Chapter 2. The Royal Notice

Zack’s POV

“…We have guests,” the girl called down the hallway, quickly guiding us in the opposite direction.

“She seems anxious about us being here,” Lupa, my wolf, growled.

I nodded in response, silently observing the girl as I followed her to the living room. Moments later, an older she-wolf joined us.

“Royal warriors?” she gasped. She seemed unsettled by our visit but quickly tried to hide her worry behind a smile, gesturing for us to take a seat.

“No, thank you,” James, a warrior, said. “We’re not staying—we’re only here to make an announcement, then we’ll take our leave.”

“Very well,” she replied, her overly sweet voice making my skin crawl. “What brings you to my home, gentlemen?”

Lupa growled again in agreement. He didn’t trust her—neither did I.

My gaze swept over the two women. They seemed well-off, but why would they live this far out? Something about them didn’t sit right with me.

My attention landed on the older she-wolf, introduced as Angelica. She was openly flirting with my warriors, doing her best to keep their attention.

“They’re power-hungry leeches,” Lupa growled.

“I can see that,” I replied, struggling to keep my composure.

I didn’t enjoy wasting my time on she-wolves like them, but this was royal business. As Royal Beta, I had no choice but to endure it.

I nodded at James to continue, but he was already caught in the web of the she-wolf’s beauty.

Jacob, James’s brother, nudged his arm. “You better get a move on,” he whispered. “Beta Zackary is losing his patience…”

James quickly nodded, retrieved a scroll from his pocket, and began to read. I knew every word—I was the one who’d written it.

“Attention all unmated she-wolves between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five,” James read. “You are hereby summoned to the royal pack on the next blood moon. All must attend. No exceptions.”

“For what purpose?” Angelica asked.

“The Queen is hosting a royal ball in honor of Prince Lex’s twenty-fifth birthday,” Jacob said.

“Really?” the younger girl, Sade, exclaimed with excitement. “I’m invited to the Prince’s birthday party? Goddess, what an honor!”

“The prince is hoping to find his future Queen Luna,” James added.

My gaze snapped toward him and I growled. The real purpose of the ball was to find my lost sister and reunite her with her family and mate.

“My apologies, Beta Zack,” James said quickly. “I got carried away—”

“How exciting,” Angelica mused, cutting him off. “The future king has finally decided to take a mate; maybe you will have a chance to win his hand…”

Before I could unleash my fury and declare that none of them would ever be Lex’s mate, the sharp scent of blood assaulted my senses. My attention snapped toward the hallway, nostrils flaring.

“It’s coming from down there,” Lupa exclaimed, anxiously pacing my mind. “The smell is intense—someone is hurt!”

Without another word, I turned on my heel and rushed down the hallway toward the source of the smell. It was sickeningly thick, making me move faster, hoping whoever was at the other end was still alive.

“Why isn’t the person calling for help?” Lupa asked.

“Maybe they’re unconscious,” I replied.

The smell grew even stronger as I reached the kitchen.

Did someone cut themselves? I wondered, but quickly dismissed the thought. The loss of blood was far too much for a simple cut.

My gaze swept the kitchen and stopped on a fragile she-wolf struggling on the floor, soaked in blood.

What the…? The sight electrified my whole body.

I rushed to her side, ready to help in any way I could. But her gaze snapped toward me, fear flashing in her eyes before she quickly covered her face.

“Please, don’t come any closer!” she whimpered, her body trembling.

I hesitated, my heart pounding as I processed her plea.

“I just want to help,” I said softly, trying to reassure her as I kept my distance. “I’m not here to hurt you. Let me see…”

“No, no, no—you… you can’t!” she stuttered anxiously, trying to get up. “I—I can manage by myself. I’ll be alright. No one can help me. I… I’m not worth your time or sympathy…”

Odd, I thought.

Why does she think so little of herself?

“I insist,” I said, keeping my voice gentle as I extended my hand. “I promise, I just want to help—not hurt you.”

The girl hesitated for a moment, then raised her gaze.

My breath caught when I saw her green eyes—they were the same color as my mother’s.

A rush of emotion flooded through me. Could it be her? Was it possible? Was this my lost sister?

A rogue attack had claimed my sister almost thirteen years ago. No one knew what had happened to her, and I had made it my life’s mission to find her.

“Beta, what happened in here?” James asked, breaking the spell.

Reluctantly, I looked at him standing at the door, waiting for orders.

“I don’t know,” I replied, helping the girl to her feet and leading her to a stool at the counter. “I need a first aid kit.”

Jacob hurried away, leaving me alone with the she-wolf.

“Can you tell me what happened to you?” I asked, searching the kitchen drawers for a clean towel.

I couldn’t help but steal glances at her. She wasn’t dressed like the other two. Her old yellow long-sleeve shirt was thin and worn, her pants ripped and patched in several places. She looked so thin and neglected compared to the other she-wolves living here.

Despite the circumstances, I could tell she made an effort to care for herself, even though she was barefoot.

She shook her head and swallowed hard, tears threatening to spill.

Were they mistreating her?

Were they starving her?

Was she being held against her will?

“She is scared,” Lupa commented. “I have a feeling those two bitches beat her.”

His emotions were spiraling out of control. He seemed deeply concerned for this she-wolf.

My gaze swept over the tiny, golden-haired she-wolf; she couldn’t have been taller than 5’1”.

“Perhaps you’re right,” I replied. “They haven’t even bothered to check on her.”

James returned with a first aid kit and set it on the counter. I opened it and took out some supplies.

“Can you at least tell me your name?” I asked, wetting a towel to clean her wounds.

She closed her eyes and nodded.

“Lilly,” she whispered, barely audible.

I froze, the towel in my hand—the name sent a jolt through me.

“Lilly,” I repeated softly.

Her gaze suddenly shifted toward the door, and she visibly trembled, as if chilled.

Was she going into shock?

That’s when I felt eyes boring into my back.

I turned slowly, instinctively shielding Lilly with my body, ready to confront whatever danger waited behind me…