Aiden was pacing back and forth in his study, his mind consumed with worry for Samantha. It had been days since she went missing, and despite the best efforts of his pack, there was still no trace of her. Aiden had never felt so helpless in his life, and it was driving him to the brink of madness.
As he turned to leave the room, Luna, his fated mate, entered. "Aiden," she said softly, trying to calm him down. "Please, you need to rest. You've been at this for days."
Aiden's eyes were bloodshot, and he hadn't slept in days. He was on edge and didn't want anyone to get in his way. "Rest?" he growled. "How can I rest when Samantha is out there, alone and in danger?"
Luna stepped closer, trying to comfort him. "We're doing everything we can to find her, Aiden. You need to have faith that we'll bring her back."
Aiden snapped, his anger boiling over. "Faith?" he spat. "What good is faith when the woman I love is missing? How can you expect me to rest when all I can think about is her?"
Luna's expression softened, and she stepped closer to Aiden. "I know how much you love her, Aiden. But you need to take care of yourself. You can't help Samantha if you're not in the right state of mind."
Aiden shook his head, his frustration mounting. "I don't need to be in the right state of mind. I need to find her. Now."
Luna sighed, realizing that there was nothing she could say to calm him down. She left the room, leaving Aiden alone with his thoughts.
As the hours turned into days, Aiden grew more and more desperate. He scoured the woods and searched the nearby towns, but there was no sign of Samantha. His heart was heavy with despair, and he didn't know how long he could go.
Aiden knew that he needed to take drastic measures to find Samantha. He had heard rumours of a werewolf hunter who was known for his ability to track down even the most elusive of werewolves. He knew that seeking help from a hunter was risky, but he was willing to do whatever it took to find Samantha.
He called upon his most trusted pack members and asked them to help him find the hunter. After several days of searching, they finally located him in a small town on the outskirts of their territory. Aiden wasted no time and immediately set out to meet him.
The hunter was an old, grizzled man with scars on his face that told the story of his dangerous profession. Aiden approached him cautiously, unsure of how he would react to a werewolf seeking his help.
"I need your help," Aiden said, his voice laced with urgency. "My mate, Samantha, has been missing for months now, and I need to find her."
The hunter looked at Aiden sceptically, sizing him up with his piercing blue eyes. "I don't take kindly to werewolves," he said, his voice rough and gravelly. "Why should I help you?"
Aiden took a deep breath and looked the hunter straight in the eye. "Because she's in danger," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back."
The hunter nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Alright," he said. "I'll help you. But it won't be easy. Werewolf hunters aren't exactly popular in these parts, and we'll need to be careful."
Aiden nodded, relief flooding over him. "Thank you," he said. "I'll do whatever it takes to find her."
Aiden didn't care about the cost. He just wanted to find Samantha. The hunter gave him a list of needed supplies, and Aiden set out to gather them. He didn't rest until he had everything the hunter had asked for.
When he returned to the cabin, the hunter was waiting for him. "We'll leave at dawn," he said, his tone brooking no argument.
Aiden nodded, relieved that he was finally making progress. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew that he would do whatever it took to find Samantha and bring her home.
Aiden sat alone in his office, staring blankly at the wall. His thoughts were consumed by Samantha and the danger she was in. It had been weeks since she had disappeared, and he was no closer to finding her.
Suddenly, the door burst open and the hunter from before strode in. Aiden quickly stood up, surprised to see him again.
"I have news," the hunter said, his voice serious. "I've been tracking Samantha, and I think I know where she is."
Aiden's heart leapt at the news. "Where is she?" he demanded.
The hunter hesitated for a moment before speaking. "She's in the castle of the vampire prince," he said.
Aiden felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that the vampire prince was dangerous, and he also knew that he had no access to his castle.
"How am I supposed to get her out of there?" Aiden asked, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over him.
The hunter shrugged. "I don't have all the answers, but I can help you get as close as possible," he said.
Aiden's mind raced as he thought about the hunter's suggestion. He knew that getting close to the vampire prince would be dangerous, but he couldn't let Samantha stay trapped in his castle.
"What do you suggest?" Aiden asked, his voice low.
The hunter leaned in, his expression serious. "Lucian is throwing a ball in two weeks to announce that he has found his sired mate and to announce her coronation. That would be a perfect time to sneak in," he said.
Aiden felt a flicker of hope at the suggestion. It was risky, but it might be his only chance to get Samantha back.
"We'll need a plan," Aiden said, his mind already working out the details.
The hunter nodded. "I can provide some distraction to draw attention away from you. That should buy you some time to find Samantha and get out," he said.
Aiden nodded, feeling a sense of relief that he wasn't alone in this. He knew that the hunter was a skilled fighter and could provide the distraction they needed.
"Thank you," Aiden said, feeling grateful for the hunter's help.
The hunter nodded. "I'll meet you outside the castle in two weeks. Be ready," he said before turning and walking out of the room.
Aiden sank back into his chair, feeling a mix of emotions. He was scared for Samantha, but also determined to get her back. He knew that the next few days would be crucial, and he needed to be prepared.
As he sat there, his mind filled with plans and strategies, Aiden couldn't help but wonder what Lucian had in store for Samantha. He knew that the vampire prince was not to be underestimated, but he also knew that he couldn't give up on Samantha. She was the only thing that mattered.