Chapter Twelve

ALPHA'S POV.

The night was dark and still, the only sound coming from the crickets outside my window. But even the soothing sound of nature wasn't enough to calm my restless mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to see Elsa.

Ever since she arrived in our territory, I couldn't get her out of my mind. It was like she had cast a spell on me, a spell that I couldn't break free from. It wasn't just her beauty or her strength that captivated me, but it was something more. Something that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

I tossed and turned in my bed, trying to find a comfortable position, but nothing seemed to work. I knew I had to see her, to talk to her, but I didn't know how. I couldn't just barge into her room in the middle of the night, it wasn't proper. And yet, I couldn't ignore this feeling inside me.

I got out of bed and walked to the window, staring out at the dark forest. The moon was full, casting an eerie glow over the trees. I wondered if Elsa was awake too and was feeling this pull around the room, trying to think of a way to see her without causing a commotion. I didn't want to alarm her or anyone else in the pack. But the more I thought about it, the more restless I became.

So I got up from my bed, threw on a robe, and slipped on some shoes. The castle was quiet at this hour, with only a few guards patrolling the corridors. I made my way down the halls, my mind still consumed by thoughts of Elsa.

I couldn't ignore this feeling any longer. I had to see her, to talk to her. I grabbed my coat and quietly slipped out of my room, making my way toward Elsa's quarters.

As I walked through the quiet halls, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. What would I say to her? What if she didn't feel the same way? What if this was all in my head?

I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had seen her before, but I couldn't remember where.

It was strange because I was known to have a sharp memory, yet I couldn't place her face. And yet, there was something about her that intrigued me, that made me want to know more about her. Perhaps it was her or her demeanor that caught my attention.

But I knew that was not it. I have encountered beautiful women before, and they didn't interest me in the slightest. So what was it about Elsa that made me want to see her again?

I tried to push the thought aside and focus on other matters, but it was futile. My mind kept wandering back to her, and I found myself getting restless. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep until I saw her again.

I reached her room and hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.

No answer.

I knocked again, this time a little louder. Still no answer.

I tried the handle and found it unlocked. I pushed the door open slowly, peeking inside.

It was sondarso dark.

The night was as black as ink, the only light coming from the flickering torches lining the castle walls. The air was heavy with a sense of anticipation, and my mind was racing. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something I needed to see, something I needed to do.

I wandered the halls of the castle, lost in thought, my footsteps echoing through the empty corridors. My mind was filled with a thousand thoughts, all jumbled together like puzzle pieces waiting to be assembled. I felt like I was on the verge of a breakthrough, like if I could just put the pieces together, everything would make sense.

The torches cast eerie shadows on the walls, flickering and dancing like demons. I couldn't help but feel like they were watching me like they knew something I didn't. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, of being followed.

I walk into her room and find it empty. The bed is unmade and there is no warmth to it, meaning that she has been gone for a while. My heart races as I realize she is nowhere to be found.

I walked around the room, examining every inch of it, trying to find some clues as to where she might have gone. But the room was neat, with no traces of her escaping. The windows are locked, and there are no signs of forced entry.

I stood there, feeling angry and stranded. I can't believe she would just leave like this without any explanation. My mind races as I try to think of where she could have gone.

I walk over to the window and peer out into the darkness, hoping to see some sign of her. But the night is pitch black, and the only light comes from the torches that are scattered throughout the castle.

My mind is racing as I try to think of where she might have gone. Was she abducted? Did she leave on her own? I can't help but feel frustrated and angry. I know I should have kept a closer eye on her, but she seemed so content here. I never thought she would just leave without saying anything.

I feel like a fool as I stand there, trying to figure out what to do next. I can't just sit here and wait for her to return. I need to go out and find her. But where do I start?

I walk out of her room, feeling lost and confused. The torches flicker in the hallway, casting long shadows on the walls. I can't shake the feeling that something terrible has happened.

I approached the guards who were stationed outside Elsa's room. "Have you seen Elsa?" I asked them, trying to sound calm despite the growing concern in my voice.

The guards exchanged confused glances before turning back to me. "No, Your Highness. We have seen no trace of her," one of them replied.

I frowned, "How can that be? She was supposed to be under your watch."

"We apologize, Your Highness. We have no explanation as to how she could have left without us noticing," the other guard said, sounding just as baffled.

I shook my head in frustration, "This is unacceptable. She could be in danger, and we have to find her."

I walked back into Elsa's room, examining every inch of it for any sign of where she could have gone.

How could she have escaped? I had placed guards all around her room, and yet she had managed to slip through undetected. It was infuriating.

I couldn't help but wonder where she fled the palace entirely, or was she still within its walls? I growled in frustration, my mind racing with possibilities.

My wives watched me warily from their thrones, sensing my anger and knowing better than to interfere. They knew that Elsa's escape was a serious breach of security, and that I would not rest until she was found.

I clenched my fists, my eyes darting around the room as if searching for answers. I had always prided myself on my ability to keep my pack safe and secure, and yet here I was, unable to even keep one prisoner locked up.

I knew that I couldn't let my anger get the best of me, though. I needed to think rationally, to come up with a plan. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the scent of Elsa. It was faint, but still there. I could track her, I was sure of it. But where had she gone?

I opened my eyes, my gaze settling on my wives. "We need to find her," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "And we need to find her now."

I was just about to make my way downstairs when I heard a voice calling out to me through the mindlink. At first, I mind-link angry that someone had disrupted my concentration, especially at a time like this when I needed to find Elsa through her scent. But as I listened more closely, I was surprised to hear that it was Nia, one of my wives, on the other end.

She asked me if I was looking for Elsa, and I answered with a terse "Yes". She then told me to come down immediately. My curiosity was piqued, and I knew that I had to see what Nia had to tell me.

I made my way down the stairs as quickly as I could, eager to hear what Nia had to say about Elsa's whereabouts. Perhaps she had gotten herself into very big trouble, I thought, all kinds of thought running through my head. 

My heart began to race as I wondered what could have happened. Did something terrible happen to Elsa? Was she in danger? Or worse, did she somehow manage to escape the castle and was now out in the wild?

A million thoughts raced through my head as I made my way down the stairs. What could have happened to her? Where could she be? Why did she leave the safety of the castle? Did she think she could survive out there on her own?

All of these thoughts and more were swirling around in my head, making it hard for me to focus on anything else. I was consumed with worry and fear, afraid that something terrible had happened to Elsa and that it was all my fault for not keeping a closer eye on her.