10

The Alpha made his way through the crowded ballroom, his eyes scanning the sea of faces. He had been on edge all day, worried about his mother's threats and eager to see his mate for himself.

And then, in the midst of the chatter and laughter, he caught a glimpse of her: his mate, standing near the entrance to the room. A surge of relief flooded through him, just like that.

But just as he began to make his way towards her, she disappeared, as if into thin air. He froze, his heart stopping, so tensed.

Steele stood rooted to the spot, his mind whirling. Had he really seen her? Or had he simply imagined it, his mind conjuring up a vision of what he most desired?

He shook his head, determined to find the truth.

He pushed his way through the crowd, his eyes searching for any sign of her but she was nowhere to be found. He began to grow frantic, his hands immediately clenching and unclenching at his sides.

"She was here." He whispered to himself. "I know she was here."

He was lost in his own thoughts when a gentle hand touched his shoulder. He turned to find his Beta at his side, a concerned look on his face.

He had noticed the Alpha from afar, noting how he grew apprehensive by each passing minute.

"What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost." Kade asked, his eyes on the Alpha's face.

Steele shook his head, his expression still haunted. He couldn't remember having a problem with either one of his eyes.

"I saw her." he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "She was here. I know she was here."

At his response, Beta Kade couldn't help and frowned, his brow furrowing, wondering if the Alpha was fantasizing.

"Your mate? Are you sure? She's been gone for years, my Alpha. And even if she had returned, why would she hide herself away like this?" He asked, skeptical. It'd be rude to say the Alpha was lying so he could only believe whatever he was told.

He turned to him with a sigh, rubbing his temple.

"I know what I saw. And she wasn't hiding. She looked as if she was waiting for something, or someone." He half yelled. Why wasn't he understanding him?

"Perhaps she's afraid," he continued, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Perhaps she knows what my mother will do."

The Beta's expression grew serious, his gaze shifting to the crowd. He never thought of that.

"If that is the case, then we must find her, and quickly. You shouldn't lose her yet again." Kade quickly said.

Steele and his beta moved through the palace, searching each room, each corner, each shadow. The ballroom was empty, the guests having long since retired to their homes for the night.

The gardens were silent, the moonlight casting shadows across the paths for them to see but there was no sign of the Alexia.

Quickly, Steele's frustration mounted. "She must have left the palace," he muttered to his Beta.

The Alpha and Kade made their way to the alpha chamber, his steps growing heavier as they walked. Without a word, he moved to the sideboard when they reached inside, pouring himself a glass of spirits. He downed it quickly, feeling the burn of the liquid in his throat.

Then he poured another, and another.
Kade watched him with both concern and pity. He was never that way, hopefully, Alexia would change that soon.

Steele downed another glass, the alcohol coursing through his veins, dulling the pain and anger that raged inside him. He was the Alpha, the leader of his pack, and yet he could not protect the one person who mattered most to him.

He slammed his fist against the sideboard, sending the bottles rattling.

"Where is she?" he growled, his voice an embodiment of rage and desperation. "Where is my mate?"

The Beta placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, he whispered. "She is not here, my alpha. We must accept that."

****

The morning light filtered through the curtains, bathing the Alpha's chamber in a soft and a warm glow. But the Alpha did not move, his body still and unresponsive on the bed. He had not slept throughout the long night, his mind tormented by images of his missing mate.

Hours passed, and the sun rose high in the sky. Still, Alpha Steele did not stir, his stomach growling with hunger and his throat parched with thirst. He had forgotten his duties, his pack, his responsibilities. All that mattered was finding his mate.

Finally, he rose from the bed, his body heavy and sluggish.

He made his way to the bathroom. He stepped into the shower, letting the hot water pour over his body, washing away the remnants of the previous day's events but even the water could not wash away the pain that burned in his heart.

When he emerged from the bathroom, his face was no longer pale but his eyes were dark with exhaustion. He ignored the call of his Beta, who had come to his chamber in search of him.0

He made his way to the garage, where his black SUV awaited him. The driver fell into silence and after bowing in acknowledgement, opened the door for him, and the Alpha slid into the back seat.

"Take me to the White Fang Pack." He ordered.

The driver nodded, saying nothing as he started the engine and pulled out of the pack grounds.

The drive was a blur, the alpha staring out the window, his eyes seeing nothing but memories of Alexia. He could still smell her scent, feel her touch, hear her cries back then in the woods but she was gone, and he had no idea how to find her.

The White Fang Pack's headquarters came into view, a large, sprawling complex that housed some of the most powerful wolves in the region. The Alpha stepped out of the SUV, his body moving stiff as he approached the front desk.

"I need to see your Alpha. It is a matter of life and death."

The receptionist, a young female wolf and a redhead nodded her head, her expression neutral.

"Of course, sir. Please follow me." She replied.

The Alpha followed her through the maze of corridors, his footsteps echoing through the hallways. Finally, they arrived at a large, ornate door, which the receptionist opened with a flourish before leaving.

Alpha Steele stepped into the room, his eyes falling on the White Fang Pack's Alpha, a tall, imposing figure with dark hair, a cigarette in his hand like every other day.

"Alpha Gray." Gone was the greetings he would exchange with him, he laid down what he had came for before Alpha Gray can interrupt. "I need your help."

Alpha Gray cocked his head to the side, curious as this was the first time the night Steele would come to him to demand of something even though they are close friends.

"Of course, Alpha Steele. What seems to be the problem?"

He took a deep breath. "My mate. She has disappeared, vanished into thin air. And I fear that something terrible has happened to her. It's been five years, might I add."

Alpha Gray's expression grew bothered almost immediately. He remembered Steele had once called him over the phone to share the news of him finally sensing his mate.

"This is a troubling news. Have you any idea what might have happened to her?" He asked him.

As Steele shook his head, his shoulders sagged. "I have searched high and low, but there is no sign of her. I fear that... that she may be dead." His last three words were conveyed with emphasis. He wondered how he managed to speak it out.

"If your mate has indeed met with such a situation, we must act swiftly. I will offer the full resources of my pack to aid in the search. We will not rest until we have found her, dead or alive." Alpha Gray jerked up his feet, throwing his cigarette aside and swinging into action.

The Alpha returned to his palace, the weight of his burden heavy on his shoulders. As he entered the grand dining hall, he was met with a sight that, on any other day, would have brought him comfort: his father, the former Alpha, standing in the center of the room, his arms crossed over his chest.

On the table before him, a feast had been laid out, but the Alpha had no appetite.

"You must eat. You cannot fight on an empty stomach."

Steele instantly shook his head. "I cannot eat. Not when she is out there, alone and in danger."

"I know how much you love her but you must take care of yourself if you wish to find her."

Deep down, he knew his father was right. He needed to be strong, to be at his best, if he was to find his mate. Slowly, he lowered himself into the chair, his hands trembling slightly as he reached for the nearest plate.

The former Alpha nodded. "Good. Now, tell me what you know of your mate's disappearance. We must begin our search at once."

He's been waiting for years, acting oblivious like he didn't know his son was battling with something troubling. He wanted him to come to him by himself, for once, he wanted him to feel the need to come to him rather than his mother, whom he'd always been going for.

Just like that, Steele relaid everything to his father. Internally grateful at least, he has one understanding person in his life. Something his mother stopped to be.