Chapter 5 Twist of Fate

ZANE

"My Lord, the crash came from the West wing."

"Patrol the area, keep your eyes peeled".

The echo of the crash still lingered in my mind. The lower chamber was quiet now, the bulb dangling from the ceiling flickered, shadows bending along the golden walls as if the palace. I paced the length of the corridor, my black leather boots making a tap tap sound on the marble floor.

I scanned the area with my sharp eyes, sniffed the air to make out any strange presence, but there was none. There was no trace of the disturbance I had heard earlier.Because I was hosting the leaders of the ten clans in my castle I had intensified the security system of the castle because whenever powerful Alpha's gather in a place, there always is a chance of a coup or rebellion, so I declared a curfew after 1:am for the period they were here.

I sniffed the air again, nothing, only faint traces of her... that strange, undefinable scent of hers which was neither wolf nor human.

Raina.

My wolf stirred within me. Mate.

I clenched my jaw. "Enough," I muttered under my breath, forcing Dante's voice back into the dark corners of my mind.

The door creaked open behind me. Beta Mark entered first, calm as always, his eyes sharp. Behind him came Grandaline, my sister, her gown dragging across the cold floor, her expression unreadable but her presence commanding.

"Well," she said, folding her arms, "the great Supreme Alpha pacing the floor like a restless pup. Should we be worried?"

"Don't start, Grandaline," I replied, my tone harsher than intended.

Mark's gaze swept the chamber. "The guards reported no intruders. Whatever caused the sound must have been nothing. Perhaps a servant."

"Perhaps," I said, though I didn't believe it. Something had shifted. I could feel it in my bones.

Grandaline arched an eyebrow. "Or perhaps you're simply... distracted." She smirked "You canceled the mating ceremony before the presentation even began. The entire council is whispering, do you even realize how that looks?"

I turned away, staring at the stairs that led to the lower chamber where Raina slept. "I had my reasons."

"Reasons?" she asked "Do these reasons happen to have white hair and blue eyes?"

Her words cut deeper than they should have. My wolf rumbled in the back of my mind, a low, possessive growl. I forced my composure, crossing my arms. "I found nothing but a frightened girl who should never have been in my path."

Mark exchanged a look with Grandaline before stepping closer. "Zane... you called off the ceremony before any of the clan daughters were presented. That's not like you. The Council is demanding an explanation."

I met his gaze, I knew I had to tell them the truth "Dante marked her."

The silence that followed was so heavy I could hear the blood rushing in my ears.

Grandaline's smile faltered. "What did you just say?"

"My wolf marked her," I said slowly, the weight of the confession hanging between us. "The half-blood girl from Moonshire. He claims she's our fated mate."

Mark swore under his breath. Grandaline took a step back, shaking her head. "That's impossible. You? of all Alphas...... mated to a cursed half-blood? Zane, do you know what this means?"

I did. I had been thinking of nothing else since that moment in the hall when her scent struck me like lightning. Since the look in her eyes; terrified, broken, and yet... something else. Something that called to the part of me I had buried long ago.

"I know," I said quietly. "Which is why I am not accepting it. She is too weak, she can never absorb me- even her betters couldn't."

Mark frowned, "But Dante........."

"Dante is wrong" I cut him off sharply. "She can't be my mate. It's forbidden by the laws of the Council. Alphas don't mate with half-bloods. The union would disgrace the Howlers and weaken the throne."

Grandaline laughed softly, but there was no amusement in it. "The Moonshire pack has been losing influence since Dirke took over. You think it's a coincidence that his pack brought that girl here? Perhaps this is their plan; some twisted scheme to forge an alliance through pity."

Her words struck a nerve. I turned around to face her, my voice dropping to a dangerous low. "You think I can't tell the difference between truth and deceit?"

"I think," she said, meeting my glare, "that you're letting your wolf cloud your judgment."

Dante snarled from within me, but I shut him out. My control was all that kept this conversation from descending into chaos.

Mark stepped forward again, his tone level but cautious. "You said she's half-blood. That makes her vulnerable: to manipulation, to curses, to lies. You know Dirke's reputation, he would do anything to regain power."

"I know," I said. "Which is why you will investigate, quietly ofcourse. Every connection she has, every whisper and gossip from Moonshire, I want to know it all. If this is a trap, I'll find out before the Council does."

Mark nodded. "And if it's not?"

I hesitated for a moment. I heard her voice again.....small, trembling. I didn't mean to cross your path, my Lord. Please don't hurt me. If this is real then I might have to find another way to discard of her. The supreme Alpha must never be perceived to be weak.

I pushed the memory of her enchanting small voice away. "If it's not," I said, "then I'll decide what to do with her myself."

My sister Grandaline approached me, her expression softening for the first time. "Brother, you've led the packs through blood and fire. Don't let a slave girl, especially a cursed one undo that."

I looked at her, seeing the concern beneath her arrogance. "I won't," I said. "I can't afford to." But even as I said it, Dante stirred again, you lie to yourself.

I turned sharply toward the open door, the air shifting. The faintest trace of her scent: soft, faintly wild, like rain on stone, drifted down the corridor. My wolf surged forward, clawing for control.

She's close Dante growled.

"Zane?" Grandaline's voice pulled me back.

I straightened, forcing my heartbeat to steady. "You will investigate her personally," I told Grandaline "Watch her, find out whatever Dirke is planning and report back to me."

Grandaline nodded, her expression cold again.

"As you wish my Lord"

Mark bowed curtly "I will question the Moonshire warriors and see what rumors they are spreading."

As they turned to leave, I stayed by the window, staring out at the moonlit courtyard below stretching in it's vastness and spilling to the woods beyond The castle walls. The castle was silent, the night heavy with the scent of the magic of the moon which every wolf draws it's essence.

I starred at my reflection on the glass window, it looked strange and weary. Just yesterday I was nervous about finding my mate, meeting her, marking her. Now, I was nervous to accept her, if the half-blood is really the one. My eyes glowed faintly gold...my wolf's mark of claim. I pressed my palm to my chest, as if I could smother the bond pulsing beneath the skin.

"She can't be my mate," I whispered to myself again, rags swelling up inside me.

She is, Dante growled, she is fated, ours and if you dare deny her, you will lose more than your throne.

A shiver ran through my spine. For the first time in years, I felt fear, I, Zane of Howlgroove, Alpha Supreme, suddenly afraid. Outside the chamber, a door creaked open, I heard voices and footsteps approaching me very quickly. Grandaline appeared with a guard running towards me. Startled, I moved toward them, my instincts sharpening, my strides quick and swift. The scent of my purposed mate Raina was stronger now, I could smell her fear, something is wrong.

I stood still at the middle of the long corridor , Grandaline and the guard bowed , they looked charged.

"What is it?" I demanded.

"My Lord... there is movement in the east wing, she has broken curfew." Grandaline replied, her breathing heavy as if she was trying to catch her breath.

My eyes narrowed. "Who?" I asked feigning ignorance, but I already knew who she was talking about .

she hesitated. "The half-blood, my Lord. Raina."

The castle seemed to tilt for a moment. Dante roared in triumph, his voice shaking through my mind. Go to her, she is afraid, she needs you.

I didn't move, I hoped at that moment that I could wish this whole day away.

Mark strutted in taking in the situation, he knew I had already been briefed by Grandaline. He bowed low "Your orders, my Lord?"

I wish I could order her to be thrown out, killed, disappear. But, I couldn't, I almost felt responsible for her now, for her safety, for her happiness and I didn't even know why.

I turned toward the dark hall where her scent led and for a moment I thought I saw her standing Infront of me-white hair shinning like silver beneath the moonlight.

"Find her," I said at last, my voice low and dangerous. "But do not harm her."

Mark nodded, signaling the guards to follow him. Grandaline looked at me for a moment with motherly concern, shook her head sadly and walked away towards the upper Chambers.

As they disappeared down the hall, I stood alone in the silence, Dante's growl rumbling like thunder beneath my skin. You can't run from fate, he whispered, you can't turn her away from us, she is ours, forever.

I shook with rage, Dante was wrong, I could, and will. My throne is being threatened by her existence, marking her was no option. Our bond is against the moon goddess's divine laws. Only pure bloods are mate to Alpha's, much more Alpha supreme.

"Watch me try," I muttered, walking towards the entrance of the castle where I could hear the commotion.