Chapter 36

A FEW MINUTES EARLIER.

Lorenzo.

I found myself in the woods, the smell of the thick forest enveloping my senses as I ran, as fast as my legs could carry me.

I couldn't shift. Hell, I haven't been able to shift for as long as I can remember. I might have, but that must be Hunter because whenever he surfaces, I never know what he did. But little snippets.

It was dark and the wind swept across my face as my body hit a tree.

Until he showed up. My pursuer. Only that he looked so familiar. As familiar as my reflection in a mirror.

My lips parted before I could make sense of it. "Hunter?"

He smirked, "Hello, Lorenzo. Nice meeting you. 'Officially'."

We stared at each other for a while, eventually, we were both sat on tree trunks, chatting away.

The next thing I remember was feeling a range of emotions until it turned into a fucking therapy session, where I got to bare my heart out.

"...I am a loner. I have been a loner for as long as I can remember. I didn't choose my fate. Why is this happening now?"

"Because Valerie is our fated mate. The one, the Moon goddess had arranged for us. The future Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, who is going to save this Pack from ruin, as declared in the prophecy."

"What? What are you saying? Valerie and I aren't mates. That's not possible."

Although, I couldn't deny that I have begun to fancy her. And lately, I've felt this strange attraction and vulnerability toward her. But I still couldn't help but wonder how true all this was.

"Exactly what I said, Lorenzo. Valerie is the chosen Luna of this Pack. The one who would bear you an heir."

I huffed at that, "Don't be delusional, Hunter. Ellie is carrying my pup. My heir. So I think you need to recheck your facts." I stood up from the floor, flexing my muscles.

It was a known fact... according to an old witch's prophecy, that my fated mate would be a savior to the Pack. The one who would liberate us all, from a deadly mishap likely to occur shortly.

Her words, 'Only when the true Alpha and his fated mate copulate and bears an heir would the Pack be saved from utter ruin.'

And just as you'd guessed, I didn't just have to locate my 'fated mate'. She would have to give me an heir.

But that was bullshit. At some point, I took those words seriously. Searching for my mate, like my life depended on it, for years, but no luck.

At one point, years ago, I had hoped it was Amber. We'd been close for a long time, way before she got her wolf. I waited for her to get her wolf since I couldn't feel the bond. But ended up being disappointed.

Amber was a female, I knew I'd ever truly loved...her memories were often associated with so much pain, which I always dreaded to think about.

"You know what I am capable of, Lorenzo. I tear apart anyone and anything that comes my way. And that includes Ellie if she's gonna be an obstacle. Valerie is the one for us. She still hasn't gotten her wolf, until the full moon, which undoubtedly would be in a few days. But I can smell her already. Her wolf is in there, not just out yet."

"What are you saying? If you could sniff her out, then why couldn't I?"

"Because you are nothing without me. You are just a spineless human with no sense of direction. You altered the balance between us, the very first moment you decide to inject yourself with that dangerous serum!"

"Really? How about you come clean and tell me what exactly you are? And do not give me the usual crap. Wolves aren't as feral as you are. This is something else."

He stood up, rubbing his hands together, "Well, that was smart of you. But that is a discussion for another day."

I stood right after him, "No! This discussion is far from over."

"You do not get to tell me what to do, Lorenzo. Believe it or not, you need me. We are a part of each other. Maybe you should learn to accept that, first."

And then, I asked, "Why did you kill them?"

He was quiet, and I knew he knew what I was asking. The question I've been meaning to get an answer to, all these years.

"Why did you kill our parents, Hunter?"

"Oh, please, Enzo. The question should be, why did WE kill them?"

"That was all you, and you know that. Same with Amber."

At the mention of Amber, his eyes shone dangerously and he snarled, "You shouldn't speak of her."

<<<<

That was the last thing I heard as I sat up the bed abruptly, sweating profusely.

I had locked myself in a guest room, secluded from all others in the mansion, for two whole days. Away from the bustle of activities currently in place, but mostly for my mental health.

I stood up, and my feet dragged me toward the door. Hunter's words kept ringing in my ears as I made my way forward, my feet moving in the direction of the room she was in.

I had barely gotten close when I heard her voice. My brows creased as I wondered who she might be talking to. She sounded pissed, so this wasn't her, talking to herself.

A few steps to the door, and her voice became louder and angrier.

"....rather die than be with a sick twisted man like your Alpha!"

Those were her words. For some reason, I froze. The weight of the words caused a wave of shock to pierce through me, making my jaws suddenly clench in anger.

In two quick steps, I was at the door and I pushed it open.

My eyes met hers first, delving into the deep hues of her beautiful Amber eyes, which were filled with surprise and of course, anger and hate, underneath.

My anger surged forward, brimming in my eyes as my gaze trailed down her body. Discovering she was just in a towel. A white fluffy towel that hardly went down her lap.

What's worse? Fucking Klaus and Kai were in the room as well.

I was still frozen at the spot, when she quickly turned her back, walking into the bathroom.

Slowly, I clenched my fists, my breath coming out in harsh gasps as I gave them a death glare.

"Alpha," Kai started, but I raised a hand, cutting him off.

"What the actual hell are you both doing in here?" I asked, but my eyes were fixed on Klaus.

He, especially, was not to be trusted at all.

"Oh, he lives," Klaus said, shaking his head, "You look like a mess. Where the hell have you been?"

"I believe that does not in any way give a befitting answer to the question I just asked. Why are you in my fucking room!?"

Kai scoffed, shaking his head, "We have an issue, Alpha. I've been looking all over for you, since yesterday."

"Yeah.." Klaus chirped in, "I mean....it's none of my business, but Aunt has been looking for you. As well as some visitors from the other Packs, awaiting your presence. And lest you 'forgot', the reason why we are all here. Your mating ceremony." He glanced at Kai and then at me.

It would be total bullshit if he expected me to believe the crane that came out of his mouth.

He turned to walk away, but suddenly paused, "Also, you should be thankful to me. Your Beta would have bitten your little pet's ears off."

He left abruptly, and I blinked, turning my gaze to Kai, who had a pissed-off look in his eyes, "What was that?"

He was anxious, unfocused, and pacing the room.

"What is going on?" I asked, in a low tone.

"Was Ellie with you by any chance? She is nowhere to be found and I am beginning to get worried."

My brows drew together in displeasure, "Ellie? Seriously, Kai? You came in here to search for Ellie...did you by any chance think, or recall, that Ellie is a grown-ass woman who must have run off somewhere for a while? I wouldn't be surprised. She is your sister, so I expect more from you."

He shook his head slightly, meeting my gaze, "I wouldn't barge in here if it isn't urgent. Something is wrong, Alpha. She doesn't do stuff like this. The ceremony is in a few days and...and on top of it all, she is pregnant."

"Then I suggest you wait it out, Kai," I uttered, ignoring the baffled look on him. "And I honestly do not appreciate you coming into this room, as long as Val is still here."

Not letting him speak further, I walked past him, making my way into the bathroom, where she had run off.

I was agitated, pissed, and a whole other emotions I couldn't quite place. More so, as she stood there, mere inches between us, with just a towel on.

I wanted to be sure. I 'needed' to feel something. Anything, that'd certify Hunter's claims.

'If she is my mate,' I thought, 'then, where does that leave us?'

I needed to have a much-needed discussion with her, but she had just made it clear she didn't want to talk to me.

I grabbed her arm in a swift motion, the sudden act, causing her towel to loosen off her body.

Her eyes flew open. But, I hardly let her register it, as I pulled her body against mine, swallowing her gasp in a searing kiss.

I held her, my lips kissing hers passionately. Even as she tried to pull away, hitting at my chest to stop, I paid her no mind. Rather, I tangled my hands in her hair, pulling her impossibly closer to my chest.

My hands trailed down to her now naked body, caressing her breast, causing a low sound to escape the back of her throat.

I could hear her heart rate and could feel her pulse quickening. Nonetheless, she did not attempt to stop me as her arms began to slowly relax.

Taking that as a cue, my lips trailed down to her neck, kissing my way down...

Until a sharp kick in my sheen, sent my eyes flying open and a wave of pain to course through me.

A sharp groan escaped my lips as I stared at her in amazement.

"Are you insane?!" She growled out, pulling away from me in an instant.

Her hands immediately flew to her chest, as she bent a little lower, grabbing the towel.

Her cheeks were red and flaming and I couldn't believe she'd just done that.

Before I could say a word, a loud commotion was heard just outside the room.

My brows furrowed and like a reflex, I dashed out of the room in fast steps. Only to find the hallway crowded, the maids scampering about and my Aunt, lying unconscious at the foot of the door.