"My Lord, she passed out in the forest," Barak reported.
Vlad's tall, brooding figure stood by the window, gazing out into the night. Hearing that, he turned to face Berak, looking expressionless.
"Where is she?"
"I laid her to sleep in one of the rooms." he paused. "I noticed something while I was following her this time."
"What?"
"She glows."
Vlad fixed his gaze on him. "You don't know what you're talking about." He said and began walking in the direction of the door.
"I saw her, Alpha. Her white fur glows in the dark. She lightens the path…"
Vlad halted, a gleam flashing in his eyes. "Did you say white wolf?"
Barak nodded, "Yes, and she's extremely fast. None that I've seen amongst beasts…except you. Is she perhaps–"
"You didn't see anything. Lead the way." Vlad casually said and resumed walking forward.
Barak stood there, confused. Was his Alpha saying he can't tell anyone about what he saw? Not that he would…and why was he asking him to lead the way, when he's already out the door?
He didn't waste time though, and hurried to walk in front.
Arriving in the room, Evelyn's face couldn't be called peaceful. Even as she was sleeping, tears didn't cease falling from her eyes, and her face was contorted in pain and sadness.
Vlad didn't like that. His body suddenly started to emit killing intent. "Who hurt her?" He growled, and the color of his eyes suddenly began to alternate between black and deep red.
Barak's heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed. "I don't know, My Lord. She was fine one minute and the next, she was grabbing her chest in pain, weeping."
"Chest? Her mate cheated on her?" his brows creased before suddenly, his eyes shifted back to their natural black. "Very well. He never deserved her." He turned and was about to walk away, then paused and looked back at the woman sleeping.
Her scent was faint, but enough to stir his desire.
He changed his mind and walked back to the bed, asking, "Is there any celebration happening soon?"
His beta replied, "Yes. There's one happening in three days. The mating ceremony."
"Great... and what I asked you?"
"I'll get it ready before dawn," Barak replied.
"Hm, you may leave…and shut the door behind you."
The beta wanted to speak but decided against it and walked away, closing the door behind him.
Vlad watched the sleeping woman for a while before inching close. He bent over and touched her face. A sudden jolt of electricity ran through his body as his skin made contact with hers.
His wolf snarled and growled in excitement. They loved the faint flowery scent. The excitement, happiness, coursed through his veins, making his already erected manhood throb with anticipation.
He let out a soft groan, closed his eyes and inhaled, then exhaled with a deep sigh. He enjoyed the feeling.
Finally, his search was over. Finally, his troubles have been solved. All those long years, he's been alone, envying those who had mates, especially those 'smelling' creatures he felt were beneath him. He wished he could have just a little bit of what they had, but now, his story has changed.
Not only did he find himself one, he found an extraordinary one.
He didn't care if Evelyn had a mate, he didn't even consider if she would accept him. She's his, and that was all that mattered.
Taking off his shoes, he got into bed, and lay behind her, holding her as he watched the sadness on her face.
"Don't cry for him anymore, you're mine now," he whispered.
…
The next morning, Evelyn opened her eyes and found herself laying on the ground, where she'd passed out, just beside the lake.
She frowned slightly. Why did she feel like she slept in someone's embrace?
Memories from last night suddenly rushed into her head, recalling the excruciating pain she experienced.
She bit her lip, trying to suppress the tears that were threatening to fall, knowing that the only woman who could take Markkus away from her, was Miranda.
"Nap Queen," She wanted to complain to her wolf and seek solace from her, but her wolf didn't respond.
"Napua, a– are you there?"
No response. Nap Queen has returned to sleep.
Evelyn's cries worsened. She got up, walked to the lake and crunched before it. She hugged her legs, feeling her heart ripping into pieces again.
She was all alone, all by herself now. She couldn't trust or believe in Markkus anymore…
Meanwhile, atop the mountain a distance away, Vlad stood with his hands to his back, watching the crying woman. He didn't feel anything but annoyance. Annoyed that his woman was hurting.
He could have let her remain in the castle, but Vlad didn't want to use force. He's already lost his destined mate, and would never have another. So, he didn't want to take chances with his chosen mate.
..
At the pack house…
Markkus stirred awake, feeling a woman's soft body in his arms. His lips curled and he subconsciously buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent - he always did that.
Suddenly, his eyes shot open and he instinctively pushed the woman away from him, jerking up in an instant, as he yelled. "You don't smell like her!" even before recognizing the person he slept with.
Seeing it was Miranda, he blinked, then fragments of memories from last night seeped into his mind. He suddenly lifted the covers, as if he didn't believe he'd cheat, but when he saw his nakedness, his veins popped on his forehead.
"You…" he clenched his fist. Not wanting to lash out on her, he got out of bed, put on his clothes and dashed out to find his mate.
Markkus knew that his mate was already aware of his infidelity. The bond between them must have hurt her pretty badly last night.
Miranda didn't stop him. She had the covers pulled to her chest, but after he left, she clenched her teeth and her calm and collected facade shattered.