Part 4

/His POV/

The white noise of the forest suddenly made me aware of the surrounding. My Alpha ears stood at attention, a slight twitch in my nose.  I flicked my tongue out to wet the tip when my eyes fell on the butterfly.

A carefree giggle escaped my lips. At the age of five, I was fascinated with everything colourful, just like other pups. My paws smacked onto the ground as they tried to catch a butterfly fluttering around me. I wanted to grab it and hand it over to my father. That might cheer him up and make him laugh like me.

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed someone approach me slowly. It was a giant wolf. My eyes shifted around, searching for ways to escape. Alphas don't run away from a fight, my father said, but long wolves scared me easily. They could easily tear me apart.

The wolf surprisingly shifted into his human form. The stranger settled in front of me, sitting cross-legged on the forest floor full of dried leaves. His mouth turned down as the leaves crunched under his weight, but he focused all his attention on me. What did he want?

"Hi there, pup," He said sweetly, reaching out and letting my wolf sniff his hand before he ran his fingers down into my fluffy fur to scratch behind my ears. I let out a satisfactory rumble, leaning more into his touch.

I blinked at him. He was still staring into my eyes. My friends always said there's something special about my eyes. They have the slightest hint of gold outlined just above my eyes. It brought out the striking green colour of my orbs. That colour was rare and mainly belonged to Alphas with great power. The elders have stories enough to know the traits the moment they saw me.

I moved closer without more than a cautious sniff.  Much too trusting. 

"You're going to be a great Alpha. How about that?" The stranger smirked. I jumped around in excitement, baring my teeth at him.

I knew it! My father encouraged me and said the same thing every day. Hearing it from the stranger made it much more accurate. I wanted the stranger to say that in front of my father. Someone praising me always makes him laugh proudly.

"I'm going to give you something to remember me by," The stranger said as he picked me up quickly and rested me on the bed of leaves. I made a face. He gently lifted my arms above and stared at the white fur on my belly.

My eyes pointedly glared at him. What was he staring at? Before I could squirm away from his hands, he held me down.

The stranger muttered something under his breath and lifted his hand, placing it right over my chest, concentrating all of his energy to the point where his thumb was pressed. I had never received a mark before but trusted in his instinct. My eyes clenched shut as there was a sudden light emerging from between his fingers, almost blinding me in the process.

A yelp ripped out of my throat as the mark settled into place, but I didn't dart away from the pain. There was a forcefield of energy around us, making me still. I wiggled out from under his hold, standing on my two feet. The pain was much that I shifted back to my human form to calm myself.

A long howl pierced through the forest, and I froze. That's my fathers signal. He must be looking for me. My pack must be worried as I sneaked away to play in the forest. I sniffed the air around me and was able to conclude that they were close by.

The stranger hurriedly stood up. "I'll come back for you." 

I woke up with a jolt. My entire body was covered in sweat. Looking around made me aware of my surroundings. Thankfully I was in my room. Why did I have that dream again? It's been so long since that happened.

After I was found by my pack I had no recollection of that stranger. The mark had been sitting proudly on my chest. For years I have been racking my brain around, trying to figure out what the mark meant but severely failed.

Sharply tugging on my roots, I stood up and walked to the full-length mirror. The mark on my chest stared back at me. I palmed at the skin, rubbing the redness around the mark while trying to recall that strangers face. No such luck. It was always hidden by a dark shadow looming over him.

One day. I sighed to myself. One day I'll catch him and get all the answers to my questions.

***

Walking out of my cabin and on the way to the pack-house, several people greeted me, bowing their head down. I could easily get used to it. Earlier, they used to do it because I was the son of Pack Alpha, but now I'm the Pack Alpha.

Not yet. My brain sharply reminded me. One last ceremony remained till they fully accepted me as their Alpha.

I summoned my beta using my wolf, closing my eyes and finding him through our l**k. We were able to communicate easily through our wolves simply because we trusted each other—That's how communication is possible. Two people who are close to each other and trust each other can do that.

'I'm close to you; I heard his response.

"Yes, Alpha?" Liam rushed towards me, through the crowd. "What can I do for you?"

"Did you call that betas family? I need to get this over with as soon as possible."

I loomed over it. The only reason I agreed to take a Luna was for my throne. For several centuries our pack has a tradition to pass the rule to the Alpha with a mate by his side. And, of course, a pup in a year to follow. No one from my pack was interested in fulfilling that duty as they knew me too well.

My beta suggested that we look for someone outside the pack. It will be easy for me to convince them for our marriage, given my name and status.

He bobbed his head. "Yeah. They are on their way. Don't worry; I sent two of the guards to receive them from the station."

A smirk curved on my lips. It's only matter of few days before I finally get my throne. "Good. I can't wait to meet my Luna."

***