Legend of the Shadow Wolf

Chapter Seventeen

Aidoneus

I fumbled through the stacks of paperwork on my desk trying to keep my mind busy, I have been on edge and restless since my little mate went back to her pack. I shouldn't have let her go, I should just told her alpha no but at the same time, she would be safer there. I didn't want a mate for the longest time, would've been one less thing for traitors to use against me. I have heard about what happens to a lycan when they lose their mate, they either lose their mind completely and go feral or they kill themselves, not wanting to live without their mate. Very rarely does a lycan continue to live and not go down either path, there's only a small handful in history that have made it and moved on. My mind starts to wander to my little mate, picturing her at the forest line where I first saw her then to her laying in the hospital wing.

I wonder if she has woken up yet, I haven't received a call yet indicating she has. Unless she has and the Alpha is going against my request to call me. Does he not want her to leave? Is there something they are hiding? Questions flood my brain as I start overthinking, one question pops in my head that sparks immense interest and worry. What does the shadow wolf have to do with Layla? Layla... her name sounds just as sweet in my head as it does when it rolls off my tongue.

I miss mate, we need mate Lucian says somberly.

I know buddy but you know why she's safer in her pack right now I replied back to him.

He just huffed and moved to the back of my mind. He will be ok, just going to take a little time for him to accept that I'm right. It's been a month since we last saw her and Lucian is becoming restless and moody. I was lost in my head with my reeling thoughts when there was a knock on the door. "Come in," I answered without looking as the door opened. "Hey man, everything ok? You've been in here for hours," Alexander said, closing the door behind him as he walked in. "Yes, everything is perfectly fine," I said, pausing for a moment with my back to Alex, then I slowly turn to face him. "I just have this gnawing feeling in the back of my mind that won't go away. Like something is about to happen but I don't know what it is yet," I said slowly and bleakly.

"Well that could just be Lucian missing and wanting his mate. It's not normal for newfound mates to be away from each other before completing the mating ritual. He's probably going nuts and that's what's bothering you," he said. "Come on, you need a break and some air to help clear that head of yours."

He's right you know, we both could use some air and I could use a good run to stretch my legs Lucian said with a slight gruff.

Okay, we can go out for a run, maybe the feeling will go away I responded back.

We followed Alexander out to the arena and headed for the tree line. A little run won't hurt right? I still have so much to do and I need to check in with my team at base camp. Once I got to the tree line I stripped out of my clothes and stuck them in a hollowed out spot in a tree and shifted.

Oh yeah this feels amazing Lucian said with a good stretch before taking off through the trees. I let Lucian take control while I retreated to the back of my mind, sorting through my thoughts. There's so much I need to do and concentrate on but my focus of late has been on my little mate. Her performance at the competition was incredible, what happened at the end was worrying. I need to have her here, keep her close to me and figure out what happened. Could it be tied to my team members disappearing? Is she involved somehow? Can she be trusted?

You have doubts about our mate? Lucian questioned.

I don't want to, but I don't believe in coincidences and you know that. Members from our squad and another pack come up missing then she comes out of no where with abilities we've never seen before? I'm not saying she's guilty, but somethings not right I respond back. Not sure about how this whole situation is going to go. Half of me wants to claim her and protect her, believe everything but the other half finds this whole thing suspicious. I'm at war with myself and Lucian, but I think the best option is to keep her at a distance until I get answers.

We ran the whole perimeter of the land that surrounds the castle a couple times before I got a mind link from Raiden.

Aidoneus, you need to come to your office now his voice sounded urgent and serious.

What is it? I asked, concerned.

It's your mate, something happened with her and the alpha's son he replied back, little coldness laced in his words.

I'm on my way.

Without shifting back, Lucian raced back towards the castle entrance. Barreling through the doors and up the stairs to my room to shift and throw on some clothes before racing back down to my office. I got to the door to see that both my parents, Alexander and Raiden were already there waiting for me. "What happened?" I asked, not waiting to sit before getting answers. "There was an attack last night, Alpha Ransley's son was severely injured," Alex was the first to speak. "What about Layla? Was she attacked as well?" I asked, keeping my cool without worry slipping through. Alexander looked at my parents then back at me. He opened his mouth to respond but Raiden was the one to speak.

"She was the one who attacked the young alpha to be. We don't know the full situation but she was sedated and shackled in the dungeon for her safety but more importantly, the safety of the pack." He said with a stern click of his jaw. Raiden is my most serious soldier when it comes to the safety of the kingdom, he's always been more on the serious side than the relaxed side, unlike Alexander. He's more comedian and jokes but can be serious when needed. In a way they are both side of myself. The three of us match up perfectly and that is one reason they are my most trusted and best friends.

"Son, you need to go and find out what happened and how serious this is. I sent Dr. Ivan so he can help the boy while there is time but you need to leave now. We will handle things here," my father spoke up. I nodded and looked to Alex and Raiden. "Raiden you will stay here and assist my father, Alex you're coming with me. We will need to bring the van in case she needs to be restrained, I'm bringing her here." They both nodded, then Alex and I took off. I had Alexander bring a few of our guards to take the van as I went out and grabbed our fastest vehicle.

What do you plan to do once we get there? Lucian asked.

I don't know yet. First we need to find out how serious this is and go from there. If I have to shackle her in the dungeons I will. Mate or not Lucian, I must do what I need to protect the kingdom... and herself.

Lucian huffed and retreated to the back of my mind. He did not like that answer but knows I am right. She would have to be locked up until we figure out what's going on. Distance... mate or not, I must keep my distance. My men and I headed off towards the Blood Moon Pack, Alexander called Alpha Ransley and told him of our arrival. He will be there to receive us and update us on the situation. "He sounded very distraught on the phone, did he not?" Alex asked. "He did, which means the situation is worse than expected." I said sternly, a million different scenarios start running thru my mind. Each worse than the one before.

You doubt her before you've really met her. You have no faith in our mate...

Lucian spoke softly and disappointedly in my mind. I shut him out without a response. He will follow her blindly anywhere but with my years of training and expertise, I cannot afford to be so blind about anyone, not even my own mate. I pick up the speed, wanting to waste no time getting there.