His Fallen Mate (Elemental Series #1)

Seeing Her

Dane, along with Antonio, with whom he still has bad blood, was patrolling the border early in the morning after receiving a report of a rogue lurking nearby. But when they come to check, the edges are clear and there's no sign of intrusion. The fences and the CCTVs located in the woods are still intact. If someone were to transgress, the boundary buzzer would detect it immediately and broadcast an alarm to the whole pack, but this has yet to happen. Dane, on the other hand, wanted to be certain that everything was in order. That's why he decided to personally check and see if there's anything that needs to be added for security purposes.

"Are we going back to the packhouse, Alpha?" Antonio asked after settling everything, which Dane only snubbed and proceeded to the roadstead.

Dane was ready to get into his Porsche when he noticed a quick and furious McLaren Elva passing through them, driven by a very familiar girl. His brows furrowed and immediately glanced at Antonio, whose eyes were fixed on the now hazy car. Annoyed, he gets in without notifying his beta and drives away, leaving Antonio's surprised gaze on the road, realizing he was left out. As Dane sped into the packhouse, a grin appeared on his face.

He attempted to pursue the McLaren, but it was nowhere to be found as he entered the center radar. Dane parked his car and rushed straight inside the packhouse, yet there was no Seraphina inside. Where did the woman go? For a short time, Dane convinced himself that he was just hallucinating seeing the face of that woman on another. Why would Seraphina come in the pack, right?

He shook his head at the thought and decided to go to the nearby restaurant for breakfast. Dane didn't bother driving his Porsche because the restaurant is only 5 minutes away by foot. Besides, driving to a nearby location is a waste of petrol and causes pollutants to the air.

He was whistling, enjoying mother nature's gift of fresh air, when he noticed a familiar automobile parked in front of his favorite restaurant. Dane ran, and as he was about to pull the door open, someone pushed it from the inside, causing him to almost lose his balance, and as he adjusted, someone knocked into him. He groaned angrily before turning to face the person who was picking up her belongings, which were now spread on the floor as a result of the impact. Dane was so ready to lecture someone, yet something happened. He had just calmed himself but yet again become frozen after staring and recognizing the woman on the floor.

"I'm sorry," the woman bowed as she apologized without making eye contact, then went outside. Dane was stunned for a second before snapping back to reality and chasing Seraphina in the parking lot.

"Seraphina?" he called, which made the woman turn around and face him. A surprise expression was immediately registered on her face as she bit her bottom lip. As though she got busted on something.

"Oh, hey, Dane...what's up," Seraphina uttered awkwardly.

He raised his brows in a puzzled manner as he looked at the woman. "What are you doing here?" Dane was dubious that Seraphina's reappearance in his pack was due to evaluation, as she already did a few days ago. He couldn't think of another reason why Alpha Maal's daughter was in his territory buying breakfast.

"Vacation?"

Seraphina's response perplexed Dane even more. Why would she spend her vacation here when there are no such tourist attractions nearby?

"Uh—I've told Antonio that I want to learn horseback riding, which is why I'm here," the woman continued, drinking her coffee. They were standing on each side of the McLaren, Dane was near the shotgun seat while Seraphina was in the driver's seat.

"Aren't you aware that Antonio has responsibilities in the pack, and it's not his duty to teach a pampered child whose life has no direction?" Dane snarled. Why would she want Antonio to teach her when he is capable of doing so? Did she really like Antonio that much?

"Go home, Seraphina. The pack is too busy to babysit a brat," he said, leaving the woman speechless. An unpleasant thought had entered his mind, ways in which Antonio would not be able to meet the woman.

He wasn't jealous, he just wanted to spare his beta from that dubious lady and from the heartbreak. Seraphina is extremely deadly, and she might easily shatter a man's heart in a heartbeat. A venom to kill, a poison with no cure. She's definitely...without a doubt a walking red flag that every man should steer clear of. Dane convinced himself that his plan was for the welfare of everybody.

"The usual set of orders, Alpha?" the restaurant waiter said, to which he replied with a nod. Dane took a quick look outside and noticed that the McLaren was no longer in the parking lot. A smirk formed on the side of his lips as he considered the possibility that the woman had already gone home, as she should have.

"Here, Alpha," the server said, handing him the paper bag containing the meal. He instantly paid in cash and exited the nearly unoccupied restaurant. The sun is already warming the land, with tree shadows reflecting on each side of the road, providing shade to those strolling.

"Alpha, may I take the day off today?" Antonio said as soon as he entered the packhouse. He placed the paper bag atop his table as he glared at his beta. Why would he ask for a day off? A sudden realization hit his mind and the black cloud on top of Dane's head had gotten darker.

"We are busy today, Antonio; you can't take the day off."

"I really need to attend to some essential matter, Alpha," his beta pleaded, which irritated him even more. He already has an idea as to where Antonio will go.

"Fine," he said.

"Thank you very much– –"

"However, once you leave the packhouse, consider yourself free; you will no longer be the beta of this pack," Dane added, cutting Antonio from his speech.

Dane isn't simply looking for a justification to prevent Antonio from seeing Seraphina; he's doing it because what he stated is partially true. They have work that needs to be done as well as a proposal that has to be completed before the end of the month. Especially now that the delta and gamma aren't in the pack because they're overseas for some collaboration work.

Dane will have an easier time selecting a new beta who understands his primary objectives, which are the pack's job and not women's.

"You choose, Antonio; you know I don't bluff when it comes to things like that," Dane remarked. Antonio stood still, as though pondering his life choices. His cheery demeanor had darkened as he sat in his chair and resolved to work quietly. Dane, on the other hand, remained silent as he began eating his meal.

The stack of paperwork heaped on the side of his desk takes up virtually the entire space. Dane wiped off and sanitized his table before beginning to sign the forms. Some of these are documents that include a peace pact between all of the packs across the world. Documents pertaining to legal proof of the union. So, if one pack attacks them, their allies will come to defend them. That's how the werewolf's realm works.

"Send a softcopy of these signed documents to Dracian and Lumina Pack; they need this by tomorrow; make sure you've sent it by now," Dane said as he placed two folders on Antonio's desk.

"Which email address should I send them to?" his beta inquired.

"Eyes are built to read; their names are already inscribed in front of the documents; all you have to do is read it," Dane said sarcastically. He is dissatisfied with Antonio's performance. His beta's mind appears to be so preoccupied that he is unable to do his duties effectively.

Dane was doing his job while observing Antonio's restless conduct. He was about to start the proposal when his phone suddenly rang. The Luna of Andromeda's name flashed on his screen. He arched his brows in perplexity as his gaze was drawn to Antonio's desk, who was glancing at him anxiously before swiping the answer button.

"What the f**k, Dane!" exclaimed the woman at the other end of the line, prompting him to move the phone away from his ear. What the hell happened? Why is he being cursed?

"Why are you emailing me p**n videos? You cunt! If Zarick sees it, you'll be dead!" the woman said hysterically.

"What are you talking about, Cassandra? I did not send you an email!"

Pornographic videos? For God's sake, he doesn't have any p**n films on his computer, so why would he email something he doesn't have? Dane's awareness gradually dawned on him, and he cast a glance towards Antonio, who was working at his computer.

"You did, Dane! You just sent me an email; don't tell me your email was hacked?"

"I'll check it Cassandra; I'm sorry for that, but I didn't actually send you that," Dane said as he hung up the phone, ashamed.

"What the f**k did you do this time, Antonio?" he hissed, his eyes turning bloodshot. There was no other person that he could put the blame aside from the man in front of him. His beta is the only person who has access to his email, thus he can easily find out who did it.

"I...I got distracted, and I clicked the incorrect files," his beta explained. In a frenzy of passion, Dane sprung to his feet and punched Antonio in the face.

"You stupid piece of crap, why did you choose to transmit that f*****g nasty video to Cassandra out of all the people? Are you trying to damage my reputation?" he shouted, punching Antonio again. His instructions were clear and even elementary students could get them right away.

"Delete everything...all the p**n films you stored on your computer! Now!"

Dane was so stressed. If Zarick sees the video first, he will definitely raise a war. Considering how that man obsessively loves Cassandra, there's no way he would let it pass.

"Do your job well, Antonio, or you will never see that f*****g Seraphina again; I am giving you a warning!" Dane exclaimed coldly before returning to his swivel chair. He let out a cigarette to calm his raging flesh. His endeavor is to bring unity among packs and not to find an enemy, yet Antonio almost f****d it off.

Seraphina is the reason for his beta's preoccupation. This has never occurred before...until now, and the outcome is a disaster. Dane also had affections for Seraphina, which he can't deny, but what happened today had taught him a lesson. That woman would only be his ruin. As a result, Dane promises to do all in his power to keep that woman away from the pack from now on. He needed to keep Antonio sane. Having Seraphina in the pack won't do good. The result won't do them any good. A woman is indeed every man's downfall.