Veldrin: Our Mate!

North District, inside the King's castle.

I sat lazily on the throne, my chin resting in my palm as Rowan, my ever-loyal assistant, reported about the highlights of the Moon Festival.

He delivered a thorough report on the activities the guests had been enjoying since the previous day. 

All the Alphas and other key figures had participated in various events organized by the elders; initiatives designed to foster alliances and uphold the kingdom's ancient peace. Traditions that had endured for thousands of years.

But the moment he mentioned tomorrow night's so-called "peak event," my interest flatlined.

"The dinner will be held at the Silver Cliff Hotel. After dinner, there will be a friendly gathering for all guests, featuring entertainment, dancing, singing, and a variety of activities."

I closed my eyes, refusing to meet his gaze. The more I looked at Rowan, the more I felt the overwhelming urge to send him straight to the afterlife.

He continued to talk, his voice a persistent buzz in my ear. I pressed my fingers against my brow, trying to drown him out. 

I had more pressing matters to attend to... places I needed to be. And Rowan was wasting my time.

At last, my patience snapped.

"Can you stop your report?" I whispered coldly.

He fell silent.

Noticing his confused, slightly alarmed expression, I added sharply, "You're wasting my time, Rowan. Get to the point."

Rowan straightened, then finally delivered the message.

"The elders have requested your presence tomorrow evening, Your Highness. They… wish for you to find your true mate among the guests."

His words sliced through the haze clouding my thoughts. For the first time, I gave him my full attention, though he likely regretted it.

I stared at him, my gaze sharp enough to cut steel. The color drained from Rowan's face.

"It seems the elders have lived so long, their minds have begun to rot," I said icily. "Why in the hell would I find my mate at a party filled with men? I remember the last dinner party very clearly; it was attended only by Alphas."

My brow lifted, arched threateningly as I demanded an explanation without another word.

A nervous smile flickered across Rowan's face as he stammered, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I… I forgot to mention, this year, the Alphas were allowed to bring their families to the dinner party. Several of them came with their lovely daughters… as candidates for you to choose from. As your potential partner."

"WHAT!" I roared, the sheer disbelief boiling in my chest. "Who gave them the right to decide that?!"

Rowan instantly dropped to his knees, eyes wide with fear, yet still glowing with sincerity.

"M-My King, the elders… they're worried about you. They say you've been alone for too long. They wish to see you married, and soon… with a child…"

His voice faltered the moment I lifted a finger.

Without touching him, I raised his body into the air, slowly, deliberately.

Rowan's eyes filled with horror as he floated upward, helpless. Then, with a slight flick of my hand, his body slammed hard against the wall. Painful.

"Y-Your Highness. Please. Have mercy. I only followed the orders… from your grandfather…"

"What a bunch of useless old fools, these elders!" I growled, rising from my throne, fury spilling off me like a storm about to break.

"Your Highness, please..." Rowan's panicked voice rang out as he saw me head toward the door. "It's only dinner! You don't need to talk to anyone if you want. You only need to be there!"

I stopped.

Turning slowly, I pointed at the marble floor.

Rowan's body dropped and crashed onto the cold stone, a harsh thud echoing through the hall.

"Listen carefully, Rowan," I hissed, voice low and deadly. "I don't need to waste an entire dinner just to find my mate. I'll know the moment I see her. One second is all it takes."

He struggled to rise, pain etched on his face, but still dared to speak.

"But Your Highness… the elders insist it's important to get to know them. Dancing after dinner... It's the perfect time to connect… to build something."

Rowan tried to reason with me, but his words only ignited the fire burning within me.

"Damn it, Rowan!" I roared, making him flinch. "If none of them are her, why the hell would I stick around?! No one can force me into that kind of relationship. Not even my grandfather!"

We locked eyes.

For a moment, the fury between us settled into something heavier. Rowan's fear gave way to exhaustion as he slowly pushed himself to his feet.

"My King… I know," he murmured. "And I told your grandfather the same thing. But he threatened to kill me."

I inhaled deeply.

I knew how hard it was for Rowan; he is my best friend, my Beta, caught between loyalty to me and obedience to the elders. He bore the brunt of their expectations, their criticisms, and their pressure.

"Veldrin," Rowan whispered, using my name softly, sincerely. "You're my King. But more than that, you're my friend… help me this once. If you don't, I swear I'll go to your grandfather myself and ask him to take my life instead…"

Hearing Rowan's words only worsened my headache. 

As much as I wanted to ignore him, I couldn't deny the truth behind what he said. He was my only true friend in this long, lonely existence... the one soul who truly understood me.

His desperate gaze, full of silent pleading, chipped away at the ice around my heart.

I let out a low growl of frustration. I had no choice.

"Fine. I just have to show up at dinner, right?"

"Absolutely! I swear, you won't have to talk to anyone. That's my promise, my King!"

Rowan's face lit up, his fear and panic replaced by visible relief. I offered him nothing more than a cold smile.

"I'm leaving now." I clapped a hand on his shoulder and turned to walk away.

"Where are you going?" he asked. 

"We'll talk later, Rowan. I have something far more important to deal with." I waved a dismissive hand behind me, not even glancing back.

"Your Highness, allow me to accompany you—"

"Absolutely not." I snapped before he could finish, my irritation flaring again.

"Are you serious?" he called out, his footsteps echoing as he trailed after me.

I let out a heavy sigh as I strode down the corridor.

"I'm going to take a nap, Rowan." I threw the words over my shoulder. "Why in the hell would I want you in my bed?"

And just like that, I vanished from his sight, too tired and far too annoyed to deal with his pestering any longer.

...

In the blink of an eye, I appeared deep within the woods, not far from my castle, a forbidden zone for all others. 

This was where I came to calm my mind, a place untouched by noise, duty, or judgment.

But the moment I arrived, the serenity shattered.

A strange, intoxicating scent slammed into my senses—floral, laced with spice, and utterly consuming.

"Someone's breached the restricted zone!"

My eyes snapped toward the edge of the forest. Beyond it, miles away, lay the city park.

"What the hell are the guards doing? Who let someone enter this area?"

Anger burned beneath my skin as I stepped forward, drawn to the scent like a predator chasing prey. 

I reached a massive boulder and stood atop it, my gaze fixed on the spot where the scent still lingered in the air.

But no one was there.

The scent stirred something deep inside me. Something ancient and primal. It was unfamiliar yet hauntingly familiar.

"What is this smell…? Why does it feel so intriguing?" I muttered, eyes scanning every inch of the surrounding terrain.

'She is the one.'

The voice of my wolf echoed sharply in my mind.

"What are you saying?"

'She is our mate!'

My heart stopped for a moment.

"Are you sure?"

'Crystal clear. This is your chance. Find her now... or lose her forever!'

A surge of adrenaline exploded in my veins. I leapt down from the rock, the forest blurring around me as I raced toward the city park. The scent grew fainter the closer I got, dissipating into the crowd beyond.

'Find her!' My wolf growled, urgent and furious. 'Don't let her disappear. Again!'

'Shut up! Can't you see I'm already trying?!' I barked back, grinding my teeth in frustration as my eyes scanned the countless faces ahead.

My pulse thundered. My instincts raged.

She was close. She had to be.

And I would find her even if I had to wreck my way through the city to do it.