Chapter 2

I returned after being out of the pack for a long time; I had always been busy with the group's affairs, trying to ensure my pack's safety. I was welcomed by a feast that was being held in the castle. Music could be heard loudly, with some ladies dancing on stage as I walked in. My pack members were waiting to welcome me back. I walked towards my throne and sat on my throne. "All hail the king!" I heard my beta shout, and the crowd responded. "All hail! All hail!! All hail!!!" They all greeted, bowing their heads before me, then I waved my arm for them to sit. The party ended at midnight. "Steve." I mind linked my beta, and in a minute, he was standing next to me. Summon the council members. I need to speak to them concerning our laboring pack, which was invaded." I said to beta Steve, and he left immediately. Just in time, they were present in the throne room Waiting for my arrival. "Greetings, Alpha Norman." I heard them greet me as I walked in. "Greetings, council members," I responded as I sat on the throne. "As you all know, the situation of the pack close to our border has been invaded and taken over by rogues., I said as I enlightened them of the situation over there. "I have come to a decision, some of the strong pack members should be sent to the border to sweep off the rogue, and protect the border from any other attacks; no one knows when they would try to invade our pack." I continued as I instructed them on what to do. "Sean! Take Hale, Danton, Michael, and six others to the border guard, it's as if it's your home." I gave out the order as I stood up to leave. "You are to leave tomorrow at dawn." I finally said and left the throne room, leaving them behind to discuss themselves. "Greetings, Alpha Norman." I heard someone greet; it's been quite a long time since I listened to that voice. I turned back and saw a lady standing before me with a wild smile. She came closer and bowed to me in respect. "ELENA SEAN!" I called her, surprised as I wasn't expecting to see them. "What brought you to the castle?" I asked as she came closer. The smile on her face slowly faded as she tried to explain things to me. "I know I shouldn't ask too much, but please, I need you to reconsider sending my husband to the border with the others." She said as she looked straight into my eyes, finally bowing her head. "Is there a problem? And please drop all these formalities." I asked worriedly, knowing she was not the type to complain about her husband's duty. "I'm expecting my third child with my husband, and I need my husband, so I am asking your permission to please let me keep him this time." She pleaded in a pitiful, low tone. I was stunned at her words. I felt pity for him and granted her wishes, but on the inside, I was hurt by what she said. She always used to care for me, just the way she does for her husband. It was hard, seeing those eyes gather tears, and or wasn't because of me. It's tough to digest, I felt my heart shrinking and squeezing in my chest. It's pain, too excruciating to bear, but I had no choice; she was no longer mine. It all happened on the day I was to get mated years ago. Just like everybody else, I thought nothing would be surprising. There was no need to wait for the night of the full moon, as it was fast approaching. I couldn't wait to meet my wolf; preparations were being made ahead of the day. Elena came looking for me in the castle, and both of us were very excited. Now, the time had arrived. The castle was full of many pack members as the function to celebrate our mates had started. "I love you, Elena." I said to her as she came closer, wrapping her arms around my waist, then she looked into my eyes and said "I love you too, My Alpha." I giggled and I hugged her back. All eyes were on us, many of the pack members knew about us being lovers, and I couldn't wait to be mated to her. I was eagerly waiting for the moon to take its total force by midnight, before I would fully merge. Bang! Bang!! Bang!!! I heard the bell ring, and I knew it was time. I ran into the woods with Elena, my best friend-Sean, and Steve, my soon-to-be beta. We took different routes as we ran deeper into the woods. Howling could be heard deep in the woods. I howled as I welcomed my wolf. It was painful as I changed into a giant wolf with deep brown fur all over; my eyes were glowing red as they reflected the light shining through the castle. I howled and ran back to the castle after I was mind-linked by my stepmother, Talia; I also mind-connected Elena and the others a,s we will soon choose our mates. I walked into the court, and there was silence as I would be their alpha in a short while. I was crowned the Alpha of True pack, and applause could be heard in the castle as I am now the alpha of the Bayley pack. When it was time to choose our mates, everyone else had selected their mates, but I was left out and broken as my Elena was mated to another werewolf; I was thoroughly shattered; I stood there staring at her as tears rolled down my eyes, my dreams of being with the one I love went into thin air. I couldn't do a thing; I stood there lost in my nightmare. I saw how this was affecting her, too; she couldn't move from the spot she was standing; I slowly walked to her, and I gave her a goodbye hug and accepted my fate of losing my love to another mate, but I decided to ask who she was mated to. But I think she was not ready to let me know, as all that came out of her lips were nothing but silent, painful moans. "Norman......!" I heard her voice call to me, and I turned back to leave. The sweetest voice ever in my heart, I stopped and tilted my head towards her, and I saw tears flowing down her face. Suddenly, she ran to me and grabbed me by my neck and hugged me tight, warming up my already cold heart. I hugged her back as she sobbed softly under my breath. "I was mated to Sean, your best friend." She finally said, slowly letting me go, and my world shattered again. "Sean! Sean was mated to you?"I asked. I almost lost my balance, but I held myself immediately. "Goodbye, Norman." She said as we parted ways, but I ran into the woods to the hill near the mountain, howling throughout the night as I unleashed my anger and pain.