Chapter three

I submitted my reports to the chief and requested to go to the Crescent pack to investigate the park. I demanded to go alone. There were numerous parks here, why go to another pack for a park? 

There's more to this! But we are getting closer. I heard my wolf say while the chief granted my request. 

I took off to the Crescent pack the next day. I wasn't planning to spend the whole day there. Just to investigate and ask questions from passersby. I hope it comes out as easy as I think. I was mentally prepared for what I would discover there. The Alpha counts on me and gives me limited time. Time isn't by my side. This case has expanded. It's known and the culprit must be caught. 

I turned on my GPS and connected it to Natalie's phone. It will direct me to the exact park. After driving for two hours, I arrived at my destination. I can't believe Natalie made the two hours journey to meet someone. Is he that important to her? 

I entered the amusement park and it was amusing. I walked further into the park and I fed my eyes with all the activities going on there. There were a lot of people in the park, playing and having fun. I sat down on a bench and wondered where I should start from. There were so many people here. 

She has visited this place even before she died but it was mostly at night. I should wait till evening then. I stood up and went around asking the employees about her. I showed them her pictures which were on my phone. They were all busy so they gave off the same reply. Never seen her before. 

After going around, I thought of approaching the last one, who sold drinks and juice. I went closer to his stall and showed him her picture.

"I don't know her". He replied hastily without glancing at the picture. 

"Please just check out the picture". He sighed tiredly.

"I have millions of customers. How would I be able to know one?" He asked before collecting the phone from me. He stared at her pictures before giving the phone back to me. 

"No. I don't". He replied. 

"Are you sure?" 

"What are you? A cop?". He asked. Suddenly, he gasped like a realization dawned on him. 

"Do you know something?" 

"I think she looks familiar". He whispered silently. "I do see her around evening on that bench opposite the circus". Yes, I'm getting somewhere. 

"Is she always with someone?" 

"I don't know". He replied hurriedly and turned away from me pretending to attend to other customers. I tried getting back his attention but he ignored me. It's obvious he knows something. I walked out of the stall and headed towards the supposed bench. I will wait till evening. 

A wonderful scent caught my nose and I wonder where it came from. 

"Mate, Mate, Mate". My wolf called excitedly and I stood transfixed to my seat. My wolf has been distressed since Natalie's death but now she seems so happy and relieved. Probably forgetting what we came here for. I turned around but found no one. There were few people left in the park as it was getting late already. 

I brought out Natalie's phone and caressed it gently with a smile dancing on my lips. Natalie, my mate is around here. I'm really eager but as a girl, I have to keep cool. Wherever he is, he should approach me first. Or should I look for him? He would have caught my scent too. 

I raised my head up and ransacked the whole place with my eyes until my eyes landed on someone who was walking towards me. A guy! Is he the one? I couldn't see him clearly because of the dim light. The scent became stronger as he walked closer. 

The moment light fell on him, I was dumbstruck. He is… Oh My God! Is he a God? He looked at me with a confused look before a smirk was formed at the corner of his lips. He raised his hands up and flicked my hair while playing with it. He was so handsome. More handsome than Alex. Alex can't stand beside him. Why are you comparing them together? My wolf asked. 

I cleared my throat and moved a bit away from him. This is awkward. "Hy". He said and sat down beside me. His voice was so heavenly that I couldn't help but smile. 

"Hi. I'm Lucinda". I extended my hand to him. He accepted the handshake. "So, what are you doing here?" 

"Me? I'm Max. The Alpha of this pack so I should be the one asking what you are doing in my vicinity". He replied with so much dominance. The Alpha? I'm mated to an Alpha? 

"I'm just here to chill". He nodded while I took my eyes away from him. He's very cute and the Alpha. I'm beginning to lose focus. He's our mate. An Alpha is our mate!". My wolf screamed happily. 

"Mm..". He hummed and was about to say something. "You.. Is that y…your phone?" 

He asked, referring to Natalie's phone. Why was he asking? 

"What's wrong? Yes, it is". 

"Really?" He said and snatched the phone from me. He looked at it before handing it back to me. 

"It..it.. looks familiar". He stuttered before dragging his eyes away from the phone. I noticed he was trembling and uncomfortable. 

"Okay but where have you seen it?". He looked me right in the eye for a while before speaking out "Is it yours?"

"No. It's for my best friend. A girl but she's dead". His eyes widened immediately. I found everything suspicious. What does the Alpha of this pack know about this? Everyone seems creepy. 

I went closer and placed my hand on his cheek. "Please tell me what you know about this". I urged him to speak. He definitely knows something about the murder. But, as the Alpha, shouldn't he have done something to it? Why does everyone seem suspicious? 

He dragged my hand down and stood up abruptly. "I should get you a drink". He murmured and walked out. 

What should I do? I must find out something from him. How is he connected to this case? My time is limited and I have to persuade him at any cost. 

*What if he knows nothing about it?* My wolf asked. Then he should be able to help. Her call location was traced to here which means this case, her death, is linked to this park which is in Crescent Pack. His pack. I fiddled with my nails awaiting him. He's my mate so he should fall for my charm. My touch affected him. He should help me. 

I looked up and saw him coming with a cup of drinks. I slipped Natalie's phone into my pocket while I collected a drink from him. I'm hella thirsty. I sipped it quietly waiting for him to talk or make the first move. I glanced towards him and saw him staring at me. 

I could feel my cheeks heated up instantly. My cheeks are all red. I'm blushing. He has killer looks. Can't deny that. 

"I will tell you what I know but please don't judge me". He said. I grabbed his hands and squeezed it gently while caressing his fingers. 

"I won't". I assured him. But if I had known, I wouldn't have…….