chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

I pushed the door open and stormed out of the room, my anger boiling over. I couldn't believe it. She left without my permission. My heart tightened, and I clenched my fists as I walked down the hall.

'' Wren! Wren!'' I roared as I glanced around, searching for her, but she was not in sight. The guards bowed their heads as I passed, but I paid no attention to them.

"Wren!" I called one last time, and he appeared almost immediately, breathing heavily. "My Lord," he said, bowing his head.

"Have you seen Alisha?" I asked, locking my gaze on his face. "No, my lord," he replied. "The last time I saw her, she was in your chambers," he added, and I bit my lip, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"Are you telling me she escaped without you noticing?" I questioned, and he took a step back, his voice shaky.

"Y-yes, my Lord. But we will find her! Please don’t punish us," he pleaded. I turned away with a loud sigh, placing my hands on my hips.

I could picture her laughing at me wherever she was. She probably thought I was a fool and that she was the clever one. A groan escaped my lips as I considered it.

I spun around to face Wren, my rage boiling over, my eyes wide. "Find her and bring her to me!"

"Yes, my lord," Wren replied with a bow, and I walked away immediately. However, his next words stopped me in my tracks.

"What about the plan for today, my Lord? Should the warriors still prepare?"

I swallowed hard and turned back to him, stepping closer. I said with all seriousness, "You should know me by now, Wren. I won't back down from my words."

With that, I walked away, leaving him to ponder my words. "I’m giving you five minutes! Start the search and bring me the results as soon as possible," I yelled before disappearing from his sight.

I reached my chambers, pulled out a bottle and a glass, and sat down in a chair by the table.

I poured the drink into the glass, and leaned on the chair, taking a sip. My eyes drifted to the chain on the bed, and the memories of her shaking under my grip flashed into my mind.

'' Alisha, you're testing my patience,'' I muttered, glaring at the door. But one thing confused me the most. How could she leave without anyone noticing?

''Could it be that she's still in the palace? Hiding somewhere?'' I raised my brows at the thought, but quickly dismissed it since it appeared to be an assumption.

As an Alpha and a man of truth, I do not rely on assumptions. I gulped down the contents in the glass, then wiped my mouth and headed to my dressing room.

When I was done dressing up, I left with my pack to Oakwood Park, for a battle with the Moonline pack. But this wasn't just any battle - it was a debate, one that would decide the fate of our packs' centuries-long feud. The dispute had started over the Sacred Oak, an ancient tree sacred to both our packs.

As we arrived at the park, the Moonline pack was already there, waiting for us. Their alpha, a menacing gray wolf, growled in my direction. I stood my ground, my heart pounding with anticipation. If I could out-argue Thane, the Moonlines would relinquish their claim to the Sacred Oak and a lasting peace would be forged between our packs.

I responded with a fierce snarl, baring my teeth. My pack stood behind me, hackles raised and ready for a fight.

The Moonline alpha stepped forward, his gaze locked onto mine. I could sense the aggression radiating from him, but I stood my ground.

In a sudden burst of speed, the Moonline alpha charged at me. I met him head-on, our bodies colliding in a whirlwind of fur and teeth.

The battle raged on, our packs clashing for dominance. My heart pounded in my chest, and my senses heightened as I fought to defend my pack.

I was determined to win. With a final, powerful leap, I pinned the Moonline alpha to the ground, teeth bared in a fierce snarl.

The Moonline pack retreated, tails tucked between their legs. My pack erupted in cheers, voices rising in a triumphant chorus. At that moment, I spotted my Beta approaching me with a smile on his face.

I roared and hit my chest, then turned to him with reddened eyes. Before I left, I'd given him an instruction: never to leave the palace until Alisha was found.

'' Could it be that he's found her?'' I thought, and instantly, my Beta began to stride towards me.

'' My Lord,'' he bowed his head slightly, his hand placed on his chest.

'' What news?'' I asked, but he hesitated for a moment before speaking, "It's about Alisha, my Lord.''

My heart skipped a beat as I processed the information. I felt my body begin to shift, my senses dulling as my wolf form receded. My bones cracked and reformed, my fur retracting into my skin.

I stood tall, now in my human form, and looked at my Beta with an intense gaze. "Tell me more," I commanded, my voice firm and authoritative.

I could see sadness in his eyes, but I couldn't fathom what the matter was.

However, he swallowed hard before responding. '' I found her in your library room, my Lord. She's soaked in blood.''

'' What?!'' I blurted out with widened eyes, surprise etched on my face. '' How's that possible? Did she kill herself?'' I thought, unbelievably.

'' I took her to the healer, and I was informed that she drank poison.'' Wren continued, and I tilted my head and squinted my eyes.

Poison!

''Who would've thought of poisoning someone in my palace?'' I asked; my Beta couldn't respond, and neither could I get an answer myself.

I gnashed my teeth and turned my gaze toward the route that led home. I needed to find out.

I couldn't address the people. I left everything in my Beta's hands and hurried away.