Chapter 3 Three

Alexander POV... At the stroke of midnight, I found myself amidst the vast forest, gazing up at the moon. A chilling breeze sent shivers down my spine. I am Alexander, the esteemed leader of the Haethon kingdom, holding the prestigious position of Alpha. Ever since my father's untimely demise during my youth, I have lacked the necessary experience to govern a kingdom. Consequently, my cousin's brother, Adam, took on the role of managing my realm. However, I departed for London in pursuit of a superior education and only returned after a span of five years. Of all the birthdays, the eighteenth stands out as the most memorable for a werewolf, as it marks the moment when they encounter their destined mate. When a werewolf discovers their fatemate, an overpowering bond and connection ensue, surpassing mere physical attraction. This unbreakable bond is believed to be the key to a werewolf's contentment and fulfillment. Seeking one's Alpha Fate mate is an ongoing journey filled with excitement and tribulations, yet the ultimate reward lies in finding the person who complements one's entire being. However, such fortunes had not befallen me, for I had yet to find my fated mate. In pursuit of her, I tirelessly searched but faced nothing but failure. As time progressed, I ascended to the role of the Haethon Kingdom's leader, while my cousin Adam united with his mate, Seema. Thus, we lived our lives in this manner. Nevertheless, fate had plotted an alternative course. Tia, my cousin's daughter, entered the picture. With Seema's unfortunate demise upon Tia's birth, we became the guardians of this precious child. Adam, ravaged by the loss of his mate, met his own demise one fateful night, leaving me solely responsible for Tia. Throughout her upbringing, I ceased searching for a mate, accepting my duty as Tia's caretaker. Rumors circulated that the Moon Goodness held disdain for me, hence my lack of a fated mate. Yet such hearsay held no sway over me, for I remained indifferent to the opinions of others. Within my kingdom, we prospered, surpassing neighboring realms in prominence. A harmonious existence prevailed, as all individuals enjoyed equal rights. Here, Alpha, Beta, and even Omega stood on the same ground, revered by all. In our domain, the concept of slavery was nonexistent. As I contemplated the moonlight for a fleeting moment, I proceeded towards the palace. Tomorrow beckoned for a crucial meeting with leaders from various packs. * Morning.. At the crack of dawn, I stood on my balcony, overlooking the majestic mountains that embraced our kingdom. Nestled within their embrace, my father had painstakingly established the realm, pouring his time and effort into its development. Now, the onus rested solely on my shoulders. The most notable aspect of our kingdom lies in its emphasis on equality. Here, alpha, beta, and even omega basked in the same respect. A fair society devoid of servitude thrived. A knock resounded on my room's door, heralding the arrival of my loyal beta, Laim. Bearing a glass of juice, he entered with a smile, though worldweariness lurked in his eyes. "When do you plan on heeding my advice, my friend? A glass of juice does not suffice as breakfast," he inquired, his disappointment evident. Gazing upon the majestic mountains and inhaling deeply, I directed my gaze towards him and replied, "Laim, my heart does not yearn for breakfast." Taking a seat beside me, Laim expressed his concerns. "How much longer will you be alone? Will we never resume our search for your destined companion? Alex, you are not only my friend and brother but also the esteemed leader of our pack. Although you may be unaware of it, your people require the presence of Luna in order to properly care for both you and the pack. You are not simply a leader, but an alpha. Your fated mate has the ability to complete you. Consider the wellbeing of your wolf, Alex. Observe how he displays his discontent towards you. He remains dormant and unresponsive, and you no longer engage in your previous activities. How much longer will this endure?" Remaining silent in contemplation, Laim studied me momentarily before rising to his feet. "I shall retrieve your attire. In the meantime, please finish your juice. We have a meeting ahead. However, I must emphasize, Alex, that I cannot bear witness to your solitude any longer." With that statement, Laim exited the room. The yearning for a mate consumed me, yet her essence eluded me. I combed through every conceivable location in my search, to no avail. Eventually, I began to suspect that I was the type of alpha who incurs the wrath of the moon goddess. Destined to lead a life devoid of a mate, I embraced this lonely fate. Adopting Tia provided a glimmer of hope, and now she is my source of happiness. Admittedly, my people anxiously await Luna's arrival. Several individuals have suggested that I sacrifice and claim an omega as my own Luna, but such a course of action is beyond my capacity. My wolf compels me to heed the advice of others as a means of escaping loneliness. However, I refused to allow anyone other than my fated mate to touch me, which eventually incurred the wrath of my wolf, Tiger. It has been five long years since he last communicated with me. I have lost the ability to shift, reducing me to a mere alpha, an ordinary leader. * "The esteemed ruler of Haethon Kingdom, Alexander, has forged a lucrative partnership with the renowned entrepreneur, Mariana Pack. Within the region, Mariana Pack boasts an impressive record of successful ventures. Collaborations with other kingdoms have consistently yielded substantial growth and expansion for all parties involved. The alliance between Haethon Kingdom and Mariana Pack holds great promise, as their combined efforts are poised to attract new investments, foster job opportunities, and ultimately enhance the lives of the kingdom's citizens. While the specific endeavors they shall undertake are yet to be revealed, anticipation runs high for the prosperous future that lies ahead." Upon hearing this announcement, the business team representing Mariana Pack rose from their seats and made their way to the stage. Laim proceeded to congratulate each member with a firm handshake. Following the signing of the document, Alexander and Thomas exchanged handshakes, posed for photographs, and engaged in conversation. During their farewell moment, Alexander took the opportunity to address Thomas. "I trust, Mr. Thomas, that you will follow in the footsteps of your esteemed elder brother, Mr. Jeon, who had been an exceptional business partner to my father. The strides you have made in the past few years have brought us great joy as business associates." Thomas responded reassuringly, "Rest assured, Mr. Alexander, you will find no cause for complaint. As we are now business partners, why not pay a visit to our pack this weekend and spend a few days there? I would be thrilled to show you around our Mariana Pack as well as the location of our newly developed housing project. Having a prominent figure like yourself grace our pack would be an honor." Thomas looked at me expectantly. Personally, I am not fond of visiting others' packs, but something about his words resonated with me. Ultimately, I found myself agreeing with Thomas' proposition. "Certainly, Mr. Thomas, I gladly accept your invitation." Thomas beamed with satisfaction. "Now, if you'll allow me, I shall take my leave." Thomas offered his hand for a parting handshake, which I accepted while wearing a smile. "Take care of yourself, Mr. Thomas." Soon after, Mr. Thomas departed in his car, and I remained there for a moment before departing alongside Laim. I couldn't help but anticipate the arrival of the weekend, although the reason for my excitement eluded me. * * *