Damian pov: We finally entered Blackwood territory, the familiar landscape a mix of relief and tension. We could've made it here yesterday, but after I passed out, the guys decided to stop at a neutral ground and rent a cabin for the night so I could recover. Now, driving through the park lands, all I could think about was my mate. What's happening to her? and who is she? I closed my eyes, reaching for Storm my wolf. "What's going on, Storm? Why've you been silent?" I asked, but he didn't respond right away. When he did, he sounded drained. Sorry, Damian. I've been taking away the pain. The closer we get to our territory, the worse it gets. I've been shielding you. What's happening? Who's our mate? I pressed, but Storm didn't answer. I don't know, Damian. I have suspicions, but I can't say anything until we get to the pack house and confirm." I sighed. I hope whatever our mate's going through isn't serious." Storm's response was grim. "For us to be feeling this pain, it's serious. We need to get to her. Just then, Josh spoke up. Storm finally responding to you?" Yeah, I replied. Mark ask's "So, now that we're back, are you seriously going to choose Vanessa as your mate? I scoffed. "What? Why would I choose Vanessa?" Because Vanessa's been telling everyone you're going to make her your chosen mate," Josh said, sounding irritated. "She's delusional," I said, shaking my head. "I never promised Vanessa anything. She's just got her hopes up, that's all. Josh nodded. "Apparently, she's been telling everyone you're going to make her your chosen mate." I scoffed. "That's news to me. You all know how Vanessa is. She started dating me, and I just went along with it. She got the wrong idea, and now she's running with it." Mark chuckled. "You know, it's a good thing you're not gonna reject your mate for her. you're mom's furious, by the way." I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" Mark grinned. "She's waiting for you to get back so she can give you a piece of her mind. She's convinced you're gonna reject your mate for Vanessa, our mom told us when we called them last night. I laughed. "No way. Mom knows me better than that." As we drove through the park gates, the townspeople waved, happy to have their future leaders back. We drove up to the pack house, and our parents were waiting with smiles on their faces. Mark was the first to jump out of the car, running to hug his parents, yeap my future garman is a mama's boy. I followed, exchanging hugs and greetings with my folks, my Dad having a proud smile on the face and complimenting my new looks, I have filled out more. My mom looked at me, her expression serious. "You're not thinking of rejecting your mate for Vanessa, are you? I sighed. "Mom, I never promised Vanessa anything. I don't know where she got that idea from. My mom nodded, relieved. "I knew my son wouldn't disappoint me." Aunty Linda, Vanessa's mom, tried to support Vanessa's wishful thinking , but my mom shut her down with a firm look. "My son will not reject his mate for Vanessa. He's meant to be with his true mate, and that's all there is to it." As they talked, I got distracted by a familiar chocolate and vanilla scent wafting from inside the pack house. I followed it, my curiosity piqued... I followed the scent, my heart racing with anticipation, not knowing where it would lead me. The scent led me to the storage room, my heart racing. "Storm, is this...?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Sofia's room," Storm confirmed. "Mate scent." I felt like I'd been punched. Sofia's our mate?" I demanded, but before Storm could answer, a searing pain hit me like a truck. I dropped to my knees, gritting my teeth. I groaned, clutching my chest. "What's happening?" I asked Storm. "Mate's in trouble. We need to shift and get to school," Storm replied, his voice urgent. Josh and Mark rushed to my side, trying to hold me up. "Damian what's going on?" Josh asked. I looked at them, my eyes wild. Sofia's in trouble. We need to go." They exchanged confused glances, but didn't hesitate. The three of us shifted into our wolves and took off, running out of the pack house. My parents shouted after us, but I didn't look back. We tore through the forest, our paws pounding the earth. I could feel Sofia's distress, and it was driving me crazy. What was happening to her? As I entered the school ground, the students' heads snapped down in unison, recognizing my Alpha aura. I sniffed the air, my heart racing with anticipation, and caught a whiff of the scent. But something was off. The scent was mixed with something else, blood. My heart sank, and I took off, following the scent to the school bathroom. I could feel Sofia's pain, and it was tearing me apart. I burst through the door, shifting back into my human form as I entered. The sight before me was like a nightmare. Sofia lay on the floor, a pool of crimson spreading beneath her. Her eyes were closed, her skin deathly pale. I felt like I'd been ripped apart. "No...no, no, no!" I rushed to her side, scooping her into my arms. I glared at Vanessa, who was trying to approach me. My growl sent her falling to her knees, and the others followed, trembling in submission. Sofia, baby, please...please wake up, I whispered, tears streaming down my face. I held her close, rocking her gently. "Moon Goddess, please...please don't take her from me. I'll do anything, just please...please let her be okay." I felt a faint tingle in my fingertips, but it was weak, almost non-existent. She hadn't received her wolf yet. The thought sent a fresh wave of panic through me. "Please, Sofia..please don't leave me," I begged, my voice breaking. I held her tighter, as if I could make her stay with me. "I can't lose you...I can't..." Sofia baby, stay with me," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. " As I held Sophia, Josh and Mark rushed to my side. "Damian, you need to calm down. We gotta get her to the pack hospital, now," Josh said, trying to pry her away from my hand. I growled, refusing to let go. But Mark added, "Damian, we need to get her help. Let's go." Just as they convinced me to move, a bright light appeared before us. My mom stepped out of the portal, her eyes calm. "It's okay, Damian. We'll get her to the hospital faster this way." She pointed revealing the pack hospital within. I nodded, still shaken, and followed her through. The healers rushed to take Sofia from me, whisking her away for treatment. I stood frozen, watching as they disappeared behind a curtain. My mom's hand on my shoulder was the only comfort I felt. "She'll be okay, Damian," she said softly. I turned to Josh and Mark, my voice low and deadly, my eyes blazing with fury. "I want everyone responsible for this locked in the dungeon. Whipped ten lashes every day for the next week. No one, absolutely no one, is to get them out until I say so." My gaze narrowed. "And those teachers who stood by and did nothing, knowing full well that Sophia was being mistreated... I want them sacked from the school. Everyone who has hurt my mate is going to pay." My words dripped with venom, my anger palpable. Josh and Mark nodded. "Yes, Alpha," they said in unison, before turning to carry out my orders. They knew better than to question me. My mate had been hurt, and I would stop at nothing to make those responsible pay. The dungeon would be their home for now, and I'd make sure they regretted ever hunting her.

One Week Later...... Damian pov: We stood at the park borders, the tension palpable as we interrogated the group of rogues. They'd been caught snooping around our territory for the past three days, and I was running out of patience. "What were you looking for?" I demanded, my voice firm. The rogues exchanged nervous glances, but one of them spoke up. "Our leader told us to find something and bring it back to him." I leaned in, my eyes narrowing. "What thing?" The rogue clamped his mouth shut, refusing to say more. But I wasn't having it. I turned to my dad, my eyes seeking answers. "Has this ever happened before?" Dad's expression was grim. "No, Blackwood's territory is usually off limits for rogues. I growled, my anger simmering. Neighboring parks had reported similar incidents, about these rogues snooping around their borders. They're sneaking into territories, trying to kidnap young girls. Some got caught and were killed on the spot. But we've caught a few in our territory. We're keeping these ones alive to squeeze more info out of them. What exactly are you looking for in my territory?" I snarled, my patience wearing thin. The rogue's eyes flickered. "We were sent by the rogue king to help him find his mate." I raised an eyebrow. His mate? Why exactly his he looking for his mate here ? and how are you supposed to know his mate? The rogue shrugged. "He said we'd know her when we see her. I rubbed my head, frustration etched on my face. "These rogues are not making sense," I said to my father, who nodded in agreement. "Take them to the dungeon until they come to their senses," I told the warriors. My father spoke up, "I'll send a report to the royal park. The neighboring packs are complaining about the same thing." Uncle Ben nodded, "I'll deliver the message to the king myself." I've been stressed about Sofia, who's still in the hospital, a week after the attack. Vanessa's still locked up in the dungeon, and Linda's been breathing down my neck to release her. My mother's told her it wasn't going to happen that Vanessa's getting the punishment she deserves. Just as we're discussing what to do, a mind-link comes through from Philip, the warrior guarding Sofia's hospital room . "Damian, the park doctor is requesting you're present. It's urgent." I stood up, excused myself, and rushed to the hospital. When I arrived, Sofia's bandages were gone, and she looked better. The doctor smiled, Her wolf is awake. She should wake up in a day or two. I felt the mate bond surge, stronger than ever. Her wolf was awake, and I could sense it. I ran to Sofia's side, relief washing over me. The sparks between us intensified, and I kissed her forehead. I stood in the training grounds, sweat dripping down my face as I faced off against the head warrior of our pack. He was good, but I had taken him down four times already. The pack's training had been intense, with Josh and Mark's help, we'd been pushing the warriors to their limits. We'd introduced new techniques and strategies, learned from our visits to other supernatural kingdoms. It had been two days since Sofia's wolf awakened, and she was still unconscious, but her body was healing rapidly. I'd spent the morning with her, but decided to take a break and oversee the pack's evening training. The rogues had been causing more trouble, and I wanted to make sure our pack was prepared. As I fought, my mind kept wandering to Sofia. Her mother's lack of concern was infuriating, but her father's presence had been a comfort. He was the only one who seemed to care. The pack elders had decided to issue a punishment to Vanessa for almost killing the future Luna of the pack. I was about to announce a 30min break when I received a mind-link from Philip, the warrior guarding Sofia's door. Damien, there's a situation," he said. "What is it?" I replied, my instincts on high. "Sofia is missing," he said. Beta Ben pov: I drove through the royal park, my heart heavy with worry. My daughter Sofia was lying in the hospital bed, but I was relieved that she was okay and healing well, her wolf had awakened two days ago and healed her properly. The doctor had told us that she was going to wake up soon. I couldn't believe that her sister Vanessa could be so wicked and evil, hurting her to that extent. I knew Vanessa had always been jealous of Sofia, but I never knew her mother's venom ran so deep in her. As I drove, memories flooded my mind. My thoughts drifted to Rosa, my mate, the love of my life. I met her three years after I married Linda, Vanessa's mother, and I was ready to divorce her. I was prepared to leave everything behind, including Vanessa, to be with Rosa, who was already pregnant with Sofia. It was a happy time, one of the best periods of my life. But Linda decided to show her true colors, revealing herself to be an evil and conniving witch. She threatened me, trapped me, and made it impossible for me to divorce her. In the process, Rosa's life was lost, and I was left to deal with the consequences. The day Sofia was born, Rosa begged me to protect her with everything in me. Using the last of her strength, she cast a spell to suppress Sofia's powers, hiding her true nature from the world. Rosa was a witch, not a werewolf, and Sofia is a hybrid, half wolf and half witch. I remembered the joy and fear I'd felt as I held Sofia's tiny body in my arms, knowing that I had to keep her safe, no matter what. I'd suppressed her powers, hidden them from the world, to protect her from those who would seek to exploit her. As I approached the royal park, I thought about my mother, who'd helped me hide Sofia's true nature. I suspected that Linda might have been involved in her death, but I had no proof. The thought still haunted me. I pulled up to the palace gate, and the guards bowed their heads, recognizing my authority. I drove straight to the king's personal mansion, not the royal palace, but the private residence where he often retreated for peace and quiet. As I parked, I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. The royal beta, greeted me with a formal bow. "Welcome, Your Majesty. I smiled and clapped him on the back. "Uncle Kadia, please drop the formalities. Where's Popup? Uncle kadia smiled, He's in the study, expecting you." He gave me a warm hug, one that I needed, and I felt a sense of comfort wash over me. I walked to the study, knocked on the door, and heard my grandfather's voice call out, "Enter. As I opened the door, I saw my grandfather, King Klaus, seated behind his desk, looking every bit the powerful ruler he was. But his eyes, those piercing blue eyes, sparkled with warmth as he looked up at me. Popup, miss me?

Damian pov: I burst through the hospital doors and found Philip already waiting, his eyes flickering with nerves. "What the hell, Philip? Sofia is missing? you were supposed to guard her door. How did she slip out without you noticing? Are you that useless?" I hissed, sounding really angry and confused. He swallowed, "I... I had to use the bathroom. When I came back, she was gone. I asked the nurses, but they said they never saw her leave." The words didn't make any sense at all. A full‑grown woman, my mate, could vanish without a trace. I turned to the hospital staff , my alpha aura crackling. "Where were you all when my mate left her room or was taken? Who took her?" I demanded. The hospital staff shifted nervously, their shoulders trembling under my pressure. My heart pounded-if I didn't find her in the next minute, all hell would break loose. I barked out orders, voice cutting through the hallway's Mark, go with Philip and pull the hospital's security footage. I need to know if she walked out on her own or was taken. I've got no clue who'd want my mate-except maybe Vanessa, and she's already locked up. No one else comes to mind." Mark and Philip left to carry out my order. Josh stepped up, hand firmly on my shoulder, and said, "Hey, dude, calm down. Try using your bond to locate her.I tried, reaching out with the bond, but nothing, her block was up, panic urged, and I let out a low, resonant growl. "Nothing," I told Josh, eyes wide. "I can't feel her. It's like she's not there, her block is up." Josh looked confused and scared. I mind‑linked the border warriors, ordering every exit sealed. "Nobody gets in, nobody gets out. My mate is missing." I sent the rest of the pack warriors into the woods, then shifted into Storm, my wolf form, with Josh already at my side, Storm's voice rumbled in my head, you better pray to the goddess we find her Damian." he growled, "or I'll ask the Moon Goddess to take me away. You've failed her before, we can't fail again. Thirty minutes later, still no sign of Sofia. My father and mother arrived, concern etched on their faces. "What's happening? Why's the whole pack in chaos?" my father asked. Sofia's missing," I said, sounding really scared and angry. She left the hospital, or someone took her, and no one saw and the hospital CCTV didn't show her leaving or being taken. My mother's eyes softened. "Calm down, we'll find her. Have you checked everywhere?" I nodded, mind racing. "I've searched every corner of our territory. My mother's gaze lingered. "I've known Sofia and her habits for years. When she's down, she always goes to the lake at the northern edge of the park-her grandmother used to take her there. She goes there to be alone. She looks at me, hope flicker. "Have you checked there?" I blinked, realizing I'd never thought of that spot. "Wow, mother, you know my mate better than I do," I said, gratitude and urgency mixing. go on then check it out and with Josh and Mark, we transformed into our wolves and sprinted toward the lake. When we arrived, Sofia sat on a weathered log, staring straight ahead, her shoulders relaxed. Relief flooded me, and I shifted back to my human form, ready to step toward her. But before I could move, Storm said Wait. Don't approach yet-sniff the air. Something's off about our mate. I drew in a breath, but the familiar chocolate‑vanilla scent was gone, and the mate bond was still blocked. Mark and Josh stared at me, "Dude, why aren't you going to Sofia? Is something wrong? I nodded, eyes on them, "Yeah, something's off." Sofia turned, her gaze a striking violet‑silver, like moonlight on water-beautiful, but unsettling. Josh and Mark muttered, "Damn, that's gorgeous, her eyes never looked like that before. Did we miss something? Storm's voice cut in, "That's not Sofia, it's her wolf." I told them, "That's Sofia's wolf on the surface." She spoke, "Approach, mate, but I need to talk to your wolf, Storm. Instantly, Storm took full control. Storm's pov: I stepped up, locked eyes, and said, "Albaz, is it really you? It's been ages-three hundred, five hundred years?" She gave me that cold, icy stare and spoke in our native tongue. Xathra vek'thal storm, yx'la shathra do'nal, k'rathuul va'rin thul'maer. (Why do you always disappoint me, Storm? You did that four hundred years ago and you're doing it again with your human.)