Chapter 3

From Alexandre's POV

I was still hazy from my dream before Thiago woke me. However, there were more pressing matters, so I pushed the thoughts aside and focused my attention on the current situation.

Omegas were typically quiet and kept to themselves. It was odd that someone suddenly would be attacked, let alone beaten to death.

"Any suspects?" I asked as Thiago and I made our way up the driveway.

"As of now, no, they think it was a rogue attack. Although, something about the attack is not right." Thiago replied.

"What do you mean?" I asked, staring at him in confusion.

"When have rogues used sticks to beat people and not finish the job?" he asked.

He had a point: Rogues kill anyone they come into contact with. The last thing they do is leave an eyewitness to a brutal attack, so the mere fact that this girl was left to die is something not heard of.

"Something is not right," I replied.

As we approached the packhouse, I asked, "How is Luna Eleni?"

When one's mate dies, the other falls into a coma and dies soon after. Our vulnerability lies in the absence of our mates. To survive, one must choose another mate, although not everyone does, and succumb to death.

Thiago and I have yet to find our mates.

Sometimes, I think the moon goddess spared us the pain of one. My father nearly died twice in battle, and my mother almost died both times. Even still, we remain optimistic and determined to find the ones we are meant to be with.

"Surprisingly, Luna Eleni is well. Almost as if nothing had happened; the pack doctors didn't see any change in her whatsoever," he says.

I nodded as we approached the front door.

"Set up a time to go over for a visit so we can look around to see if we're missing something. We need to talk to the girl and see what she remembers," I told him as I pushed the door open.

As soon as we stepped through the door, I was hit with the stench of cheap perfume as Jessica rushed towards us.

"My love, where have you been?" Jessica asks as she wraps her arms around me. I pull my face away from her and free myself as she tries to kiss me.

"You will do well to remember that I AM your king, and you should address me as such. As for you entering my room last night, let that be the last time it happens", I growl.

"Alex, you can't keep treating me like this. Our parents made a deal that we would be together", she tells me in a baby voice while running her hand down my cheek.

"Our parents may have made a deal decades ago, but I won't honor it. Get out of my face", I growled at her and walked past her.

"She makes me sick," I told Thiago as we headed to my office.

"The kingdom needs a queen, and neither of you has a mate." He remarks as we enter.

I pondered what he said. I have always wanted to find my mate but have not found her in fifteen decades. I had accepted the idea that perhaps she was somewhere far away or had fallen victim to one of the many rogue attacks.

"I would rather find my fated mate than take a chosen mate like her. She is just another crown chaser, and I am not interested in someone like her", I tell him.

"Let's forget about her. We have more significant things to worry about." I added as I walked over to my desk and opened my laptop. Thiago nodded in agreement, taking a seat in the chair across from me.

"Now, set up a meeting with Luna Eleni. We must get out there as soon as possible and ensure we have a team of warriors to accompany us. Also, find out this girl's status, who her family is, where she attends school, and who her friends are. We need to talk to everyone she may have been in contact with on the day of her attack. Perhaps someone can shed some light on her and how this happened," I said, running my hand through my hair.

Thiago pulled out his phone and got to work. I looked at my laptop and reviewed the many emails I had. I searched the web for information about Zeno's death, but nothing could be found. Meanwhile, Thiago talked to people on the phone and gathered information. After a while, Thiago hung up.

"Ok, this is interesting. No one has seen this girl or heard of her. And this story of a rogue attack, no one else heard any screams or saw anything," he said, then added, "It's almost like it was a ghost story."

"That is odd," I said, sitting back in my chair.

"What are you thinking?" Thiago asked.

I stayed silent momentarily, stood up from my chair, and walked toward the window.

"If there was a major problem at Shadowborne, why didn't Zeno ask me for help? It just doesn't make sense, and how did no one know of his death?" I replied.

I sighed, feeling frustrated. I turned away from the window and looked around the office, my gaze settling on the framed photo of Zeno and I taken six years ago. I shook my head and returned to my chair, determined to find out what had happened.

"We need to find out what happened," I told Thiago.

"Alex, do you think that maybe this is all a setup?" Thiago asked.

I shook my head. "It does seem that way to me. I believe something else is at play here, and the question is, what is it?" I replied.

I paused for a moment before continuing. "I know Zeno wouldn't hide anything unless there is a specific reason. Let's pull the Shadowborne pack files and see if we are missing anything."