Chapter 4
818 Words
Cassian Draven's POV
I hated this place, I didn’t want to be here.
Silverhollow Pack was so weak and politically dependent, barely above water in wealth or strength. Still, it was my job as Lycan King to attend their treaty renewal ceremony, so here I was.
The moment I stepped into the celebration hall, I felt out of place. It was not because I wasn’t welcome, because everyone gave me space and bowed like they should.
However, it was because my instincts screamed that something here was wrong.
The Alpha and Luna of Silverhollow weren’t exactly sharp-minded. They led more out of habit than wisdom, at least they kept their pack alive, I suppose. Barely.
I stood off to the side with Danford, my Beta, as the ceremony started.
"They're passing the Alpha title to their son," Danford muttered. "Kael Thorn, heard of him?"
"I don't think so." I said.
Kael stepped up onto the stage with a she-wolf holding his hand. Her smile was painted on like a mask. Pretty, in an obvious way, Nyla Voss. Her father had influence, and this pairing was clearly a move to strengthen ties.
The old Alpha gave a short speech and called out my presence, making people clapped politely.
Kael said his vows. "…to the best of my abilities."
Power transferred, and cheers erupted. Music started and the glasses clinked.
"Can we leave now?" Danford groaned, scanning the crowd.
"No, not yet. We'll leave tomorrow, be patient."
Danford grunted, he spotted a group of she-wolves giggling in our direction. The grin on his face said enough while he strolled off, already smoothing his shirt.
I stayed.
I mingled a little, and answered questions from lesser Alphas. I told them what they wanted to hear, but the truth was, I was distracted.
Saga, my Lycan, was pacing in my chest. He was restless, growling and ucomfortable.
Then he stopped, a sharp stillness spread through my body.
'Mate.'
That one word hit like a lightning strike. I straightened, my eyes scanned the crowd desperately.
'Where is she?' I asked.
There was no answer, Just her scent, faint and distant like lilacs in the wind.
She wasn't in the hall, I didn’t think. I moved.
I stormed down the hall toward the Alpha wing because I needed answers.
At the Alpha’s office door, I paused. Moans came from inside, I clenched my jaw, disgusting.
I turned and headed for the former Alpha, he was chatting, drinking, laughing.
I walked straight to him.
"Has every member of your pack attended tonight's ceremony?" My voice was low, but deadly.
He was surprised at the question I asked, the Luna stepped behind him. The other Alphas stepped away from my aura.
"Y-yes, my King, all unmated females were summoned."
"You're lying, she's not here. My mate is near, but hidden, her scent is fading."
The Luna trembled. "We followed tradition, we called them all I swear."
But something else hit me then, panic. It was not mine, but hers
I felt every trembling breath and every burst of terror, because I knew something was happening to her.
Saga surfaced fast, his voice echoed in my skull, deep and angry.
'NOW!'
"If I don't find her in five minutes, then this pack will burn!" I roared. My voice was echoing like thunder.
Everyone gasped, and a few seconds later, there were loud murmurs.
Then a voice called out. "My King! There are women in the dungeon, maybe she's there."
I didn’t respond, I just ran.
The guards at the dungeon saw me coming and scrambled away. Her scent slammed into me like a tidal wave. It was becoming closer and stronger.
Then I heard her, a scream.
Mine.
I reached the cell, the bars were silver, thick, and reinforced, but they were nothing to me as I ripped them off and charged in.
Blood.
She was on the floor, her claws out, but shaking. Her eyes was blue, wide, and terrified.
Elara Quinn.
A man was on top of her with no shirt. He was breathing heavily and disgustingly.
Something inside me shattered. Immediately, saga took over.
"Mate," he growled.
The guards looked in shock, and everyone froze.
And then I moved, I didn't hold back, I killed them.
They died fast, and blood was on the walls. Broken bodies as my claws ripped through flesh like it was paper.
When it was done, I dropped to my knees beside her.
She was so light, with pale skin, blood and bruises all over her. Her breath was barely there.
I brushed hair from her face. She blinked up at me, trying to raise a hand, but it fell before touching me.
I kissed her forehead. "What did they do to you?"
She didn’t answer, she just slipped into darkness. I held her close as fury was burning in my veins.
Someone would pay for this, with blood!
- Writer
