The Blessed One

Chapter 9

***Dominic***

After 6 long, and grueling years I had finally taken over the Alpha position this year. I had completed all of the training my father entrusted me with, the only thing he did not approve of was I hadn't found my Luna.

Much to my mothers disappointment, I held true to my belief of not wanting or needing a mate. Mates make you weak, mates are a distraction, but mother is persistent. She's tried many excuses over the past whether it be that she wants grandchildren, or that mates make you stronger, or the simple fact that she doesn't want me to be lonely. If she only knew.

I couldn't sleep. For some odd reason I felt restless with my wolf preening around in my head. He was antsy and agitated.

I ran my fingers up and down the soft skin of one of my mistresses backs. Lena had long since fallen asleep but I had tried and failed many, many times. Her soft blonde hair was splayed on the bed behind her and her tanned skin was glistening in the moonlight. I knew there were no rogue attacks, our borders were secure, there were no fights between members so why couldn't I find rest?

I peeled her off of me and went to my balcony. The moon was almost at its highest and there was not a cloud in sight. The salty scent of the ocean drifted through my nostrils. The calming sounds of the oceans waves crashing against the shore and walls of the castle drifted up.

Tonight would be a beautiful night for a run. I felt the itch to shift and take to the land on all 4 paws. I was pulled from my thoughts by a howl. Not one but 2 of them. It was so loud it sounded like it was right next to me. This howl was unlike any other, it felt powerful, it felt like a precursor, it felt like pure radiance from the goddess. It was hard to explain the feeling that this howl gave me. I almost felt compelled to howl back. Let this wolf hear my responding song.

It was then that I noticed it was 2 howls. 2 separate voices. Both powerful in their own way but so different. One gave me the urge to get on my knees and submit. As an alpha I found this concerning. I never bowed to anyone, I never submitted. It almost made me angry, but my wolf was ready to submit. He was ready to bow down to this unknown entity. I growled angry at him and at myself. But the other howl was hypnotic. It was almost like listening to the goddess herself. There was power yet innocence behind this voice.

My door barged open and I grabbed the dagger that was on the table, only to yield when I saw my father and my Beta Ryland.

Lena jumped up with a small yelp clutching the sheets to her naked chest. The torches they carried illuminated the room far better than any candle could.

Ryland tossed his torch on the fireplace bringing extra light before we all stepped on the balcony. Lena had wrapped herself in a robe and saddled her way to my side. Her grey eyes looked at me with lust. I would take care of her later.

“I am guessing you heard that? Whoever that guy is, he sure is powerful.” Ryland asked and I responded with a nod.

“It wasn't just one guy. There were 2 wolves. But yes, I could feel the power. The compulsion was almost intoxicating.” my father slapped his hands down on the table.

“How did I not realize before? Do you know what today is?” he started pacing back and forth.

“She's alive…” he whispered. I c****d my brow at him when he didn't elaborate.

“You stupid boy. Always thinking with the wrong head. Use your brain, son.” I growled and bared my teeth at him in warning. He may be my father, but he isn't the alpha anymore.

“It has been exactly 6 years. She would have turned 16 tonight…”

“Not this again. Father, the blessed ones are gone. We have searched and searched for years. We have checked nearly every inch of scotland. They are gone. They probably died that night.” he scoffed and just looked at me with doubt.

“Someone who does not want to be found, won't be seen.” he scolded.

Ryland had his hand on his chin as if he was deep in thought. “If it is them, Allue would have shifted tonight for the first time. The timing, the moon being at its highest peak. It all makes sense. But how could they have survived this long on their own, not once being spotted?”

Lena growled a bit and we all looked at her. “Sorry. I was just thinking of what happened all those years ago. It is so angering to think of all that they went through.” I wrapped an arm around her and ushered her back inside.

“We will send a team of trackers out. I doubt they will find anything.” I said trying to compromise with him. He nodded and left while Ryland stayed behind just glaring at Lena. He didn't like her, didn't trust her, did not approve of her or any of my mistresses. He, like my mother, believed in mates, and the power that they hold. Lena hid behind me a bit uncomfortable with his gaze on her.

“Is there anything else you would like to add, Beta?” He is my friend but that doesn't mean I won't put him in his place.

He bowed his head and extended his neck in submission. “No alpha. I will assemble a team of trackers at once. Enjoy your… activities.”

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. He didn't understand, he didn't see what I saw that night. He didn't see such a powerful alpha dead because he got distracted by his mate, by love.

“Come back to bed, love. If there is anything to be found, they will find them.” she whispered in my ear with a seductive hint to her voice.

I will admit she is a temptress. She is the daughter of an alpha from a neighboring pack in England, sent here to secure an alliance. And she certainly secured it. She knows that I don't want a mate, nor do I want or believe in love. Whether she has obtained feelings for me or not is not of my concern.

Her hands wrapped around me from behind and she extended her claws a bit, drawing red angry lines on my bare chest. I spun around and backed her up to the wall pinning her by her wrists above her head. My hips dug into hers, keeping her still.

"Now, now, lass. You're going to pay for that." my lips attacked her neck and for a second, just a brief second I wondered what her pretty little neck would look like with my mark there. But I stuffed that thought deep down. A bit angry at myself I bit her neck a bit harder than normal but to my surprise instead of yelping or pulling away she moaned out. Her breathy voice in my ear.

“Tell me what you want, Lena.”

Her pupils dilated, and she licked her lips. “You... I want you Dom…”

Sated, sweaty, and sleeping was how I left Lena on my bed. She was certainly entertaining, but I couldn't help but feel that something was missing. My pack was happy, prospering, and living in peace. What missing piece could there be?

It had been a couple of hours since Ryland left with the trackers and as much as I didn't want to admit, I was anxious to see if they found anything.

We halted all search parties for the blessed ones about a year ago. We gave up hope that they were alive. I can only imagine the look on my fathers face if we discovered that they were indeed alive.

”Alpha Dominic. The trackers and Beta Ryland are returning with 2 wolves. Where would you like us to take them?” I heard a guard through the link.

”Take them to the cells. I will meet you all there.” I threw the blankets off of me and put on my pants, buttoned up my shirt, slid on my boots, and attached my dagger to my belt and for show put on my leather arm bracers. I wondered if they were bringing in the wolves that we heard how or if it was rogues they encountered on their way.

I grabbed my father on the way to the cells. If it was the blessed ones he would know how to recognize them.

“Do you know who it is?” he asked and I shook my head.

“Chan eil, but let's find out shall we?”

We walked down the stone stairs the moisture from the ocean was seeping through the cracks. It smelled of mold, and stagnant water down here. Torches lit our way until we reached a large wooden door with 2 of my guards outside of it. They bowed and let us through and I met with Ryland.

“Who did you find.” he shook his head but looked puzzled.

We walked to the end of the hall to a cell and I held my torch out to shine the light on who we have here.

“Mark!? Justine?!” Dad ran to grab the cell door to open it, almost forgetting that it was silver and would burn him.

“You know them?” I asked and he ordered a guard to open the doors. “No. You are not to let them out. Not until we interrogate them.” multiple growls were heard, but I didn't care. I was protecting my pack. I don't know these wolves, I don't know what they are capable of. “It seems my father knows you, but I have yet to meet you. I am Dominic. I am the Alpha of this pack. State your name and what you were doing on my territory.”

“I am Beta Mark of the Highland pack. This is my mate Justine. We weren't aware we were on your territory. If you release us, we will be on our way.”

The highland pack?

I looked to my father and he nodded. “If what you say is true, then where are the blessed ones?”

Justine paled and Mark's demeanor changed. He stood taller, emitted more of his Beta aura. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

I smirked and stalked closer to the bars. The heat radiating off the silver causes a bead of sweat to form. “Well Mark. Until we get answers, you won't be leaving this cell. So would you like to tell me the truth?” my dad growled at me exasperated.

“You will stand down. If you cannot control yourself you will leave. Do you understand?” he huffed but left the room. My eyes turned back to the Beta.

“Your alpha left you in charge of Both Allue and Damien. Now either they are alive and you're hiding them, or they are dead. So which is it?” he remained silent.

“Alright. Until you're ready to talk, you and your mate will stay here. You will be treated fairly as prisoners. Have a nice stay.”

As I got to the door to leave the cells he spoke up. “You will never find them.”

*Translations from Scottish Gaelic to English.

Chan eil - no