Chapter Five

The Knight

Rogues have always been a problem in the packlands. But it's only recently they seem to be getting stronger, more desperate. They've raided six of the small towns outside of Crescent. They've taken crops from farmlands, animals, money... my people are complaining, frightful even. I've pledged my life to protect them and every time I turn my back these fucking heathens keep hurting them.

I don't want to know who's behind these attacks. I already know. 

What I want to know is, where are they hiding?

Every time word gets out there's an attack, they disappear before I can even catch their scent and it's driving me fucking crazy.

I know their hidey-hole has to be close by and well-hidden because no matter how much I've scoured this land, I've never managed to catch them. Not one.

I glare at the wrinkled map spread out on my desk. The four cardinal parklands surrounding the King's capital, are most prominent. My eyes drift a little to the right and right there, behind a section of mountains, are the infamous Witches Kingdoms. My pack stands right on the outskirts of their kingdom, so we get our occasional influx of sirens and witches into my pack all looking for their mates... if they happen to have one. 

Before the new Aradia (Witche Queen), a witche mating with a werewolf would've been illegal and a cause of banishment. But Lois, my best friend, became the new Aradia and the practices of the old laws were no more. 

Now the streets of all the packs are flooded with happy, smiling witches holding hands with their mates and practising freely.

If only I was so lucky.

I've been searching for my mate for over a decade to no avail. I'm not sure if she's hiding from me or not but whatever it is, my hope is dwindling as fast as these fucking Rogues are driving me out of my mind.

My office door is thrown open and I barely look up to greet my mother as she stumps towards me. 

"And why aren't you ready?" Mother demanded, folding her arms over her chest in front of my desk. She means business. "Everyone is waiting for you!"

"You mean the party I had nothing to do with?" I said, dryly. 

She's wearing a striking red dress that flows out in a small trail at her feet. Her hair was delicately pinned up and her makeup light on her ageless face. She was beautiful and exuded regality. 

Her lips pursed. "I threw it for you so you can finally stop moping and get yourself a bride. The pack needs a Luna. We aren't as strong as we're supposed to be without one and maybe if you pick one. this mess with the Rogues would be over and done with."

I massaged my temples, irritably. "You know finding a Luna has nothing to do with those bastards. You're just trying to convince me to come down to your ridiculous party."

"Maybe," she shrugged. "Is it working?" She smiled, hopeful and I couldn't find it within me to refuse her.

"If you leave me alone, I'll think about it."

She smiled. "That's good enough for me. Don't come down too late or the girls would start rioting." She blew me a kiss and disappeared out into the hall. Music from downstairs drifted up and a feeling of foreboding settled on my shoulders.

There's another knock on my door as I'm finishing up with my tie... "Come in," I commanded.

My Beta saunters in wearing an obnoxious white suit. I squint at the thing in the mirror. What the fuck? "What the hell are you wearing?"

Zain comes up beside me in the mirror, ogling himself. "This is my lucky suit. I intend to bag a lot of females with this."

I scoff. "Not when you look like a white glow stick."

He glared at me. I turn to grab my gold watch from off the side table. "How are we looking out there?" I ask him.

"Like we might have to take the party outside. They're practically climbing over each other." I snort. "You think you'll find her tonight?"

"Do you?" I countered.

He didn't respond and I took that as an answer enough.

___________________________

I'm going to be dead-ass wasted at the end of this. I'm on my fifth shot and I'm still frustrated and anxious. I've talked to maybe twenty or more women for the night and it's barely ten o clock and I'm this close to flinging myself off the balcony out of pure boredom.

I see Mother and Father near the staircase speaking with two blonde girls while Zain's in a dark corner groping a red-head. Lucky bastard.

"So, Alpha what's your zodiac?" Some brunette asks me. I think her name is... Dana? Donna?Daphne?

Something that starts with a D. 

Or maybe it ends with a D. Something like Daphane-d.

I sky another drink before I answer tersely. "Taurus."

"Oh my god, I'm a Virgo!" 

This is probably the fifth girl to ask that question tonight only. Then they'll get all excited when we're 'compatible.'

My eyes drift to the mated couples dancing to a low quartet all around the room and I envy them. The adoration on each of their faces when they meet each other's eyes. From that one look, I knew they'd go to hell and back for their significant other and I desperately want that. They say it's the best feeling in the world. To know that there's always someone you can come back to no matter what.

I want to experience that with every fibre in my body but my hope is growing less and less every day. 

Once I choose one of these boring women to be my bride and inevitably mate with them... that's it. I'll have no chance of having a relationship with my soulmate (if I find her) because I'll already have a Luna and she'll be Luna until death parts her from this world.

I gesture for the bartender to bring another. He scurries away with my order.

The door opens as another onslaught of people trickle in. A wind blows in through the hall and my spine straightens as I catch a scent in the air. Whatever Dana/Donna/Daphne was saying trailed off as I poked my nose in the air and inhale deeply. 

I catch it. Strawberries and rain... there's something else too but it's muffled.

I'm bulldozing my way towards the scent, ignoring the mumbled protests and gasps around me. 

Then I find her.

She's standing in a pool of glittery sea blue that drew the eye of every creature in the room. Her silky hair cascades down her back in dark waves. "Mine," I growled.

The girl turns around at the sudden attention as whispers start up in the crowd. Her eyes fall on me and I hear a high squeak leave her as her eyes widened. She wore a mask like most of the women in here, but I could see her eyes clearly. A startling blue... but nothing. I felt nothing.

And as I got closer... something appeared off. Nothing my friends nor my family said to me about the mate bond happened. I didn't have an incessant need to touch her, she looked fine but I didn't feel anything towards her, even her scent... It overwhelmed me, yes, but there was something wrong with it.

Disappointment sank deep in my stomach but I shook it off. It might just be the alcohol. Yes. It's just the alcohol. 

This is my mate. 

I've finally found her. 

"I've been wondering when you'd show up."