Chapter Six

Alder POV

I thought the search for her would have ended but her father insisted on searching more. He believed Adella was still alive somewhere. Three teams were sent to search for her all through the day.

The search continued for three days until one of the three search parties came with her other shoe and the red jacket she wore that night. It was obvious she was dead.

"We need to stop the search, Uncle. The men are tired and we can't find her body. It's been three days already," I said, trying to convince Ella's father.

"No, my daughter can't just leave me like that. She might have survived…"

" Do you truly think she would survive that fall? She is human. Even an alpha wolf like me would develop several fatal injuries that might take a year to heal" I said, clenching my fist.

That's why I rejected her. She was damn too weak. There might be a little hope if she were a werewolf but she is just human. A weak and pathetic being who wasn't fit to be my mate!

She wouldn't have died if she wasn't weak!

" My daughter!" I heard her mother sobbing.

I turned to look at James who had been silent these past few days. If I didn't know better, I would have said James had accepted the fact that his sister was dead. But that wasn't James. I know deep down he was brimming with pain.

Somehow I felt guilty and afraid.

" I promise to bring down whoever did this to you, Ella. I will hunt him or her down!" He swore, his gaze filled with vengeance and hate.

I swallowed an imaginary lump of spit as my eyes met his.

"Why… Why do you think someone killed her? She might have killed herself" I said, more of a whisper.

" Yes, I agree she might have killed herself but someone made her do it" he said, confidently.

" Someone? Who might… Who do you think did it?" I asked, afraid yet wanting to know if I was safe.

"Her mate. He must have rejected her. I know my sister very well. She is just too emotional. But I swear to kill that bastard, whoever he is!" He swore again.

I felt my heart skip in fear but I quickly hid it. No one knows she was my mate so I am safe from Jame's wrath. If there was one thing I don't want is to have a scuffle with my best friend. 

"She was so happy that she recognized her mate despite not having her wolf. And that bastard dared to make me lose her! I will exact my revenge no matter how long it might take" he said again.

Feeling guilty, I walked up to the patrol teams and dismissed them. Deep down I was still afraid of being caught. I was still filled with guilt. 

"We need to perform the burial rites, James. Let's go home and prepare," Adella's father said, biting his lips.

"No! My daughter is not dead. No one will perform a rite for her. She is still alive," her mother said, shaking her husband.

"Get a grip on yourself. Our daughter is gone and the only way to grant her safe passage is to give her a befitting rite. Come, let's go home," He said, holding his grieving wife as they walked away.

James took one last look at the area before going towards his parents. I just stood there, looking devastated.

**

I got to my chambers and sat down on the bed, feeling lonely. Since the day Adella got missing, I have been having a void in my life. I have had sleepless nights and nightmares where her eyes kept accusing me of causing her death.

Since the day my mate died, it was like a vital part of my life died too.

I took a deep breath to hold back my emotions, locking away the thought of Adella from my mind. I got up to take a cold shower so I can retire for the night. 

I spent a way longer time than usual in the bathroom and I didn't know when I slept off. I woke up with a start, sweat dripping all over my body as I remembered the gory face of Adella accusing me of causing her death.

"It's just a dream, Alder" I said to myself, getting out of the bathtub.

"It's your fault, you know," Kylie, my wolf sprang out.

"Can you please stop? I just woke up from a bad dream! You of all people should know it has nothing to do with me!" I snapped at him.

"Why would you reject her? She is our mate! We could have protected her as we love her. She doesn't have to be strong," Kylie said, accusing me.

"I don't want a weak Luna!" I said, getting pissed at him.

"You could have made her stronger…"

"She is human, Kylie"

"How are you so sure? What if she is a late bloomer or perhaps…"

" Please stop! I don't want to hear anything about that weak and pathetic mate. Besides, she is gone," I countered, shutting him out. 

Someone knocked on my door saying they were one of the maids. They came to remind me of the memorial rites of Adella. I dismissed her as I got ready to go there.

I needed to be there… for James, at least.

When I got to the memorial, I saw how broken Adella's parents were. I wondered why they loved her so much when she wasn't even their daughter.

"I am so sorry for your loss, Uncle," I said, walking towards them.

They nodded acknowledging me. I went to meet James who was just staring at nowhere in particular.

"You have to pull yourself together, man" I said, hiding my distress too.

"I can't believe I lost my little sister," he said with a shaky voice. 

" You have to pull yourself together," I said, tapping his shoulder.

He nodded as he clenched his fist in anger. I became nervous again. I didn't want anyone to find out and lose my throne. I hope everything dies down soon. 

***

It's been a week since Adella died and it was the day of my coronation as the next alpha. It wasn't just about me only, James was also part of the big day. He was also to be given the title of my beta as his father stepped down alongside my own father.

"Are you ready?" I asked him, smiling. It was a joyous day for me. Finally, I was going to be the Alpha. 

He forced out a smile as he nodded," Yes, Alpha. I am forever ready to serve you."

That I am very sure. But the thing was if he would ever forget about the death of his sister. That was what I was afraid of. He needs to let go of Adella. She was dead and gone… forever.

All I had to do was to choose a powerful female wolf as my chosen mate. She would be the Luna I always wanted. Just like my mother. That has been my dream and I will surely fulfil it. 

But would I ever forget about Adella, my weak mate?