#4
982 Words
Eryx.
"It's not safe to go alone. We would be finished if any rogue discovers your identity" Cade protested for the third time today.
"I need to see for myself what they are plotting. They already declared war on us and we have no idea how large their armies are or how strong their formation is" I paused. "And don't forget. I am the Alpha. There's no way I'm going down just like that."
"I could go instead—"
"—Prepare a horse for me, the type commoners ride" I stood up from my throne and walked into my room to get dressed.
I understood Cade's concern.
This is going to be a very dangerous mission and I am not planning on sacrificing any of my men for it.
I had to be back before the next day, if not, the ministers would notice my absence and words would spread.
Changing my clothes, I got on the horse prepared for me, a brown fast horse.
"I'll be back very soon. Until then, I leave it all in your hands" I rode off, following a detailed map I had managed to secure from a rogue kept in custody.
For years, I had been chasing after her but couldn't get any lead. She disappeared completely, like she was never there.
Many red haired maidens were brought in, claiming they were the one I was looking for. Some went as far as getting the mark, hoping it was enough to fool me.
But none of them had her scent.
Talia had been all over me, trying to convince me that the Luna was gone, that she could have been eaten by hungry wolves.
She had tried persuading me on many occasions to break off the mate bond and make her my Luna.
The ministers had grown worried and gave me a span of five years to find her. If not, I'd have to choose another mate.
I had already started to lose hope. Maybe she ran because she didn't want me. Maybe she feared me.
I got down from my horse and walked into the rogue's territory, the cape on my head successfully masking my identity. In here, I am nothing.
Walking into the market, I stayed to the side, my eyes roaming around. There were old, young, strong and weak people going about, purchasing goods.
I started to walk further until my wolf caught a sniff.
White lotus and vanilla.
I looked around until I caught sight of her.
The hood of her cloak was down, her red hair looking the most beautiful I had ever laid my eyes on.
I looked at her hands and saw her holding the hands of two children. The little boy said something to her which made her cover her hair, tucking every strand into her hood.
A pang of jealousy hit me immediately, different thoughts running through my mind.
Are those children hers??
Just as I was about to chase after her, a lady bumped into me.
"OH MY GOD!! You poured all my veggies on the floor!!" She screamed, drawing attention to us — the very last thing I needed here.
I looked around and couldn't find a trace of her or the children.
"Excuse me" I said, about to walk away when she gripped my cloak.
"Where are you going? You think you can just act anyhow because I am a female??" She yelled.
I gritted my teeth and turned to her, growing more annoyed with each passing second.
"I. Am. Sorry" I said, looking straight into her eyes.
A witch, huh?
She gasped in recognition. She knows who I am. I have to leave now.
"Wait!! You are...." I looked down immediately. I could just blend with the crowd and leave. That would be the wisest thing to do.
"Aunt Freya!!" We both turned to see the two children from before running towards us. The girl was crying while stuffing dumplings in her mouth.
"Where's your mom??" Freya asked, bending down to wipe the little girl's tears.
Mom? So she's their mom?
Did she start another family while I was out turning the world upside down to find her??
"She said to come and ask for help" The sharp little boy said, still looking calm and collected for a child who had been running.
"A man was chasing us...." The girl started crying all over again.
A man?
I looked around and spotted one of my disposed soldiers. He was hiding behind a building, eyes on the kids. What is he doing here??
"Where is your mom?" I asked.
"She is at home—"
"Shut up Diana. Mom said we shouldn't talk to strangers" Her brother frowned, looking at me with suspicious eyes.
"What about your father?" I asked. "Isn't he supposed to be protecting you all?"
"I'm here!!" Someone yelled from behind. He pushed past me like I was nothing and ran to hug them.
"I heard what happened. Let's go and find Mom" He held their hands and turned to me. "Who are you?"
There was my answer.
"He's nobody, Ryan....and was just about to leave, right?" Freya turned to me, her eyes so stern that I felt compelled to nod.
I see I am not needed. Not only does she have her husband and children with her, she still has a very supportive witch for a friend.
Was I too late?
I couldn't stop my aching heart. With every step I took, I wondered if things would have been different had I found her sooner.
My wolf had been urging me to go back to her. It still believed that since she hadn't broken the mate bond, there was still a chance for both of us.
But I knew clearly. I had already lost her. I had to let go of that intoxicating scent of hers.
Goodbye, Mate.
- Writer
