Enchanting deception

10 years later...

The cold breath of the approaching winter whipped up the waves of the sea. Tase, sitting on the beach, stared into the distance. His eyes spied the blue of the sea. Ten years. Ten years had passed since that terrible day. Ten years. Ten years since he'd been able to find any trace of the dear creature who had saved his life. Broken promises and guilt had become his daily companions.

- Ten years...would she even recognize me? - Tase asked out loud as if he was talking to himself. He grew a lot since they last met. His face became more of an adult man's and his muscles grew. Tase Hidalgo. The dreadful Alpha of the Winter flower Pack. After his family has been massacred and he miraculously survived. He returned to his Uncle's Pack, the Blood riders. As his Uncle never found a mate for himself, he made Tase his heir. After his sudden death five years ago, Tase worked day and night, and his Pack now was almost equal to the Royal Pack. He never strived for power or wealth. The only thing he wanted was, to be strong enough to protect those who depended on him. He educated himself and trained relentlessly, made successful businesses and wise decisions that lead him to the place where was now. Although, Tase had a real goal set in his heart. To find that lovely little girl who brought him back to life. His guardian angel. His loyal wolf, Titan answered in their minds.

*- The bigger question is, would you recognize her? - Tase chuckled.

- I'd never forget those unique eyes. That sweet, deep coral hair and lovely smile. - Tase sighed. He had been searching for Adalinda for long years. Even after he lied to Timon that he had stopped, he secretly kept sending people and buying information from mercenaries. He also hired intelligence agencies, but no one was able to find a single trace of Ada. The quiet sound of the waves of the sea calmed the storm in Tase's soul a little. Every day he came here, every night at the same time. By which time Adalidna was expecting them home. Tase couldn't help thinking how much that innocent little girl wanted to see the sea with him.

- Do you think she is going to magically appear if you keep staring into the night? - a familiar voice asked. Tase didn't even turn around. It was Timon. His best friend and Beta. Timon also grew a lot more in these years, his expression became rather serious with the years and he acted even more cautious than before. But this ruthless appearance was immediately thrown away when they were alone. Timon hopped next to Tase in the sand and gently bumped his shoulder into Tase's.

- It has been ten years Tase. - Tase sighed.

- I know.

- Wouldn't it be time to let her go? - Timon asked very carefully and Tase shook his head.

- As long as there is no proof of her death, I'm not giving up. - Timon looked at the endless darkness of the sea and night sky.

- The elders are bugging us to choose mates. - it might seem as a change of topic, but in reality, it was the same. Both Timon and Tase held a really high position in their kind. Normally Alphas and Betas found their mates at young age, yet neither the twenty-six years old Tase, nor the twenty-eight years old Timon found theirs yet.

- I'll get married when I meet my mate. -Tase said disinterestedly. The elders were bugging them for years already.

- My situation is quiet different, but since the Prince is considering you as a threat of his position, the elders suggested an arranged marriage with the daughter of Duke Dukan, Sabrina. Sabrina Dukan. A gorgeous, young and strong she-wolf. Golden hair, brown eyes, beautiful figure intelligent and elegant. All young wolves hoped that she might turn out to be their mate. But Sabrina remained mate-less just like Tase and Timon. Tase's hand clenched into fists.

- Dear friend of mine... If the Prince considers me as a threat, wouldn't it be wiser to stay mate-less until the misunderstanding is solved? Why should I drag an innocent woman into the fight of men? - Timon rolled his eyes.

- That's a reason why you are our Alpha. You're disgustingly diplomatic my friend. You know Tase, you remind me a lot of your mother! - Tase smiled warmly. His mother was a saint. A cute, kind, and strong hybrid. His father used to tell them the story of how they met, in the forest when hunters tried to capture Emily , Tase's mother. As soon as his father laid eyes on her, he knew. He saved Emily and she proved to be a wonderful Luna and leader. She gifted him with four incredible sons and her sense of diplomacy usually saved the ass of her hotheaded husband. Tase chuckled at the memories. Suddenly a guard rushed to them disturbing the quiet and calmness of the scenery.

- Excuse me for the interruption Alpha! - Tase got up and dusted of the sand off his jeans. Timon followed his example and turned to the guard.

- What is it? - he swallowed hardly and said.

- Our men captured a ship filled with illegal goods and... They also had many people chained Alpha. Shifters, witches and humans as well. - Tase's eyebrows frowned and he took a last glance at the sea before he turned to the guard.

- Lead the way. - he bowed and they followed him in a hurry. Humans and shifters also witches. Just what were these idiots thinking? We should ask one of the witches from our pack to erase their memories before we let them go. They arrived at the nearby port where Tase's guard caught the merchants. The prisoners were lined up on the ground. Their hands were handcuffed and bound together with a thick chain. All, one by one, were malnourished and afraid. With one exception. At the very end of the row sat a young prisoner. He had a hood over his head but, unlike the others, he didn't have his head hanging low. He just sat there quietly, humming. Tase grabbed the merchant and sent one of his best warriors to interrogate the trader. He turned to Timon and said.

- Bring here Camille, we will need her help. - Timon nodded and rushed to fetch their friend and loyal helper. Camille was a witch, around Tase late mother's age. She became a second mother for the boys when they were still in Blood Rider Pack. Camille used to be Tase mother's dear friend. While he waited for Camille, Tase walked along the prisoners and his heart clenched with every step. These poor people have suffered so much. I'll help them to get their lives back. As he walked the humming of the young prisoner caught his attention. His voice was so soft and... Femenine... Tase slowly approached and heard the soft singing.

- "Long is the day when the moon obscures the sun

'Tis the darkness they become, till the dawn upon the fjord" - Tase's heart started to beat faster as he approached the singing prisoner. Her voice was so familiar that he didn't want to believe his ears. The unmistakable scent of Honeysuckles hit his nose and his hand trembled as he grabbed the hood gently and pulled it off of the prisoner's head. She kept singing until their eyes met.

- I fell astray, but in you I've found

That, I am rather bound to your amber eyes...