CHAPTER FIVE

Ezra's POV

"Two attacks within the space of three days! This is getting out of hand!", Lincoln, one of the elder council members, barked.

I sighed and looked at Romeo, my second in command, ignoring Lincoln's outburst of anger.

"The attack was swift, my Alpha", Romeo relayed, catching my glance.

"We had a small group of soldiers around the area and they were dispatched there immediately we heard news of the attack but by the time they got there, the rogues were nowhere to be found", he continued.

I clenched my fists.

"Casualties?", I asked.

"There were no casualties but the village was thoroughly pillaged, everything had been catered away, some houses were set on fire but the boys were able to quickly put them out", he answered.

I groaned as I mulled over his report.

"My alpha, this is indeed getting out of hand. How did things escalate to this point? The rogues are getting more and more audacious", another council member said.

"And what is the army doing to checkmate their actions? Nothing!", Lincoln barked.

"Now that is going too far, Lord Lincoln. You and I both know we are doing everything we can to put an end to the terrorism of the rogues", Romeo told him.

"And what is there to show for it? With the way things are going, the rogues could come in and attack the entire pack without a single problem!"

"Enough!", I snapped, my voice filled with authority.

The council room instantly became quiet. I gave Lincoln a look and he retreated into his seat. Lincoln was one of the highest ranking members of my council, his family held a lot of power but he was also the most infuriating.

I looked at Romeo,

"Anything else to report?", I asked.

"Yes, my alpha. Recently we did find two rogues in the inner pass boundary", he said and my ears perked up.

"They were beaten up badly, they later killed themselves but before they did we were able to get out of them that they were in a fight with a black wolf", he added and I raised my eyebrows.

"A black wolf?", I asked.

"Yes, my alpha. Apparently they'd found a girl in the woods, they chased after her, she was injured and they had caught up with her when a black wolf had come out of nowhere and attacked them", he answered.

"A black wolf at the inner boundary pass?", I muttered.

There were no pure black wolves in our pack, there was only one pack with a limited number of pure black wolves and it was the Kraken pack, given that it was found in the inner boundary pass just strengthened my suspicions.

"Tighten the security around the pack, especially around the inner boundary pass and send more scouts to watch the movements of the rogue, we must not be caught surprised again", I told him.

"Yes, my Alpha", he bowed.

I turned to the rest of the council members.

"The meeting is adjourned", I told them.

They all rose up and bowed before leaving the council room. Alone in the room, I let out a deep sigh. As much as I disliked Lincoln and he infuriated me, he was right, this issue with the rogue wolves was escalating quickly and becoming a major source of concern. The rogue wolves first started attacking, three years ago, their movements becoming more pronounced shortly after the death of my mate then. I was so focused on her mysterious death, I didn't take it seriously, now over these past years it seemed they had been growing stronger and bolder.

There was a knock on the door, interrupting my thoughts.

"Come in", I said and a messenger walked into the room.

He bowed and relayed his message,

"The Luna said to inform you that she is waiting for you in the garden, my Alpha"

"Alright, I'll be right there", I told him and he bowed again before leaving.

I took a deep breath before standing up and heading to the garden. From far off, I already sighted Lydia, my mate but she wasn't alone. She was with Romeo and the two of them seemed to be having a very serious conversation. It was only when I was about a few feet away from them they noticed me.

Romeo immediately bowed and Lydia smiled warmly at me.

"What are you two talking so seriously about?", I asked as I approached them.

Romeo smiled at me.

"Nothing serious, my alpha, just having a little chat with my sister", he answered.

I stared at him, my gaze flickering to Lydia who smiled at me.

"Come, sit Ezra, you look tired", she said as she led me to the table she had prepared for our afternoon tea.

"And Romeo, join us", she said as she sat down.

"Thank you", Romeo said as he sat down as well.

"Here, have some tea", Lydia said as she began to pour the tea.

"You look so stressed", she said as she offered me the cup.

"Thank you", I said as I took a sip of the tea, it was very soothing.

"Hm, that's good", I said and Lydia smiled.

"I take it, the recent attacks by the rogues is why you're so stressed?", she asked.

"It is a major problem", I told her.

"Don't worry, my alpha, I promise we are doing everything we can to track them and put an end to their activities"

"Hm but what we are doing now is merely treating the symptoms, to really stop the rogue wolves we need to find and end their leader", I told him.

"You speak as if you know who their leader is", Lydia said.

"I have an idea", I told her.

"If it isn't that bastard Kaile, I don't know who else it could be"

Lydia looked at Romeo before looking at me.

"Kaile? The alpha of the Kraken pack? Surely you don't think he could be responsible?", she asked.

"I don't see why not? A black wolf in the inner boundary pass where two rogue wolves were sighted? Connect the dots"

"But you can't be sure, afterall his pack has also had his fair share of attacks from the rogues, I've heard", Lydia pointed out and I had to nod my head in agreement.

She did have a point.

"It could be a cover up but you're right, I can't know for sure", I smiled at her and she smiled brightly back at me.

I stared at her, aside from being a beauty, Lydia was also incredibly smart and loyal. I admired and respected her a lot and while I was aware she cared deeply for me, I just couldn't bring myself to feel the same for her. Our marriage was more of convenience for me much like my first mate. After the death of my first mate, the council had been strongly against leaving the position of Luna vacant. 'A pack needs a Luna as much as it needs an Alpha', they had said. They had strongly endorsed Lydia, the sister of his second in command, Romeo. She was beautiful, well educated and mannered, perfect for the position of Luna they had told him so he did, he had married her. But they kept a cordial relationship, sharing separate rooms.

"If you'll excuse me, my alpha, I'll leave you two now, I have some errands to run", Romeo said as he stood up and bowed before leaving.

I watched him leave, lost in my thoughts, until Lydia tapped me gently.

"What are you thinking about?", she asked softly as she smiled warmly.

Sometimes I felt bad, it had been three years already, I should move on. It's not like my marriage to my first mate had been one of love anyway. Sure we shared the mate bond but the last thing I wanted to do then was get married but I had married her all the same to please my father. I had kept my distance from her, trying to keep our relationship cordial even as she tried her best to fulfill her duties as my mate. My council was already growing restless, they wanted a heir, a son. This was something they had been skirting around recently but I pretended not to hear them, but honestly, how long could I pretend?

"Nothing, just the thing with the rogues", I answered Lydia's question and she frowned.

"You shouldn't worry so much, it's not good for your health. I'm sure Romeo will find them", she said.

"Hm, I'll try", I answered as I took another sip of my tea.

"One of my maids recently showed me how to make some calming chrysanthemum tea. I could make some and bring to your quarters later", Lydia said after a while, breaking the silence.

I glanced at her, she had her eyes down, set on the teacup. I didn't miss the suggestion in her words and I honestly couldn't blame her. She probably felt as pressured as I was and it made me feel bad but even at that,

"There would be no need, thank you", I declined politely.

A look of hurt flashed in her eyes but it was gone so fast, I could have been sure I had imagined it.

"Ok", she nodded softly as she sipped her tea.

I felt really bad, I wished I could give her what I wanted, what my council wanted but it was only after she died, I realized how deep our bond was and how much I actually cared for her, my first mate, my Ava.