Chapter 5

Adrian's POV

I sat down dejectedly in the back of the car as Thomas, one of the pack warriors I took with me, drove back to the pack. Another search for my mate in other packs proved futile. I have been doing this for two years now, and all have been abortive.

What I want the most in this life is my mate, someone I can love and cherish and call my own. Someone who will rule my kingdom alongside me and bear my pups when the time is right. My own Queen.

I see my parents in love every day, and I wish I could have that for myself. My Dad loves my Mom so much, and the same goes for her, too. They have the kind of love I wish I'd always get, but I haven't found my mate.

I have been going around packs under the guise of checking up on them, but my motive is to find my mate. A mate has been chosen for me, but I don't want to live like that. I will be crowned the Alpha King soon, and I need my Luna beside me to get that title.

This is my last trip to find my mate. I've gone to every pack, and still nothing. My heart felt heavy, and I cursed out the moon goddess as I made my way back to the pack.

A mate has been chosen for me. In case I do not find my mate, she'd be crowned Alpha Queen alongside me. I did not like that idea, but Dad said it was for my own good—to prevent Alphas from rebelling against me. I guess I have to put my people before my desires.

We got to the pack house, and I was welcomed by my Mom; at 43, she looked nothing over 25. Damn werewolf gene. I took after her facially but had my Dad's physique. She came running out of our home and peered into the car excitedly. Her face dropped in sadness when she met it empty. 

I shook my head negatively as she looked at me, and she came to hug me. She held my hand as she led me into the house. We met my Dad in the kitchen area with a newspaper in his hand, and he looked up as we entered. He saw that I came back empty-handed and came to hug me sympathetically.

My parents have always supported me in whatever I did; I'm not even mad at them for choosing a mate for me; they're only doing what's best for me.

I excused myself and went into my room. Daxon sighed sadly in my head, and I felt so sad for him. I want my mate, too, but it's harder for him as my wolf side to be without his true mate.

"We tried our best, Daxon. Maybe the Moon goddess doesn't have a partner for us, or maybe she's dead. We've searched every pack and come up with nothing. I am the next Alpha King. I need to consider my people before my own needs now," I said to him through our mindlink, and he receded to the back of my mind, not even replying to me.

I was about to undress when I felt my best friend and next Beta, Nathan, trying to reach me through the pack's mindlink. I put down my barrier and heard his voice.

"Yo man, you're back already. Did you find her?" he asked me excitedly. Everyone has been waiting for their next Luna since I turned 14, so I get why he's so excited.

"Nah, bro. I did not find her. I guess the Moon goddess doesn't have a mate for me," I laughed dryly through the mindlink and heard him sigh.

"I'm so sorry, man. Actually, I mindlinked you to tell you we found a rogue on pack lands earlier today. Dylan told the men to take her to the dungeon. We were waiting for you to come back to decide what to do with her," Nathan said through the mindlink.

"Rogue? A female rogue? We haven't had any rogue attacks since forever. What were the patrol wolves doing when she came into the pack lands? Did she hurt anybody? And why is she still alive, Nathan?" I said with anger.

We haven't had a rogue attack for 8 years now. The last one took something precious from me, and I hate rogues with passion. They're vile, dirty creatures that do not deserve any sympathy from anyone.

"Man, she looked so weak and afraid. It was like she was running from something. She wasn't feral; she was afraid. And she turned back into her human form once she was tranquilized. Besides, it was early in the morning, and the men on patrol were few." Nathan tried to make me see reason, but I wasn't having any of it.

"I don't care, Nathan. Rogues are dangerous creatures and should be killed on sight. I don't want her near my pack members. Kill her, Nathan," I said angrily through the mindlink and put up my barrier.

As I removed my shirt, I heard Fay, my chosen mate, come in. Fay is beautiful and loved by everyone, but she's not my mate. Daxon and I do not feel anything for her. We want a mate!

"You're back, Adrian. I heard you did not find your mate," she whispered in my ear in what she thought was sexy, and I felt disgusted.

"Get your hands off me and get out of my room, Fay!" I growled out in my Alpha voice, and she scurried out of my room. I did not want to be mated with someone other than my mate. I want to feel everything Mom and Dad have.

I was done bathing and about to get some shut-eye when Mom came barging into my room, looking angry. Uh oh. I don't know what I did, but Mom can be pretty scary when she's mad.

"I did not train you to be like this, Adrian Lucas Woods!" Mom said angrily, and I knew I was in trouble because she used my full name.

"I did not do anything, Mom. I just got back from my trip, and I came to my room; I haven't done anything, I promise." I looked at her, thinking about what I could have done wrong. Was it because I told Fay to get out? Mom doesn't even like her like that. She just agreed because she's the best option for me.

"That's exactly what you did! You did not do anything! A rogue was caught on the pack lands after 8 years, and you were not going to find out what brought her into our land? You're the next Alpha King, Adrian. You can't take things lightly like this. What if there are more of them, and she's a spy? What if we can get more information out of her, and you gave orders that she should be killed?" Mom exclaimed angrily and marched out of my room.

I sighed and mindlinked Nathan that I'll be at the dungeon in half an hour and nothing must be done to the rogue. I dressed up and went downstairs to get something to eat. I'll need the energy to deal with that motherfucking intruder.

I left the pack house and felt Daxon get restless in my head. He's never restless, and that got me worried.

"What's it, buddy? Is something wrong?" I asked through our mindlink.

"I don't know. I have the feeling that something is about to happen at the dungeon, but I can't place what it's going to be," Daxon replied.

I quickened my pace to the dungeon. I hope I don't shed blood today. I'm unstoppable once I start. Another reason I need my mate. Fuck you, Moon goddess.