Chapter 16 - Chapter 16

As the prophetess walked ahead of Zade towards his office, her small frame hiding the weight of her ancient wisdom. With each step, her little appearance contrasted greatly with the depth of her knowledge. She walked towards a seat and settled into it,her legs swinging freely due to her short height, while Zade took his place opposite her, waiting patiently for what she had to reveal.

With a little hand, she removed her cloak, revealing a childlike face adorned with freckles and piercing green eyes. Her bald head, marked with symbols of age-old indication, hinted at the profunda importance of the depths of her existence. Though she looked no older than a young girl of six or seven, her real age was more than a century.

Lost in her thoughts, she absentmindedly doodled on a piece of paper, prompting Zade to clear his throat to gain her attention. Slowly, she looked up, setting aside her pen, and began to speak.

"She's here," she announced, her voice carrying the weight of prophecy. "I caught a glimpse of her in one of my visions. Though I did not see her clearly, I was able to dicern the telltale mark of a wolf and star etched upon her waist."

Zade furrowed his brow in confusion. "Who is here?" he inquired, seeking clarification.

"Your mate," she replied unwavered, her gaze unwavering.

Zade's eyes widened in surprise. "I have a mate?" he asked more to himself, the revelation sinking in.

Ignoring his question, the prophetess jumped from her seat and walked towards the door with precise steps before stopping . "You must find her before the third lunar month," she said, her voice palpable. "I must go and sleep," she declared, walking out of his office, leaving Zade to contemplate the weight of her words and the destiny he somehow doubted.

With a sense of urgency, Zade activated his mindlink, summoning his beta to his office without delay. In a matter of minutes, the door swung open to reveal a figure clad only in a hello kitty pajama trousers, his dark skin glowing in the dim light. Luke entered with a boyish charm, his tousled hair adding to his disheveled yet attractive appearance.

Zade couldn't help but roll his eyes at Luke's lack of attire. "You couldn't even bother to put on a shirt, Luke?" he remarked with a hint of exasperation.

Taking a seat previously occupied by the prophetess, Luke grinned mischievously. "Hey, I was in the middle of something important," he quipped, winking suggestively at Zade.

Ignoring Luke's antics, Zade cleared his throat and proceeded to recount the prophetic encounter with the prophetess. Luke listened intently, rubbing his eyes in disbelief as Zade finished his explanation.

"Wow, dude, that's some great news," Luke remarked, his tone filled with excitement. "But seriously, why don't you just sniff her out or something?" he suggested, his curiosity piqued.

Zade shook his head, unsure of how to respond. "I don't know," he admitted, the weight of the prophecy weighing heavily on his mind.

Luke chewed thoughtlessly on his lips, his expression betraying the wheels turning in his mind. Suddenly breaking the silence, he proposed an idea that caught Zade off guard.

"Why don't you host an event?" Luke suggested, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

Zade's brow furrowed in confusion. "Huh?What do you mean?" he inquired, surprised and confused by what he just said.

Luke explained, his words tumbling out in a rush of excitement. "Imagine a celebration with a dress code, where everyone wears something unique. Perhaps this could help you identify your mate's mark amidst the crowd," he suggested eagerly.

Zade hesitated, uncertain of the feasibility of such a plan. "I don't know, Luke. It sounds a bit far-fetched and ridiculous too," he admitted, unimpressed.

Undeterred, Luke rose from his seat and placed a reassuring hand on Zade's shoulder. "Just sleep on it. You'll know what to do tomorrow," he reassured, his voice laced with fatigue.

As Luke made his exit, Zade found himself lost in contemplation. Suddenly, a sense of urgency gripped him, prompting him to quickly rise to his feet. He motioned for Luke to remain silent, his senses alert to an unseen presence lingering outside the door.

Opening the door cautiously, Zade scanned the empty hallway, his instincts on high alert. "Did you hear that? I heard a heartbeat just outside the door. I think someone was eavesdropping on our conversation" he whispered, his eyes darting in search of any sign of intrusion.

Luke peered over Zade's shoulder, his gaze sweeping the deserted corridor. "I don't see anyone. Maybe you're just being paranoid,why don't you just sleep this off" he remarked, his tone reassuring yet tinged with concern while dragging zade towards the direction of his room.

With a resigned nod, Zade allowed himself to be guided towards his room by Luke, the events of the evening leaving him with more questions than answers. As he settled into bed, the echo of the prophetess words kept ringing in his head as he slowly drifted to a half sleep mode.