FIVE

ARCHER

FOR WHAT SEEMED like an eternity, Archer stood by the double doors covering the entrance of the castle library. He was always taught to recognise danger and how to get away from dangerous situations.

But even as he heard all the warning bells in his head go off, he still ventured into the library. After all, it is only by standing at the edge of the cliff that one can get to see the beautiful view from down below.

The royal library contained ancient books, handwritten and typed. The shelves were built with strong centuries-old wood that could stand against termites and other natural elements.

Even after five decades, it still looked the same but due to it not having been opened after so many years, the smell of old books was thick in the air, as well as the metallic scent of blood. It had been fifty years but the evidence was still there.

The moment Archer entered, his eyes were drawn to the desk by the wall but Archer quickly took his eyes off the desk and walked toward the shelf he came for. The sooner he found those books, the sooner he could leave that place.

****

Archer left the library and found Ryan waiting by the door. He began walking away with Ryan closely behind him.

"Did you find it?" Ryan asked immediately.

"Yes, but it is written in ancient werewolf language. The only ones who can understand this language are wolves who were born before the blood moon era," Archer responded.

"There is only one Wolf I know who is that old, but she gave up on wolves a long time ago," Ryan informed as Archer paused in front of his room.

Archer exhaled sharply. "Elder Shanon."

Every ounce of hope he had vanished instantly and his face mirrored Ryan's in discouragement.

He wondered why he agreed to do this in the first place. He should have known that he would get disappointed in the end. What was he even expecting, that his luck would change so quickly?

"Wait, Archer, let us not give up so quickly. Perhaps we can find a way to convince her," Ryan jumped in before Archer could say what was on his mind.

Archer eyed Ryan in slight annoyance. "How many wolves has she agreed to meet after she exiled herself?"

"I know but you are the Alpha King of all werewolves, she has to listen to you," Ryan pressed on, following Archer into his room.

"She is an exiled wolf, Ryan, those rules do not apply to her."

"Then you can use the Alpha command on her. Her wolf would be forced to submit!"

Archer looked up with a glare. "I would never force a command on a Wolf unless it is for their own good."

"But it is for the good of all wolves," Ryan defended.

"That does not justify it but since I decided to do this for my mate, I will go find the Elder-"

"Yes!" Ryan cut in, fist bumping the air.

"You did not let me finish," Archer started but Ryan's excitement did not dwindle.

Archer continued nonetheless, "But if I am unable to convince her, we will leave immediately."

"Alright, Alpha, I will gather the men and supplies. When do we move?" Ryan asked.

"We move at dawn, but you will remain here to look after the kingdom as acting Alpha," Archer said to Ryan, whose eyes widened.

"But, Alpha…"

"Not tonight, Ryan. We need someone to step in just in case something happens to me along the way or if I do not find her before my prime time arrives.

"The wolves will need a leader they can count on, and that is you," Archer explained, stunning Ryan even more.

"Archer, I can not stay here while-"

"Do not argue with me, Ryan. I am doing what is best for my people and that is to leave them in capable hands."

"Still, we can assign someone else to look after them. I can not leave you on your own out there," Ryan complained, but Archer was not having it.

"It's not a request, Ryan. Stay back!" Archer demanded, his eyes flashing black. His wolf was getting even more difficult to control.

Ryan frowned. "No, Archer, I can not leave your side during this time."

Archer sighed before an apologetic look appeared on his face. Ryan knew what was coming and bowed his head.

"Then you leave me no choice. As your Alpha, I order you to stay behind as acting Alpha until my return or death. In the case where I do not return alive, you are to succeed me as Alpha King of the werewolves."

With clenched jaws, Ryan bowed again. "Yes, Alpha," he addressed mockingly and stormed out of the room.

Archer's face softened as soon as he left. He hated using his Alpha tone on Ryan, but at the moment, it needed to be done.

"Forgive me," He whispered, before falling onto the bed.

Everything seemed to be slipping away from his grasp and he was losing control of the things he could once control.

Tomorrow, he will be embarking on what might be his last journey. He had long lost faith in the goddess and fate. Now he had to rely on his own efforts, even if that did not seem to be working out for him.

Shutting his eyes, Archer prepared himself for yet another sleepless night.

*****

The King's procession left the kingdom at dawn, with the entire kingdom gathering at the arena to see their king for what might be the last time. His Beta stood at the King's platform, staring at his best friend leaving without him.

Archer looked for his mother to find her at the window weeping silently. Clenching his jaws, he looked away from her. The further Archer moved away from his kingdom, the more his dread increased.

He looked up at the goddess, with one question in his mind; would he find her?

He recalled when his mother and family suggested that he should pick another mate. Archer could not stomach being with another person other than his destined mate. The thought alone was unnerving. And not once did he ever regret deciding to not settle for another shewolf.

He sighed, looking forward as they approached the rocky mountains. As his procession neared the border of the next kingdom, the kingdom of the witches, his dread gave way to anger.

Archer quickly ordered his men to travel as further around the kingdom as possible. His mate could not be in that kingdom. The goddess would not do that to him. She would not be that cruel to him, especially after what they did.

Around twenty minutes later, they reached the airport. The previous day, Ryan had already prepared Archer's private plane so as soon as they arrived at the airport, they immediately boarded the plane.