161Mondrian“With your skill set, you are the only one I can trust to help find the alpha without alerting the enemy.” Arlen nodded, his eyes held understanding, “I'll do my best to find Alpha Daniel, Your Highness.”“I know she told me to search for just her father since he would know what to do in this situation and she would take care of herself but I intend to go after her, I cannot let her stay imprisoned for much longer,” I said, turning to Alex.Alex didn’t speak right away. Instead, he ran a hand through his hair, clearly confused with the turn of events “Despite being the world power here 8 don't think we can just waltz in and do whatever we like Alpha, there are rules to this thing.”“I know. But I don't care,” I responded my voice firm, “ not when my mate is being held captive by some wannabe king, and I cannot let it go on any longer. Celene has been through too much to have to do this on her own.”Alex seemed to weigh my words, his head bowed deep in thought, “I underst
160MondrianI sat in the conference room, surrounded by my closest confidants, Alex my beta and second In command, Arlen a young but promising aide, his help during Celene's expulsion from the violet pack would forever be remembered and Zara, young and fiery with a heart of gold, she was also Selene's closer friend at white Lycan.Although small, these men and women made up more than any army I could have chosen. And I was grateful to Zara for their quick arrival.They say facing me, their faces filled with confusion and dread, from their darkened gaze I could tell they were waiting for the worst. All except Zara looked like they wanted to be anywhere else but here, and I couldn't blame them. Not after I had dropped the bomb of my stepping down just a day prior.Unlike him, Alex was the first to break the silence, his brow furrowed with concern. “What’s the reason you had Zara call us over, Your Highness? Are you still thinking about picking a new successor? Because last time you mad
159CeleneI felt weak, so weak I didn't think I could lift my arms, Hunger gnawed at my insides like a hungry beast, and my thoughts grew fuzzy.I was beginning to regret not eating when I had the chance, how I could have been so stupid as to pass the opportunity annoyed me.But I had to give myself a small ounce of grace, at that time I'd given up all hope. Too shocked by Christoff's betrayal to think clearly but now after my talk with Mondrian, I felt like things were finally coming into place.Although I'd used the last dredges of my strength to connect the bond between us, I had no regrets. Alera my wolf, was currently sleeping too tired from overworking herself. I was grateful to her for the idea and for teaching me how to connect our minds.A small smile played on my lips at the memories of Mondrian. Hearing from him had left me feeling happy. The relief washer through me knowing he was still alive and well.Although I hadn't planned on revealing my feelings to him just yet, b
158MondrianAt the sound of her voice, I jumped to my feet the time falling at my feet. What's going on? Was I going mad? The question flickered through my mind as I spoke out “Who's there? Show yourself!” I growled, unleashing my Aura. I am met with silence once again. The room was empty of anyone but me, and I sighed chuckling softly at myself.“It's confirmed I have gone mad.” Leaning down I reached for the time. The moment my fingers grazed the weathered paper Her voice slipped through the thoughts in my head quelling the buzz of my people's linked thoughts.“Mondrian? Can you hear me?” I stilled, my head cocked to the side. What's going on? Is this a trick?Is this fate's way of showing me how powerless I was to the curse and my dying body?“Alera said this would work.” She asked perplexed, “Why isn't he saying anything? Mondrian if you can hear me, answers me”Her voice carried with it a sense of urgency, pushing me into action, my heart hammered in my chest.“Celene?” I call
157Christoff“Stupid girl.” I muttered, flinging the cleaning kit like it burned, “Once I am Alpha I'll show her how big an ire she showed in my heart.”A sneer, played on my lips as I climbed towards the stairs leading out of the house.“But then she wouldn't be able to refuse.” Celene’s refusal irritated me more than I cared to admit. She had always been stubborn, but I’d expected that once she saw reason, once she realized there was no one left for her, she would surrender to the inevitable, begging and pleading. But no. She still clung to some fantasy of freedom and loyalty, insisting on being with a half-dead king instead of me.From her actions I couldn't believe she was once the girl that had run after me, whispering her devotion to me, begging for my attention. When had that changed? When did she become so different? She'd almost ruined my plans. The thought sent waves of anger boiling through my veinsI slammed the door behind me and walked swiftly through the forest trai
156Mondrian I didn't want to be here. From the looks of the men sitting around the high table, with varying degrees of confusion and fear neither did they.They had no choice though, I had called for a meeting and they were expected to be here, the topic at hand, the appointment for the next king.The declaration had stunned many, most of whom were young elementals, who had only lived for a few thousand years, as for the rest, those who had grown up hearing my story, those who were with me at the time of my curse, those who had fought with me in battle, there was a look of acceptance albeit sadness in their gaze.Their head bowed, as they gnashed their teeth, a trace of unwillingness in their demeanor. They hated this as much as I did, but we were all powerless In the hands of fate.Alex sat stiffly beside me, his lip pinned in a frown, his arms clenched as though he didn't want to be here, Zara wasn't here, since she wasn't part of the elders or adviser but her mother, lady May sat