****
****
Flashback (ten years ago)
****
****
Damon’s POV:
“Alpha, she hasn’t been seen nowhere near our border. I strongly believe she’s been taken by Maximus. They were spotted to the west around the same time she left.” My best pal; Jason shouted as he ran out of the forest with a total of around fifty wolves thundering forward behind him. For one whole day we have been searching nonstop for my mate; Katie, but she’s nowhere to seen. I know not where she is nor why she left the mansion but nonetheless, I need her… I need her to fix this, both this situation and this raw pain in my chest that kept clawing at my heart.
Right now, there’s a mix of confusion and betrayal running through my veins like blood. We had been together for a few months now and I couldn’t have been any happier. She tamed the demon inside me and accepted me for the vicious being that I am, but then, last night she suddenly rejected me without so much as an explanation and ran off into the woods. I was too surprised to even run after her. And I regret that now. I should’ve ran after her despite what she had done and forced her to explain herself. If I had done that, she’d be here now and not in the hands of filthy rogues or wherever.
“Are you alright?” He stopped in front of me and ran his eyes over my face, his hand reaching up to press against my forehead. “You’re burning up!”
“I’ll ask Felix for help. With his army, we’ll be able to find her within just a few hours.” I quickly slapped his hand away and trotted forward, but within two steps, the pain that erupted in my chest scorched my being and halted my every move. This pain wasn’t from any wound, in fact, I wasn’t hurt anywhere. This is the pain that comes after a rejection. And what’s worse, I could even feel my energy depleting along with the strength in my limbs.
“I’ve already requested help from your brother but he hasn’t sent back word. I think he’s been ignoring us.”
“What?” Despite the pain, I tilted my head back to give Jason a look of utter disbelief. My brother has been ignoring us? That must be false information. Whenever I was in trouble he’s the first to lend a help in hand, even when I don’t ask him to. I admit that after mom and Dad died and he was chosen to become the Alpha King, he has been a bit distant, but he still has my back no matter what. I don’t doubt that.
“Did you tell him that she rejected me?”
“They wouldn’t let me enter the palace so I told the guards… though I didn’t get much of a response. They said he was out in battle, but I’m pretty sure I saw him looking out the window. I don’t think we should push it, he obviously doesn’t want to help for some reason.”
“Don’t speak ill of him, Jason. Are you sure that you mentioned my name? I bet he’s jus-”
“Alpha!” A voice came from amidst the werewolves cluttered up behind Jason. I looked over in that direction with an irritated frown, my hand gesturing for the others to move out of the way so I could see whoever had spoken.
“What?” I snapped, my eyes boring holes in Gilbert who flinched. He was more cowardly than all the other wolves here, but he’s always attentive and strategetic. Which is why I chose to keep him around me, but now, I suddenly feel like killing him. “This better be important or–”
“I was t-told not to t-tell you this…” He stammered as his hesitant gaze left mine and met the floor. “–but I think you should know.”
I rose a brow, eye twitching in annoyance. “Hurry up and speak!”
He nodded frantically and gulped before reluctantly speaking. “M-My brother is o-one of the Alpha K-King’s right hand m-men. He said he s-saw Katie talking with h-him right before she came here. T-They were in some sort of a-argument then she walked out… F-Forgive me for s-saying this, but I think their argument has s-something to do with her sudden rejection.”
I blinked. His words were utterly unbelievable. Felix having something to do with her rejection? Ha! That was not possible. They both hated eachother at first sight so her even visiting him at the palace was also on the unbelievable part. She wouldn’t go there… not unless I bring her there. I don’t doubt Gilbert, the one I doubt is his brother. But then, what is his purpose of lying to his own blood?
As I tried my best to make sense of Gilbert’s words, I swore I heard something surging through the air, but I was too caught up in thoughts to even check what it was. And then one moment Jason was standing in front of me like a blockage, another minute he was on the floor with an arrow piercing through his shoulder. And then another minute he was shouting out orders while blood evicted from his mouth, “Protect the Alpha at all costs!”
Growls erupted and all eyes turned in the direction the arrow was shot from. I however, dropped to my knees beside him, eyes going as wide as saucers.
“Jason!” I shook him frantically as I watched his eyes flutter repeatedly.
“I’m fi… f-fine.” He took a short glance to the side then turned back around with newly found panic written on his face. He swallowed the blood in his mouth and slowly grabbed hold of my arm, guiding it off him. Then with the little strength he had left, he shoved me away… though I barely even budged. “Y-You must w-win… no m-matter what.” Following those confusing words, his eyes fluttered close once again and this time it didn’t reopen.
I stayed motionless. My eyes saw him sprawled out before me, but my mind couldn’t believe it. My best friend was suddenly bleeding out before me. Who’d even guess that this would’ve happened? It was just a while ago that he was up and running and now, he couldn’t even move.
I clenched my jaw, eyes bloodshot with rage as I slowly got to my feet. Whoever the fuck did this would die by my hands today!
I turned my gaze to my pack members and growled. “Get him to the infirmary! NOW!”
Gilbert was the first to move. “If he stops breathing, you’re dead.” He nodded his head and quickly scooped Jason up in his arms before running off at full speed.
My body then turned towards the forest. Cracking my neck, I gestured for the wolves surrounding me to get out of my way and as soon as they did, I took my first shaky steps forward despite the pain in my chest, each step drowning with the intent to kill. “Whoever shot that arrow is mine, the rest is yours.” They all nodded in understanding and quickly scurried out of my vision, standing on guard to the side.
More than anyone else, I was pumped to kill someone, specifically the one who dared to hurt Jason. My fingers were itching and my body was surging with adrenaline, but all my determination dissipated when a certain scent hit my nostrils. There were around forty werewolves approaching. I knew that for sure. And their numbers were the very reason why I had took so long to recognize the scent of someone very very familiar… my brother.