The sun was setting behind the towering trees of the Shadow Walker Pack's territory, painting the sky in hues of blue and yellow. I walked quietly down the familiar path toward the pack house, my thoughts clouded with the weight of what was to come even after what had happened last night.
My eyes shifted to one particular spot, right behind the pack house where my parent's cabin was once.
I remembered how I begged my father to build it for me, and we would stay there every time we grew tired of living in the pack house.
The cabin was now gone, but it still has traces left that it at least existed before. I sighed as I let my fingers trail the rough concrete of the pack house's walls, the only comfort I found in the silence of my surroundings.
My wolf didn't show... I didn't transform... For me, that's an endless void that had yet to answer my call.
"You look lost."
I froze at the sound of that familiar and cutting voice. I didn't have to look to know who it was. I turned to face him. Aric stood tall, his posture so rigid as ever, his eyes cold.
"I'm not lost." I replied lazily.
"I was just thinking..."
"Thinking about what?"
Aric's voice was dismissive, his lips twisted into a faint smirk.
"Don't trouble yourself, no matter how much time you spend alone thinking, you still can't change the fact that your wolf is missing. So you might as well accept it."
My heart clenched at the harshness of his voice, but I promised to myself that last night would be the last I let him see me falter.
"I am still waiting..."
I whispered, my voice is steady despite the growing anger in my chest.
"Not that it's any of your business."
Aric's eyes glowed with anger, his gaze seething with contempt.
"You think that matters? You think you will somehow find your wolf and magically become someone worthy of being my mate? You are nothing but a heavy reminder that as long as my stupid father is still an Alpha, I can't do anything but follow what he tells me to do, including to marry someone like you. You are weak, Foxy."
I flinched, the words striking deep into my chest.
"You will never be more than the daughter of Alpha Walden Fox, your wolf never came, and it never will. So why are you still clinging to this fantasy?''
Aric's voice was dripping with pure mockery. I took a step back to steer clear of him. "I'm not clinging to anything, Aric. But I will not just roll over and let you talk to me however you please."
I said, my eyes flashing. Aric stepped back; he seemed surprised; maybe he didn't expect my sudden defiance.
"Perhaps you also need to accept the fact that whether you like it or not, you and I, we both don't have a choice. We are bound; we are meant to be married, the pack, and your father expects it."
My stomach immediately twisted at the mention of the marriage.
"I don't want to marry you, Foxy. You don't deserve someone like me. And my father, Alpha Alaric, won't rule for long."
"You can't keep hiding forever, King Marcus."
I was pulled out of my reverie when a deep voice spoke behind me. His dark eyes gleamed with a mix of frustration and worry.
"I don't want to hear it, Lucas. You know as well as I do that the bond is stronger than anything; she's out there somewhere. I can feel it."
Lucas crossed his arms as he sat on the golden chair next to me.
"The pack's are restless, my king. They grow tired of waiting for you to find your mate. There are whispers, doubt in the air. Most wonder if the bond even exists."
My jaw clenched.
"Do they? Then let them doubt. I am no king for no good reason. I will not be swayed."
I growed, my eyes wandered to the young ones who are busy playing.
"I know you are desperate to find her, but desperation clouds the path, my king. The mate bond, it's not something to rush. It must come naturally. You will find her one day."
"Tell me again why I cannot use the pack's power to track her?"
I asked, my voice low enough for Lucas to hear.
"Because the bond isn't meant to be forced. You must let it guide you; let the bond lead you to her."
I sighed in frustration. My gaze shifted to the treetops across the pack house's windows.
"Enough with this conversation, Lucas."
Suddenly, a knock sounded on the heavy wooden door.
"Come in."
I said, my voice low yet commanding. The door creaked open, revealing my trusted Beta, Serio. His broad frame filled the doorway, and his eyes gleamed with respect.
"King Marcus."
He greeted, bowing his head.
"The preparations for the expedition are complete, but I must ask, are you sure this is the right time? The Dark Forest is very unpredictable, the winds have been relentless, and most of the packs under your territory haven't pledged loyalty."
My eyes met Serio's before I poured myself a wine.
"I did not ask for your concerns, Serio. I ordered an expedition, and it will happen."
I let out a soft growl, yet there was no mistaking the power behind my words. Serio hesitated but nodded.
"Of course, my king. I will ready the warriors and the scouts. We depart at dawn?"
"No, we leave at nightfall, when the moon is at its peak."
I said, my voice sharp like a wind howling through the trees.
"At night? But the Dark Forest is dangerous after dark, we might—"
"I know what's lurking in the Dark Forest at night, Serio. And that is why we move at night; the darkness is our ally."
I interrupted. A dangerous smirk escaped my lips. "Understood, my king. But if you may, your safety—"
"Is in the hands of my warriors, Serio..."
I once again interrupted before letting the half-full wine glass touch my lips.
"And in my own. "
I added. Serio exhaled sharply, though his posture remained straight.
"I will see to it that the pack is ready before nightfall, my king."
"Good..."
I said as I turned away and walked toward the map sprawled across my desk. My eyes caught a small pack on the edges of my territory.
"Shadow Walker Pack..."
I whispered as yet another smirk escaped my lips.