Four

I was growling as I stood and walked towards the window. I clicked open the locks and pulled up the window. I saw no one outside. Practically, nothing. My window faced the forest and it was dark out. I growled when I couldn’t hear my wolf now. A minute and she wanted me to open the damned window and when I did, she hung up on me? I closed it again, not liking the idea that some mateless wolf would come barging in on my sleep. I sighed in relief when my wolf didn't argue when I closed it. As I went to bed, a loud howl was heard all over the pack. I was stunned. The howl seemed frustrated, irritated, and longing. The thought of some mateless wolf finding my scent made me pale. I forgot that the pack guesthouses were soundproof and, in our case, smell-proof. It was made that way to prevent our mates from smelling us and breaking the purpose of the pack tradition. Also, if another Alpha came for a meeting visit, overall privacy should apply to them. That was why guesthouses were made that way. Someone must have caught my scent as I open the window. Probably lost me when I closed it again. Was it my mate? Was it a mateless wolf? I cringed at the last part. 'What have you done!' I angrily said to my wolf. 'Just a tease, that's all.' My wolf playfully said. I growl at her and shut her up. She does not seem aware of the danger her abnormality can cause! That loud howl from a wolf was scary. It made my knees weak and jelly. Whoever it was, I needed to be careful before the ball. ** I woke up from soft knocks on my door. Brushing my eyes with the back of my palm, I slipped on a robe and headed to the door. My head felt light when I woke up, feeling exhausted even after a deep slumber. I thought I couldn’t sleep right away after the howl I had heard last night but my wolf was at peace, making me sleep soundly. Not even a slight feeling that I was near danger. I have welcomed with a trolley pushcart with food covered in a cloche tray when I open the door. I can smell its delicious scent, almost savoring it. My stomach made a loud growl, making me feel how famished I was. No one was there. They just left the food behind. I pulled the trolley inside my room and closed the door, making sure to lock it again. 'Food arrived, sleepyheads!' Someone mind-linked me and I was certain it was Ava. We were from the same pack and already met each other, being able to access the mind link. I guess she sent all five of us from Regal Pack the same message. I chose not to give a response and headed to the bathroom to wash my face. After, I sat on the chair inside the room and placed the tray on the table. My mouth drools upon seeing how delicious the served food was. I grabbed the spoon and start digging in. I ate in silence, thinking of what to do today before the ball. Invitations were sent to me together with the food. It'll be our key to enter the ball. The invite indicates the time the event will start which was 7 p.m. I kept the invites safe, making sure they wouldn’t be lost or misplaced otherwise I will be doomed. I have the dress that Ophelia bought for me so I don't need to buy one from the shops which was what it usually should. It's an olive green dress with a slit on both legs. The color Ophelia picked sure compliments the shade of my deep green eyes. A silver pair of heels came with the dress. Ophelia being the fashion addict that she was will never style me with an incomplete package. She knew I suck at dressing up. I also have a silver necklace with the Regal Packs' crest as its pendant. Paired with inch-long silver earrings. I'm sure I'll shine tonight at the ball. Literally. The thought made me want to toss every shining stuff in my luggage. But of course, I didn't. I also need to make my face presentable. I never do make-up well but I knew the basics. I guess I can fix myself for the ball tonight. With all those tasks aside, I was left with nothing to do for the rest of the day. I was thinking of shifting into my wolf form and roaming the Prime land. I love to have a run, to ease my feelings and feel free, but were scared someone will track my scent. I'm lucky if it was my mate I'll find as my mission will be done but if not, then I'll have a mateless wolf running after me. Despite the last thought, I badly want to shift and run in this territory. It's a huge land, mostly green. The air was fresh, and the ambiance here was calming that I'd want to rest with nature. I feel like I can roam around freely without judging eyes stabbed at my back, unlike my pack. Here, no one knew me. It's like living a new life. Creating a new identity. For the first time in my life, I was grateful for having a mate away from home. It's the first time I felt grateful for this mate thing. With my inhibitions, I decided to go for that run. Planning for safety routes, I'll probably head to the river. It's mostly wooded on the way and has less chance of being spotted.   I took a shower and wore a loose shirt with short shorts. I did not bother to wear anything inside since I'll be shifting later. I went out of the guesthouse, making sure to avoid crowds. I bought bottled water at a store, making sure the storekeeper was a woman. I'm starting to have anxiety about my wolf's abnormality. Since the back of the guesthouse was the woods, I decided to start from there. Quite thankful that everyone around me was female. Luck was still on my side since male wolves needed to stay out of the guest's sight before the mapping ball. The idea was to prevent men from distinguishing their mates before the party and breaking the purpose of the ceremony. As I walked in the woods, one hand holding bottled water, I looked for a tree big enough to cover me. I need to take off my clothes so I won't rip them when I shift. I settled as I saw one. Looking sideways, I made sure no one was around. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head, stripping my shorts after. The cool wind wrapped my naked skin, a cold breeze of air coming from my lips as I breathe. I called for my wolf, wanting to feel the warmth of fur all over me, and shifted into my wolf form. The feeling was serene. I loved how welcoming nature was in this land. As I landed on all fours, I'm thirsty to have a run. I started my way up North. I can smell the river ahead, hearing the currents and chirps of birds clear in my ears. My wolf happily ran fast towards the river. I run fast and free. At this moment, nothing bothers my mind as if every hard thought I have now faded. My wolf was enjoying herself, telling herself that she belonged here. That this was where she should be. I reached the clearing to be amazed by how beautiful the scenery is. Clear blue waters gush freely in the river, and green grass and tall trees surround them. I love it! The river was calling to me, for me to jump and take a swim. I did. I jumped in the air, ready to fall into the cold water. Just when I was about to land in the water, I shifted back into my human form, making a perfect dismount. The cold water made my naked skin shiver, almost painful but also relaxing. I swam until I was out of breath. I inhaled deeply, letting the air flow back to my lungs, filling it. Suddenly, I snapped my neck to my right. I can smell a wolf. Someone's here! I hid in the water, crossing my arms on my chest. Feeling visible under the clear water. Bones snapping and clothes stretching are what I heard next. The wolf just shifted into his human form. A guy around my age showed himself coming behind a tree. He was wearing a short but left his chest bare. He has blonde-brown messy hair, tall and lean. "Why are you here?" His voice sounds irritated. With knotted forehead, he eyed me boldly making me wrap my chest more. He took a step forward but not too close. My breath was hitching from the cold. "I..." "Are you one of the guests?" He cut my words, focusing his eyes on mine. I nodded. Unable to speak from shivering. Damn, I need to get out of the water now or I'll die from freezing! "Walk out of the water. And wear this." He threw a black shirt on the ground and turned his back on me, giving me privacy. I hesitated at first but when another cold wind passes me, I pulled myself out of the water. My moves were quick, needing to get out of the cold. I grabbed his offered shirt and wear it, the hem reaching mid-thigh. The fabric was not helping the freezing feeling tormenting my skin. The guy looked my way again once I was dressed. My arms were still wrapped in front of my chest, trying to have a self-warmth that eventually failed. I'm freezing! "I'm Nick, the Beta of the Prime. This part of the land was off-limits!" His voice raises a bit and hasn't changed, still irritated and a bit tired at that. So he was the Beta. I only know pack information and the names of those in higher rank positions but not how they look. This Nick was good-looking. Cruz would be a Beta like him in a few weeks. How I missed that guy.   "I'm sorry, I didn't know. I promise I won't come here again." I said, trying to control my shaking voice. I'm not scared, just freaking freezing! Nick sighed, dropping his eyes to the ground before shutting it tightly. "I'm sorry I raised my voice. I'm just too tired of handling everything while our Alpha is out there nowhere." I was shocked by his change of mood. He just started whining to a stranger, he might not be too strict as he looked. I saw how Nick's eyes widened, probably realizing what he had just said. "Damn it!" He cursed under his breath. "Pretend you didn't hear that." He ordered but his expression was almost childlike. He looked cute in a way. "I didn't hear every word you said," I said, grinning ears to ears now. I was still freezing but was starting to enjoy talking with Nick. He sighed in relief and smiled at me. "Let me walk you back to the guesthouse." He said, starting to be friendly. We walked forward to the forest. I'd like to shift back in my wolf form since I was still freezing but since Nick offered me a company back to the guesthouse, I thought I shouldn't. "So where is your Alpha?" I decided to ask. I've been curious about it when he mentioned that earlier. Alpha's must be present at the ball tonight. It's a pack tradition and it's the Alpha's job to witness every new She-Wolves his pack will have. Also, if the Alpha was mateless yet, he must be there. "You said you'll pretend you didn't hear it." Nick's eyes were looking at me, widened in disbelief. I chuckled. His face was so funny right now. "Sorry. I was just curious. It's the mapping party later and Alpha's should be there." He sighed agreeing to my words. "I don't know where he is. I've been looking for him but I can't find him anywhere. Every work was left behind and I finished all of them on his behalf. That doesn't make me happy." His whines are so childish. If I was not in the mood for humorous talk right now, I might have said it's his job as a Beta. But I just laughed at him. "That river is my last resort. If he was not there then I don't know where he is. That's his spot. That's why it is off-limits. If he was the one who found you, you could be dead right now." "Well, I guess I'm lucky it is you who found me." "You bet." He said grinning at me. I laughed again. He was so full of himself but whines because of overwork. I'd like to say it to his face but didn't. He paused walking and stare at nowhere. I was confused before I realized he must be talking with someone in his mind. He closed his eyes and sighed a heavy breath before looking down at me. "I need to make a detour. You can go back by yourself?" I nodded my answer and said my thanks. He nodded at me, his face looking serious again before turning his back to me. Running with his inhuman speed. As for me, I decided to shift on my wolf saying sorry to Nick's-now ripped shirt, and run back to where I left my clothes.   Nick's POV   I was running South when one of the wolf guards told me they spotted Aiden. That guy has been gone since yesterday night and blocked everyone from his mind, not letting us send a message. I was exhausted from all the work he left behind. He never leaves his works unfinished but now. If Aiden was in the South part of the land then he must be in the ruins. I reached it and spotted him leaning his back on a big tree near the ruined building. This building used to be the pack building before the war took place between the Ravenous pack. It was a tragic war, many of our wolves died and some home was burned down to ashes. Aiden's father was the Alpha back then. Aiden was naked and unconscious. Numerous bottles of liquor were on the ground everywhere. I walked to him slowly.   "How'd you find me?" Aiden said with a low growl. He then sniffed in the air. "Who're you with?" "Some guest who got lost," I replied, slightly unsure why he asked. He just shrugged so I let it go. "What happened to you? The ball will be in a few hours. You can't attend it wasted." I kicked some of the bottles stumbling my way. I swear I sound like a mom now. "Like I can get drunk." He said. Yeah, well, his immunity to alcohol was way over average. I sighed. "What's your problem, man!" My tone was frustrated and irritated by his behavior. Lately, he was not in his usual self. Something's bothering him and I know it's his wolf. "I found my mate." He scoffed, sounding unhappy and disappointed. "Really? Who was it?" "I never did see her. I just know she's here. I smelled her scent." Aiden's voice was hoarse and tired. I know he never liked the thought of having a mate. Well, I understood him. Despite what happened in the past, I was sure he won't like the idea of having one. "Your howl scared everyone last night," I informed him. I'm serious! I felt his pain through our pack bond that I almost peed on my pants. "That's not me. It's my wolf. It's angry that I'm rejecting the idea of having her. He's frustrated that we didn't catch her. The scent was gone in a blink, we didn't meet her." Our wolves can be annoying at times like having our mate. It was hard to control when it wants to be around a female. If my Alpha was having a hard time, then I can just imagine how it feels. Alpha's have stronger control of their wolf. But I guess when it comes to mates, Alpha was not an exception. "You should be at the ball tonight." Whatever was happening between him and his wolf, he can't abandon his role tonight. He growled, getting agitated by the thought that he was left with no choice. "I know." He answers in defeat. I sighed. I wonder how it felt like to have a mate your wolf wants but your humanity refuses to have. It's not like the human side of Aiden can shut the bond. His wolf will torment him for sure. Aiden stood up, no expression can be read in his eyes. This kind of sight from him screams how dangerous he can be. "You know, not everyone will be like her." I want to cut my tongue as the words slipped into my mouth. Damn! I'll be killed because of my clumsiness. I was expecting Aiden to beat me to a pulp but no reaction came from him. "She can be all she wants because I'll never be stupid like my father." A sharp growl escaped from Aiden's throat before he jumped in the air and landed on the ground in his black wolf. I watched him run away to the center, back from home. I want to believe his words but having a mate was like being chained. If Aiden can fight his wolf, then his words may be true. Otherwise, he'll be hell-bent on his mate's feet.