Chapter 5 THE ESCAPE

Wayne rose from the water and walked into the sea bank.

Waves crashed around his legs as his feet sank into the wet sand.

Water dripped down his body, his wet clothes clung to his body.

He looked at his house on the cliff, just overseeing this seashore, and stilled himself to listen.

Everything quieted around him as his hearing strained toward the house. He could hear voices from the staff within the house, footsteps walking up and down, the smell of flavors from the kitchen, water dripping from a leaking pipe, and werewolf scents carried in the wind. Nothing seemed strange or out of place.

Except for one thing, there was no human scent.

Wayne felt a stir of unease in his chest as he strolled toward the house. It was possible her scent had been deemed by all the wolves around, after all, she was the only human in the house. Possibly on this plane, from what information he received daily from the epsilons (guardians) at the gates to this realm.

Apart from the official portal, which was located at the center of the city, it served as the means of migration between realms for the community. Wayne had created a private portal solely for himself, located in the sea just under his house. This location was strategically chosen for many reasons which included:

Firstly, it was riverine and werewolves just like every creature with fur, hated soaking themselves in water. Secondly, Proximity to his house. It was a few meters away from his house. He could leave and come back anytime he wanted without anyone noticing his movements in case he had traitors amongst his men. Thirdly, in the case of an emergency, he could escape with his people for safety or bring back reinforcements to disarm the threat.

Lastly, no one could find the exact location of the portal in the sea bank except him. He had made a deal with a mermaid to protect the portal and keep updating the spell on it anytime he went through it. Anyone who wanted to find it would have to find the mermaid first, to even bribe her. That would mean descending to the bottom of the sea, using the Bermuda Triangle to gain entry into the realm of the mermaids. How many werewolves would be willing to take such a risk?

Well, only him.

Sabine had been instrumental in his quest to find a mermaid; he had paid dearly for that.

No regrets though.

That was nothing compared to other dangerous feats he had accomplished in the past. A rumor of his notoriety had spread across the various planes, some called him the grim ripper, others the angel of doom, to a few he was Armageddon, to his people he was their protector. A ruthless and merciless leader who would do everything possible and necessary to secure his realm. A lot of lives depended on his every action or inaction; he could not afford to let them down.

Taking the steps etched into the cliff, he came to the landing of his house. He saw two sentinels (security guards) that were on duty. They immediately stood upright in attention when they saw him.

"Jason, Jordan" he acknowledged the twins with a nod.

"Greetings Alpha" they responded in unison.

"Where is Rojan? I have not seen him since last night" he inquired about his beta, who was his right-hand man. Son of his previous Lead warrior. The man who gave his life for him.

"He just came to work a few hours ago, He has also been looking for you sire" Jordan replied.

"He seemed to be distressed, I believe the matter seems urgent" Jason added.

Wayne gave them a curt nod and proceeded to enter his house, wondering what could be so urgent that Rojan was so weary about.

He took off his wet shoes at the door entrance and was about to unbutton his shirt when a voice yelled...

"Alpha, where have you been? I have looked everywhere for you?" Rojan exclaimed.

"I should have been the one asking about your whereabouts when you left without a word last night," Wayne said casually.

"I went to talk with the gammas (elders) at the Assembly quarters that we would soon have a royal bloodline added to the family" he explained.

"I am not sure about that yet. I need more time to think" Wayne murmured.

"But you have finally found her sire, it's been ten years of searching" Rojan queried.

"I am aware of that Rojan, I plan to keep her a secret till I am certain on what to do with her" he replied.

"But you took her to bed last night" Rojan pointed out.

"Yes, I did, but it seems that I was mistaken," he said wondering if he could believe her fabled tales.

"You would not have claimed her if she wasn't yours. Did you mark her neck?" he inquired.

Wayne stiffened at the question. He had no desire to claim her when he bedded her last night, he felt nothing. Not even lust. Just emptiness.

The claiming mark was an eternal mark male werewolves gave their mate to mark their territory and wade off every other male. It was given during consummation, and it remained imprinted on the female's neck, fading only slightly. Any other male who slept with another's mate with the mark was a crime punishable by death. It was a battle to the death.

"No, I did not mark her" he answered, frowning when Rojan's eyes widened at his response "Why do you ask?".

"It's bad, it's really bad," he said as his complexion paled.

"What is so bad about it? I still have time, what could be the rush?" he enquired.

"She is not in your chambers; we have searched everywhere. I believe she must have fled the mansion" he reported.

As he heard the words, Wayne felt a jolt of lightening fire through his veins electrifying every nerve in his body. This was the first emotion he had felt toward her since last night.

And it was a strange emotion he had not felt in a long while.

It was fear.