Chapter 10

ALEXANDER’S POV I remembered how the wind rushed past me, my wolf's energy intertwining with my own and driving me forward with an urgency that bordered on desperation. Every muscle, every instinct screamed that I needed to return to the capital—to her. I swerved my car around a bend, not bothering to check if anyone was coming. I had one thought on my mind. I needed to get to Eliza. I needed to see her. Memories of Eliza cascaded through my mind like fragmented scenes from a dream as I speed through the highways. Her strength, her fire, the way she had once looked at me—before everything fell apart. The way she commanded our legions when we trained. I can remember it vividly. “Close the flanks. Don't let the enemy through the gates.” She commanded as we were about to be raided on a journey. The troops followed her every command and although I wasn't there for the fight, the troops came back unscathed, praising her for her leadership. It was another one of the reasons that I was drawn to her in the first place. I couldn't lose her again. This second chance felt too precious, too rare to squander. My wolf prowled within me, its excitement matching my own. “We are going home.We are finally going back to her.” I smiled in agreement. Yes, we were. The capital's familiar landscape began to take shape—towers rising against the horizon, palace walls gleaming in the sunlight. As I approached, something extraordinary happened. Her scent—that intoxicating, unique essence that had always been Eliza—whispered through the air. And in that moment, everything made sense. Why her scent was drawing me in. Why it had hurt when I learned that she had gotten married to someone else. Why I had loved her from the moment we met at training. She was my mate. The revelation wasn't gradual. It wasn't a slow realization. It was a thunderbolt of certainty that struck me with such force that I almost stumbled. By fate, destiny, or whatever name one might give it, we had been brought back together. I burst into the palace halls, my heart racing. The bond dissolution ceremony was already done by the time I walked in, and there she stood—magnificent, defiant, unbroken. I didn't hesitate. I made my way to her, determination set in my heart. I took her hands in mine and went on my knees immediately, speaking my mind with urgency. "Eliza, will you marry me?" I said, the words emerging with a raw, primal immediacy that surprised even me. But something was... different. Eliza's expression wasn't what I had imagined. Instead of recognition of that deep mate connection, she looked puzzled. Confused even. My wolf whined softly in my mind. “We have lost our scent” And that's when it came to me. I had lost my scent. Well, it was stolen from me. The memory surfaced instantly. It all happened tears ago. A border patrol gone wrong. An enemy ambush. I had been caught in the crossfire as I tried to keep the intruders back, tried to stop them from overrunning the camp. There was blood everywhere. Screams of pain and agony. And the clashing of sounds echoing off he trees in the forest. Still, against it all I persevered, cutting down the obstacles that were before me to end this battle. Unfortunately I was attacked from behind. I fell to the ground, feeling my power drain. I turned around to try and fight and that's when I realized who was behind me. A sorcerer from the Dune Kingdom stood behind me a glowing sword in his hand. He’d spoken some incantation and then he’d taken it. My scent. I managed to drive the attackers back with the help of my forces but I was never the same again. Also, the sorcerer was nowhere to be found. Anxiety twisted in my gut at the realization. Would Eliza reject me? After everything? Does she really have no idea of who I am? My face fell at the thought. To my surprise, Eliza didn't dismiss me outright. "While I'm never short of admirers," she remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice, "your actions have earned you some consideration." She said her eyes flitting to her ex-husband Derek. Consideration. It wasn't a rejection. It was a challenge. And challenges? Those were something I understood perfectly. My lips curved up into a smile, making it known that I was happy that there was still a chance. Without breaking eye contact with Eliza, I stood up, drew my sword and turned to Derek, pointing the blade at his jugular. "A duel," I proposed, my voice resonating with intent. "A tribute to win her favor." I could see Eliza smile from the corner of my eye and a random woman frown with disapproval but my focus was on Derek. If he had the balls then he would accept the duel. My wolf howled in anticipation and I smirked, edging him on as he glared at me. The game was about to begin.