How disappointing.

There was no better word to express how he was feeling.

After all these years of searching, of all the beings he could've paired with, the universe chose to give him a human mate.

Not just a feeble human, but a prostitute woman.

The lowest of the low.

He'd always imagined his Luna to be a proud wolf with the strength to dominate and command respect. Someone who would rule beside him and together, they'll be a formidable force. Conquering all his enemies, and exerting order in Plane Woede and all its hinter lands.

He could have gladly accepted other worldly beings like a shapeshifter, a siren, a fey, a phantom or even a nymph, if it meant that their life span was long and amortal.

Their strength was well matched to that of a werewolf and they all had their individual strengths. He would've still managed an Omega, the lowest of the ranks, the weakest in the pack. Provided she was a wolf, he would accept his fate.

But what was he to do with a mere human?

They could easily die from a cold, or just from food poisoning. They could dislocate an arm from exercising, or snap a femur just from running too much.

Damn it, she could die from childbirth.

How would she even birth his child?

Perhaps, he would not be this upset if she was a regular human girl.

Disappointed? Yes.

But not only was she human, she was selling herself to men at bars.

The lowest of the low.

It was downright upsetting as it was disappointing.

Surely, there was a mistake somewhere. She could not be his mate.

He thought to him self as he made his way through the stony path that led up to a thatched tree house.

Misty Plane was an alternate universe tethered to earth, just like that of the wolves. It shared celestial bodies with the galaxies, but existed within its own atmosphere.

The weather here was always cloudy, with no visible sunlight in the sky. Mists swirled around constantly, obscuring the general surroundings, so that only 100 meters could be seen within 360 degrees vantage point.

This plane was home to the phantoms, an ethereal spectral of beings that had the ability to switch their bodies between solid form and floating specters. They could pass through walls, objects or people in their spectral state and could create mists to hide themselves from their enemies.

He'd walked this path so many times in recent years that he could find it with his eyes closed in the dark. He heard the clanking of pots from this distance and a faint smile spread his lips.

Sabine was home.

Approaching the ladder that led up to the small thatched house tucked between two trees, he put one leg on the bottom step and jumped with ease to the door porch. Landing seamlessly like a cat, he turned the old door handle and walked into the old tree house.

The interior was nothing like the exterior of the house. While outside looked to be made of old wood and a thatch straw roof, inside was a specious house made of modern brick walls, a PVC ceiling and modern furnishings.

He was surprised the first time he'd set foot into this house; it was a total mirage from the outside. No one would expect such a lavish interior from an old tree house.

Sabine the Seer, was famous for her mastery in the magical arts of illusion, mystical potions and the gift of foresight.

"Someone doesn't seem too excited," she murmured from her position over the stove without looking over her shoulder.

He was silent as he went to sit on a bar stool in front of her kitchen island.

"I told you to leave a voicemail before coming to see me. What if I wasn't home?" she grumbled.

He shrugged a shoulder.

"I gave you the bead for a reason, Wayne Wyatt," she said, steering the contents of her pot for the last time before turning around to face him.

"I told you to twist the bead around and tell me your coming, it would turn red if I am home. Over here it will turn red indicating I have a visitor," she said pointing to a band of black beads around his left wrist.

He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Okay, whatever. Just barge in here whenever you like," she said wiping her hands on her apron and taking a sit opposite him.

"I assume you know why I am here," he said, leveling her with an unamused look.

"Wayne, I'm only a messenger. I told you what the gods revealed to me. You were to be at the bar on Wolven street, Nashville Tennessee at 7pm on the dot to meet your mate named Candice. All I got was a location, time and a name," she explained.

"Nothing else?" he urged.

"Nothing else," she affirmed.

"You could have made a mistake," he refused, feeling uneasy.

"The bones are never wrong Wayne Wyatt," she said dryly.

"But she is human! How can my mate be a human?" he got up, and began to pace the length of the room.

"It's only normal that she is human, considering the fact that her location was on the earth plane," Sabine said.

"But other beings travel the earth constantly. I travel earth too, does that make me human?" he argued.

"Don't blame me, I have no power in this matter. The universe makes the match, I only assist those who find it difficult to locate their mates," she sighed, softly.

"Ask the bones again, maybe there was a mistake the last time," he ran his fingers through his hair, his frustration visible.

"The bones would not speak unless it was sure!" Sabine countered, offended.

"Many years I have searched, visited many planes, sought out powerful witches and sorcerers. I have paid in gold and silver, in precious relics and rare antiques. All for what exactly? A human?"

"We each have our strengths, don't underestimate what the universe provides," she tried to soothe me.

"Then why has my wolf not recognized her? I don't feel it reaching for her, clamoring to claim her. Not even a flicker of feeling, what I only feel is disgust," he bit out in anger.

"If only you can put aside your dissatisfaction, perhaps you might see some nice qualities in her," Sabine encouraged.

"All I can see right now is a means to an end. I need her mortal body to birth me an heir, so I can solidify my claim on my throne. My position as Alpha will remain open to challenge if I do not have my Luna by my side, and an heir to carry on my line," he mused.

Waylon Wyatt, his exiled uncle, has challenged his throne twice already in the past years.

Two fierce battles filled with bloodbath and death. He lost good people in those wars, people he loved and cherished.

Just a year after the death of his father, his uncle, his father's younger brother had tried to oust him and his mother from the royal bloodline, to become the new Alpha.

He resisted him, despite being a young wolf with the help of his father's Beta, a high-ranking warrior. It was no secret that his uncle desperately coveted the throne.

The battle had been fierce, but victory was his. Sadly, I'd had lost his mother in the fray of the battles.

After that battle, his uncle was exiled out of the realm with all the other wolves who had betrayed them.

The second battle happened fifty years later, his uncle had managed to re-group and come back for another challenge.

This time around, he was now a grown man and had fought ruthlessly against him, but the attack was unexpected and he had little or no time to prepare. My father's Beta, who was the lead warrior, died trying to protect him, now his son had assumed that position.

After those bitter experiences, He'll never allow a weak link cost him the lives of those he loved, and have sworn to protect as the protector of the realm.

No mistake was allowed, He'll always be prepared for any and every attack.

He'll take precautions, if necessary, and would always be one step ahead of his enemies.

Over the years, he'd kept tabs on his uncles' movements and actions, hiding spies on every plane.

He was not ashamed to use magic, even though werewolves shunned anything diabolical. He would do anything and everything to protect his realm from malicious invaders.

So, when he heard that his uncle was looking for his Luna to capture her and use her as leverage against him, he intensified his search for her. Scouring the different planes of the universe to find her first before his uncle did.

Now he'd found her, but of what use was she to him or the pack?

Well, Sabine said he should look on the bright side.

The only benefit he was going to get out of this was having her play Luna until she births his child. Then he can set her aside, and take a more deserving wolf as queen who would rule by his side.

A chilling sensation of relief washed over him as he found himself grinning to the resolve he just made.

But an unwelcome question creeped into his mind, stalling his relief.

How would she birth his child when she was only human?

Wayne rose from the water and walked into the sea bank.

Waves crashed around his legs as his feet sank into the wet sand.

Water dripped down his body, his wet cloths clinging to his body.

He looked at his house on the cliff, just overseeing this seashore and stilled himself to listen.

Everything quieted around him, as his hearing strained toward the house.

He could hear voices from the staff within the house, footsteps walking up and down, smell of flavors from the kitchen, water dripping from a leaking pipe, werewolf scents carried in the wind. Nothing seemed strange or out of place.

Except for one thing, there was no human scent.

He felt a stir of unease in his chest as he strolled toward the house. It was possible her scent had been deemed by all the wolves around, after all she was the only human in the house.

Possibly on this plane, from what information he received daily from the epsilons (guardians) at the gates to this realm.

Apart from the official portal which was located at the center of the city, that served as the means of migration between realms for the community. He'd created a private portal solely for himself, located in the sea just under his house. This location was strategically chosen for many reasons which included:

Firstly, it was riverine and werewolves just like every creature with fur, hated soaking themselves in water. Secondly, Proximity to his house. it was a few meters away from his house. He could leave and come back anytime he wanted without anyone noticing his movements, in case he had traitors amongst his men. Thirdly, in the case of an emergency, he could escape with his people to safety or bring back re-enforcements to disarm the threat.

Lastly, no one could find the exact location of the portal in the sea bank except him. He'd made a deal with a mermaid to protect the portal, and keep updating the spell on it anytime he went through it.

Anyone who wanted to find it would have to find the mermaid first, to bribe her. That would mean descending to the bottom of the sea, using the Bermuda triangle to gain entry into the realm of the mermaids.

How many werewolves would be willing to take such a risk?

Well, only him.

Sabine had been instrumental in his quest to finding a mermaid, but he'd paid dearly for it.

No regrets though.

That was nothing compared to other dangerous feats he'd accomplished in the past. A rumor of his notoriety had spread across the various planes.

Some called him the grim ripper, others the angel of doom. To a few he was Armageddon, to his people, he was their protector. A ruthless and merciless leader who would do everything possible and necessary to secure his realm. A lot of lives depended on his every action or inaction; he could not afford to let them down.

Taking the steps edged into the cliff, he came to the landing of his house. He saw two sentinels (security guards) that were on duty. They immediately stood upright in attention when they saw him.

"Jason, Jordan," he acknowledged the twins with a nod.

"Greetings Alpha," they responded in unison.

"Where is Rojan? I have not seen him since lastnight," he inquired about his Beta, who was his right-hand man. Son of his previous Lead warrior. The man who gave his life for him.

"He just came to work a few hours ago. He has also been looking for you sire," Jordan replied.

"He seemed to be distressed, I believe the matter seems urgent," Jason added.

He gave them a curt nod and proceeded to enter his house, wondering what could be so urgent that Rojan was so weary about.

He took off his wet shoes at the door entrance and was about to unbutton his shirt when a voice yelled...

"Alpha, where have you been. I have looked everywhere for you?" Rojan exclaimed.

"I should be the one asking of your whereabouts when you left without a word last night," he casually, said.

"I went to talk with the gammas (elders) at the Assembly, informing them that we would soon have a royal bloodline added to the family." he explained.

"I'm not sure about that yet. I need more time to think," he murmured.

"But you have finally found her sire, it's been ten years of searching," Rojan stated.

"I'm aware of that Rojan, I plan to keep her a secret till I am certain on what to do with her," he replied.

"But you took her to bed last night," Rojan pointed out.

"Yes, I did, but it seems I was mistaken..." he trailed off, wondering if he could believe her story.

"You wouldn't be moved to claim her if she wasn't yours. Did you mark her neck?" he inquired.

Wayne stiffened at the question. He'd no desire to claim her when he bedded her last night.

He felt nothing. Not even lust. Just emptiness.

The claiming mark was an eternal mark, that male werewolves gave their mate to mark their territory and wade off every other male.

It was given during consummation and it remained imprinted on the female's neck, fading only slightly. Any other male who slept with another's mate with the mark was a crime punishable by death. It was a battle to the death.

"No, I didn't mark her," he finally answered, frowning when Rojan eyes widened at his response. "Why do you ask?"

"It's bad, it's really bad," Rojan said, his complexion growing pale.

"What is so bad about it? I still have time, what could be the rush?" he inquired.

"She's not in your chambers. We've searched everywhere. I believe she has fled the mansion," he reported.

As Wayne heard the words, he felt a jolt of lightening fire through his veins electrifying every nerve in his body. This was the first emotion he'd felt toward her since last night.

And it was a strange emotion he'd not felt in a long while.

It was fear.

Weird.

Everything was totally weird.

Candice thought to herself as she walked into a small building that held "Sally's Restaurant" boldly hanging from the door mantle.

The building was painted blue, both inside and outside and drawings of yellow sunflowers dotted the walls. It was as if she was entering a children's daycare. She couldn't remember any restaurants in Nashville that would use this choice of colors.

The houses she'd passed on her way here were all painted with bright colors such as orange, pink, yellow, red, and green.

What's with this city and colorful paintings?

Despite the bright colors, there was an old country feel to this town.

The streets were made of cobbled stones, not the usual modern coal tar. Oil lamps could be seen hanging from street poles, and the buildings were made of river rock and a red-clayish mortar, instead of the cement brick walls and concrete mortar she was used to.

It looked like it had some ancient history to it.

This scenery could come straight out of an 18th-century movie and she wouldn't bat an eye.

Except for the colors, everything seemed authentic. The only modern house she'd seen so far was Wayne Wyatt's.

How discomfiting.

She sighed deeply as she sat down at an empty table.

Just remembering his name made her weak, it was not easy dealing with a mentally challenged person.

After what he proudly told her this morning, there was no doubt in her mind that he was a psychopath.

He was going through a mid-life crisis, thinking himself to be the king of a gang of werewolves who lived in an alternate universe. Then she was his mate, like a Luna to an Alpha wolf, in a hierarchy of wolf supremacy.

Very funny.

Did he think she was as deranged as he was to believe such nonsense?

She would have suggested a good psychiatrist to him, if he had not stormed off to God knows where, after making such a shocking announcement.

"What can I offer you, milady?" a middle-aged lady with grey hair came up to her table.

She tried not to notice the clothes she wore, it was very modest and the style looked to be shabby and outdated, not the trendy fabrics this woke generation wore. She too, spoke in that funny way Wayne spoke, another reminder of the man.

"I'd like some coffee and a doughnut please," she replied.

She had no money on her when she'd snuck out of Wayne's house. But only managed to grab his black coat to cover her less-than-modest dress as it was daylight, and it would look irresponsible to work around the streets in her date clothes.

Hopefully, the coat should be worth some money and she could exchange it for food.

On her way here, she'd stopped a couple of people, asking to burrow their cellphone to make a phone call. Some had just stared at her wide-eyed, while others had just shaken their head in refusal as they hurried along, turning back to glance at her in a weird way.

It seemed the people of this community were not very welcoming to foreigners, or probably they didn't speak English as their language.

Now, before her was a woman who was speaking to her and understanding her words.

Finally.

"Please can I borrow your cell phone?" She asked, when the woman still stood looking confused despite her request.

"I do not have what you have ordered, milady," the woman replied firmly, after a brief moment of confusion.

"Oh okay, you see this this coat? It is made from the finest cotton. I bet Gucci or Prada would pale in comparison. Let's say I offer this in exchange for one phone call, please I really need to call my friend," she tried to negotiate.

"We offer only what is on our menu," the woman repeated.

She grabbed her by the wrist, "Please I'm really desperate, there's a crazy man who kidnapped me. Let me at least call the local police."

The woman took a step back from her and whispered, "You are human from the Gaea plane (earth), you are not safe out here on these streets without your master."

"What? Okay, I get that you may not trust me but I really need to call my friend. Or can you direct me to the nearest police station?" She reached for the woman's hand again to gently rub it.

"Is she bothering you?" a rough male voice said, from a table behind her.

"Do not worry about it Kregger, she is leaving now," The woman gave her a look that told her to leave immediately for her own good.

Tension filled the air, as the fine hairs on her skin stood straight, the voice from behind her carried menace with an undertone of trouble.

She got up quickly and was about to walk out of the place when iron-clad fingers curled around her arm and yanked her back to her seat.

"Kregger please do not cause trouble, let her go," the middle-aged woman pleaded.

"Why should I pretend as though I cannot smell her when I can clearly smell human flesh here on Plane Woede?" Kregger snarled as he put down his heavy goblet.

"She is my guest; I was the one who escorted her in," the woman said.

"I want to believe you Sally. I hope you're telling the truth. However, I would require her documents to believe she belongs to you. If not, she is open game, finders' keepers."

Kregger narrowed his eyes at Sally, who shrunk her shoulders in defeat and moved away. His fat meaty lips curled in victory as he stood up, pulling her up along with him.

"Not so fast kregger," another male voice said from a corner, "I saw her first."

"You lots amaze me. I've been following her secretly from two streets away!" another male who had entered the restaurant just after her, shouted.

In a split second, three men were laying claim to her.

One was the huge burly one holding her wrist tightly, the second was a short-looking muscular man and the third was a lanky-looking man with scrawny arms.

And they all seemed to want her.

"Don't you dare take my trophy from me; she will grace my bed tonight!" kregger sneered at the two of them. Then, he snaked his tongue out to give her a wet lick on her cheeks.

His breath smelt of strong rum. Disgusting.

"Back at you kregger, you cannot intimidate me," the second man countered.

"She is mine to keep!" the third man yelled back.

Something strange began to happen before her very eyes, men who looked to be normal began to growl and snarl, and a dark image flickered all over their body.

Kregger's nails around her arm grew into long black claws, he snarled as his teeth began to extend into pointed fangs, and his canines grew razor-sharp as he snapped them at his adversaries. The hairs on his skin began to forkout, in a grey mass of fur. His eyes grew milky until they turned yellow with his pupils thinning to a slit.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing, she looked at the other men and saw that they too, had transformed into unrecognizable beings.

Men with the physique of a human, now looked like a hybrid of both man and wolf.

Kregger roared to the roof and others roared too, it was an ear-splitting sound. She used her free hand to block out the sound as fear made her tremble.

The two men seemed ready to attack Kregger and her by extension. Raising long black claws with fangs dripping saliva, they lounged, and she closed her eyes and screamed with all her might.

An answering roar echoed from miles away.

This roar was different from the ones she'd just heard. The building shook from it, the ground seeming to vibrate under her feet and time seemed to stop.

She dared to pry her eyes open, and saw the three men who were just about to fight, had gone stone-cold, exchanging fearful glances amongst themselves.

A chill filled the air as the door of the restaurant flung open, and two men in brown uniforms worked in.

They looked identical in physique; she could remember seeing them at the mansion earlier this morning when she snuck past them. But the static energy that charged the room and created pin prickles of current on her skin was not coming from either of them.

Then they immediately parted and a third man walked in, his presence carried power. He towered above everyone else in the room and his eyes glowed an eerie blue. He didn't look to have transformed like the other three men, only the color of his eyes had changed, promising pain and suffering.

The atmosphere shimmered around him with his hands balling into fists as he searched her body from head to toe, then his eyes moved to the man grabbing her by the arm.

Kregger immediately let her go, shaking uncontrollably, as he sank to his knees. The other two men followed suit, trembling visibly as they knelt before him.

"Alpha, do forgive us for we have sinned," they all chorused.

Wayne bared his huge fangs at them and sneered, "Indeed, you have erred for ill," and in a flash of movements, he decapitated the fat burly male who had been grabbing her arm.

Kregger's head thudded to the ground, blood spraying everywhere.

The other two males cried in panic, as they shuffled away in fear.

Everyone in the restaurant cowered in fear as they all scurried to hide in different directions.

Wayne's claws dripped red crimson; his face splattered with blood as his icy blue eyes kept staring at her with something so passionate, she couldn't understand it.

In all this, he still looked gorgeous. Deadly, but irresistibly gorgeous.

This man would stand out anywhere.

His presence commanded authority, respect.... or chaos.

Just like Bernice had said, "When you see him, you will know."