PROLOGUE

Whenever the wind blows, it brought everyone peace and calmness. The weather along with the sight at the villa’s lawn is an indicator that winter is just around the corner. And no one knew what will happen when the season changed.

Contradicting to the approaching cold weather, the guests from every packs are having a warm dinner. There are so many dishes at the table, served by the city’s best catering services, a feast it is. The guests were composed of alphas, lunas, betas and every werewolf that is known for their pack’s positions and influences. Everyone is invited and all of them were busy talking with each other and building connections or maybe, taking pride for whatever their pack achieved for the past years.

The sight is a usual scene whenever there’s a big gathering like this. Especially at this moment. Everyone is taking pride that they got invited by the king himself. Regardless of the reason, they all beaming with smiles, celebrating the night like it’s some holiday.

No one is aware that they are being watched. Who would be aware if the one watching them has the best ability to hide his scent, especially his presence? And if they knew, no one would dare to laugh or show off. He’s not only a king in name. He also earned the title of being a ruthless and most dangerous king in the Lycan’s history.

“King Zachary,” Beta Blake approached the man hiding behind the curtains in the balcony.

Zachary Lucian, the Lycan King and also the definition of the words fear and trouble didn’t bother to glance at his beta. He’s fixed on watching his guests on his spacious lawn. He’s on the second floor and his guests were enjoying the dinner at the ground hall.

Beta Blake just sighed. He’s been with friends with his king since they were on diapers but still, he has no idea what Zachary has been thinking. The only things he knew is his mood swings. If he’s mad, he could go for a killing spree, if he’s feeling great, he’ll acknowledge every alpha’s request. Nevertheless, his sour mood couldn’t be taken for granted.

“I told you to call me in my name when there’s no one around,” Zachary’s voice is cold, just like his aura. He has a dominating and intimidating presence that could make any alphas to submit. Well, he’s the Lycan King and even the strongest alpha of werewolves has no choice but to submit to their king.

“You’ve been watching them for an hour now. Don’t you have any plan to show yourself?”

Zachary moved a bit. He looks forced and bored. And he’s really forcing himself to host the guests he invited. He has his own reason why he invited the influential members of each pack of Dragonstone City and the neighboring cities. He’s getting impatient and if he has a choice, he would never dare invite any mere werewolf on his land.

“The alphas and lunas came with their single daughters.” Beta Blake smirked. “They are trying their luck by offering their child to you, Zachary. They’re fully informed that you’re almost thirty and you need a luna. One more thing, the ladies were trying their best to win your heart. I heard that they were looking for you ever since they came.”

Zachary just shook his head. He glanced at the banquet, looking what his beta told him. True to Blake’s words, he saw several women scattered around the place. By the looks of it, they are looking for someone, they are looking for the single lycan king, of course.

Months from now, Zachary would turn thirty and still mateless. He visited every pack, even the packs in the farthest cities but to no avail. He failed in meeting his fated mate and future queen. He’s been thinking of the possibilities of his mate being dead but Manolo, his wolf, refused the idea. Manolo is positive that they will find their mate soon.

Having no mate at this age puts pressure on Zachary. He’s strong and influential but just like any other packs, a kingdom needs a queen and he’s aware of that. Even his parents, the former king and queen has been pressuring him on that matter. But what he can do? He may be tough but he also wants to be mated with his fated mate. He would never acknowledge another she-wolf as his chosen mate. He wants the one that was given by the Moon Goddess.

“You’re aware that if you failed in finding your mate, there are more chances of attacks, right? Not just from the rogues but from the packs that has been waiting for the right time to dispose us, lycans.”

Zachary didn’t respond.

He’s fully aware of the consequences of having no mate. He also knew that some of his guests are just waiting for the right time to rebel. They have no chance against the lycans and their only way is to eliminate every lycan. Some of the alphas and lunas down there wanted to free themselves from the treaty that bind them to follow the lycan’s law.

“Those people you’re talking about has no idea that they were the one benefiting from us. They’re just thinking about themselves and not their packs.” Zachary looked at one of the alphas in the banquet. “Did you find something about that wolf?”

Blake followed his king’s gaze. “Coron Basco of Moonlight Pack. I’m still investigating him and his beta.”

“His Beta?”

“Rigor Cassano, the former beta of Alpha Ian of Blue Rays pack.”

Zachary tightened his grip on the curtain.

He’s busy looking for his queen but he’s also having trouble finding the pieces of the puzzle related to the now vanished pack. Blue Rays Pack is just a small pack but having one of the bravest wolf as an alpha, an intelligent luna and strongest warriors, it intimidates almost everyone.

Luna Valeria, the late luna of that pack also belong to the oldest clan of royal lycans and was once a princess. The late luna has the ability to use magic, making her untouchable. Until now, their death remains a mystery. Well, only for Zachary and his family.

“My mother is still trying to know what had happened to her best friend and she’s still mourning for the late luna. It’s more than a decade now and she’s convinced that there are more to the story.” Zachary shook his head.

Luna Valeria was a good friend of the former queen and she’s still hoping to solve the case. But due to the law, they can’t investigate openly as it will raise turmoil from the werewolf packs.

“For now, the rogues remain the prime suspect of what had happened to that pack. We can’t conclude anything because it might have backfired to us,” Beta Blake commented. He’s personally investigating the case and no one knew that except him and the king.

“And we’re still looking for the lost daughter of Luna Valeria, right?”

Blake nodded and Zachary scratched his nape. He might have a headache later. Aside from managing his businesses, the kingdom’s issues, looking for his mate, the Blue Rays Pack’s case, the rogues and the possibility of rebellion from the other packs, he’s also looking for someone who he didn’t even know. He has a lot on his plate.

“I’m still looking for her. We don’t know her face so it’s quite hard.”

Zachary left the balcony and went inside the room. “What did you find about the Moonlight’s alpha, Blake? Aside from his show off personality?”

The beta laughed heartily.

“An odd problem, I guess?” Beta Blake followed his king. “He’s still looking at his son’s runaway bride. I don’t know the details but based from what my informant said, it’s been a year since their alpha put half of his best warriors to find his son’s bride.”

“Bride?” Zachary frowned. “I remembered Sean inviting me to his wedding and claiming ceremony. So, that was the reason why the wedding didn’t happen? His luna ran away from him?”

Beta Blake whistled, it made the king focus his attention on his beta. He knows his best friend very well.

“I told you, that issue was an odd yet an interesting one. The runaway bride is not even that child’s mate.”

Zachary’s forehead creased more. “Is that even possible?”

Werewolves believes in the power of love brought by their fated partner in life. The Moon Goddess chose their other half to bless every one of them.

The number one rule for them is to be mated with their fated mate. There are chances of being rejected but that’s a once in a blue moon scenario. No one would dare to go against the Moon Goddess’ wishes. Werewolves are a very traditional creature and accepting their fated mate would result to a harmonious union.

Second chance mates are also possible but for different situation. It’s only a rare chance given by the Moon Goddess if one of her child lost its mate. But choosing a mate while rejecting your fated one is not really acceptable especially in this era. It will also weaken the wolf and sometimes, it will result to death.

“Did that boy reject his fated mate and chose the runaway one?” Zachary is now focused on the topic.

“I’m still looking for that but the important thing here is the fact that Sean has found his mate before choosing the second one. His parents and the council gave him their blessing for that matter and everyone from that pack acknowledge the runaway bride as their future luna.”

“Where’s Sean’s mate?”

Blake raised his hand and showed his fist before blowing unto it. “Just like the Blue Rays Pack, the unlucky she-wolf vanished and not everyone is aware of her connection with Sean. The pack has no idea that they had been tricked by their future alpha.”

“The wedding is said to be rescheduled. The real reason was never announced. They only told their pack that the future luna is taking her time studying about political matters and whatnot,” Blake continued while shaking his head. “As for the next alpha, he’s still under the power and command of his father.”

Several minutes have passed before the king gave his beta a nod. “It seems that the wedding is more important than the coronation ceremony of the next alpha…”

Blake pondered a bit before nodding in agreement. “I almost missed that.”

Zachary stood in front of the full length mirror. He started fixing his tie then his hair. He looks calm but Blake knew that his king has been thinking deeply about what he reported.

“And this runaway bride happened to be the daughter of the pack’s beta. Interesting, right?” Blake said.

“Very interesting,” Zachary replied before facing his beta. “Look for Sean’s mate. You have to find her no matter what.”

Blake smirked. “No problem. I’m already tracing her. What about the runaway bride? I have this feeling that she has the answer for one of our questions.”

Zachary put his hands on his pockets. He started walking towards the door and Blake followed him immediately. They’re now going down in the hallway which is connected to the venue of the banquet.

Zachary sigh and released his presence he had been hiding since the party started. He felt his beta’s smirk when the guests toned down. They felt the tremendous aura of the lycan king. The loud and cheerful voice is now gone and everyone became serious and terrified. Every wolf in the banquet, alpha or not, bowed their heads. No one dare to look at Zachary.

Zachary tilted his head. He’s eyeing the next alpha of the Moonlight pack. He has no idea why he felt irritated just by looking at Sean. His wolf has been growling inside his head and its giving him a headache.

“Have Sean investigated,” Zachary told his beta in a cold manner. “I’ll look for his runaway bride.”