Chapter 3 CHAPTER
Vladimir’s Point of View
Lucas entered my office while I reviewed the pack business. His face showed tension while his breathing remained heavy.
The security system has suffered a breach which requires immediate attention Alpha.
I moved the papers in front of me to the side. “Call our best warriors. I need all warriors to gather within five minutes.
Lucas nodded quickly before leaving the room. I took a deep breath while straightening my shoulders—another damn intrusion. I didn’t need this right now.
Lucas and I shared an unbreakable bond since our childhood days. As my Beta and closest friend and life protector, he held the position of my most trusted confidant. His dedication to his responsibilities bordered on excessive. He refused to use my name in public because he believed that Alpha status required respect, which would make others follow his example.
I let him have his way. Our relationship remained precisely the same after this incident.
Lucas discovered his mate at the age of eighteen. I envied him for that. Each time I witnessed them together, my stomach twisted into a knot. He noticed, of course. He always did. He made efforts to separate our relationship from my presence because he saw my reaction to their bond. The situation improved my mood yet failed to eliminate the void that existed within me.
I encountered her during my sixth year of life. My mate. It's the only one meant for me. Her black eyes stood out as the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and her pale skin glowed under the moonlight. I still vividly recall the smile she gave me when I was six years old.
And I had lost her.
She stood there one instant before disappearing when I looked away—my biggest regret. My life remains empty because I let go of her.
I pursued every intruder into our territory because I desperately wanted it to be her.
Tonight, I would look again.
The moment I approached the gate Dad firmly gripped my shoulder. He spoke with a steady voice that brought comfort to my heart when he said "You'll find her soon, son."
I wanted to believe him. But it had been twenty years.
Twenty years of searching.
The passing of twenty years since I was instructed to forget.
My parents made attempts to set up an arranged marriage for me. I knew deep down that she remained somewhere in the world. My wolf companion Raz understood this truth as well. We would stay there indefinitely regardless of how much time passed.
A deep growl emerged from my chest before I transformed into my wolf form to approach the intruder whom my warriors had captured. The blood on his teeth made him sneer at me as he stood before me.
Our pack link enabled Lucas to transmit his voice directly into my mind.
"He's the one. The child trafficker. The person who steals children to sell them is a bastard."
Rage ignited in my veins. Our pack endured these kidnappings for multiple years. The children continued to vanish despite the pack's elevated security measures.
Three years.
Three years of failure.
This revolting Silverback Wolf showed his teeth at me in a display of arrogance.
I stepped forward. “Who is your leader? Where are the children?”
His laugh was slow, deliberate. The Alpha stands before me as he pleads.
A threatening growl escaped my body. I tightened my jaw muscles to push Raz away from me. “This is your last chance. You must reveal the information I need before I tear your throat out.
His grin widened. Your entire pack's children will suffer death before the end of this day. Your weak MoonLitShade Pack will crumble to ruin alongside their demise.
I let Raz take over.
A swift motion allowed me to drive my fangs into his throat before I ripped his body into pieces. Blood sprayed across the dirt. His dead body broke into pieces as it hit the ground in front of me.
Then—
Snap.
A twig broke somewhere nearby.
I whipped my head around, my gaze locking onto the source of the sound.
And then—
My world stopped.
She was there.
A figure stood motionless across the Lake as moonlight illuminated her under the night sky. The water between us did not hide the truth from me because I knew beyond any doubt.
It was her.
My mate.
Her beauty surpassed my previous memory of her.
The time I had spent waiting for this moment seemed endless. I had dreamed about this moment countless times.
She was mine. And I would never let her go. I would choose to imprison her if such a decision became necessary. I would choose to cage her if necessary.
The triumphant howl of Raz spread through our shared bond with his joy. He desired to sprint toward her, touch her, and establish his ownership.
But then—
Something changed.
Someone grabbed her.
A person was dragging her away from my reach.
Raz roared in a fury. Our mate was being taken. Torn away from us. Again.
The pack link transmitted my howl through the air.
"MATE. GO AFTER HER. NOW."
The warriors reacted immediately by sending their howls across the Midnight Grove.
I ran.
She vanished into the forest depths. The scent she left in my lungs was disappearing quickly.
No. No, no, no.
I wouldn’t lose her again.
I couldn’t.
The path ended at a tiny villa. My pulse pounded. My mate was inside. The villa walls carried the sounds of loud shouting voices that expressed anger. Was she being hurt?
The idea drove Raz into a state of uncontrollable panic.
I rushed toward the door with the intention of breaking it down.
Lucas blocked my path at that moment.
The words exploded from his mouth with fury. I growled. “She’s in there! She’s mine! Stand aside now, or I will destroy you.
Lucas stood his ground. “Alpha, listen to me.”
“She could be in danger!”
Lucas warned me in a firm tone that entering the house like this would make my mate fear me. She witnessed the incident near the Lake. Your current state of fear will make her flee.
Raz whimpered.
I clenched my fists. He was right. My mate had already seen a violent and brutal incident. She must be afraid. My aggressive Alpha behavior would make her reject me forever.
Lucas told me about the new family that had settled in the area. I need to talk with the city head. I need to learn everything about her. You can meet her after you have regained your composure.
My logical side understood his advice was correct.
A powerful force inside me desired to break through that door and claim my possession.
I made myself take a step away from the situation. I had waited this long. I could wait a little longer.
Lucas promised that she would stay in the city for an extended period.
The knowledge that I could maintain control prevented me from losing control.
I clenched my jaw when I walked away. “Gather all the details. Her name, her family. I want to know everything.”
She would always belong to me.
I would seize her against her will if necessary.
The day after, I would encounter my destined life partner.
But… would she accept me? Or would she run again?