Chapter 4

Alpha King Damon

Women in all shapes and sizes, and wearing all sorts of colours, gush and gape at me, and run their fingers along my vest, as we dance at a ball held in my honour; their behaviour would be socially unacceptable anywhere else.

Damn you Eric! I know you have told these she-wolves I might have to choose my own mate, get them off of me before I release my wolf and start ripping their heads off! I tell my Gamma Eric, via mind-link.

Sorry Alpha. You might have to consider it. If the rumours are true and King Fenris attacks Moon Crest Valley, you’re stronger with a mate and Luna. Eric mind-links back.

Not if she isn’t my true fated mate, now get them away from me now Eric, before it’s your head I rip off.

‘Ladies, ladies. Let the Alpha King compose himself. Being surrounded by your beauty is overwhelming for him. Let me escort you all to the drink table, where you can tell me your progress with Alpha King Damon.’ Eric says as he winks at me and ushers the she-wolves away. I cross my arms and glare at him.

There must have been hundreds of unmated females and not one of them was my mate. Eric is always trying to convince me to just choose a mate, but he knows it's not the same as your true fated mate chosen by the moon goddess herself. There would be no bond, no urge to be near each other and no sparks when our skins touch and we would never feel complete, we would always feel an emptiness. If anything, it would make the pack and I weaker. Sure, there were lots of beautiful unmated she-wolves at the ball, but they either came across as materialistic or not having any common interests and there was no connection with any of them.

Leaning on the rail of my balcony after the ball, I sigh, and reflect on the evening. My wolf Striker stirs and wants to be let out for a run, he is distressed that we didn't find our mate tonight. I undress, and let my wolf run free for the next few hours, before returning home and going to sleep.

I follow the moon as I’m running, but feel like the moon distances herself further, and further away, from me.

Moon Goddess. Where is she? Please tell me. Where is my mate? I ask, not knowing if the moon can hear me. The moon stops moving and turns blood red.

What is happening? What does this mean?

Sounds of drums in the distance, getting louder and louder, mingle with sounds of war, swords clashing, and agonizing screams, as war arrows soar over my head through the air. I’m suddenly standing in the middle of a warzone. Blood stains everything I can see: dead humans, and dead wolves litter the ground, and thousands more still fight each other.

A beautiful melodic voice sings a far way off, a song so touching and solemn; it knows devastation and pain. My wolf, drawn to it, feels compelled to follow the song.

I wander through the war zone in a fog, in the direction of the singing, avoiding the humans who, with their swords, are slicing wolves open, and the wolves who are ripping the heads off these humans. It’s a bloody war indeed, an absolute massacre.

I spot the girl sitting on a rock, she is comforting herself, and looks crestfallen and forlorn.

Close to her, she smells amazing, like wild violets, and honey. ‘Mate!’ I say, placing my hand on her shoulder so she will turn to look at me. She turns and morphs into King Fenris, laughing hysterically.

Covered in sweat, I am jolted awake, and shaken. I sit up in bed to find Eric standing over me with a worried look on his face.

‘Alpha, you were having a nightmare. I could hear you all the way down the hall. I've never known you to cry out in your sleep,’ Eric says, sitting on the end of my bed.

Panting, I try to gather my senses.

‘It must have been a nightmare. It felt so real. The moon turned blood red. There was a violent, bloody war. My mate was there. She’s alive. I saw her. Her scent was a mixture of violets and honey. She was downcast and afraid. She was singing the saddest song I have ever heard. Our mate bond compelled me to go to her, but when I saw her face, King Fenris was staring at me. I think she might be in trouble,’ I explain.

‘I’ll go fetch the doctor,’ Eric says. I grab his arm tightly, and sternly look him in the eye.

‘I'm serious Eric. This dream was a message. The Moon Goddess was warning me of what's to come. And telling me my mate is alive.’ I let go of Eric's arm when he realises I’m not mucking around.

‘Ok. What do we do about it?’ He asks.

‘I need to find her. We need Beta Troy back here as soon as possible,’ I say, and Eric nods.

‘I'll find out if he’s on his way back,’ he says, and leaves the room.

The next day, standing in the front foyer, Beta Troy still hasn’t reported back to me in my chambers, neither has Eric.

‘Eric. Where’s Troy? Why hasn't he reported back to me?’ I ask, while slamming my fist down on the table in the centre of the room.

Everyone in the foyer flinches, and keeps their heads bowed. Eric kneels before me.

‘I'm sorry, Alpha. It seems Troy’s mind-link is blocked. He did say it could be a few days until he is back from investigating West Wallow. We have, unfortunately, had more reports of more rogues being found dead, and skinned, near the forest border.’

I go through to the dining room and sit down in my chair at the head of the ornate, mahogany table. Rogues are never an issue, they’re just loners who prefer to live alone, away from rulership.

Earlier in the year I had a meeting with King Fenris, regarding their deaths. He denied any involvement in their deaths, but said he would kill any wolf who crossed into his territory. His hate for werewolves was made very clear when he called us filthy vermin. He needs no reason to kill us off, if he so pleases.

A few days ago, I sent my second-in-command, Beta Troy, undercover, into West Wallow, to get to the bottom of their deaths; if anyone can find answers, it’s Troy.