Legend of the Shadow Wolf

Chapter Thirteen

Unknown

After being gone for so long, I made my way back to the castle, feeling slightly foreign since it’s been 5 years since I last stepped foot in my home. I have been away, working with the elite assassins to keep an eye on the packs in the kingdom and find out who has been kidnapping and killing wolves from all around. There’s no pattern, no specific details that would jump out and make sense and after coming up short these last five years, it’s become increasingly infuriating.

It has been quiet though the last six months and my father had sent word that he had requested my presence. I left my most trusted fighters at base camp and set off to the castle with my beta and gamma. My beta, Alexander and my gamma, Raiden, have been best friends growing up. We’ve each had each others backs and have saved one another from death at least once or twice, they are my most trusted advisors and keepers. They are the only ones that know the real me while others get mostly one side.

It was about a couple days drive before we got to the gates of the castle, the guards recognizing the car and opened the gates. Alexander pulled the car up around front and we all got out, walking up the steps when the front door burst open. “Aidoneus, my boy!” My mother yells out as she rushes down the steps to embrace me in a right hug. “Hello mother, I missed you too.” I chuckled, returning her hug. “It’s been too long son, you look skinny. Have you been eating?” My mother asks, looking me up and down. She loves to worry and I just roll my eyes playfully at her knowing that I have not any weight for her to fret over.

“Yes mother, the boys and I have been well fed. Mostly Alex though,” I replied, nodding my head towards my beta as he shoots me a look. “Hey, that’s a terrible misconception, I’ll have you know.” Alexander responded, looking appalled and offended. I laughed as we made our way up the rest of the stairs and into the castle. “Where is father?” I asked my mother as we made our way towards the kitchen.

“He’s in his office making the final calls out for the Full Moon Ball in two days, have to make sure everything is order. Now, I bet you three are hungry after your long journey. How about some lunch?” She responded with a smile, she loves to cook even though we have cooks to prepare and make the food. “Oh you know I’m always hungry for your food, Your majesty.” Raiden bellowed out with a goofy smile as he took a seat at the breakfast bar. We all laughed and made small talk as my mother started making a simple pasta dish with some chicken and steamed broccoli.

I caught her up on the last 5 years as she did the same, to which I found out about another pack that was attacked a couple years ago and was annihilated. Once we were all finished eating, the boys and I made our way to my fathers office. “There’s he is, you got shorter the last 5 years,” my father teased, clasping his hand on my back as he grasped my hand firmly. “No you’re just losing your eyesight, old man,” I teased back with a chuckle.

“I deny that statement my boy. Have a seat boys and let’s get down to business before we lose track of time.” My father was always business first and everything else after. He felt that if we didn’t handle the business first, we would all forget and a good leader puts the work and needs of others before themselves. After all, a king’s work is never done and my father is the most beloved king of all, but also one of the most feared.

The next couple of days went by in a blur and the night of the ball went off without a hitch. Thankfully there were no serious issues between the packs that attended the ball but I could not get that smell out of my head for the life of me. But before I could investigate it any further, I got pulled away from everything to go back to the base camp to find out what my team found out from one of the survivors that went missing a few weeks prior. I arrived at base with Alexander, we left Raiden behind to keep my father in the loop about what we found out.

“Azela, catch me up. Did Thomas say anything?” I asked my head assassin as soon as I exited the car. “No sir, he’s been in and out of consciousness due to his injuries. We gave him a slight sedation and pain killers to help him heal faster. I thought you’d like to be the one to talk to him first.” She reported as we made our way to the infirmary. I spotted the doctor as soon as we walked through the doors. “Ah your majesty, good timing.” The doctor said swiftly. “How is he Doctor Roland?” I asked, wasting no time. “He’s better and he is awake. We gave him some more pain killers and took him off the sedation as well as making sure he ate something. I have been waiting for you to ask any questions.” Doctor Roland reported, making our way to the room where Thomas laid. “Thank you doc, I’ll take it from here.” I replied and stepped into the room with Azela behind me, closing the door.

“Good evening Thomas, how are you feeling?” Azela asked, taking a seat next to the door as I took the seat closest to the bed. “Better, thank you.” He replied back feebly, “still a little weak but doc said I should be good in a couple days.” “Good to hear it Tom, are you ready to answer some questions?” I asked him before starting the interrogation. He nodded his head and I looked to Azela with a slight nod as she began pulling out a camcorder and a pad of paper. “Ok, start by telling me what happened the night of your disappearance. Any details you can remember, anything that could help even if it seems minuscule.” I replied, giving him the okay to start.

Thomas then launched into what he knew and learned, leaving nothing out as I listened and Azela took notes. It took about a couple hours to get the information needed, the nurse coming in every half hour to check Thomas’s vitals before we commenced again. “Thank you Thomas, this information is very useful. Get some rest now, you did your job well.” I finally said, standing and putting my hand on his shoulder in appreciation before making my exit. “Azela, get this information to the the other squads and tell them to keep a look out. They are to report every hour and to leave nothing out no matter what. I need to get word back to the king about our findings.” I instructed her before heading up to my office.

After calling my father and reported what Thomas has told me, I started to make preparations to leave for the castle again. My father requested my presence at the competition, claiming he needed another pair of eyes for the winners since I am to take over for him soon and the assassins are my specialty trait. I know he missed me around most, along with my mother and I knew I could work from there and keep in contact with Azela here. So I agreed, I missed home but I also wanted to see if the scent of my mysterious mate would be around as well. I can feel Lucian, my wolf, stir in my mind at the thought of possibly finding our mate.

Do you think she will be there? He asked a little nervously.

It’s possible. I’ve never known you to be nervous over a girl we’ve never met I said to him, amused at his behavior.

Of course I am, she is our mate. It’s different for us wolves, our counterparts live for our mates, but our human counterparts are not afraid to reject the one made for them these days he responded back feebly, with a hint of sadness in his voice.

That is true, but do you believe she would reject us?

It is a possibility but I hope not. Do not let these other she-wolves try to sway you, Aidoneus and do not reject her or I will never forgive you he growled a warning.

As ruthless and powerful Lucian is, he is a big softy when it comes to the subject of our mate. I gave up hope of finding my mate a long time ago since I am almost and I haven’t gotten any indication that I would find her until that fateful night of the ball. Just the scent alone sparked the hope that died a long time ago and Lucian is holding onto it for dear life, but now isn’t the time to think about that. We have more important matters to attend to and now the competition to focus on. I leave base camp with Alexander and head back to the castle to prepare for the competitors to arrive.

I had been cooped up in my office since I got back, trying to go over every last piece of information I had gathered the last six months but still getting nowhere. I was starting to get a migraine from being stuck inside my office all day that I decided to take a break and go for some fresh air. Most of the competitors had arrived earlier this morning and had already turned in for the night so it was a perfect time to take a stroll without being bothered. The waning gibbous moon shown bright, lighting up the path that connects the castle to the competitors lodging. I walked to the middle of the path and leaned against the railing that overlooks the gardens, a small pond area and the left side of the tree area that stretches around this side of the grounds.

I stand there for sometime before my mind wanders to my mate. Could she really be here? If so, where has she been all this time? But then again, now that I think about it, I haven’t been around anyone but my team the last 5 years.

I wonder what she looks like Lucian ponders softly.

Hopefully we will find out soon I respond back to him, looking towards the sky as a shooting star shoots across the sky.

I can’t wait to be buried deep inside her right little p-

Way to ruin a good moment there Lucian I cut off his train of thought, pinching the bridge of my nose at his dirty mind.

Hey I am an animal after all. It’s our basic instinct to mate and that just so happens to be part of it. Don’t act like you weren’t thinking it too he snickered at me.

No that’s all you, perv I retorted back with a slight smirk.

I turn away from the rail and begin to make my way back to the castle when the wind picked up slightly and brought that scent back and I stopped instantly. Turning around slowly, I noticed one of the windows of the lodging was opened and a figure could be seen looking out of it, but their face couldn’t be seen due to it being dark. Coining it up to coincidence, I turn back around and continue to make my way back to the castle. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, so I turn in as soon as I make it back to my room.

Morning approaches too fast for my liking but it’s nothing I’m not use to. I get up and take a quick shower before heading out to meet with my parents. With everything in order for today and extra security put into place, we head out to the arena with Alexander and Raiden following behind. “You ready to see the newbies, Donny?” Alexander asked, using the nickname he knows I hate. I roll my eyes at him, “let’s just get this over with, we have more pressing matters to attend to. Also, don’t call me Donny again, you know I hate that.” He just chuckled, Raiden rolling his eyes at him as well as he pulls Alexander down to the seating just off to the side of the royal spectators balcony. I hear my father behind me stand and start to make his announcement, starting the first round of the competition. I take my seat to the left of him and watch as the competitors take their positions and behind fighting each other.

I watch each fight, becoming quit bored with each passing second. Each competitor seems to be fighting almost the exact same way, which can be very boring to watch over and over again until the last competitor in the middle group suddenly caught my attention. She looked about 5’6, just a little shorter than her opponent with long black hair tied up in a ponytail and a slender but curvy body that looked of mostly muscle. Her stance was completely different from all others I’ve seen today and once the horn blows for them to start, the way she dogged and moved had me entranced. Her moves precise and graceful, almost like watching a dance. Then she went into offensive mode and her speed was nothing like I’ve ever seen in a normal werewolf.

She’s amazing Lucian said in awe, as we watched this little thing land her final blow, knocking her opponent a few feet into the middle of the field.

Yes she is, I wonder what else she’s capable of I responded back, wondering what type of strength this little creature possesses. I watched her in awe, a feeling of pride and appreciation bubbles inside me as I watch her race over to the girl she just defeated and pick her up as if the girl weighed nothing, taking her to the infirmary tent. I feel confused about these emotions swirling inside of me but I push them aside as we get ready for the next round. I watched the little creature closely, wondering how she will do this round. Stamina is one of the easiest things to possess but it’s still necessary to have tested so each person is placed in the right areas.

The women lined up at the far end of the arena and I was again caught by surprise when the little creature was the first to cross the finish line with a lycan woman close behind her. Once again, the feeling of pride welled inside my chest causing me to question these feelings once again. The wind blew slightly, carrying that slight scent once again, but everyone was now gathered together so I couldn’t pinpoint who it was coming from. My father stood once more to announce the final round, explaining the rules and guild lines for the forest round. I watched as each of the finalists disappeared within the tree line as soon as the horn sounded.

“What do you think of this years competitors so far Aidoneus?” My mother asked, bringing my attention to her question. “They are doing well, although most of them all have almost the same fighting style. But they show promise.” I responded back observantly. About a half hour passed as both Alexander and Raiden joined my parents and I, making observant conversations and small talk when I noticed that the sky was bringing g to darken and the wind began to blow rapidly. Soon, a wind tunnel erupts in the middle of the trees, the wind picking up as it gathers. I jump up and look out to see if I can spot the cause.

“What do you think that is?” Raiden asks the question we are all thinking. “I don’t know but I’m going to find out.” I responded back as I jump down from the balcony to the floor of the arena, running towards the tree line with Alexander and Raiden following close behind me. A scream can be heard echoing through the trees as we get halfway to the forest, crowds of people erupting from the trees, fleeing from whatever lies inside. “What’s going on?” I asked, stopping one of the competitors as she was running by. “I don’t know, it suddenly got dark and the wind picked up, throwing dirt and leaves in my face. I couldn’t see anything but I heard a scream, I don’t know from who but it didn’t sound good.” She responded back, shaking as she looked back towards the dark forest.

“You’re safe now, get back with the others. Raiden, tell everyone to stay back and Alex, help him make sure no one comes this way. Whatever it is, we don’t need anyone hurt.” I instructed as they nod and start moving people back. I’m a few feet away from the entrance when something catches my eye and I stop. Tendrils of what looks like thick black smoke, snakes it’s way out of the trees as the crunch of tree trunks echo throughout the clearing. My breath hitches in my throat when I see the girl from before emerge out of the shadows. Her hair whipping around as the wind blows rapidly still, the tendrils wrapped around her body and her eyes glowing a bright red. Then her scent hits my nose and the bond clicks in.

MATE! Lucian howls in my head. What’s going on with her?

I don’t know, but I’m going to find out I respond back determined and cautious, the feeling of worry and concern surfaces inside my chest. I go to take a few steps forward but as soon as I do, the dark tendrils lash out from her hands and wrap around my arm, slicing my skin a bit. I see her eyes flashing between red and an amber color, like she’s having an inner battle.

Is she battling her wolf? Is her wolf doing this? Lucian asked the same question that swirled in my head.

I don’t know I responded back.

As I took another step forward, two more tendrils lash out and wrapped around my other arm and now my throat, slicing more skin. I wince slightly but keeping my face blank of any pain, keeping eye contact with the little creature in front of me. Everything was quiet for a few seconds before her head flung back as an ear piercing scream erupts from her body and she drops to her knees, the tendrils evaporate, releasing me from their grasps. I gasp as the air fills my lungs rapidly but I never once let my eyes leave hers. She looks at me curiously, struggling to stay conscious as her mouth whispers one word so quiet that I barely heard it.

“Mate.” She says right before she falls face first into the ground. I rush forward, flipping her over to her back and taking a good look at her face. She is so beautiful it takes my breath away. Tiny sparks erupt my body where our skin touches as I gently pick her up bridal style and start carrying her back towards the crowd. Raiden and Alexander push people to the sides to make way for me to pass through. There are a million questions swirling around in my head but the only one that I can grasp is wondering if my little mate will be ok.