Chapter 2 Chapter 2

ARDAN'S POV

"Fuck!"

Beta Thorne's fist slammed hard into my jaw.

I stumbled back, feet slipping, nearly crashing to the ground. This couldn't be-this couldn't fucking be real!

He froze, his eyes wide with horror. "Your Majesty, I-"

I raised a hand, cutting off the apology before it left his lips. "Shut up."

My voice was a growl, thunderous and seething with fury that left no room for argument.

Thorne stood stiffly in place, his brow furrowed. "Are you certain, Your Majesty? Perhaps you should-"

"I said, leave me alone." I barked the command through gritted teeth, my gaze sharp enough to slice through stone.

He bowed his head, then turned and walked away, leaving me alone at the center of the training ground, my chest heaving with ragged breaths.

No one was supposed to hit me. No one.

And yet today, I was struck. That fact alone meant one thing-

My power was fading.

The training ground used to be my battlefield, my sanctuary of raw instinct. Every punch, every dodge, came from primal force. But today, my movements were like they were dragged through mud-slow, clumsy, pathetic.

This isn't me.

This isn't how the King of Alphas is supposed to be.

I need to calm down.

I headed for the bathroom. When I got there, I stripped off my sweat-drenched training clothes. My reflection in the mirror showed a man sculpted for power - broad shoulders, a chiseled jaw, dark hair. Yet, beneath the facade of strength, anxiety had me on edge.

The prophecy echoed in my mind. "Find your mate before your 30th moonrise. For if you remain unmated, your power will wane, and with it, your life."

The words were a constant reminder of the deadline, the curse that threatened not just my power, but potentially, my very existence.

Time was running out. I was 29, only a year left until the prophecy took effect.

Annually, I inspected the major packs to increase my chances of finding a mate. Every interaction, every inspection, were driven by the desperate search for the missing piece, my mate.

Now, with time against me, finding my mate was highly imperative.

A soft knock on the bathroom door startled me from my thoughts. "Enter," I called out.

The door creaked open, and a young Omega woman named Charlize entered. Her eyes widened at the sight of my bare chest, I could see desire within them before she quickly lowered her gaze.

She held out a ceremonial robe, her voice barely a whisper. "Your Majesty, I was instructed to help you prepare for the evening."

I gave her a curt nod.

"What would you like to wear tonight, Your Majesty?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

I glanced at the various garments laid out. I wasn't interested. None of it mattered. Tonight was about finding a solution, not making a fashion statement. "It doesn't matter," I replied curtly.

"Put it on the bed," I ordered, my voice cold as ice.

I could see the disappointment in her eyes, but she quickly forced a smile. "Of course, Your Majesty. Is there anything else I can help you with?" she asked as she stepped closer, her fingers brushing just below my abdomen.

I shoved her away immediately. "Get lost. Next time, your fingers will be cut off."

She ran off in tears.

The she-wolves in the palace were always trying to seduce me. They thought that since I had no mate, it would be easier to get into my bed.

But not a single one had ever succeeded.

"King, your parents wish to see you before your departure to visit the packs," Beta Thorne's voice echoed in my mind.

I acknowledged the message and shut the mental link. I already knew what my parents were going to say-pray that I find my mate, then try to comfort me with hopeful nonsense. Blah, blah, blah.

But I love them.

After I had changed into better clothes, I headed for the dinning room to join my parents. The aroma of roasted boar and fresh herbs greeted me as I entered the grand dining hall.

A long table stretched across the room, decorated with candles and assorted meals. My parents, King Edmund and Queen Daisy, sat at the head of the table, their faces etched with worry and anticipation.

"Ardan, there you are," my mother said, her voice laced with relief. "We were beginning to worry."

I pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Ardan," My mother said, her voice laced with worry. "You look troubled. Training take its toll today?"

My fingers paused around the cup. I spoke coldly, "Mother. There's nothing to worry about."

My father quickly changed the subject. "Is everything ready for tomorrow's inspection?"

I gave a slight nod and replied flatly, "Everything has been arranged, Father."

"That's excellent," my father said loudly. "Derek seems like a very promising young man. We've heard he's well-liked within his pack, and apparently, the girls there are quite beautiful."

I stared at the boar meat on my plate and answered calmly, "I don't care about beauty. If she's not the one destined for me, it's meaningless."

My mother frowned and spoke softly, "Adan. believe me, this time the Moon Goddess will bring you good fortune."

A sudden wave of frustration rose in me. I pushed my plate forward. "The team is already prepared. I need to leave."

I heard their quiet sighs behind me. I quickened my pace again. Their worry weighed heavily on me-only they knew the secret of the prophecy. No one else ever would.

I jumped into the car and gave Thorne the order to depart.

Three hours later, we arrived at Alpha Derek's pack. The moment I stepped out, Derek's welcoming party gathered in front of my car.

Derek stood at the front, a bright smile on his face. But there was a flicker of tension in his eyes. Something had happened. A leader's instincts never lie.

I stepped out of the vehicle.

"King ARDAN," Derek said as he reached out to greet me. "It's an honor to have you here. Please, come in-make yourself at home."

I shook his hand out of courtesy and released it quickly.

"Alpha Derek, is everything normal within your pack?" I asked with a frown.

"Everything is running smoothly, Your Majesty," Derek assured me, though his smile faltered for a second. "I can first introduce you to the economic developments of our pack this year."

I gave a small nod, but my brows furrowed when I noticed someone missing beside him.

"Derek, I noticed your mate isn't here. Is she unwell?"

Derek's smile vanished completely, replaced by a grimace. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting around as if seeking an escape route.

"I don't know where she is," he said.

My suspicions flared again. Derek was lying-I could see it. The tense glances exchanged between his pack members only deepened my unease.

A mate is a vital part of an Alpha's power structure. Her absence-especially without reason-is deeply significant.

"Derek," I continued, my voice low and firm, "your mate's absence during an official inspection. you know that will be seen as a sign of disrespect toward me. Can you explain this in detail?"

Derek opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. He seemed cornered.

His disrespect infuriated me. I had to punish him.

"Beta! Take Derek back to the palace-" I ordered.

"Your Majesty!" Derek pleaded. I stared at him.

A flicker of hesitation passed through his eyes before he finally spoke. "It's Serena. my mate. My Beta told me she didn't want to be disturbed."

"I want the truth!" I said. "Take me to her-now!"