CHAPTER 2

Lycus’ POV

The water was cool against my skin, the sound of the stream trickling over stones, a welcome distraction from the chaos that constantly brewed inside my mind. I tilted my head back, letting the cold flow of water run down my neck, easing the tension that never truly left me.

This pack was nothing special, small and unimpressive, but I had my reasons for visiting. I was a man of my word, and I always kept my promises. My presence here was a reminder to their Alpha that debts owed to the Lycan king were not easily forgotten, nor forgiven. But even as I prepared myself for the tedious political dance, something about this place had caught my attention—something that pulled me here beyond mere duty.

My muscles tensed, my senses sharpening. Someone was here. I didn’t react at first, keeping my movements slow as I washed the soap from my body, pretending I hadn’t noticed. But I could feel it, the gaze on me—watchful, hesitant. Whoever was watching was close, hiding just beyond the line of trees.

I turned slightly, my eyes narrowing as I caught sight of pale white hair and the unmistakable gleam of violet eyes through the branches. She was trying to stay hidden, but her scent reached me, flooding my senses. Soft, sweet—like wildflowers carried on the night breeze. And underneath it, the undeniable scent of something far more powerful.

Mate.

The realization hit me like a physical blow, harder than any I’d ever taken in battle. My heart, the one I thought had turned to stone long ago, gave an involuntary jolt in my chest. Her. The one I had been searching for, though I never thought I would find her. My fated mate.

She was watching me, and I could feel her wolf stir, just as mine roared to life within me, demanding I go to her. I turned fully, and our eyes locked.

Time seemed to stand still.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. Her violet eyes were wide with shock, fear flashing in them as she stared at me. She was beautiful, even from a distance, but there was something fragile in the way she looked at me—like a deer caught in a hunter’s gaze. I didn’t want to frighten her, but I could feel my instincts rising, my wolf surging to the surface. I wanted to go to her, to touch her, to claim her.

Before I could take a step, she bolted.

Her slender figure disappeared into the forest, her white hair a ghostly blur in the moonlight. My heart pounded as I watched her flee, torn between the primal urge to chase after her and the knowledge that forcing her to face me now would only drive her further away.

My wolf howled inside me, furious that she was slipping through my fingers. But I didn’t move. Not yet. No, if I had learned anything over the years, it was patience. She wouldn’t get far. Not from me.

I climbed out of the water, moving with deliberate slowness as I dressed, pulling on the black shirt and pants I had discarded earlier. Every part of me ached to go after her, to find her, to speak to her—hell, even to hear her voice. I had waited so long for this moment, and now that it was here, I couldn’t let her slip away.

Who was she? And why was she sneaking around the forest at this hour?

I tied my boots, my thoughts racing. She didn’t look like the others from this pack. Her white hair and violet eyes were rare, unnatural almost. It wasn’t just that, she was different in appearance; it was something deeper. I felt it the moment our eyes met. She wasn’t just some ordinary pack member.

There was power in her, even if she didn’t realize it yet.

I finished dressing and leaned against a tree, my gaze scanning the forest where she had disappeared. The faintest trace of her scent still lingered in the air, leading in the direction of the house I had been inspecting earlier. So, she belonged to them—perhaps a servant, or someone lower in the pack hierarchy. That would explain her fear. A mate who didn’t belong. A mate who had been hidden away.

The thought set my teeth on edge.

Whoever she was, she hadn’t been treated well. I had seen enough fear in my time to recognize it in her eyes. Whatever life she had lived here had clearly been filled with cruelty. My fists clenched at my sides as I felt the slow burn of anger rise in my chest. No one, not even the weakest wolf, would dare lay a hand on her now. Not after tonight.

As I considered my next move, a low growl escaped me. She couldn’t hide from me forever, and she certainly couldn’t outrun me. Not when fate had already tied our souls together. It was only a matter of time before I found her again.

For now, I’d play their game. The Alpha and his family were expecting me for their ridiculous gathering. Let them try to impress me with their false courtesies and insincere smiles. They had no idea what was coming.

But tonight wasn’t about them. It was about her.

I stood there a moment longer, letting the quiet night settle around me. My thoughts drifted back to the way her violet eyes had widened in recognition. She had felt the pull too, I was sure of it. The connection between mates was impossible to ignore. She was frightened now, yes, but that would pass. Eventually, she would understand—she would know that I was hers, and she was mine. No one could keep her from me. The corner of my mouth lifted into a smirk as I pushed off from the tree and began walking back toward the house. The night was young, and there was much to do. But first, I would let them play their little games. And when the time was right, I’d find her again.

This time, she wouldn’t run.

And I would never let her go.

The pack house was lit up like some grand celebration was about to take place. Laughter and conversation spilled out from the open windows, the sound grating against my already-frayed nerves. I forced myself to remain calm, keeping my expression neutral as I walked up the stone steps to the entrance. The guards stationed at the door straightened up as I approached, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe.

Good. They knew who I was.

As I entered the house, the smell of roasted meat and spiced wine filled the air. The dining hall was packed with wolves, all dressed in their finest, trying far too hard to make this pathetic gathering appear more elegant than it was. The Alpha, a man named Jaxon, stood at the far end of the room, a too-wide smile plastered on his face as he saw me enter. He waved me over, eager to show off his hospitality.

“My king, it’s an honor to have you here,” Jaxon said, his voice overly cheerful. I didn’t bother returning the pleasantries, instead giving him a curt nod.

The room quieted as I stepped forward, every eye in the room turning toward me. They were curious, of course. Why would the Lycan king come to such an insignificant pack in the middle of nowhere? I could see the questions in their eyes, the whispers passing between them. But none of them dared to ask me outright. They were too afraid.

Jaxon cleared his throat, and I knew what was coming next. He raised his glass to get everyone's attention. “I have an announcement,” he said, his voice carrying through the room. “The Lycan king is not just here for a short visit. He’s going to be staying with us for a while.”

A murmur went through the crowd. I felt their unease, their uncertainty.

“He’s searching for someone important,” Jaxon continued, his gaze sweeping across the room before landing on me. “And until he finds her, we will do everything in our power to assist him.”

My lips twisted into a smirk as I watched the nervous glances that followed his words. Yes, I was looking for someone important—my mate. And none of them had any idea how close she was.