Chapter 2

Alpha Zach’s POV

Earlier That Day

“Beta Zach, Alpha Timothy's condition has gotten worse!”

Those were the first words I heard when one of the servants rushed into my room. I immediately abandoned what I was doing and hurried toward Alpha Timothy's bedroom. My heart was pounding as I walked through the hallway, praying that whatever had happened wasn't as serious as I feared.

When I entered his room, I found four Gammas standing beside his bed, while several healers surrounded him.

“What's going on?” I demanded.

“Is that you, Zach?” Alpha Timothy's weak voice immediately caught my attention.

“Yes, Alpha.” I hurried to his side, took his hand, and sat beside him. “I'm here.”

He slowly opened his eyes and gave me a weak smile. “I've been waiting for you.”

I frowned. “What's happening? Why are you looking worse?”

One of the healers lowered his head. “We've tried everything, Beta, but his body isn't responding to our healing abilities anymore.”

“What do you mean?” I snapped. “There must be something else you can do!”

“Zach,” Alpha Timothy called weakly.

I turned toward him.

“Don't blame them. They've done everything they can.”

“Then let them keep trying,” I insisted.

He shook his head. “There's no point. My organs are shutting down, and even my wolf is gone.”

My heart sank. For a werewolf to lose his connection with his wolf while still alive could only mean one thing. Death was close.

“No,” I whispered. “You're going to be fine, Alpha.”

He smiled sadly. “I've lived a good life, Zach. And now, I think the Goddess is calling me home.”

I shook my head, refusing to accept his words. Alpha Timothy wasn't just my Alpha. He was the man who had trained me, trusted me, and treated me like his own son. I couldn't imagine this pack without him.

“You know what happens after my death,” he continued. “You'll become the next Alpha.”

“Please don't talk about that.”

“You have to listen to me, Zach. I have no son, and you've served me faithfully for years. I know you'll take good care of this pack.”

Tears burned behind my eyes. “I don't want to become Alpha this way.”

“I know, son.” He tightened his weak grip around my hand. “But there's something else I need you to do for me.”

I leaned closer. “Anything, Alpha.”

He stared at me for a moment before speaking. “I have a seventeen-year-old daughter.”

I froze. “A daughter?”

“Yes. She lives with her mother in London.”

I stared at him in disbelief. In all the years I'd served Alpha Timothy, he'd never mentioned having a daughter.

“You have a daughter?” I repeated.

He nodded weakly. “I wasn't there for her the way I should have been. I kept her away from this pack, and now it's too late to make things right.” Regret filled his eyes. “After my death, I want you to bring her here. Let her live in the mansion. Treat her like your little sister, Zach. Protect her and give her the care I couldn't give her.”

I swallowed. “Alpha—”

“Promise me, Zach. This is my dying wish.”

I tightened my grip around his cold hand. “I promise. I'll bring her here and protect her like my own little sister.”

Relief appeared on his face. “Thank you, son.”

He turned toward the four Gammas. “Come closer.”

They immediately obeyed. Alpha Timothy looked at them before turning toward me again. “Behold your new Alpha.”

The Gammas lowered their heads respectfully. I hated it. Their Alpha was still lying before them, yet they were already acknowledging me as his replacement.

Alpha Timothy smiled weakly. “Despite never having a son, I've always seen you as one, Zach. And I know you'll make a great Alpha.”

“Alpha Timothy…”

He slowly closed his eyes. I waited for him to speak again, but he didn't. His chest rose once, then stopped.

“Alpha?”

No response.

“Alpha Timothy?” I shook his hand gently. “Alpha, please…”

One of the healers hurried forward and examined him. A few seconds later, he lowered his head. “He's gone.”

I closed my eyes as tears slipped down my cheeks. The man who had been like a father to me was dead. I lowered my head and pressed a kiss against the back of his hand before gently placing it on the bed.

I wanted to stay there and mourn, but an entire pack was waiting for me. When I turned toward the Gammas, all four dropped to their knees.

“We pledge our allegiance and loyalty to you, Alpha Zach,” they said in unison.

“On your feet,” I ordered. They immediately obeyed.

“Inform the pack crier that Alpha Timothy has passed away after weeks of illness. Everyone in the pack needs to know.”

“Yes, Alpha.” They bowed and left.

I turned toward the healers. “Prepare his body properly. He won't be taken to the mortuary. He'll be buried tomorrow night.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I looked at Alpha Timothy one last time before leaving his room. I made my way downstairs to the sitting room, where several members of Alpha Timothy's family had gathered. The moment I entered, every conversation stopped.

Luna Anita was the first to react. “No!”

Her scream filled the room as her legs gave way. Two maids rushed forward and caught her before she hit the floor.

I swallowed before announcing the news. “Alpha Timothy has passed away.”

Cries immediately filled the room. Some of his relatives fell to their knees, while others covered their faces and wept. My attention shifted toward Lady Cecilia, Alpha Timothy's younger sister.

“Lady Cecilia, can I have a word with you?”

She nodded and followed me into the library. Once we were alone, I turned toward her.

“Before Alpha Timothy died, he told me he has a daughter in London.”

Cecilia sighed. “Olivia.”

I frowned. “Olivia?”

“Yes. That's her name. Her mother is my best friend.”

At least now I had a name.

“Alpha Timothy made me promise to bring her here and take care of her,” I explained.

Cecilia looked surprised. “You want Olivia to come here?”

“Yes. I want her here for his funeral tomorrow.”

She hesitated. “Zach, Olivia barely knew her father. She's only seen him once in her entire life. She might not agree to leave London.”

“Then explain that it was her father's last wish.”

“And if she refuses?”

“I'll go to London and bring her myself.”

Cecilia stared at me. “You're serious?”

“Very.”

She sighed. “And what about Luna Anita? You know how she feels about Timothy's daughter.”

“I'll deal with Anita.”

After a moment, Cecilia finally nodded. “All right. I'll try.”

“Take the private jet. I want Olivia here before tomorrow.”

She agreed and left shortly afterward. I returned to my bedroom, hoping to spend a few minutes alone. Instead, I found Sophie sitting on my bed with a glass of wine in her hand.

“Zach!” she exclaimed happily. “I heard the old man is dead.”

My expression hardened. “Don't speak about Alpha Timothy like that.”

She shrugged. “I'm just saying. You're Alpha now, and that means I'll finally become Luna.”

I stared at her. “Who told you that?”

Her smile disappeared. “What?”

“What makes you think we're getting married?”

“Zach, we've been together for years!”

“And I've never promised to marry you.”

Anger flashed across her face. “Are you seriously still waiting for your mate?”

“Yes.”

“Goodness, Zach! You're thirty-one years old! You've spent thirteen years searching for her!”

“And I'll keep searching until I find her.”

Sophie glared at me. “What if she doesn't exist?”

She exists, Leo growled in my head. My wolf had never doubted that our mate was somewhere out there.

I looked directly at Sophie. “Then I'll remain unmarried.”

Her face reddened. “Or perhaps you're planning to make Stephanie your Luna!”

I sighed. “Get out, Sophie.”

“Zach—”

“I said leave.”

She grabbed her bag and stormed out. I sighed and sat on the edge of my bed, rubbing my forehead. Alpha Timothy had barely been dead for a few hours, and instead of having time to mourn him, I was already dealing with arguments about who would become my Luna.

Hours later, a sharp knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called.

Austin stepped into the room. “Alpha Zach.”

I looked up at him. “Since when did you start calling me that?”

“Since you became Alpha,” he replied. “We've been friends since childhood, Zach, but things are different now.”

I shook my head. “Suit yourself. What do you want?”

“Lady Cecilia and Olivia have arrived at the pack. They're on their way to the mansion.”

I raised an eyebrow. “She agreed to come?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

That was unexpected. From everything Cecilia had told me, I'd assumed Olivia would refuse to leave London.

“Good. Have the maids prepare a room for her. Make sure everything is ready before she arrives.”

“Of course, Alpha.”

“And Austin?”

He stopped.

“I don't want anyone giving that girl a hard time. Make that clear to everyone in this mansion.”

“Understood.” He bowed and left.

I leaned back in my chair, thinking about Timothy's daughter. I didn't know what Olivia looked like, but that didn't matter. She was his daughter, and I'd promised to protect her. I intended to keep that promise.

Another knock interrupted my thoughts.

“Who is it?”

“It's Luna Anita.”

I sighed. “Come in.”

The door opened, and Anita walked inside with her arms folded across her chest.

“I've been hearing some disturbing things around the mansion,” she began. “Is it true that my husband's illegitimate daughter is coming to live here?”

“Yes.”

She stared at me. “Yes?”

“Olivia is coming to stay here. That was Timothy's wish before he died.”

“Damn him and damn his wishes!” she snapped. “I will not allow that little bitch and her whore of a mother into this mansion!”

My expression hardened. “Watch your mouth, Anita.”

She blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me. Whatever problem you had with Timothy or Olivia's mother is none of my concern. But you will not insult a seventeen-year-old girl who has done nothing to you.”

Anita laughed bitterly. “Do you have any idea what it feels like to spend years beside a man, knowing you can't give him a child, only to discover he has a daughter with another woman?”

I remained silent.

“I stood by Timothy through everything, Zach! And now you expect me to welcome that girl into my home?”

“Olivia isn't responsible for what happened between you and Timothy.”

“And who are you to tell me what I can or cannot say? I'm the Luna of this pack!”

“And I'm the Alpha,” I replied coldly.

She clenched her fists. “You seem to have forgotten who you're speaking to!”

I slowly rose to my feet. “Let me make something clear to you, Anita. Timothy is dead, and I'm the Alpha now. Olivia is coming here because I said so. You don't have to like it, but you will accept it.”

“You can't just—”

“Enough!” She fell silent.

“If you've finished, there's the door.”

For several seconds, she glared at me before turning toward the door.

“Anita,” I called.

She stopped.

“The next time you come into my room, remember who you're speaking to. Consider this your first and last warning.”

She stormed out without another word. I sighed and returned to my chair. I hadn't even been Alpha for a full day, and people were already testing my patience.

I reached for my drink, but before I could bring the glass to my lips, something strange happened. My fingers suddenly loosened around it. The glass slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor.

I stared at the broken pieces. “What the hell?”

Mate!

Leo's sudden howl echoed through my head.

I immediately stood. “What did you say?”

Our mate is here, Zach!

My heart gave a hard thud.

Mate? After thirteen years?

She's here! Go find her!

Before I could respond, an unfamiliar scent reached my nose. Nutmeg mixed with fresh honey. I froze. Goddess! I'd never smelled anything like it.

That's her! Leo howled excitedly. Our mate!

I clenched my jaw and hurried toward the door.

“Calm down, Leo.”

Calm down? We've waited thirteen years for this!

I ignored him and followed the scent toward the staircase. It grew stronger with every step. By the time I reached the sitting room, Leo was practically losing his mind.

There!

My eyes immediately settled on a young lady seated on one of the couches.

Mate! Leo howled.

I stopped. So that was her.

She was beautiful, with long chocolate-brown hair framing her face, but something about her appearance immediately caught my attention. She looked young. Too young.

My excitement faltered as I studied her. I had spent thirteen years imagining the woman fate had chosen for me, but I had never considered that she might be so much younger than I was. She looked like someone who should still be attending school, not a woman who was ready to become Luna of an entire pack.

Zach! Leo called impatiently. Go to her!

“Quiet,” I warned him.

Before I could decide how old she might be, she seemed to notice my presence and turned toward me. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, I forgot what I had been thinking.

Her eyes were a stunning shade of sea blue, and the moment she looked at me, the scent of nutmeg and honey seemed to grow even stronger.

She's ours! Leo said excitedly.

I didn't move. There was no doubt about the bond. I could feel it clearly, and Leo's reaction confirmed what I already knew. But the more I looked at her, the more uncomfortable I became.

What was the Moon Goddess thinking?

I was thirty-one years old. I had waited thirteen years for my mate, and now that I had finally found her, she looked young enough to be a schoolgirl.

Zach, what are you waiting for? Leo demanded.

I clenched my jaw. “Will you be quiet for a moment?”

I finally took a step toward her, intending to introduce myself and find out who she was. Whatever excitement I felt about discovering my mate would have to wait until I knew more about her.

“Fuck,” she suddenly blurted out.

I raised an eyebrow.

Before I could say anything, Lady Cecilia stood.

“Greetings, Alpha Zach,” she said with a respectful bow.

I gave her a brief nod, but my attention remained on the young lady. Cecilia followed my gaze before turning toward her.

“Olivia,” she whispered, gently tapping her arm. “Get up and greet the Alpha.”

Olivia?

My entire body went cold. No. That couldn't be right.

“Greetings, Alpha Zach,” the young lady murmured, lowering her head.

I stared at her in disbelief.

Olivia. Alpha Timothy's daughter. Seventeen years old. The girl I had promised to bring into this mansion, protect, and treat like my own little sister.

Mate! Leo howled again.

I swallowed hard.

For thirteen years, I had searched for the woman the Moon Goddess had chosen for me. I had traveled to different packs, attended countless gatherings, and prayed that one day I would finally meet her. And now, when I should have been celebrating, all I could think about was the promise I had made to a dying man.

I looked at Olivia again. She was only seventeen, for Goddess's sake! How was someone her age supposed to become Luna of one of the biggest packs in the world? What did she even know about ruling a pack?

She should be worrying about school, her friends, and enjoying her teenage years, not carrying the responsibilities that came with being an Alpha's mate.

She's ours, Zach, Leo insisted.

I clenched my fists. I knew that. But knowing it didn't make the situation any easier.

Of all the women in the world, why did the Moon Goddess have to choose her?

Why did my mate have to be Alpha Timothy's seventeen-year-old daughter?