Chapter4
1419 Words
ADONIS'S POV
"It's an honor to have you here in the SnowClaw Pack, Your Highness." Alpha Jax spoke, offering me a seat at the lavish banquet table.
"Apologies, we couldn't give you a grander welcome for your arrival on such short notice."
"Skip the formalities, let's get down to business."
I could tell he was desperate for my approval. They all are. For the sake of currying favor to increase their pack's wealth, but I couldn't care less about that right now.
"Right. So what brings you to my territory, Prince Adonis?"
"I looking for someone, and I believe that person resides in your territory."
Alpha Jax questioned with interest, "May I know why you believe the person you are trying to find is one of mine and why the reason you seek them out for?"
"I'm afraid I can't reveal the details, but be rest assured I don't seek them out in relation to a crime."
Alpha Jax paused for a few breaths. His curiosity for the intimate details of my interest in this mystery individual was evident.
I can only keep him in line to a certain extent. Though I hold a higher status, in his territory, he has slightly more power. Without a formal royal order, I can't just waltz in and take a person. My best option is throwing him off the scent.
"Of course, if you help me with this, I'll naturally remember your kindness in the next interpack deliberations."
Alpha Jax had a twinkle in his eyes, catching on immediately.
"You are too generous, Prince Adonis. I'll gladly provide whatever resources you might need to find this person."
"Do you have any idea what they might look like? I'll put my men to the job as soon as possible."
"It's a woman. I only know of her appearance in her shifted form."
"Alright. Do you mind describing it to me?" Alpha Jax said, taking out some writing materials to note down my words.
I recalled her appearance as clear as day. "She has the silkiest pure white fur. It can appear to have faux silver highlights under the moonlight"
Alpha Jax nodded with a smile, "This person might be much easier to narrow down than I thought."
"What do you mean?"
"In this pack, many wolves have mixed white fur patterns. However, a pure white wolf is quite rare, even in our northern region. Coincidentally, the pure white fur has been an exclusive trait to the Frostkin family for generations."
"The head is my Beta. To my knowledge, he has only two children. One of them has a strong Alpha wolfwill and the other is wolfless. I think the first might be who you are looking for."
"Arrange a meeting. I'll confirm that myself."
"I'll do you one better." Alpha Jax suggested. "The annual selection ceremony is tomorrow. You should attend and observe, as you'll have the chance to see them shift."
"That's a good idea. Let's do that."
"Alright. You can call on me when you've finished your meal. I've made some arrangements for your stay here."
At the selection ceremony, while sitting next to Alpha Jax on an elevated platform, I noticed a little mouse hiding among the stacks of wine barrels at the far end.
"Pfft."
"Is everything to your liking?" Alpha Jax fawned over me to no end.
"It's fine."
"You've built quite the pack here Jax. I believe this is the first time a pack has produced this many potential physicians."
"You flatter me, your highness. The SnowClaw Pack has no tolerance for the weak, naturally we would have talented wolves. Concerning the interpack....."
He droned on and on.
"Let me go, I have a right to be here!" A very loud scream commanded everyone's attention.
It looks like the little mouse finally got caught. She had been too distracted to notice the woman sneaking up behind her.
The woman proceeded with a tight slap, "Shut it, are you trying to cause a scene?"
I glanced at Alpha Jax but it didn't look like he was going to do anything about the unfolding situation.
How rowdy. You can trust wolves to behave like this. Barbaric bunch.
Still, I was rooting for the mouse. She's the only thing that provided entertainment in this boring gathering. I decided to help her a bit.
"Let the girl go." I commanded.
The assaulter quickly crumbled but she was too stubborn to back down, "And who are you... to give me orders? I am the pack ....Beta's mate. You're just a visitor here... Don't get involved!" She could barely speak under my authority, and that was only because I let her. After so many years I'm still not used to this wolfwill.
Her speech, I must say, was a very foolish decision. I felt Rand twitch by my side.
"Please, do not acknowledge her words, your highness. I'm going to take care of it." Alpha Jax pleaded with me at once, he must have sensed Rand's bloodlust too.
Smack!
The sound of a crisp slap reached everyone's ears.
I looked down at the scene. The Beta just struck her down. I guess Alpha Jax forced him to act through mind-link.
The pretty little mouse met my eyes. She didn't seem too affected by my authority. Her gaze reminded me of the shameless wolf that barged on me and ogled my naked body in the forest. Thinking of it made me uncomfortable.
The stupid she-wolf quickly came to terms with her transgressions and apologized profusely, trembling like a leaf. Her mate also pleaded for her sake.
'Werewolves are really.... sigh.'
This is dragging on too long. I want to leave this spirit-forsaken place as soon as possible.
I waved them off and the Red Order trials finally began. Alpha Jax had rigged the pairing prior so the two suspects would duel. The little mouse turned out to be one of both.
Their duel came last and I gave it my undivided attention. The little mouse's opponent is quite tough, she must have a very strong wolf.
Still, the little mouse lived up to her name. She is quite skilled at avoiding her opponent's blow like a mouse, but she can't possibly play defense forever.
The crowd soon grew tired of her antics and aired their frustrations very openly. She let it get to her - Rookie mistake. Now, I can finally see her wolf.
"Ughh... Ah!" The little mouse screamed as she began to shift.
It looked very painful. Her white fur receded before she could fully transform and her opponent utilized the opportunity to take her down.
'I can't believe that just happened. Don't tell me I wasted my time coming all the way here.' I unconciously gripped the handles of my seat in anger.
I was on my journey back after completing my academy assignment when the Arbiter approached me at the river. Out of f*****g nowhere.
For years we've been searching and she just popped up at the oddest of times.
I felt the bond between us but I checked her fur just to be sure and there it was on her left flank; the mark of a crescent moon and it was blazing red. It glowed like it had been triggered by something.
I assumed she was hurt but I didn't find any physical wounds. I was moments away from holding her down before she caught on to her surroundings and escaped, slipping away from my grasp.
I regret not capturing her as soon as I felt the bond. Still, I can't believe, I am the first of the footmen to find her.
"Your Highness, did you find who you were looking for?"
"I'm not sure."
Alpha Jax was right, there was no way his Beta's second daughter was the wolf from the forest. The first one had white fur but I couldn't find the mark on her, the little mouse also has white fur but the only mark on her is a disgusting breeder brand. Of the two, the first sounds closer to being the Arbiter.
Still, I am not absolutely certain. I don't feel the bond I felt with the white wolf from either of them. Something must be clouding it.
I can't let this opportunity slip away on a mistake. I need time to study the two before making a decision. I must have the Arbiter no matter what.
I singled out the sisters.
"The two of you must come with me to Hazel Peak Dual Academy."
- Writer
