Witch in wolf's clothing - Namaari

Chapter 56: I Promise

Nester’s POV

I can feel the anger boiling inside me, scorching my veins as I stand there, fists clenched. My sister is missing. Missing. The word itself is enough to make my blood boil, my heart pound. It happened just as we were in the middle of an important meeting. I was sitting with my brothers, Naveed and Nowen—Nowen, who had even left his beloved art studio for this—and our parents, discussing defense tactics. The attacks on our kingdom have become more frequent lately. Smaller, yes, but relentless. We needed a solid plan, a strategy that would keep our people safe.

Nikolaj wasn't here. He was in Silvermist pack, where I would much rather have him present for this meeting. The triplet Alphas had some urgent problem that required his assistance, and, on his way back, he was supposed to bring Namaari home. Finally. She’s been away too long. I miss her. We all do. Her insights are often invaluable in these tactical discussions, her perspective always sharp and fresh. And she just brings life to the place.

Mother had excused herself to take a call from Nikolaj. We carried on for a moment longer until a scream—an eerie, heart-wrenching sound—echoed through the hallway. Nowen shot up immediately, eyes wide with worry. "Mama?" he said, and without another second’s hesitation, Father was on his feet, rushing to the door, with me and my brothers right behind.

We had burst into the hallway, only to see Mother on the floor, sobbing, the phone clutched in her trembling hand. Father was at her side in an instant, pulling her into his arms, his face contorted in a mix of fear and desperation as he tried to understand what she was saying. She was sobbing, gasping for air, her voice broken. “Namaari, our daughter... she’s gone... she’s gone...”

I watched as Naveed fell to his knees in front of them, eyes wide with disbelief. “What do you mean, gone?” he asked, his voice shaky, trying to get a coherent answer out of her.

I couldn’t just stand there, waiting for fragmented explanations. I snatched the phone from Mother's hand, leaving them to comfort each other while I strode further down the hallway, my grip tightening around the device. I brought it to my ear, my voice dripping with anger. "Nikolaj, what in the goddess's name is going on?"

Now, I arrive with Naveed and Nowen at the Silvermist packhouse. Mother is back at the Fawnvale Hazelily Academy, working with the witches to try locator spells, though they’ve had no success so far. Father is in the Verdantwood Kingdom, organizing search parties and leading the troops in their effort to find Namaari. The woods of our kingdom stretch to the borders of rocky terrain, which leads to an almost impassable desert with constant, violent sandstorms. But knowing Father, he will try everything to find his daughter, his little girl.

Regret gnaws at me, guilt heavy on my shoulders. I should have never left Namaari alone in a different pack. The triplet Alphas might be Nikolaj's friends, but trusting them blindly to protect my sister—that was my mistake. One that I intend to correct, no matter what it takes.

The door opens, an Omega standing there, and I give a polite but hurried greeting as I storm inside, Naveed and Nowen right on my heels. I make my way to the living room, my heart pounding with frustration and anger. There, I see Nikolaj in a chair, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands buried in his hair. Opposite him sit Alpha Zyméo and Alpha Tazzym, both looking utterly distraught, their eyes ringed with exhaustion. Nearby, Alpha Kaynim and Beta River stand whispering seriously, the atmosphere thick with tension.

I step forward, my presence commanding attention, my anger barely restrained. All attention turns to me, the room going silent. Nikolaj looks up, muttering a soft "brother" in greeting. The triplets stand, bowing slightly as Alpha Zyméo speaks, “Alpha King Nester, welcome.”

I don’t waste time with pleasantries. "I would have preferred not to be welcomed here under these circumstances," I say sharply. "The only reason I'm here is because my sister, Princess Namaari, is missing." My eyes narrow as I continue, "Nikolaj already filled me in over the phone. Now, tell me, what have you done so far? Where have you searched?"

Alpha Kaynim speaks up first. “We’ve revisited the place where Duneshadow should have been a hundred times over—nothing, just grains of sand. We’ve been sending scout groups and warriors deep into the desert, but they return battered, dehydrated, or they simply don’t return at all. We’ve been approaching the desert from the coastline, but... perhaps if we also enter from the Verdantwood boundary, it might widen the search—"

I cut him off. “We’re already doing that.” My voice is harsh, leaving no room for argument. “Next.”

Alpha Kaynim swallows, and Alpha Zyméo steps in. “Alpha Reed has suggested we search the coastal packs more thoroughly. You never know... He’s sending scouts to every pack.”

Alpha Tazzym sighs, speaking next, “We were already sending scouts to the mountains to look for any signs of our father, Gamma Ezekiel or any rogue or dark witch hideouts. We’ve redirected resources to search for traces of Namaari in the mountains.”

Naveed’s voice cuts in, sharp and pointed, “Princess. Princess Namaari.”

Alpha Tazzym scratches his head awkwardly, casting a sideways glance at Nikolaj, who simply stares back at him, cold and unwavering. “My apologies,” Alpha Tazzym says, “Princess Namaari.”

Nowen adds, “Our mother will be coming here soon. Perhaps a locator spell might work better up close.”

Alpha Kaynim seems about to say something, but I raise my hand, my expression stern. “I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

Beta River clears his throat, and his voice comes out calm but cautious, “Sorry to intrude, Alpha King, but we still have the ongoing attacks... It’s making everything harder, spreading our resources thin while we’re searching for Princess Namaari. It complicates—”

I cut him off, my mind already made up. “We, her brothers, will rotate between being here at Silvermist and assisting our father. Some of us will stay here to help search for Namaari and fend off any attacks that come your way. The rest will join the search parties in Verdantwood.”

Turning to Beta River, I continue, “Beta River, I don’t know you well, but I’ve heard many good things about you. It’s a shame you aren’t an Alpha...” A low growl escapes each of the triplet Alphas, a subtle reminder of their rank and pride.

Ignoring them, I add, “I’m confident that while the Alphas are searching for my sister, you can hold this pack together in their absence.”

Beta River nods in acknowledgment, his face set in determination.

I take a step closer to Kaynim, Tazzym, and Zyméo, my gaze dark and unyielding. "I promise you, if we don’t find my sister, or if we find her dead, I will destroy your pack to the ground. After that, I will make sure you feel every bit of pain possible, I will torture your bodies until you beg me to end it—"

Suddenly, my words come to an abrupt halt. A scent—salted ocean breeze mixed with a hint of sweet seaweed—fills my nostrils, and my mind blanks for a split second. It’s the scent of waves crashing against the shore, refreshing yet alluring. A sense of calm but also urgency washes over me.

At that very moment, everyone turns towards the entrance of the living room, where a voice speaks. "I'm sorry, Alphas, but can I help with the search for Princess Namaari, I..."

I lose focus on everything else, my gaze locked on the woman standing at the door. Her eyes meet mine, widening in shock. In that heartbeat, recognition dawns upon us both. In perfect unity, our voices whisper the word, "Mate."

I hear Alpha Kaynim's voice from the background, laced with exasperation. "Oh great, just what we need. Now, they’re definitely not leaving our pack grounds anytime soon..."

I ignore him, my focus unwavering as I step towards the woman. She has a slender, athletic build and an innate elegance that draws me in. Her long, black hair falls freely around her shoulders, and her eyes are a vivid shade of gray that seem to capture the very essence of a storm. She wears a deep blue dress that almost matches the oceanic scent around her. I stop just in front of her, my voice unexpectedly gentle. "And who might you be?"

She blinks, still half in shock. "I’m Willow," she says softly.

Beta River moves to stand beside her, adding, "Beta Willow Marblewater, my sister."

Willow seems to shake herself out of her stunned state and, without missing a beat, steps closer to me. Her expression shifts, determination written all over her face as she begins to speak rapidly. "Please, let me join the search for Princess Namaari. She’s my best friend," she begs, her voice filled with urgency. She takes my hand, her grip firm, and her eyes meet mine with an intense plea. "Please... she taught me to fight, I can defend myself, I can help. I promise I won’t get in the way..."

She keeps talking, but all I can focus on is the warmth of her hand on mine, the sparks that shoot through my body at her touch. My gaze falls to her lips, her words fading into the background as something instinctual takes over. Without hesitation, I lean in and kiss her.

For a moment, time stops, and Willow responds immediately, her lips soft and yielding against mine.

"Ugh," Beta River groans from the side. "Can you at least take my sister to another room for that?"

I break the kiss, breathing heavily as I look down at Willow, her cheeks flushed, her eyes wide. "My Queen Luna..." I murmur, my voice barely a whisper. Her blush deepens at my words.

I then speak softly, my voice clear. "I would never exclude my mate from anything. You’re my equal, and if Namaari taught you anything, I trust you know how to handle yourself in a fight. I will take you with me everywhere, as long as you stay close."

River's face shows a mixture of concern and something protective as he asks, "Does this mean you're taking my sister... to the Moonstone pack?"

I meet his worried gaze, my expression softening just a fraction. "Beta River, Willow—my mate—will be the Luna Queen of the Moonstone Pack... but you are always welcome there. She may return here whenever she wishes," I add, glancing over my shoulder at the triplets, my eyes hardening. "Under my supervision."

Alpha Kaynim meets my stare, his own gaze cold and unyielding. I hold it for a beat longer before turning back to Willow. "Now," I say, my voice resolute, "let’s find my sister together."