Chapter 4 - One day earlier

ZACH

I am changing into sweatpants when my door opens, and Xander comes in. He sees the bag on my bed and sighs. He knows what it means.

“You going again?”

“Yes"

“But it’s your birthday in 2 days. You know mom will get sad.” He isn’t wrong, and I know that.

“I need to do this, Xan,” I tell him.

“You need to try to move on, brother. We all miss her. But we have to think about that she most likely isn’t alive.”

“She is. I can feel it.” Xan looks at me, wanting to say something but just nods his head.

“At least wait till you get your wolf Zack, for mom’s sake.” I sigh. But nod my head.

“I will. I will just get the bag ready then.” Satisfied with my answer, he left my room.

I sigh again because I know he is right. Mom would be deeply hurt if I wasn’t here for the birthday. And maybe it’s not a bad idea. With my wolf, I would get stronger and my senses better. But after that, I will go. I can’t stop looking for her. Many say she is dead, but I can feel it deep in my soul that she isn’t. I just know she isn’t. I have been going out on searches since I turned 16. In the beginning, I went with my dad, but when I turned 17, I began to go out on my own.

I will never forget the day when my beautiful twin sister was kidnapped, and I wasn’t able to do shit. It’s been almost 12 years since that day, and I will never give up until I find her. Mom was never the same after, and dad still sends spies and wolves out scouting for her. When I was 13, mom and dad sat down with me and explained how dad wasn’t my biological dad and what happened back then. I was so angry, but not at mom or dad. But at my birth dad, how could he betray mom like that. They told me back then I was born to be an Alpha, but I wanted nothing to do with anything related to my so-called sperm donor. In my eyes, dad is my dad. And it doesn’t bother me that even if Xan is younger than me, he is the royal heir. I wouldn’t be a good king anyway. Xan is much calmer and better to use his head before acting.

“Why are you packing?” it is mom’s voice. She already sounds sad.

“Don’t worry, mom. I will wait until after my birthday.” I tell her and walk over to hug her.

“Thank you.” She whispers.

“You are welcome, but after I need to go, mom. Sorry, but I just feel it in my bones, my blood. I need to do it.” She nods. She understands me.

“Just promise me you will be careful.”

“I always am mom,” I promise.

Together we leave my room and go to the kitchen, where dad, Xan, and Granny Rosa sit by the table. Dad looks up and stands up to hug and kiss mom and Zoe, our babysister. They never stop showing how much they love each other even though they are not fated mates.

“Hey, my love. Dad whispers, kissing her softly before leading her to sit down. He then looks up at me.

“I have some maps you can get, Xan told me, that you will go after getting your wolf. And these are the latest updated ones.” He says, looking at me. Dad understands me, and I know if it weren’t for mom needing him, he would go himself. But mom is pregnant, and after several miscarriages, it looks like we are lucky this time, and I will soon have a new little sister. I am happy because mom deserves it, and so does dad.

“Thanks, Dad,” I say, nodding as I sit down.

“Remember your phone. And only turn it on when you need to use it, save on the battery like that. If you find anything.” He begins to say.

“Then I will call you.” I finish for him. We have been through this so many times. Dad nods.

“Good."

The door opens, and Aiden comes in together with Melanie next to him. She looks sad and annoyed. They have been together for a few years, but Aiden turned twenty last year and confirmed that they are not fated, mates.

“I hear you are going again?” Aiden asks me, and I nod.

“After my birthday,” I confirm, and he nods.

“Maybe I’ll tag along. If you want.” Aiden had also tried his best to save Zara, but we were just kids back then, even though he was four years older than us.

“Sure, it would be good with some company, and I think mom will like it better if I don’t go alone,” I tell him. Xan has offered to go too many times. But as the only heir, it is not a good idea, and we all understand that.

Melanie huffs but doesn’t say anything, and she won’t as long as mom and dad are here. Aiden gives her a warning with his eyes.

“It’s a deal then, I’ll talk to dad, and we can talk more about it later,” Aiden says, and I nod my head before he grabs Melanie and pulls her out with him.

I never liked that girl. She only likes Aiden because he will be the royal Beta when Xan is twenty-five and is ready to take over for dad.

-

AIDEN

I pull Melanie out of the kitchen and out of the house. When we are far enough away, I lead her to the back of the new training hall and turn to her.

”What the hell was that? Can you be a little more respectful?” I growl at her.

“I don’t get why you all are still looking for her. It has been 12 years. There is no way she is alive.” She says, not the least bothered by my anger.

“Even so, it’s not nice of you to go act like a spoiled brat in front of her parents.”

“The king is not even her real dad.” She says coldly. I have had enough of this bullshit.

“From now on, keep your fucking judgments and opinions to yourself. I won’t keep putting up with you hurting those close to me. Got it?” I ask her.

“Whatever, I have heard your parents talk, Aiden. They all think she is your mate. How do you think that makes me feel?” She whines.

“Even if she is or was, she is not here, is she? So stop this bullshit.” She comes close, putting her arms around my waist.

“I am sorry, Aid. It’s just that I love you, and I don’t want to lose you.” I clench my teeth. I know very well why she wants to be with me. For me, though, it is purely physical.

“Just stop this behavior. I mean it,” I say, getting out of answering her.

“Okay, I will, I promise.” She says, sinking down on her knees in front of me.

“Please don’t be mad at me, Aiden.” She says as she opens my pants, licking her lips.