Chapter 3

The grand hall was bathed in the soft glow of morning light that filtered through the narrow windows. Its stone walls were adorned with ancient tapestries, while torches flickered in iron sconces, casting dancing shadows across the chamber.

Alpha Randall sat at the head of the long oak table, his long hair, the color of midnight, hung loosely around his broad shoulders.

"Alpha Randall?" From a very far distance, he heard someone calling out his name and that was when he jerked back to reality.

"Yes?" He responded, trying to mask his emotions.

"Are we on the same page?" Elder Zar, the oldest one in the council asked, looking a bit concerned.

Since the meeting began, Alpha Randall hadn't exactly been participating. He'd been very distant, lost in his own thoughts.

"Yes, Zar," Randall replied, putting in effort to concentrate on the meeting in front of him.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the image of those enchanting eyes off his mind. Those were the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen in his entire life.

The way she stared at him made him feel something he'd never felt before. But, of course, he knew what was going on. The Moon Goddess was never going to get him on this. Damn, the mate bond.

Ever since the incident of last night, Keir had retreated to the far end of his mind in anger. He didn't like the way their mate was treated by Randall. But who cares?

"Since we are on the same page, we can go ahead with the preparation," Elder Troy said, looking around to see if everyone was in support of what he said.

"What preparations, Troy?" Randall asked in his usual neutral tone, totally lost as to what they were talking about.

The council of elders consisted of older wolves and witches who saw the affairs of every pack in the South and West. They made sure to keep every pack and every region in check, maintaining the traditions, morals, and values of their kind.

"The coronation, Alpha Randall," Elder Zar replied, wondering what was going on with the Alpha. He'd never been this confused before.

"What?" Randall questioned, "What coronation? Who are you crowing?" His quizzical stare made everyone shift uncomfortably in their seats.

"Your Luna, of course. Haven't you been listening to a thing we've been saying?" Elder Zar who was now growing annoyed, replied in frustration. He was the only one who dared to speak to the Alpha that way, and that's because he was the oldest in the council and he was a friend of Randall's late father.

"I never said I wanted her as my Luna. She is just my mate, and nothing more. Visha is the one I want as my Luna, not Reyana," He calmly made them know his intentions, hoping no one would question it.

"It doesn't work that way, Alpha. This isn't about what you want or do not want. As long as you've found your fated mate, there is no need to choose another mate. You know the consequences of that, don't you?" Elder Troy warned.

"You also know that your pack is the envy of other packs. This will give your pack a bad reputation," Elder Edgar added.

"And most importantly, as soon as word of you rejecting your mate gets out to the enemy packs, you know they'll use that as an opportunity to strike, knowing how weak you'll be after going through a rejection," Elder Asher said.

"Alpha Randall, don't let your love for Visha bring about your downfall and that of your pack. Do the right thing," Elder Zar added in conclusion. "And, where is Aldric? Why isn't he in the meeting?"

It was at that point Randall realized he hadn't seen Aldric anywhere around the meeting hall. He immediately tried to mind-link him but he couldn't.

"Where is Aldric?" He asked Kellan who was standing beside him, his thoughts running wild but he tried to steady his emotions.

"He said he wasn't feeling too well earlier today, Alpha. I saw him walking toward the South wing," Kellan replied.

Randall furrowed his brows. The physician's chamber was on the East wing. What was he... "Fuck!" He growled, clenching his left fist as he stood up abruptly, his eyes glowing with a bright shade of red as he hurried out of the hall.

***

"Reya... I love you so much. I won't forgive myself if anything ever happens to you. Just come with me. Let's run as far away from here as possible. Please, my love." Aldric's plea made her heart ache even more.

"I am scared, Aldric. What if... What if he finds us? He'll kill us, Aldric," Reyana wished it was that simple.

"He won't. You don't have to be scared. Trust me on this," He assured her.

"Where would we run to? I don't want to become a rouge. What if no pack agrees to take us in? You know we are in enmity with a lot of other packs, all thanks to the monster, Alpha Randall."

She had a point. But right now, all Aldric wanted was for them to leave the Blood Crescent pack as soon as they could.

"There is a pack... I know of one... Far beyond the North Mountains. No one will ever find us there." He said, a glint of hope flickering in his eyes as he waited for her response.

Reyana hesitated for a moment. Running away was as dangerous as staying back. But it was better to die trying than not to try at all.

"Okay..." She whispered, "When do we leave?"

It felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders. Aldric pulled her in for a tight hug, kissing her softly on her forehead.

"I love you so much, Reya. I can't bear the thought of you belonging to another man."

"I love you too. Thank you for always being there for me."

"Meet me at the bush path behind the Oak tree when everyone is asleep." Aldric whispered, "Take just a few things with you. We need to travel light, okay?"

Reyana nodded in agreement, "I will do so. You must leave now. We can't be seen together."

***

It took Randall all the control he had to keep Keir from completely taking over, but they both shared control at this point.

He hurried towards the South wing, ignoring the greetings from his pack members. From afar, he could perceive the intoxicating scent of his mate.

Her scent was so intoxicating that each time he was anywhere close to her, he fought and struggled to keep himself sane. But right now, all that didn't matter.

Within a few seconds, he was standing face-to-face with her door.

Randall flung the small wooden door open with a dangerous urgency as he barged into her chamber.

He felt his heart stop at the sight before him.

"Reya..." Was all he could mutter. The name slowly left his lips as he swallowed a hard lump in his throat.

"Oh, Selene! Alpha Randall!" Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she stood frozen on the spot, "I... I am sorry, Alpha, I..." She searched for the right words to say, but at the same time, she felt herself choking on her words.

The glow in Randall's eyes intensified and he could feel Keir struggle to take full control. For a moment, everything else ceased to exist, except for his mate, who was standing totally naked in front of him.

Her skin radiated like the morning sun. Every curve of her body, every contour, was a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship, perfectly sculpted and adorned with the grace of a goddess.

Her slender waist and toned abdomen emphasized her feminity. Her shapely hips hinted at the fullness of her behind, making him want to turn her around to have a better look at it.

He slowly trailed his hungry gaze over her body, his eyes resting on her round, succulent breasts which stood firm and pointy, calling out to him.

Randall gulped, tightly clenching his fist as he beheld her, his heart pounding with an intensity that echoed in the depths of his soul. Her wet, silky straight hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of liquid ebony.

He felt a primal pull towards her, a wave of sinful, unadulterated desire surged through his veins and ignited a fire within him that burned with an intensity he had never known.

The urge to possess her overwhelmed his senses with an urgent need to claim her as his. He longed to make her know, in the most sinful way possible, that she belonged to him and him alone. His to torture... His to claim... His to punish... His to own...

Every fiber of his being yearned to feel her succulent body against his.

"Alpha Randall?" Reyana who was dying of shame and embarrassment as his scrutinizing stare made her skin heat up with a feeling she wasn't used to, managed to call out, hoping it would bring him out of whatever trance he was in.

He immediately locked Keir in as the red glow in his eyes was replaced immediately by his usual green ones, shutting out any trace of emotion he just felt. "Where is he?" He asked coldly, his eyes darting around the small room.

"Who could that be, Alpha?" Her tender voice asked, avoiding his glare. She tried so hard to stop her heart from beating so loudly, but it wasn't working.

"Do not test my patience, Reyana!" He charged towards her, pulling her harshly by her long, Ebony hair. "Where is Aldric!"

"I don't know... I haven't seen him... I haven't..." She whimpered as tears welled up in her eyes.

He gave her a menacing chuckle, "I hope I don't find out otherwise, Mate." He whispered slowly in her ear, sending a wave of fear through her body before harshly letting her off his grip.

He could swear Aldric was here. Her sweet scent was mixed with a different scent which annoyed him. He was going to find out for sure.