Matteo
"Ensure that you thoroughly investigate every aspect related to the Howlers Pack," urged Dad, the Lycan King. I sat in his office alongside my prospective beta, Calvin.
Concern etched his face as he pondered the fate of the pack. Its sudden obliteration left him perplexed, unable to fathom why it occurred without his knowledge. He questioned whether the pack had submitted any reports of rogue attacks or assaults by rival packs. Typically, the Howlers Pack would promptly inform the palace of such incidents, but in this instance, no information had reached us, preventing any swift response.
"Matteo, are you paying attention?" my father's voice boomed, snapping me out of my contemplation. I comprehended his urgency; my mind had been immersed in deep reflection..
"Yes, Dad, I heard you loud and clear," I replied. The incident had occurred for several years, yet we hadn't found any clues. So, he decided to send me there, urging me to resolve it before assuming his throne. Restless since discovering the issue, and now passing the throne to me, he wanted assurance that such incidents wouldn't recur.
Only Calvin and I, along with our trusted Lycan friends, were privy to this information. While some would stay behind, others would join us for an initial investigation.
We arrived at the Midnight Pack without them knowing the exact reason for our visit and our subsequent stay. They assumed we were there to check on the needs of their pack and the surrounding packs. The moment I stepped out of the car, chaos ensued in my life. I attempted to reach out to Calvin for an explanation, but even he couldn't clarify.
Eunice approached me, prompting me to wear sunglasses and scan the surroundings for something elusive. My eyes fixed on a she-wolf with her head lowered. Attempting to enhance my senses and catch her scent, I found nothing; she had no discernible aroma
I followed Alpha Daniel as he led us inside, with Eunice by my side. Growling at her to create distance proved futile, so I resigned to her proximity. I was the cause of her odd behavior, and I had to handle it myself.
The Midnight Pack allowed us to use their villa during our stay. I was relieved not to be in the alpha's pack house, not out of disdain, but because I discovered the future alpha was lacking.
Four months passed, and Calvin and I were in a room discussing our arrival and my unease regarding the Lycans. "Maybe your mate was there," Calvin suggested.
"I hope so, but I already mentioned I smelled her back in the palace nine years ago," I reminded him, and he nodded. It was true. On our return from vacation nine years ago, I caught a whiff of my mate's scent as I stepped out of the car. I followed it, only to be disappointed when it ended on the porch. To this day, her identity remains unknown.
I informed my father, who queried the remaining rank officials about any visitors during our absence. Ronaldo, the palace financial adviser and Eunice's father, denied it, leaving me perplexed. If my mate was in the palace, why couldn't I smell her anymore?
Lycans struggle to find their mates, sometimes taking centuries. Approaching 100 in a few months, I pondered why my Lycan was acting strangely. "Then why do you think your Lycan was acting strangely?" Calvin inquired, and I shook my head, genuinely clueless.
"Speaking of mates, if she was indeed here and the reason for your Lycan's disturbance, you have to address the Eunice situation," he cautioned. I was aware, but uncertainty still lingered, leading me to maintain contact with Eunice, despite our agreement that our relationship was strictly physical. The concern persisted nonetheless.
"Why can't she just show up?" I exclaimed in frustration. I was here for the case and not for my mate, but it seemed I would have to face both. Closing my eyes, I said, "We had better focus on what brought us here; the sooner, the better." We both agreed on that.
Leaving the room, I found Eunice by the door. "Didn't I already express my dislike for your eavesdropping?" I asked, annoyed. She approached me with a seductive smile, her hand landing on my chest, and she kissed me. I really messed up. Unable to resist, I found myself touching her, and without knowing why, I carried her to the next room and took her as I pleased.
In the many decades of our liaison, I had never ejaculated inside her. My mate was the only one with the right to bear my pups and take my seeds, and Eunice would never receive them if that was her intention. I never engaged with her in my room; it was always in hers or in any available room or location whenever the mood struck us.
"Get out," I instructed her after composing myself. Then I heard it again—a painful howl, as if accusing me of infidelity. My eyes widened as my Lycan screamed in my head.
'Mate, she was in pain because of you! She knew we were hers, and your involvement with that ingrate hurts her.'
'Tell me where she is. I want to see her too, but why can't I find her?' I asked him.
'Because you are an idiot! We've been communicating for almost a hundred years, and you still don't know my name!' he replied. It was true. Until now, I didn't know how to address him. I had been asking from the beginning, but I never received a response. Now he blamed me for not knowing what to call him.
"What was that?" Eunice asked, having heard it as well. "There were many pathetic wolves here, so that one was in pain because his or her mate was cheating," she said mockingly.
"Didn't I tell you to leave already?" I asked, hoping she would, as my Lycan wanted to eliminate her. She didn't need much fixing because I only pulled down her pants and had her from behind. She just needed to pull them back up and leave.
Settling into a chair, I pondered. I wanted to go wherever she was, but I knew I wouldn't be able to find her; she had no scent at all. Then my eyes widened as I remembered the she-wolf, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't smell her. I rushed out of the room and went to see and talk to Calvin.
"Let's organize a friendly fight tournament among the Midnight Pack's members," I suggested to him. He eyed me. "I want to find my mate, so I think this will help me locate her." He nodded.
The next day, I informed Alpha Daniel about it, and whether he liked it or not, he would have to agree. I prepared to go to school and announce the tournament to every class, hoping to catch sight of a certain someone.
Matteo "Why, all of a sudden, Your Highness, are you proposing the idea of organizing a friendly fight tournament?" inquired Alpha Daniel, his expression filled with confusion. "I've been a part of the pack for months now, and I'm interested in observing the growth in strength among the pack members," I explained. "The king tasked me with reporting on the pack's abilities. He wants to ensure that everyone is capable of defending themselves when the need arises," I added, aiming to dispel any suspicions he might harbor. "I understand. I take pride in noting that everyone is putting in their best effort, and we regularly conduct training sessions for all. When do you intend to schedule the tournament?" "How about a week from now?" I responded. "That works for me," he replied, and a sense of satisfaction filled me. "I prefer to make the announcement personally, so I'll head to the pack school," I declared, rising from my seat and glancing at Calvin. He nodded and gestured towards th
Freya Matteo had been consistently present, in my opinion. He frequently visited the school, and I couldn't discern the reason. I began to suspect that something was amiss or that a potential threat loomed over the pack, yet I didn't detect any. "Freya, can you hear me?" Mom inquired, waving her hand before my face. I blinked several times before realizing that she had been addressing me, my thoughts still preoccupied with Matteo. "Is there something bothering you, Freya?" Dad questioned, and I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Mom, Dad," I responded. "I was just pondering why the Lycan prince has been attending school more frequently. He has been part of the pack for months, yet recently, he's been going to school as if anticipating an imminent threat." "It's not like that. He's genuinely concerned about the younger generations. That's precisely why he proposed the tournament – to assess everyone's strengths and abilities," Dad explained, and I nodded in understanding. Despite my hopes
Freya "Frey," called Clay and Alec. I glared at Joric and Britney, my only recourse at the moment. "I didn't sign up; it's them," I explained, gesturing towards the future alpha and the frustrated Luna. "The dumb and the dumber," I added, and they both chuckled before turning serious. "You realize you can't back out, right? The Lycan prince expects us to take responsibility for our actions and make our own decisions. That's why he arranged the tournament with a week-long preparation," Alec said, and I nodded. I was uncertain whether to appear vulnerable to them or not. "I didn't want to join either," I admitted. I knew Mom and Dad would be concerned when they found out. I sighed deeply. I needed to contemplate this carefully because Pi had been on edge ever since we met our mate. She seemed different, always sensible, but I sensed something was amiss with her. "There were instances when we sensed our friends' disloyalty. I could sense her anger and fury, as if she wished harm upon
Matteo "Freya is joining," he declared, leaving me in shock. How on earth would she manage to fight without her wolf? I scrutinized Calvin, seeking confirmation of the truth. The gravity of his expression assured me that he wasn't joking. Who was I kidding? Calvin rarely ever joked. "I don't think you'll be heading to the site now; instead, you'll be going to school," he informed me, and I nodded. I needed to ensure her safety. I declared that those who had signed up and registered were not allowed to back out, emphasizing the commitment to prevent any casual decisions on Freya's part, especially regarding Clay and Alec. We hurried into school, and I was grateful that I had asked Calvin to stay hidden. If not, I couldn't fathom what I would do upon discovering her amidst the fight the next day. Though uncertain if she was truly my mate, my instincts insisted, and I wanted to believe it. Surprisingly, my Lycan seemed okay with this revelation, not snarling at me in my mind as it typi
Freya"I had to distance myself from him. Controlling Pi was already a challenge; she yearned to leap at him, a move that would inevitably lead to trouble. As the Lycan prince, such an act would be disrespectful, even if he were my mate. The fact that he couldn't scent me added an additional layer of complexity. His rejection could be profoundly painful for us.Fortunately, Clay and Alec were unwavering in their support and attentiveness. Their presence during this challenging time was indispensable. Turning my back on my mate, I refrained from looking back. If only it were that simple to approach him and assert my claim. As hope dwindled, I sighed, acknowledging the difficulty of winning him over.The pack run was about to commence, and with the prince's apology, we gathered once again. Clay and Alec remained close, vigilant and protective. Growls reached my ears, and turning around, I found them directed at me. Smiling, I said, 'Let's go.'Running together, I attempted to match their
Matteo "We needed to lock eyes, ensuring she was indeed my mate. I am unquestionably overjoyed that she belongs to me, and my inner beast shared in that enthusiasm. We were on the brink of something significant. My entire focus was on her eyes alone. "Your Highness," someone called, diverting my attention. I turned to see the person addressing me. "I am Freya's father, and I'll be taking her home," he declared. With those words, Freya's chin slipped away from my forefinger and thumb. Glancing at her, I noticed a relieved smile as she greeted her father. I clenched my fist, attempting to rein in my beast due to the unwelcome interruption. Nodding in acknowledgment, I shifted my gaze back to Freya, whose eyes remained fixed on her father. If my original plan failed, I would have to resort to a royal command. For now, I turned away and headed back to the villa. The looming fear of Joric and Britney's potential actions against my supposed mate forced me to participate in the tournament
Matteo I gripped the armrest tightly, observing Britney swiftly closing in on Freya, and anxiety began to gnaw at me. A sigh of relief escaped me as my mate skillfully evaded her. However, the relentless onslaught from Britney persisted, effortlessly dodged by Freya. As the skirmish unfolded, my concerns for Freya diminished; she strategically used her intellect, giving me confidence that she aimed to tire out her opponent and strike back when necessary. It seemed she was the type of fighter who valued precision over wasting energy on unnecessary hits. A smug expression on Freya's face indicated her readiness to retaliate, catching Britney's attention and causing her to pause briefly. Though it was short-lived, as Freya quickly closed the distance, poised with a clenched fist, ready to take down her adversary. Yet, Britney anticipated the move, stepping back just in time. I couldn't deny Britney's skill, but what surprised me was when Freya landed a left jab on her face. Britney sta
Freya"Does Clay like me? I initially thought he and Alec were just teasing me. I am aware of the rejection he experienced from a female Lycan two years ago. It was confirmed that I couldn't move an inch when I stumbled upon them kissing and making out. I was certain she was his first, considering he was still very young. What baffles me is how he recognized her as his mate when he didn't have a wolf at the time of rejection.Clay is truly exceptional. He acquired his wolf only last year, just before turning 17, earning him the position of Joric's future beta. Britney isn't suited for the role, not because she's a she-wolf, but simply because she's the beta's daughter. Despite having a wolf, she lacks proficiency in combat."Clay..." I uttered as I noticed his expression falter until his lips met mine. I like him. He could be the right one for me. He's been a constant presence in my life for as long as I can remember, and choosing him as my mate doesn't feel wrong. I welcomed the kiss,