Chapter 3

Elena's POV 

It moved me, and I cut in before I could stop myself.

“It is fine, mother. I am confident that Mila and her mother learned their lesson in hard ways on how to treat everyone with empathy.”

I detest seeing her in tears. I hate that I can’t figure out an effective way to expose Mila’s plot right away. I can’t tell my mother…it will only hurt her more. Now I need to avenge myself and restore my mother’s dignity.

I sipped the rest of my wine, though it burned more than it soothed. “I had rushed to you to ask what you think about the mating run father said is happening soon.”

“Yes, Elena, it is on the 3rd of the waxing crescent. Today is the 25th day of the waning crescent, so 5 nights to go,” mother says calmly.

“Mila’s mother said whether I like it or not, it is highly possible that Varlok chooses me because he might narrow his search down to me and Mila. She would just have to inform Varlok that Mila is already marked by the alpha prince, his nephew,” I relayed, and even now I can see the fear that had settled across my face.

“I don’t want to get marked by Varlok. I don’t want him,” I concluded, and I remember how final it sounded, how powerless it truly was.

“You don’t need to believe all that, Elena. If you don’t want him, you can simply make that known to him,” mum retorted.

“If he chooses me, who can stop him?” I had asked, and the question still lingers unanswered.

“Let’s just look forward to the day, okay? And you don’t need to go out again tonight. We can sleep here together,” my mother instructed.

I consented, though sleep had never truly come. I strode to the usual room I used anytime I spent extra hours in my mother’s house, carrying a dread I could not name then, but I understand it now.

Varlok POV

That day… I cannot forget it. My potential soulmate, missing. The emptiness it left was worse than hell. I began to head back home, not even caring that I had not completed a thorough patrol. I went straight to Harla’s house.

It all started as we were all at the training field that day. But Harla, my beta, and I had moved far away from where the deltas had been training, discussing pack security, routine matters that would suddenly feel insignificant.

“I am going to check the border. I’ll report my recordings and observations when I’m done,” I muttered, tightening my boots. 

Harla was at my back, and I expected him to listen.

“We would love to keep track of the status of our security against potential invaders. I’m sure Gad will be glad too to have some data to work with and prevent any attack this year,” Harla replied, clearly pleased. 

He started heading inland to join Gad and the deltas at training while I followed my way toward the forest. Once in the forest, I headed toward the border and kept moving.

People often talked about how I carried my steps. Many said it scares them. I never understood why. I was only being myself.

Then, all of a sudden, I caught a feeling beaming through my entire body. If anyone had been with me, they would have thought I was entering a trance. It struck like a shockwave…violent, undeniable.

Immediately after that, I began to feel a pull.

There must be a female wolf in heat around here, I assured myself as I moved faster. I needed to find the wolf that had set me ablaze.

I kept searching while struggling to keep the sensation in check. At times it grew stronger; at others, it weakened, teasing me.

I searched further. I had to see the wolf responsible for this feeling at all cost.

I reached the riverside. No one. I headed eastward from the river and farther inland. Still no one.

Then the beam of sensation began dying down gradually until it stopped completely.

Before I got to Harla's doorstep, I saw him approaching from another direction. He had already started running toward me the moment he saw me.

“How is the patrol?” he asked, studying my body language before my words.

“Harla, let’s get inside your house. I’ll tell you everything all together,” I declared.

“Harla, what I recorded in the forest requires you to immediately carry out an assignment for me… for us.” He sat up, leaning toward me, alert.

“I’ve found my soulmate. But I could not see her. Only her scent… and the heat.”

Harla’s face tightened. “But you will be selecting a mate in the coming Mating Run. Remember the pack elders won't like it if you mistakenly mate a wolf outside our pack. Also, everyone is looking forward to who will be the lucky new Luna of our pack.”

I felt the weight of guilt as I listened to him. I knew I was already betraying expectations with my decision to search for someone whose whereabouts were unknown.

But it is my happiness that matters. Even now, I stand by that thought.

“The point here is that I’ve not marked anyone else since the demise of Ruse,” I said defensively. “Search everywhere in the forest with Gad. Find traces of anyone living there.”

I paused, then added, “Also, make an inquiry about any female wolf who entered the forest along the border this afternoon.”

After instructing Harla, I left his house, heading to the pack house in my car to rest for the day.

Everyone who saw me around Harla’s house shifted back, greeting me with their deepest courtesy. I continued with my heavy strides. I knew their respect was born out of fear.

They carried many rumors about me. I never cared.

When I entered the pack house, my family was busy with one thing or another. They barely noticed me. Food was being prepared, omega servants were cleaning, arranging, carrying things to the pack hall—life continued, unaware that something irreversible had already begun.

On the same night, my door creaked open, and there he was. Harla. Even now, I remember how easily I read him. His body language always betrays him; he has a revelation to tell me.

“Alpha, I think we have a clue on the person you missed seeing in the forest yesterday. Suspected person,” Harla says, his voice edged with urgency.

“And you have not brought her already?” I retorted, impatience already tightening my tone.

“It’s…” he begins, but he is cut off suddenly by a short, fat she-wolf stepping in without sense.

“Beta Harla, you are welcome. What would you eat? The list of prepared food includes sourdough bread with wild game chili, sandwich, meat pie, and there is berry wine,” the omega servant says.

Harla forces a smile. I know him. Sometimes, he prefers softness where firmness is better. But I do not indulge such weaknesses.

“Would you leave here immediately? When will you learn the simple way to understand the room at special times?” I bellow, and she spirals away instantly.

Halar adjusted, signaling to continue his speech. “It's actually one of your servants here… but our Gamma’s daughter that is suspected. Elena. Her mother said she did not see her in the house, nor did she appear here in the pack house that same day you went for border patrol,” Harla concludes.

“Then arrange some deltas to bring her here immediately. No matter whose daughter she is. I’m not requesting it. I’m checking where my belongings are and taking them if found,” I said frankly.

Harla replies with a bow and turns to leave. And that is it. I remember the stillness that followed.

I will be waiting here. But Elena? Is she not supposed to be marked by Golden?