Chapter 3: Encounter With The Wolf King.

Infinity Pack

The night was based on tremendous wind, which blew on the roof of the castle. It was no doubt that it was about to rain, but the goddess of rain might have been holding the impending rain for a reason.

But for what reason?

Arden thought, as he stood at his window, looking up at the sky, that the darkness was a strange feeling that settled on his mind, something he could not grasp. It felt as if something would happen in a few hours from now. His gut instinct was never wrong, he knew that painfully well.

Just then the door opened revealing Caden, Caden strode towards the Alpha king tapping him out of his thoughts. He bowed his head slightly before making his report.

"Alpha, a girl was found at the border of our kingdom."

Arden smirked,

Whose plan was this to use a girl as a spy.

He thought to himself.

"Where is she now?" He asked.

"She is in one of our visiting rooms, the guards said she fainted." Caden responded.

"I will be there in a few minutes." Arden said dismissing Caden.

Rogues.

He thought smirking, and walked out curious to see whom they used this time. Just as he got to the door something hit him. It was the smell of vanilla and fresh flowers, his wolf pounced in his mind restless repeating the word "mate" continuously, his wolf threatened to take over and look for his mate since Arden stood there like a log of wood.

Arden looked around searching for the person with that sweet smell but found no one outside just then his gaze hit the door and on getting in he was shocked.

The stranger who had entered his pack uninvited is his long awaited mate, is the moon goddess joking?

He walked more inside the room and was surprised to see a beautiful lean figure sleeping soundly on the bed, her body showed that she had been abused. It was obvious she wasn't a rogue but a helpless girl running for dear life. He had the urge to touch her so badly but refrained from doing so.

Caden, his close friend and beta walked in on him. He made a sign to stop him from talking and together they walked out not to wake the sleeping figure.

"Arden what is going on? you don't look okay." Caden asked, staring at the Alpha king.

"Caden, she's my mate." the Alpha said tensed, never had he been this confused.

Caden had this smile on his face that made him shake his head in regret telling him it was a bad fate at this point

"The moon goddess has done you well finally our Alpha has his mate, what are we waiting for? Aren't we supposed to be planning your mating ceremony?" Caden said, smiling sheepishly.

Arden wasn't amused, not even in the slightest bit, on the contrary, he looked worried. This sapped the enthusiasm out of Caden too.

"Is there something you are worried about?" Caden questioned suspiciously.

Arden didn't hesitate, it was never in his nature to hold back his thoughts.

"What if she turned out to be a spy?"

Caden froze,

Not because he didn't understand the Alpha but because he knew the consequence of it,

If the girl was a spy, they had no choice but to kill her.

***

Hazel woke up to find herself in a strange room, sprawled across a king-sized bed that felt like a cloud. The walls were a crisp white, Plush carpets muffled her footsteps as she padded across the floor, taking in the luxurious decor. Panic set in,

Where was she? How did she get here?

Just then, a sassy voice chimed in her mind,

"Girl, relax. This is a very good place to be in. I love it here sooo classy ."

Hazel raised an eyebrow.

Was she going crazy?

"Who are you? Where are you?" She asked aloud.

The voice chuckled.

"Hey, I'm Akira, your wolf. Mhm, and you're in the Alpha's den... kinda."

Hazel's eyes widened.

"Akira? You're... my wolf? And you can talk to me and hear me speak ?"

Akira snorted.

"Of course babe. Get used to it."

"And you said something about Alpha, which Alpha?" Hazel questioned suspiciously hoping she hadn't returned back to her pack where she escaped from.

"Our mate dumbie, he came in last night. He's sooo strong and good-looking and has the best smell on earth but you were too tired to wake up." She said disappointed.

"You must be joking, our mate rejected us last night, ohhh you weren't even there." Hazel said tsking.

"And now we have another one Hazel, the moon goddess has blessed us."

"You know what, enough of your ranting let me think." she said playfully, deep down she was happy that at least she finally had her wolf.

Hazel just kept staring at the room with so much awe, the room was as big as the grand hall at her former pack, The door opened revealing a maid who interrupted Hazel's thoughts.

"Good morning Luna." She said bowing politely.

"Luna? Me? This must definitely be a prank."

"I'm here to help you with your bath and also I got clothes for you later I'll bring you your breakfast." The maid said still bowing.

"Please what is your name and how did I get here?" Hazel questioned the girl as her wolf had suddenly gone quiet.

"Ohhh my name is Piper and I think the Alpha brought you here himself." The maid replied.

She is still in shock so Akira hadn't lied to her.

"Ofcourse, I told you now to snap out of your thoughts and don't make a fool out of yourself in front of a maid." Akira said, finally breaking the silence in her mind.

"I was once a maid too" Hazel said aloud.

"Sorry, what ma?" Piper said.

"No no not you she replied embarrassed, she hadn't realized she said that out."

"Can I meet the Alpha?" Hazel asked.

"He is probably busy now but I'll make sure to send your message across Luna." Piper said politely.

"That will do, thank you." She said, smiling at the polite maid.

The maid smiled back and left. A few minutes later she returned with an exquisitely served breakfast of sandwich bread and other side dishes.

"The Alpha King wants you to eat well and rest. He said he will come see you after you rest ."

Hazel's heart skipped.

"Alpha King? She is still worried about this, if the Alpha's son of her lowly pack could reject her the Alpha king will definitely kill her for being unfortunate enough for the moon goddess to match her with him."

Even if it was going to be her last breakfast alive, Hazel was ready to risk that, the food's aroma was mouthwatering. She sat, and the first bite of eggs was like a symphony in her mouth."

The maid slipped out quietly. Hazel barely noticed, too busy savoring the royal treatment. Maybe she could get a little of this before she is kicked out, or worse killed, she thought, as she munched on like a hungry wolf.

Back at her old pack, Lucas paced outside the pack house, his worry for Hazel gnawing at him like a hungry beast . She'd run away after that bastard Ethan rejected her . Lucas had seen the pain in her eyes, the crushing weight of shame and humiliation. He'd wanted to rip Ethan's throat out for hurting her.

As he paced, he sent a silent prayer to the moon goddess:

Please, protect her. Keep her safe. Get her far away from this toxic pack and into a place where she'll be loved and cherished .

Just then, the three guards who'd chased Hazel returned . They approached Lucas and together they returned to the Alpha's study. As they entered, Alpha Ryder was lounging on the Alpha's chair looking bored while his son Ethan sat on the green sofa by the entrance looking smug .

"Report," Alpha Ryder barked.

"Sir, we chased her, but... we met four other wolves. They were... powerful. We had to retreat." One of the guards stammered.

Ethan's eyes narrowed and he interrupted rudely.

"You mean you couldn't catch her? Or kill her?"

The guards exchanged nervous glances.

"They... they would've thought she was a rogue, sir. We didn't want to risk it."

Ethan's face twisted in a cruel smile.

"Good. Let her be someone else's problem. She's probably dead by now." Ethan said excitedly.

His father didn't appear convinced,

"Lucas."

"Yes, Alpha." Lucas responded politely.

"You found the girl twenty years ago and brought her into this pack, now I order you to find her dead body and return it to the pack."

Lucas's eyes widened, shock registered in his countenance but he managed to hide his disappointment. He clenched his fist behind his back and managed to pull the words out of his mouth against his will.

"Yes my Alpha."

Chapter 4: The New.

Hazel woke up tired. Not the bone-deep exhaustion of a slave who had worked past breaking, but the sluggish, heavy-limbed drowsiness of someone who had slept too long. The kind of sleep that left you more disoriented than rested.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept without someone pouring a bucket of cold water over her head to yank her back to duty. The absence of that shock was almost unsettling. She sat up slowly, blinking at the room. She still couldn't wrap her head around it.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, her bare feet sinking into a carpet so plush it felt like walking on clouds. The window caught her attention. She crossed the room, her heart beating a little faster with a feeling she barely recognized: anticipation.

She pulled the curtains open and....

Oh! It was night.

She pressed her palm against the cool glass, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. This feels like a dream.

But the longer she stood there, the more the silence of the room began to press in on her. She was a stranger here. She didn't know the layout of the castle, didn't know the faces of the people who served her now, didn't know the rules. She didn't even know what she was allowed to do.

What am I supposed to do with myself? she thought, hugging her arms.

A knock shattered the quiet.

She jumped, her heart slamming into her throat. Old instincts, she had to force herself to breathe.

"Who's there?" she called, hating how small her voice sounded.

"It's me Piper, Luna."

Oh! The maid from earlier.

She exhaled, some of the tension draining.

"Piper, come in."

The door opened, and the young maid stepped in carrying a tray so large it drew her attention wholely, she hadn't seen such delicacies before.

"I brought your food, Luna."

Hazel's eyes were already fixed on the tray. She watched Piper set it down on the low table near the window, revealing plates piled high with food more food than she'd ever seen served to one person. Roasted meat, fresh bread, vegetables glistening with butter, a bowl of steaming soup, and pastries dusted with sugar. Her mouth watered. Her hands trembled with the effort of not lunging at it.

"I thought you said you would pass my message to your Alpha," Hazel said, forcing her gaze away from the food. "I haven't seen him."

Piper straightened, giving her a small smile. "Oh, that! he came earlier, but you were sleeping. He didn't want to disturb you."

Hazel blinked.

"He came?"

She pressed her lips together, something unfamiliar and fragile blooming in her chest.

"You've been sleeping all day," Akira said dryly inside her head. Hazel could practically see her wolf rolling her eyes.

If I weren't your wolf, I would have thought you died. And you missed another chance to talk to our mate. Again. Hazel ignored her, though her cheeks warmed at the thought of it. The Alpha King. Her mate.

"I'm sure he'll be back," Piper said, already moving toward the door.

"Just eat and rest for now, Luna."

The door closed with a soft click, and Hazel was alone again. She stared at the food for a long moment, then gave in but one thought dominated her mind.

What the Alpha King, her mate, looks like.

***

Just across the other hallway, Arden had been in his study buried in work all day.

It was what he had always loved, the order of it, the control, the satisfaction of a kingdom running smoothly under his hand. But today, the reports blurred together. The voices of his advisors faded into background noise. His mind kept drifting to the door at the end of the east wing, to the woman sleeping behind it, to the scent of her that still clung to his memory like smoke.

He had waited so long for this. So many years of watching his brother and friends find their mates, of listening to the whispers that the Alpha King was cursed, that the Moon goddess had abandoned him. He had refused to settle. Had turned away every woman the elders had presented, every alliance offered, every convenient match.

He had wanted her. Whoever she was. Wherever she was.

And now she was here. In his castle. sleeping in a room that had been empty for centuries, waiting for him to find the time to return to her.

He had never resented his work before. He resented it now.

"Any more reports?" he asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Gaius, his gamma shuffled the papers on his desk, his expression carefully neutral.

"One more, Alpha. From the Winder Pack. Rogues attacked them a few days ago. Heavy casualties. The Luna was killed. Their Alpha is... delirious, from what we're told. They're requesting backup."

Arden's jaw tightened, rogues were becoming bolder, more organized. Another problem for another day.

"Send men to assist them. They should Stay until the pack is stable. Send arms too and provisions necessary."

Gaius nodded, making a note.

Arden stood, the chair scraping against the floor.

"That's all for today. Whatever's left can wait until tomorrow."

He was halfway to the door before Gaius could respond.

He didn't see the look on his gamma's face, the shock, the disbelief, the slow-spreading smile. Arden had never left work unfinished. Not once in all the years Gaius had served him. But here he was, striding out of the study like a man who had somewhere far more important to be.

And it got to be only one place, wherever his mate was.

Hazel was lost in thought- standing by the window, staring at the trees, wondering about the forest up ahead, wondering what her future holds, when the knock came.

She went still, her breath catching.

"It's him," Akira whispered. "I can smell him."

She crossed the room on unsteady legs. Her hand trembled as she reached for the door. She pulled it open.

And forgot how to breathe.

He stood in the doorway like he had been carved from moonlight and shadow. White hair and silver eyes . Broad shoulders and height that overshadowed her. A face that belonged on a painting in some ancient temple-strong jaw, sharp cheekbones, lips that were curved into the faintest hint of a smile.

And his scent-It hit her like a wave, pulled her under. Mint and hot chocolate. She was tempted to breathe him in until she drowned.

"Mate," Akira howled, pacing frantically inside her. "Mate!"

Hazel couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Couldn't do anything but stare up at this impossible, perfect creature and wonder how the moon goddess could have possibly chosen her for him. A slave. A nobody. A woman who had spent her entire life being told she was worthless.

His gaze traveled over her face, the wild tangle of her ginger hair. When his eyes met hers again, his smile deepened-just a fraction, just enough to make her knees weak.

"Hi, mate." He said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through her bones.

"Can I come in?"

Chapter 5: Who Is she?

"Can I come in?" he asked again.

Hazel regained her grip. She had initially lost herself in the wonderment of his face.

"Yes, you...can." she said, stammering.

She was feeling an intense heat from within. Arden stepped a few feet inside giving her space, his silver eyes swept over her face.

He is even more impressive up close Hazel.

Akira sighed, her voice dreamy and reverent,

Oh moon goddess we're the luckiest wolf in existence.

"Akira please, not now," Hazel said inwardly and managed to push Akira deeper down into her subconscious mind. She needed to relate with the wolf king with a clear head, not from a lover girl's perspective.

"You sleep well, you slept long." Arden said calmly. His voice was direct, not cold but no air of warmth in it.

His tone was quite confusing to Hazel,

Was that a compliment or disapproval?

Hazel's throat tightened,

"Yes...I...I was knocked out pretty badly by your men." She said slowly.

"Oh! Rougues had tried getting into our pack several times, that was given, I hope you aren't hurt anywhere?"

Hazel bit her lower lip to hold back her thought, even this man was no different from Alpha Ryder or Ethan. He didn't offer her any apology whatsoever before switching up the conversation on her.

"I am fine." she replied through gritted teeth.

"Okay." He said.

What followed was a few minutes of awkward silence, tension brewed in the air. Neither of them could start up a conversation. Hazel kept wondering if Akira perhaps was wrong and delusional. If this rigid man was truly her mate, wasn't there supposed to be some kind of firecracker affection between them? She knows her body craves him, her eyes kept roaming towards his perfectly sculpted body but she resisted the urge to look further, what about him, isn't he feeling anything for her? Or was he going to reject her too?

That sounds like the most logical conclusion, she thought miserably.

"I hope you don't mind telling me where you're from and how you came across my guards." Arden said suddenly jolting her out of her thoughts.

"I was chased by the guards of my former pack and that was how I came across your guards at ...your border."

Arden stared into her eyes, a soul piercing gaze. He could see the sincerity in it but her words sounded exactly like the first excuse most rogues he decapitated gave when first caught.

"And for what reason, he asked?" He questioned again staring at her intently to see if she was lying.

Hazel didn't know how to answer that, how was she going to tell him that she ran away after being rejected by her Alpha's son, the maltreatment and hate she got from her pack.

"It's a long story." she said, swallowing the lump in her throat as she squeezed her palms too tight she felt the pain from the impact of her nails, the pain of remembering what they did to her she couldn't bear it.

"Cut it short." He responded curtly.

Hazel was stunned.

This extremely gorgeous man has no softness in him at all, a strong enough red flag. She didn't want to be bonded to a brutal man like this. Now it was more obvious that the moon goddess specifically disliked her, if she didn't, why does she have to end up being tied to ill-mannered men.

"You know what, rest more for now, tell me your story when you feel ready." Arden said, turned around towards the exit door.

Hazel couldn't fathom the man at all, is it a form of consideration from him or another way to shame her for a sad story he didn't want to hear.

"Can I ask for something?" Hazel said.

He stopped in his track and turned around to face her.

"What?"

"My bag, did any of your guards that knocked me out by any chance see a jade green bag?"

This raised Arden's suspicion, what must be inside that bag that sounded so important to her, he's so curious himself to see this bag then.

"I will ask them to find it."

And search it first myself, he thought inwardly.

Why don't you just trust her, she's our mate afterall, Axel, his wolf cut into his head.

Arden's expressions didn't change. If anything his hands shook slightly, his eyes, those silver eyes sharpened almost imperceptibly like a blade being drawn.

"Is there anything of interest in the bag?" He questioned.

"Yes, my journal." She responded straightaway as if she had been waiting all her life for that question.

"A journal?" He questioned suspiciously.

"Yes, i write, I like writing, it reduces my stress, it is my way of expressing myself." She replied biting her lips.

You are blabbing girl! Akira screamed mockingly.

Bitch, Hazel thought.

"No problem, your bag will be found and returned to you." Without another word, he turned around and left.

As Hazel manned the door. Arden paused right outside it. He had to hold his chest to stop the fast beating of his heart. He had held it down long enough, breathing the same air with a woman he desired badly but still maintaining an air of indifference.

"Just like that?" His wolf screamed in his head, "I thought we were here to bond with our mate." He said pacing around.

He now know that the moon goddess wasn't joking with the mate bond thing, Hazel was the real deal, his ordained mate but something bothered him, in her eyes, he could read the lines of sincerity at the same time, he could tell she was holding back some informations.

That was the problem,

If it turns out she was actually a spy, he would be torn between the pack's strict rule of decapitating any spy or keeping his mate. If it turns out that way, will he be able to forgive himself?

That journal of hers must hold some clues, all he needs to do was find it.

****

Arden returned to his office, his wolf taunting him for treating her like that. Just then Gaius walked in.

He greeted bowing in respect.

Arden was not in any mood for long conversations, he nodded his head in acknowledgment and moved on with his words.

"Call Caden, I need to see him now."

While Gaius kept making the call, Arden was deep in his thoughts trying to argue with his wolf who believes Hazel is not guilty of anything but he can't just believe a stranger simply because she's his mate.

Soon afterwards, Caden walked in calling the Alpha out of his thoughts.

Arden turned, staring at him.

"That girl, replace her maid Caden,also I need you to find the guards who brought her in, and ask if they had seen her with a bag if not, find the bag and bring it to me."

That girl! You are talking about your mate, you egocentric idiot. Axel, his wolf, shot back at him from the corner of his mind but Arden ignored him.

"Yes Alpha." Caden said sarcastically, "Hope you didn't act cold towards her?" he asked staring at him with a scolding face.

"Mind your business and get to work, you know how I hate mixing business with pleasures."

This surprised Gaius who was arranging some books at the library in the room.

Wasn't this the same person running to meet his mate earlier?

Caden wasn't moved,

"With this face of yours, I don't think you spoke to her nicely?"

"I can't trust her just yet." He looked into his friend's eyes, "I can't allow history to repeat itself Caden."

This made Caden shake his head.

So he hasn't gotten over that.

"Concerning the rogue that was caught, has he said anything yet?" Arden asked changing the subject matter.

Caden smirked,

"He hasn't but don't worry he will talk when I'm done with him."

"I trust you to. Caden, make sure you get the girl's bag to me first thing tomorrow, send the guards to find it."

If she happens to be a spy, who would I protect,

Her or my pack? He thought miserably.