Her Mate is a Rogue

CHAPTER FIVE: A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED

As 18 days swiftly passed, Alden remained in captivity, his life hanging by a thread. The Alpha had been alerted by his Beta about Alden's existence, and upon discovering the rogue werewolf's presence, he immediately sought Alden's demise. However, The Evans, determined to protect him, fought tooth and nail to keep him alive.

The moon festival was in full swing, with joy and revelry filling the air. Amidst the festivities, a thrilling battle was about to unfold, featuring the captives, among whom Alden was numbered. Lily, caught in the midst of conflicting emotions, caught sight of Kai, the Alpha of the Shadowclaw clan, knowing that her father would soon announce their introduction as a couple—an outcome she vehemently opposed.

Alden stepped into the battleground, his gaze burning with resentment towards Lily. In her gut, she could sense the danger he posed, a deadly force ready to be unleashed. Lily's emotions surged within her as she watched Alden fight, his inability to shift into his wolf form momentarily forgotten. The crowd gasped in amazement as Alden emerged victorious in three consecutive rounds, his prowess unmatched.

When Lily laid eyes on Alden's next opponent, fear for both him and herself gripped her heart. After the battle, her father would proceed with the announcement, forever binding her to Kai.

Suddenly, Lily stood up abruptly, breaking free from the chains of tradition. "He is my mate!" she declared, her finger pointed squarely at Alden.

Shock rippled through the crowd, leaving everyone astounded—everyone except The Evans, who had encouraged Lily to make this very claim.

However, doubt lingered in the air, centered around Alice, the witch in charge. Witches were known for their inability to tell lies, especially when it came to matters of finding mates.

"Confirm it," Lily's father commanded Alice, his voice authoritative.

Alice approached Lily, gripping her hand tightly as she sought the truth within. She then shifted her attention to Alden, repeating the same action, her touch searing with magic. The arena fell silent as all eyes fixated on Alice, awaiting her verdict.

With a heavy sigh, Alice turned to face the Alpha. "Yes, it is true," she announced, her voice carrying the weight of certainty. A sense of relief washed over Lily as her claim was confirmed, vindicating her feelings.

But the revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd, their voices echoing with disbelief and concern.

"Her mate is a rogue!"

"It is forbidden!"

"He hasn't even shifted! A werewolf tainted with bad blood!"

The words hung heavily in the air, a chorus of disapproval and condemnation. However, Alden's thoughts were consumed by a singular purpose—saving his mother. Amidst the commotion, he seized the opportunity to escape, dashing out of the arena and toward the Alpha's abode. Lily watched in stunned silence, torn between her loyalty to her pack and her newfound connection with Alden.

"Capture him!" Lily's father exclaimed, his voice filled with authority and determination.

Amidst the commotion and chaos, Andreas, a formidable figure, strode confidently through the crowd with his subordinates in tow. His presence commanded attention, and the air grew heavy with anticipation. A few meters away from Lily's father, he issued a chilling command to one of his subordinates.

"Shoot him," Andreas ordered, his voice carrying an air of authority. The subordinate complied without hesitation, and the sound of a gunshot pierced through the air, causing everyone to freeze in disbelief. Lily's eyes darted around, her heart pounding, until she finally locked her gaze on her father, witnessing the devastating truth. A hole in his head bore testament to his untimely demise—he had been killed before her very eyes.

In the midst of the chaos, The Evans caught sight of the man responsible—Andreas. Michael and Michella whispered his name under their breath, their voices filled with a mix of fear and recognition. They wondered how he had managed to infiltrate their territory.

With a resounding voice that carried through the crowd, Andreas proclaimed, "Who missed me?" His words were accompanied by a wicked grin that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard him.

"Do you have a death wish, Andreas?" Michael asked, his voice filled with a mixture of anger and caution.

"Well, can you kill one who is already dead?" Andreas responded, his tone laced with arrogance. He then turned his attention to Lily, his gaze fixed upon her. "Apologies for killing your daddy, my dear. It was just the first step. The true problem lies between me, you and The Evans. And if you think you can kill me, well, the Moonbane Brotherhood will come looking for you," he taunted, his words dripping with malice. The crowd stared at him with resentment and unease.

"Stay alive, Alden." Lily said in her mind.

Meanwhile, Alden had reached the secret passageway just in time before it vanished, disappearing into thin air. He emerged on the other side, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he raced towards his mother's location. Determination fueled his every step. Arriving at the house, he took out the tracker he had planted in his mother's clothes, prepared for any emergency that may arise.

With unwavering determination, Alden entered the house, confronting and fighting every person who crossed his path. His sole purpose was to reach his mother, to free her from the clutches of the Moonbane Brotherhood. Finally, he reached an open space, and there, his heart sank as he beheld the sight before him. His mother was bound and helpless, a knife pressed against her throat. She cried profusely, her eyes filled with fear and desperation.

"Release her this instant," Alden demanded, his voice laced with a mix of fury and grief.

"You and your mother are a threat to this world, and you will always be a threat," the leader of the Moonbane Brotherhood taunted, his voice dripping with malice and superiority.

Alden's mother, summoning the last bit of strength she had left, managed to speak through her tears. "Run, son... Run... There is no home here anymore... Go back to where you came from, where it is safe." Her words were filled with a mix of sorrow and love, delivered just before the knife sliced across her throat. She fell lifeless, her final words etching themselves into Alden's heart.

"I... I love you, son."

Grief and rage consumed Alden, a storm brewing within him. With the power of the full moon illuminating the night sky, a transformation unlike anything the Moonbane Brotherhood had witnessed in ages unfolded before their eyes. Alden underwent a metamorphosis, embracing his true nature as a Primordial—an ancient and formidable force that had long been forgotten.

"If we don't bring it down, there will be a bloodbath here. We have to kill him, we won't be waiting 21 days for this one. This is the biggest threat when it comes to demons." the leader of the brotherhood stared at the new form of Alden. "Kill him!" he yelled and they charged towards him.

"Stay alive Lily." Alden growled as he waited patiently for the attack.