Chapter 3

Lucian's POV

I let out a deep sigh after going through the contents of the letter in my hand.

“How was the meeting with the other Alpha and the Council Elders?” I asked my Beta and best friend Freya, who looked at me and gave out a tired sigh of her own.

Aside from my mom, Freya has been the only person I truly cherish, love and trust in my life. She has been through it all with me—ever since we were kids, when I lost my father during the Cold War, and later, as teenagers, when I lost my twin brother to the vampire and rogue attack that threatened the existence of our pack. She has always been around whenever I needed her and in whatever way I did. So many people were surprised, even the Council Elders, when I made her the Beta of my Pack.

My pack—the Ethereal Nightwalkers—is the strongest werewolf pack in North America, one of the largest, and ranked among the top five packs in the world. So they thought appointing a female Beta would make us appear weak, but she has proven them all wrong. So far, she has earned not only the loyalty of our pack members but also the respect of the Council Elders and of Alphas during pack meetings.

“You know the usual, the elders and some Alphas want to know if you've found your mate or decided to take a chosen mate. Then there is the issue of a rogue posing as a King and terrorising weaker Packs. It was also addressed but I'll brief you on that later.” She replied.

I was about to ask her why later when I was mind-linked by my Gamma, Edgar “Alpha, your presence is needed at the eastern border. It is very urgent.”

“On my way,” I replied.

As I walked to the eastern border I couldn't help but think about why the Council Elders and other Alphas are so interested in knowing if I have found my mate or decided to pick one. I tried for a couple of years searching for my mate but it seems like she doesn't want to be found so I gave up. The idea of picking a mate is not something that sits right with me although I would have loved to make an exception for Freya but I can't. She had feelings for my late brother and they were seeing each other secretly. My brother and I made a promise to each other that except she turned out to be my fated mate I can't choose her as my mate.

“Alpha, you need to see this,” Edgar said immediately I came into view, his voice tense.

I move closer and see a woman with brown hair lying on the floor, she seems naked but a cloth is wrapped around her body.

“So? What has this got to do with me?” I asked, feeling irritated. “You know the rules for any rogue who trespasses.”

“The thing is Alpha, I don't think she's a rogue and she doesn't even have a scent. I can't even feel her wolf. Perhaps she's a human who mistakenly wandered into our territory and you know if she turns out to be one we'll have to inform the Council Elders.” Edgar replied.

He’s right—and I hate it when he’s right. He’s smart and knowledgeable, but he loves to show it off, even in front of my warriors, forgetting that I’m his Alpha. One of these days, I’ll have to remind him of that. Then I noticed the pendant on the lady’s neck. It looked familiar—possibly from a powerful werewolf family. Maybe an Alpha family but I can’t quite remember.

“Look at her pendant Edgar, that is a pendant which belongs to a werewolf family.” I pointed out. “She's our kind and not a human. Lock her up in one of the holding cells. I need to know how she ended up here and how the warriors on patrol did not detect her immediately she crossed into our border.” I said and turned to leave.

“Alpha, don't you think she should be treated? Maybe I could take her to the pack doctor to examine her. She looks weird an-….”

“It seems you've forgotten your place, Edgar,” I growled and turned to face him. “Do I have to remind you? You have my orders and yours is to follow. I will decide if she's innocent and worth saving, not you.”

I turned and continued my walk back to the pack house. As I walk back I try to remember where I have seen that moonstone pendant but can't remember. I know I have seen it somewhere but I can't remember where and that information is going to be very vital because I don't want to be caught holding an Alpha or a Beta family member hostage. But what if she's from Midnight Howlers Pack, what if she's a spy sent from their pack? I'll definitely have to investigate this matter thoroughly myself.

*****++

It hasn’t even been up to three hours since I ordered Edgar to lock that rogue up in a holding cell without assigning a healer or pack doctor to examine her, and he’s already disobeyed me. I’ll make sure this is the last time he disobeys my orders. I march angrily to the prison house with Freya behind me. As I open the door leading to the narrow corridor of holding cells, I spot the rogue girl now dressed in a gown in the last cell and she is already awake.

A sweet scent hits my nose. It is the most fragrant smell I have ever perceived in my entire life—but it vanished suddenly. I brush it off, assuming it’s someone’s scent the wind carried.

“Since when did you start defying my orders, Edgar,” I said calmly to him.

He appeared too shocked to reply so I left him alone and focused on the girl. We'll definitely talk about this later.

“I gave you an instruction to lock her up but I didn't remember giving you the permission to call the pack doctor to examine or treat her. Or is there something about this girl that I don't know? Is she your mate?” I asked, my voice cold as I began walking toward the girl.

She quickly bowed her head down to avoid my gaze.

“Who are you and what are you doing in my territory?” I asked the girl but she didn't reply.

“Look at me when I'm talking to you. Don't make me repeat myself.” I growled, making her flinch. She slowly raised her head to look at me, and I was immediately struck by her beauty. Her long brown hair, streaked with white, cascaded around her, adding to her ethereal appearance. Her skin was pale and smooth, her doe eyes wide and fearful. But then I heard her whisper the word I expected least from a rogue. “MATE!”

“MATE!” My wolf howled in excitement.