Chapter 5

Xander’s POV

For two years now, I had kept it to myself. The knowledge that Leila was my mate. 

By the time I found out,  my reputation as Alpha was already set in stone. Those who knew me would say, I was cold, ruthless, powerful, and uncompromising. I had lived all my life, caring less about finding a mate or starting a family. 

But on a particular day, my entire world changed forever. That was on her eighteenth birthday. 

On that day, I was drinking with my friend Carlson when he told me. “I don't feel like going back home,” he murmured. It was his bastard daughter’s birthday. She just turned eighteen. Turning eighteen for werewolves meant that they were officially transitioning into adulthood, taking up certain responsibilities and also finding a mate. Each wolf was given a gift, a small pouch that contained wolfsbane, according to tradition. 

Everyone in the pack knew how he treated her. She was never accepted as a family member. 

Carlson was involved with a woman who wasn't his mate, they had a baby which turned out to be Leila. It was a mistake and soon enough, he abandoned the woman and the baby when he met his true mate. Seventeen years later, the woman died from a strange disease and he had no choice but to bring Leila back into his new family. 

“Leila is innocent, in all this Carlson,” I said. 

“I would have had a perfect family without her, Leila is innocent but she is the bad blood in my family. Having her around feels like an infected wound that won't heal. I just wish... ” Carlson didn't finish his sentence. He trailed off, looking at nothing in particular. I could see the regret in his eyes. 

“I'll go with you and give her the pouch.” I offered. We made our way to his house. Even before I saw her, her scent hit me right in the guts. It was a sweet, alluring scent. My wolf Hala let out a blood-curdling howl, one of longing and primal possession. 

“MATE!!” he growled. “MINE.”

Being around her made it hard to keep the insatiable beast within me leashed, but I managed. 

I gave the pouch to her and sauntered away. With each step I took, I felt my heart pounding louder and louder. 

She was destined to be my Luna but she was just an innocent child. Leila was a weakness, one which my enemies wouldn't hesitate to use against me. Letting her into my life meant, putting her in harm's way. To keep her safe, I had to stay away. Which I've been doing for the past two years. Each time I closed my eyes, I always saw her red wild hair, forest green eyes, and cupid bow lips which made my larger member twitch in my pants. 

She looked more beautiful than ever before on that fateful evening. I returned to the pack after a victorious battle with the Silverquin pack. My gaze furrowed at Carlson after hearing what happened. Seeing her cry, broke my heart into a million pieces. Worst more, she was betrayed by her weakling of a mate. Damian Rockmeishire. I felt like devouring him, tearing him into shreds but I managed to suppress the feeling. 

“How did it go?” I asked, Romero. He was my most loyal Delta. He had a tall and imposing figure, with a scar that stretched from his left eye down to his cheek, with dark brown eyes. 

“She was more than excited, Alpha,” Romero replied. 

“Send Kate, the make-up artist along with some omega’s to get her ready for the procession,”  I said. 

“Yes, Alpha!” Romero replied and walked away. 

It was time for the procession. And I sent Romero with a handful of Delta’s to go escort her. The arena was crowded with all shapes and sizes of wolves. All gathered for the Triumph Procession and to also receive blessing from the Moon Goddess. 

“Alpha! Alpha!! Alpha!!!” the crowd roared in unison. I surveyed the faces of my comrades with a cold, unyielding gaze. My reputation as a ruthless cold cold-hearted monster was etched into every fibre of my being. 

I noticed Romero and the group of Delta’s had returned, without Leila. I felt a pang in my chest, my wolf already howling. 

“Where is she!?” I bellowed,

“Alpha, I... I think she has been Kidnapped. We searched everywhere for her but to no avail. She is nowhere to be found” Romero replied, while fidgeting. 

“What!?” I roared, as I stood up and steered out. I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that she had been kidnapped. 

“Carlson!, where is he? Bring him to me.” I said to Romero. I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. I thought of her safety, wondering if she was still alive or dead. 

“Search the entire area, I want her found before sunrise,” I growled at the deltas. 

A while later, Carlson was brought to me. I glanced at him with a devilish look, as he cowered in fear. I could see the terror in his eyes with every step he took towards me.

“Where is Leila!?” I sneered at him. 

“I don't know Alpha, she got into a little quarrel with her step-sister Alessia before I left the house” he replied. 

“Strange, how is this possible?” I said to myself, rubbing my chin. 

“I think the security of our camp has been breached. we should summon all the tribes.” Carlson suggested. 

“Summon all the council elders by sunrise. We need to find her.” I ordered.

I reclined in my chair, thinking about everything. Wondering if I made a mistake. The battle with the Silverquin pack was a flawless kill, I made sure none of their warriors survived. The more I thought about it, the more perplexed the situation appeared. A voice whispered to me in my reverie, ‘This kidnapping was orchestrated by someone within this pack’. I jerked back to reality, upon hearing those words.