We took a walk around Wolf Hound pack, taking in the view. They may not be as wealthy as we are but everything around there looked expensive.
The escort, a young timid omega showed us the gardens around the palace, the sports arena, the clinic, and the golf course. I snuck a look at their boundary defenses; it was well guarded with a good high ground to keep watch from. We finally made it to the training grounds.
Alpha Duncan was preparing for something. Was he going paranoid in his old age? What was he hiding? What did he know?
The training grounds buzzed with activity as warriors sparred, honing their skills under the morning sun. I saw Lila sitting under a shade, watching the shirtless men fight with a blank expression on her face. There were a few other ladies beautifully dressed beside her, giggling and laughing. Some omegas were moving around making sure everyone was entertained. I spotted a flash of silver hair but my gaze changed focus when I saw Lila wave at me, smiling this time. I waved back but was unable to muster a smile.
Something was wrong. I could feel it. My wolf was restless and antsy. It was strange. Maybe he saw all the activity around as a threat and needed to exert his dominance.
I decided to release some of the tension building inside me and told Dorian I would join the training. My wolf kept pacing in the back of my mind.
"Alpha, you sure you want to spar today? We have had quite a day" Dorian responded. He was leaning casually against a tree, his sharp eyes watching my every move.
"Just tell me your weak ass is too lazy to fight," I said, pulling off my shirt and tossing it aside. My body was aching, agitation welling inside me. What was going on?
I found a partner, a big guy and I immediately engaged in hand-to-hand combat with him. He was very agile and was able to successfully dodge and weave my attacks. I finally got a feel of his rhythm and our bodies clashed. I could hear Alpha Duncan in the background cheering. I didn't know whose side he was on and I didn't care. Something was inside me, trying to get out. A feeling that I couldn't explain so I transformed it into rage.
Each of my attacks was precise and powerful, but I was distracted. My wolf was growling and howling, and I felt heaviness in my chest. And then flashes of a battle.
"Focus, Alpha," the warrior grunted as he landed a punch.
I got angrier, lunging forward. Just as I was about to deliver a return punch, that all too familiar searing pain shot through me. It has never happened in the daytime, 'Damien, are you okay' there was no answer. I staggered, clutching my side.
"Kaelen!" Dorian's voice sounded distant and muffled. I heard Lila call out and then visions of the bloodied silver wolf and... Silver hair?
The ground became unstable, my body too heavy, and I collapsed to my knees, out of breath. The pain intensified and I cried out but it wasn't my voice that came out of my mouth. It was my wolf's.
"Get the healer!" Alpha Duncan shouted.
The next moments were a blur. I kept falling in and out of consciousness. I remember Dorian carrying me, Lila hovering over me, worry etched in her expression. I saw that silver hair again briefly, a young lady checking on me and then an older woman. I finally gave in to the darkness.
*****
The room smelled of incense. I opened my eyes carefully, my headache had returned with a vengeance. I put a hand to my head and looked around. Dorian was asleep on the couch in one corner of the room and then I saw an elderly woman I assumed was a healer, standing over me with pity in her eyes.
"What's wrong with me?" I asked, trying to sit up.
With strength unexpected from a woman her age, she pushed me back down and made some movements with her hands around my bare chest, her eyes blank, and her lips whispering a silent prayer. I felt warmth spread through me and my wolf whined a little. That must be the response she was waiting for. She sighed in relief and took a step back before bowing to me.
"Your wolf is dying," she said and I saw Dorian shoot up from his chair. Apparently, he wasn't sleeping.
"What?!" he gasped.
"What do you mean?" I asked ignoring all the emotions on my beta's face.
"I'm sorry but the only explanation I have is your wolf is in a form of pain beyond this lifetime. I have not seen anything like it. The only solution is to find your mate,"
"I still don't understand. Why me? Why is it happening to me? I know alphas that have lived their lives without finding their mate, why am I different?"
"I can't answer that question, but my advice is to look into your family's history. You may find some answers."
"So you are saying, if he doesn't find his mate, he will die," Dorian asked for more clarification.
"No!"
"Then what the hell are you saying woman!!!" he shouted. It was one of the few times I had seen him so serious.
"He has to find her and Mark her, very soon or he will die,"
Great! Just great!
Dorian instantly reached for the healer, his arm wrapped around her throat. "If word gets out about this... One word, just one word. I won't kill you. I will find everything and everyone you love, your children, your grandchildren, your extended family and I will sink my claws deep into them and make you watch while their blood pools at my feet. Do you understand?"
The woman managed to nod before he finally let her go.
I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. 'Damien, we have a tough decision to make,' my wolf growled softly in understanding.
I stood up from the bed against the healer's wishes.
"Rest for now," the healer insisted. "It's barely morning,"
" You can leave now, "
She bowed obediently and quietly left the room.
Dorian stood looking at me, his face a mix of concern and fear. His father's fears echoed in my mind. I had to consider the future of my pack before I died.
'Once it's daylight, inform Alpha Duncan that I have reconsidered. I will consider taking Lila as my Luna. But first I have to get to know her. She has to come and spend some time with us in our pack. If my pack approves, and Lila approves then I approve. Time to make those pups you're always whining about."
Dorian nodded. No witty response, no sarcastic remarks, just plain agreement. I'd love for him to be this way but truth be told, I would get bored.
"We leave right after that, "
" My Lord?" Dorian called. He rarely called me that. He went on one knee, his head bowed to the ground and I heard him whisper, "Thank you..."