Four weeks later…..
" Alpha, how was the meeting with the King?" Adams asked Kael.
He entered his house with such anger and irritation, that Adams preferred to be quiet. But, being a Beta of South Goddess Moon, he knew he had to gather courage and ask his Alpha about the meeting. It's not casual when the Alpha king summons someone at such short notice.
"Fine!" Keal replied. His voice, as usual, came deep and strong. He made his way to the massive sofa in his living room and sat on it with a thud. His Beta, however, didn't dare to sit at his equal, as that was the place for his Luna.
" The officials are eager to know the reason why the Alpha King summoned you!" The beta asked hesitantly.
Kael took a deep breath to calm his anger. He knew it would be wrong to throw away his anger on his Beta- who was nothing but loyal to him.
" The king called me so that he could remind me that, I have only two years more to search for my mate. If during these years, I fail to present the luna to the South territory, I shall be asked to resign from the Alpha position." Kael said. He wasn't upset about leaving the position, but the mere thought of not being able to find his soul mate was eating him from the inside.
A casual werewolf can recognize his/her soul mate at the age of eighteen. Whereas, Alphas and Betas can sense their soul mate at around sixteen years of age. But, he was thirty years old and had still not found his destined one.
"That's not fair! There is no better person to rule the South territory, than you, Alpha! " Adams confessed.
It was true. Kael was everything, a good Alpha should be. He was powerful, disciplined, sharp, and no wonder he was a pureblood. His mere presence can make all werewolves except the King, submit to him. He was ruthless and cruel, no doubt- because these negative qualities come as an additional package if you are an Alpha. He had everything, except his soul mate. And, he needed her- not just for himself but for his territory too! A luna- the soul mate of Alpha- gives internal strength to the werewolves, and without her, this strength would be gone!
Kael chuckled at his Beta's comment.
" I am glad you think like that, Adams. But, the King isn't wrong. He has the full right to guide me. And without my mate, I would eventually fall apart. And then, who will look after the territory? I am sure you don't want an insane wolf to command you." Kael said. His voice should have been sarcastic and comical, but his voice said the other thing. His face was still serious as if he were discussing how to win a war! His Beta was aware of this. He knew what he was going through. The absence of a soulmate can do this to the wolf. He was going insane when he couldn't find his soul mate. But, when he did, he knew he was safe. All he could wish for his Alpha was, for him to find his soul mate as soon as possible.
"I would like to be alone now, Adams. I'd be glad if you could leave now. " Kael said.
" Sure, Alpha. But, I needed your signature on some document."
"What documents? "
" The medical college of Greystone had organized its final semester exams here. The venue isn't far from the headquarters. So, they needed your permission to organize the exam here. "
"Why can't they organize the exam in their college itself or somewhere near the place they live? "
"Alpha, it's a rule of the educational institutions, to organize exams outside the city they live in. In this way, the students can see more areas of the South territory. "
"I know that..... Ask them to choose some other place. Howlstead (the city where the headquarters of the South territory is located.) is not for this stuff."
" Actually, Alpha, I.....I already gave them permission on your behalf. "
"And who gave you that power?" Kael asked furiously, as his wolf thought his Beta was trying to get above him.
" I am sorry Alpha! I thought..... maybe.... Just maybe, one of them might turn out to be your soul mate! " Adams replied hesitantly.
Kael calmed down as realization hit him. He was glad his Beta cared for her. But, how could he tell him that he had almost lost all hope of finding his soul mate! Almost!
"Fine. Give me the papers." Kael signed the papers and threw the pen on the table lazily.
" So, will you come with me to the venue of the exam?" He asked.
" Do I have any other option?" Kael said with closed eyes. His head rested on the back of the sofa. No doubt, he was tired.
Adams smiled. He had this feeling, that his Alpha would find his soul mate soon. After all, the Moon Goddess can't be that cruel as not to give him one! Adams left the Alpha's house, but not before saying:
" I know you will find your soul mate soon, Alpha. I know we will get our Luna soon!"
Kael lay still. He didn't open his eyes or say goodbye. But his last words rang in his head. Soul mate.
Words couldn't explain how much he wanted to meet his soul mate. The lonely house and empty bed at night made him more upset and desperate. He was jealous of other werewolves, as they had their soul mates in their arms, but he didn't. He didn't have anyone to hold him. He didn't have anyone to hold to.
He was jealous of his Beta. He was jealous of his warriors. He was jealous of the regular wolves. Hell, he was jealous of the Alpha King too! Just because they had their Love by their side, and he didn't!
Right from the moment he turned sixteen, he had demanded that his father build a separate house for him, so that he and his soul mate could live there together. Naturally, his father didn't agree to it. How would the children survive on their own?
But, exactly after he became the Alpha, he fulfilled his promise. He built his dream house where he would live with his Love forever- until death. He waited, waited, and waited, but his wolf never caught the scent of his soul mate. Years passed by slowly as if teasing him about his inability to find his destined one.
He had arranged for everything. He had made sure that when he found his Love, she would get everything she wanted. He had designed the wardrobe of his room in such a way that both their clothes would be kept side by side. But, for years, he had to see the empty side of the wardrobe where his soul mate's clothes were supposed to be.
He even kept two pillows on the bed and imagined his mate sleeping by his side. But, again, looking at the empty pillow for years, had made him mad. Sometimes, the desperation increases so much during the night that, he kicks the pillow out of the bed and growls in frustration. But, then again, he would bend down and kiss the pillow and put it back to its rightful place.
Yes, he was already in love with his soul mate whom he hadn't even seen! He wasn't a special case. Every werewolf loved their mate from the moment their wolf made an appearance.
He imagined what she would look like. He imagined how she would look when she laughed. He wanted to hold her in his arms. But the problem was, there was no one to quench the desire and lust he carried for her.
If he wanted, he would have taken any woman he wanted. He was an Alpha for God's sake. Any woman would love to be at his side- of course not the mated ones. But he never took any woman to his bed throughout his life. He didn't want to betray his soul mate. This is one of the qualities of werewolves- that they love only one person throughout their existence. Was the Goddess testing his patience? Had he done something bad in his life to deserve such a fate? Was he not good enough to at least deserve a mate! All these questions used to come into his head whenever he got spare time from work. To avoid thinking much about his inability, he tried to immerse himself in the pack work. But, no matter how much he tried, he just couldn't get her off his mind- his soul mate! Where are you? He sighed loudly. And as usual, he stood up and went to his room to do the routine work.
But as the saying goes, we preserve the thing most when we get it after a long time! The same is the case with Kael too. He had sworn to love and keep his mate forever!
_
Ariana and Michael's house....
" Can you believe it, we have our last exam tomorrow! " Briana spoke happily.
" I know," Ariana replied.
"Why don't you sound happy? I mean.... It's our last semester exams. And, then we can easily apply for jobs! Think of independence! " Briana raised both her hands dramatically.
They were sitting on the comfy sofa of Michael's house, talking about this and that. Firstly, they were meant to have a group study at Briana's house, but Michael denied it by saying that her house was not good enough for his mate to live in.
So, they had to change their plan, and thanks to Ariana, who convinced her mate to let Briana come into their house. Michael didn't like the attention his mate was giving to her friend. He wanted Ariana all to himself. They could have done so much without her friend inside the house- something like trying for a baby. But, instead of that, his mate asked him politely to make fries for them. And, he being a love-sick wolf, couldn't deny her request. But, that didn't prevent him from eavesdropping on their gossip.
" He doesn't want me to work after college," Ariana replied straight.
That son of a b****! Briana cursed internally, as she didn't have the guts to speak that aloud.
" Here." Michael laid the fries and sauce in front of the woman. He took a seat beside his mate as close as possible. Ariana wanted to smack him on his head with her books, but refrained from doing so. If she wanted to make Michael agree on what she wanted to say, she would have to make him happy.
He specifically made her eat, to which Briana wanted to vomit.
Did he forget she has hands? She thought. " Umm.... Michael, I was thinking.... If Briana can stay here for tonight. And then we can leave together for the exam venue in the morning. " Ariana asked with a big smile which made him melt. How could he say no to that face?
" Anything for you love!" He said.
" She can take the guest room. It's free anyways." He said.
Ariana wanted to spend the night with her friend, but she knew it would be too much to ask him.