a move on," he whispered. "Beta Zackary is losing his patience...."

James quickly nodded, retrieved a scroll from his pocket, and started reading it. I knew every word that was written on the notice—I was the fortunate one who had written it.

"Attention all unmated she-wolves between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five," James read. "You are hereby summoned to the royal pack on the next blood moon. All must attend. No exceptions."

"For what purpose?" Angelica asked.

"The queen is having a royal ball in honor of Prince Lex's twenty-fifth birthday," Jacob said.

"Really?" the younger girl, Sade, exclaimed in excitement. "I'm invited to the Prince's birthday party? Goddess, what an honor!"

"The prince is hoping to find his future Queen Luna," James went on.

My gaze snapped toward him, and I growled at him. The real purpose of the ball was to find my lost sister and reunite her with her family and mate...

"My apologies, Beta Zack," James replied. "I got carried away—"

"How exciting," Angelica mused, interrupting his thoughts. "The future king has finally decided to take a mate; maybe you will have a chance to win his hand..."

Before I could unleash my fury and declare that none of them would ever be Lex's mate, the sharp scent of blood assaulted my senses. My attention snapped toward the hallway, and my nostrils flared.

"It's coming from down there," Lupa exclaimed, anxiously pacing my mind. "The smell is intense—someone is hurt!"

Without another word, I turned on my heels and rushed down the hallway toward the source of the smell—it was sickeningly thick, making me move faster and faster, hoping whoever was at the other end was still alive.

"Why isn't the person calling out for help?" Lupa asked.

"Maybe he's unconscious," I replied.

The smell was even worse when I reached the kitchen.

Did someone cut themself? I wondered.

I shook the thought to the side; the loss of blood was more than just a simple cut!

My gaze moved over the kitchen and stopped when I noticed a fragile she-wolf struggling on the floor, soaked in blood.

"What the...?" I thought it died off. The scene electrified my entire body.

I rushed to her side, ready to assist her in any way I could. But her gaze snapped toward me, and fear flashed in her eyes before she quickly covered her face.

"Please, don't come any closer!" She whimpered; her body was trembling.

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest as I processed her plea.

"I just want to help," I said softly, trying to reassure her while keeping my distance. "I am not there to hurt you. Let me see..."

"No, no, no—you... you can't!" She stuttered anxiously, trying to get up. "I—I can manage by myself. I—I'll be alright. No one can help me. I...I am not worth your time or sympathy..."

Odd, I thought.

Why did she think so lowly of herself?

"I insist," I said, keeping my voice low as I extended my hand. "I promise you I just want to help and not hurt you."

The girl hesitated for a moment before she raised her gaze.

My breath caught when I saw her green eyes. They were the same color as my mother's.

A rush of emotion flooded through me. Could it be her? Was it possible? Was this my lost sister?

A rogue attack claimed my sister almost thirteen years ago. No one knew what had happened to her, and I made it my life mission to find her.

"Beta, what happened in here?" James asked, breaking the spell on me.

My gaze unwillingly shifted to him standing at the door, waiting for my orders.

"I don't know," I replied, helping the girl onto her feet and leading her to a stool at the counter. "I need a first aid box."

Jacob left in a hurry, leaving me alone with the she-wolf.

"Can you tell me what had happened to you?" I asked, throwing open kitchen drawers in search of a clean towel.

I couldn't help but steal glances at her. She wasn't dressed like the other two. Her old yellow long-sleeve shirt was thin and worn out, and her pants were ripped and patched up at different places. She looked so thin and neglected compared to the other two she-wolves living here.

Despite the terrible circumstances, I could tell she made an effort to look after herself even though she was barefoot.

She shook her head and swallowed hard. Tears were threatening to spill over.

Were they mistreating her?

Were they starving her?

Was she being held against her will?

"She is scared," Lupa commented. "I have a feeling that she was beaten by those two bitches."

His emotions spiraling out of control. He seems to have a deep concern for this she-wolf.

My gaze swept over the tiny golden-haired she-wolf; she didn't look taller than 5'1.

"Perhaps you are right," I replied. "They haven't even bothered to check up on her."

James returned with a first aid kit and set it on the counter. I opened it and retrieved some supplies from it.

"Can you at least tell me your name?" I asked, wetting a towel to clean her wounds.

She closed her eyes and nodded.

"Lilly," she whispered, barely audible.

I froze with the towel in my hand—the name sent a jolt through me.

"Lilly," I repeated softly.

Her gaze suddenly shifted toward the door, and she visibly quivered in fear as if cold.

Was she going into shock?

That's when I felt eyes boring into my back.

I turned slowly, instinctively shielding Lilly with my body, prepared to confront whatever danger loomed behind me…

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