Chapter 3

Vincent

My wolf stirred all of a sudden. Forcing me to halt in my steps. 

“Is everything alright, Alpha?” My personal guard, Ivan asked. 

I raised a hand to stop him as my nose sniffed the air. The scent was almost intoxicating and comforting at the same time. A small smile played out on my lips as a magnetic heat tickled my insides pulling me towards the smell. The closer I got the stronger it became. My heart thumped rapidly in excitement with my wolf becoming restless. 

When the scent intensified, I quickened my steps in curiosity with my wolf howling and demanding to move faster. I came to a stop in front of what seemed like a clinic. I entered the space and there she was attending to a little boy who looked sick. She was bent over talking to him in a low tone. The boy looked happy and I felt a path of jealousy. 

She stood up straight, locking eyes with me and my wolf almost leaped out of me. Her beauty had me rooted to the spot. The glow from her was all that I needed to see to know she was the one.  I felt an electric wave within me when recognition dawned in her eyes. Moving closer to her, the words left my lips. 

“Mate.” 

I was about to reach for her when she was grabbed by two guards out of nowhere. 

“What are you doing?” I snarled at them. 

One of the guards gave me a dismissive look. “I don’t know who you are. But you do not have a right to meddle here.” 

“How dare you speak to him like that?” Ivan stepped forward, fuming at the guard. 

I motioned for him to step back. “You will know who I am soon. Where are you taking her to?” 

“The dungeon.” She spoke and my heart melted. Is this what it feels like to hear one’s mate speak? 

I blinked rapidly when her response registered in my head. “The dungeon? Why is that?” 

The rude guard stared blankly at me. “We do not answer to you. If you have any questions, direct them to the Alpha.” He seethed, dragging her towards the door. 

“What is your name, my lady?” I called after her. 

She turned to me with a weak almost invisible smile. “Clara.” 

“Clara,” I repeated it, enjoying how it rolled off my tongue effortlessly. “My mate.” 

My wolf purred in response. 

“We are getting late for your meeting with Alpha Richard, my lord.” Ivan reminded me. 

We went ahead to our intended destination where we got ushered into Richard’s study. 

“Alpha Vincent, I have been awaiting your arrival for a while. I thought I was being stood up.” Richard said with a dark smile on his face. 

I mirrored his expression. I have never been a fan of him, but we are bound by borders. Which means I can’t avoid him even if I desired to. 

“I got distracted on the way here.” I mused, taking a seat. “Before we get to the business of the day. May I ask why the lady named Clara is locked up in your dungeon? I saw her being taken away from the clinic which means she is a healer. What wrong did she commit?” 

There was a shift in Richard’s gaze. He didn’t seem pleased with my question. But I am pretty determined to take my mate back with me no matter what. 

“Why are you interested in that?” He questioned, his tone a bit distant. 

“Because it is of importance for me to know.” 

He frowned for a moment before cackling dryly. “If you must know. She is the daughter of the late Alpha Lucas.” 

“What? The one who killed her parents?” 

“Yes. That one. Now that you know, can we get on to today’s meeting? I thought we were supposed to have a resolution on whose land it is.” 

I had almost forgotten that I came here to actually get into a brawl if I have to. The Ridgestone pack has been encroaching on my pack, Stonecrest land. And it has caused a lot of disruption among the pack members. My pack is most affected because most of the land belongs to us. It was never like that when Alpha Lucas was alive, he always ensured to do things the right way by reaching a compromise. But Richard is too greedy and wants everything to himself. 

As much as that was an important mission, getting my mate has trumped that. 

“That is not necessary at the moment. I want you to release Clara.” 

Richard scoffed, sitting up. “Do you hear yourself? You want me to release a criminal to you? Why would I do that?” 

“She is my mate and I will not leave here without her,” I stated firmly. 

“Well, your mate is the pack’s prisoner and she does not have the liberty to do as she pleases.” 

My wolf snarled in displeasure and I clenched my fist in response. This fool knows better than anyone else how important it is for mates to be together. 

“Did you not hear what I just said? She is my mate. How do you expect me to let her go?” 

“It is your cursed fate to have a mate who has committed treason. What do you want me to tell the pack members if I let her go?” 

I stayed quiet leaning into the chair. This is indeed a troubling situation. There has to be a way for Clara to come with me. 

“You should reject her and hope for a second chance mate. You might get lucky.” Richard mocked. 

I snorted. “There is no reason for me to desire another when the one I want is right in front of me. What if I offer you a deal?” I uttered the words, hoping I wouldn’t end up with regrets. 

He raised a brow. “You want to make a deal?” 

“Yes.” I paused, thinking it through again. Sighing, I held his gaze. “I will let you have the land.” 

It took a while before he reacted. “You mean you do not mind that the Ridgestone pack claims your land?” 

The council members will have my head for this, but it is worth it. I have longed for a mate since I became Alpha. The entire pack has yearned to have a Luna and an heir for the longest of time. Now that I have her, I am not letting her slip away no matter the circumstance. 

“Yes,” I replied. 

Richard cleared his throat, shrugging nonchalantly. “As enticing as your offer is. We cannot let her go. You said it yourself that you met her at the clinic. She is the only healer we have in this pack. We can’t have the pack in a health crisis to please you.” 

“We have four healers back in my pack. I will have one of them sent here. Does that solve the problem?” 

His face couldn’t hide his surprise. “So you will give up on the land and send one of your pack healers to us?” 

“Yes.” 

Richard's eyes remained on mine for a few minutes. I can see the wheel turning in his head. Why is he finding it hard to agree to this is suspicious. Anyone in his shoes would jump at the offer. Because the land dispute would have been won by my pack. But here I am, giving it freely. 

“One last thing.”  He finally said. 

Now he is getting on my nerves. “What is that?” 

“The moment you take Clara out of this pack, let it be the last time she would ever steps foot here again. She would not catch a glimpse of it nor claim to be from here.” 

“I have nothing to gain if everyone knows she was accused of killing her parents.” 

“She wasn’t accused. She did it.” He looked angry. “So do you agree to that?” 

I doubt Clara would also want to return here, judging by all that has happened. She definitely wouldn’t have any problem with the decision I am making on her behalf. After all, this is freedom she is getting on a platter of gold. She should thank the goddess for being merciful. 

“As you wish,” I replied. 

“She is all yours then,” Richard muttered with a satisfied smirk.