Chapter- 4

Marcus’s POV

I came out of the shower wrapping the towel around my waist. It's our pack's tradition to hold this ball every year. After I became the Alpha, I didn't want to change the tradition. Many wolves find their mates on this beautiful evening and I am glad to know my people were happy compared to the other packs around us.

I wouldn't go there if my pack members didn't compel me to attend because I have given up my interest to find my mate, even though I can defeat a hundred soldiers but finding my mate seems difficult to me. I went to the ball for the past few years and I couldn't find the woman I am looking for.

I don't know why, but today I felt something strange. I have been alone all my life but today this feeling is so intense.

I took out my black shirt and a pair of trousers from my closet that was filled only with black clothes. As I was buttoning my shirt, I walked to the french window. I live on the top floor of my castle, my ack house. From there, I could see my town and keep an eye on everyone. Especially at the refugee camp at the far end.

Not all the new people here are troublemakers, some would take their freedom for granted. But still, those people have nowhere else to go, I pity those women and children and I am happy to take them in. When my father was alive he would take in only the selected wolves but I thought that was unfair and I can't show partiality to the people I never met.

Recently, I took in the refugees from the north, it's the first time I allowed people from such a long distance to enter our place. My father was friends with the Alpha of that pack and when they asked for help, explaining their situation, I couldn't refuse.

This community is getting bigger, lavish, and also catching the eyes of rogues. Now I have a greater responsibility to protect these people.

With that thought, I stood there and watched the full moon brightly shining upon me. The greater power I possess suddenly felt lonely this evening and I wonder why.

I came out of the castle, the Betas and the other important pack members live on the floors beneath mine. When I got down, almost everyone went there to the ball.

It's a good thing too, I don't want anyone's attention on me. As usual, I went near the fireplace, where I can sit and relax. People greeted me and I asked them to enjoy the evening with a smile on my face.

That time, my friend Mark mindlinked with me, "Marcus, I found her," he said.

"Who?"

"My mate, she's in the refugee camp, can you believe that? Her name is Lily,"

"That's quite surprising," I smiled.

"I am going to talk to her, don't disturb me for this entire evening," he said and I agreed.

I chuckled thinking Marcus got lucky and I had a few sips of wine.

Moments passed, and I realized the evening suddenly turned dreamy. I looked around to find the reason for my unsettling feeling and the reason I am here.

The girl in her red dress catches my attention, her big innocent eyes watching me. I was flabbergasted, something about her shifted my heartbeat. There at that moment, I know she was the one I have given to look for. She's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.

She must have realized it too, that explains her glancing at me. I waited for some time before walking to her. This wait is bothersome but I want to know whether she's interested in me. I don't want to barge in and claim her as mine.

If she wants to leave then this is her chance. Since I don't know anything about her except her name, Chloe. I remember it because Mark gave me the list of refugees, except the sisters Chloe and Lily who were eighteen and nineteen, other women are mostly forty plus. Those barbaric rogues took all the girls and put them in sex slavery.

So I concluded that she must be Chloe because Marcus's mate is Lily. It's a good thing they escaped that place.

To my relief and happiness, Chloe took a seat on the couch, must be feeling lonely without her sister. I got up and went to talk to her. As I got close, I could see how beautiful she was but her aura was so different compared to the other female wolves in the pack. I couldn't quite understand that but I didn't care. I am more eager to talk to her than anything else.

When I said, hi. She was so surprised. She doesn't expect me to talk to her, well I like surprising people and she had no idea that I am the Alpha.

When I said to her, she immediately showed her respect, and her eyes filled with gratefulness.

As I conversed with her, I realized how shy and reserved she is. I can understand the trauma she endured and we had a very deep sense of connection with her. More and more I became closer to her, and I concluded that we are mates. But why isn't she showing any sign of excitement on her face? She's just nervous and kind of upset that she met me.

I hate this distance between us. I thought maybe she was uncomfortable in this crowd so I took her outside hoping to talk to her but nothing came out of it. At that moment, I couldn't help but envy all the people who found their mate and easily united with them like Mark. Why is it so hard for me?

I am a straightforward person, I speak what's in my mind, but I don't know why? My wolf doesn't let me say those precious words -I am your mate.

Maybe she needs time and I have to give her that. I took her to the pack members gathered to play that silly game. Mostly the men wanted to see the women in our pack, so they found a way like this. Betting money and cheering their favorite person.

It's fun and I wanted Chloe to have that fun. I pushed forward when Karen lose the game. Surprisingly, she failed.

Seeing her calm demeanor, I misjudged her. She surprised me with her skill, she's different and charming. I think I like her not just because she's my mate. In my twenty-eight years of life, no one made me feel this way. I usually put a stern expression on my face but now I couldn't stop staring at her, I couldn't stop my smile and I could listen to her sweet voice all day. The lonely feeling I had before isn't there anymore. Maybe she's the answer to everything I question and I wanted to get deep into this. But I don't know why she avoids looking at me, why can't she say that we are mates.

But I can't wait anymore, I badly wanted to ask her but not here, somewhere more private. The ball has come to an end, people are leaving and I turned my attention to her.

"Chloe, there's a place I want to show you,"

"Which place?" she asks, her distress is visible.

"To the border, I will show you how far our pack is," I offer.

Chloe looks down, "I am sorry, I can't come with you," she said.

"Oh," I masked my disappointment, "It's fine,"

"If you let me, I want to go," she asks.

"Sure," I nod and she dashed out of the place without even turning back at me.

I wonder what went wrong, why she's scared? Did I go too fast? Is she not impressed with me?

I heaved a sigh in frustration. Maybe I should try harder next time.