Chapter 8 The search for Dana begins

~Alden~

Alden sat up on his bed, the cool breeze tingling to his bare skin, his midsection to the upper part of his body exposed, white bed sheets covering his waist region. His skin tingled as sweat formed on his body. He dragged his hands through his hair repeatedly, almost in a frantic manner, as the weight of his sickness dragged down through each passing day. " What kind of decree has the moon goddess made?" he said, scrubbing his hands over his face. His eyes were burning with frustration. " How do I take back a cheating mate?" his burning eyes gazed at a corner in the room as he clenched and unclenched his fist. He heard a knock on the door behind him, "My Alpha can I come in?" "Come in!" he said, adjusting the bedclothes on his midsection to properly cover his groins. His Beta enters his eyes narrowed around the room before settling on Alden. He cocked his head to the side and his brow lowered. "Greetings my Alpha, you look disturbed, is anything wrong?" Alden's posture remained stiff, his muscles were rigid and his burning eyes remained fixed on a spot. "Alden!.., Alden!," his Beta leaned in closer, waving his hands over Alden's face. Alden let out a deep sigh, then he clamped his palms together with his elbows resting on his lap, his eyebrows drew together, "Everything is wrong, my Beta, I think My illness is getting worse, I don't feel better after the medicine... the moon goddess decree... How do I even find my mate?" his lips pinched together and his jaw clenched. His Beta let out a heavy sigh, his gaze darted to Alden and he placed his hand on his shoulder " Don't worry we will find her." His Beta relaxed his muscles, straightening out his coat and his gaze shifted back to Alden, "The Council needs you right now." *** Alden emerged in the courtroom, three council elders sat on armchairs adjacent to Alden. A shadow of unease crossed the Elders' faces as they glanced at Alden. As Alden sat, one of the elders cleared his throat abruptly and he began to speak, "Greetings, Our Alpha, We are here today for an important message." Alden sat with tension radiating from his stiff posture. The Elder studied Alden's appearance with a flicker of disapproval, "You don't look okay...I mean Silvercrest can not be led by an Alpha looking like this." Another Elder nodded in agreement, his tone heavy with expectation and pride."Since your father, Silvercrest has been the greatest of all packs and cannot afford to lose that respect." The last one leaned forward and adjusted his thin-rimmed glasses, his tone was firm, "You have to find your mate, we need an heir, even though she might have wronged you...it is the moon goddess's decree and there's nothing you can change about it." Alden clenched his jaw, the weight of their words settling heavily on his shoulders, brimming with a surge of frustration. Alden cleared his throat, "I have heard you all, Silvercrest pack must not fall... I will do my best to find my mate." *** The sun cast long shadows on the outside of Silvercrest pack. Alden sat on his Court throne, his fingers gripping the armrest tightly as if holding himself together. Unease churned within him as his eyes flint around the scene before him. The pack armies gathered in front of him, with varying degrees of loyalty and concern, with his Beta at the front of them, his posture rigid. "I gathered you all today because I need to search for my mate, the one who was banished...," Alden began his tone carrying bitterness, with a tinged of hesitation. "I know this news might be a shocking one, it was to me too..." He paused, the bitterness in his voice leading to a suppressed anger, "but I can't let the silvercrest pack fall all because of a Cheating Mate which the moon goddess has asked me to search for." His tone became hardened and authoritative, "So by tomorrow night, you all are to go into the woods to find Dana, you will be led by the sentinel." After Alden finished addressing the armies, he dismissed them with a curt wave. Just as he was coming out of the courts and heading to his chambers, his Beta walked silently behind him. They both heard the faint sound of footsteps of someone leaving hastily. "Who's there?"Alden demanded sharply, his gaze filled with suspicion as his body tensed. He began to turn towards the source of the sound, his gaze narrowing in unease. His Beta quickly Interrupted, raising a calming hand, a nervous smile tugging at the corners of his lips "My Alpha no need to worry, that might just be some... erm...maybe some animals having their time," his voice carried a hint of anxiousness yet his eyes darted towards the shadow. Alden's lips pressed into a thin line, feeling reluctant to drop the matter clear, he gave a curt nod and resumed walking. Unease flickered in his chest as he walked toward his chambers. As they walked further into the corridor, his Beta cast a knowing glance toward the dark, his expression portraying a hint of hidden loyalty. In the shadows, a pair of piercing blue eyes gleamed watching Alden and his Beta walk away. The Beta gave a subtle nod to the unseen figure acknowledging the figure, before returning to his composed demeanor. They walked further into Silvercrest pack, with the Beta gaze flickering around the surroundings and tilting his head to the side to observe if anyone might have seen a trace of his hidden communication with the unknown person.