Chapter 3

It felt like time had stopped. He was huge and towered over more than six feet. His golden-brown eyes pierced through mine. Strands of his silky blonde hair waved along with the wind. His fair skin appeared golden in the sun's radiance. I could see his abs and the perfectly symmetrical V line. His overall physique and aura were like a royal wolf.

I was so into him that I completely forgot where I was. I hastily got from his arms and steadied myself.

It was a different room. There was nobody else here.

Only me and my mate.

My heart was racing fast with nervousness being in an enclosed space alone with this dominant alpha. My wolf Soul was overexcited and dancing in joy at the proximity of her mate.

"What is your name", he asked tugging a lock of my hair behind my ear. His warm touch left a trail of sparks on my skin.

"Serena Rosewood" I almost whispered and my mate nodded in approval. I wanted to know his name as well but I was too shy to ask him.

As if reading my mind he asked, "Do you know who I am?" and I simply shook my head in bewilderment.

" I see", he smirked and paced toward me. Holding my chin and he made me look into his eyes.

"My name is Kane Hound. I am the Alpha of the Golden Hounds pack", as soon as I heard this, I felt the earth slipping under my feet. I couldn't hear a thing. And my eyes widened in shock due to this sudden revelation.

There were three packs in the whole continent whose strength stood unrivalled amongst all others. All three of them were each other's arch-enemies. And there were many unsubstantial stories circulating throughout the packs about them. And none of them were good. All three alphas were ruthless and immensely powerful. They were so strong and feared that none of the other packs dared to meddle in their clashes and battle. Not that they needed any interventions or allies for that matter.

Intuitively, the human part of me stepped back in panic upon hearing this. The next moment his huge arms looped tightly around my waist and aggressively pulled me towards him.

"Don't go away from me... EVER", he stated in his alpha voice digging his fingers in my skin. I could see his pitch-black eyes. Soul cowered in fear and we submitted to him showing him our necks.

"Look in my eyes. You are my mate. My true mate. I would never ever harm you", saying this he placed a kiss on my forehead and embraced me in a hug. Our bodies moulded with each other perfectly. I could hear his soft growls.

'Kira wants to mate with us', Soul spoke in my head. She was delighted and thrilled so was I.

"You will come with me to my pack. And we will mate today. Now lets go to the meeting", he announced and dragged me outside the room.

"But..."

***

When we went back to the meeting hall, Kane possessively took hold of my waist and made me sit with him. I glanced at my alpha who gave me a big smile and nodded in approval.

I have to tell him about the rituals of my older pack. He cannot mate with me or even mark me unless we took the sacred vows. I'll have to explain it to him. There are so many things I need to plan. My wedding gown, the cake, the presents...

'Not to forget bridesmaid', Soul reminded me.

'Oh ya. How could I forget that? Sharron and Lily are going to give me a hard time'

'I can't wait to be with Kira'

I was broken out of my trance by the elder, "As you all know, we had convened this meeting to discuss the situation of recent a fire outbreak in lands of Mooney Highlands ", he pointed to a scary-looking blonde alpha.

"An arson", the alpha raged in anger banging his hands on the table and screamed looking at Kane, "This bastard deliberately set fire on my property". I was so scared by his outburst that I gripped Kane's hand tightly.

"It is not yet proven, Alpha Ralph. Calm down", elder Ho said to the fuming alpha who was snarling towards Kane.

"What's there to prove? He is clearly misusing his royal status. He wanted to usurp the land near Red lake. I rejected his offer because that lake is the main source of water for my pack. And he had taken his anger in this vile manner. I am sure everyone in this room is fed up with his tyranny. And now that he had found his true mate", his eyes met mine followed by several other alphas. I could see the hatred everyone had in those for us, "he is going to wreak havoc".

I shifted uncomfortably on my seat. This was really awkward and Soul was worried about our mate.

Kane stood from his seat, "With all due respect, elders, Alpha Ralph doesn't have an alibi or any proof that Golden Hounds were involved in their tragedy for which I express my condolences. As I recall, there was a party in his territory that night. Members of his pack were intoxicated and might have accidentally caused it. Also, from what I've heard, the Mooney Highlands pack have some lake activities open for humans. It also might have been the work of some careless humans. He cannot simply blame us", Kane finished and took his seat. I could literally hear Alpha Ralph gritting his teeth in anger.

"You sure are well informed Alpha Kane", one of the alphas said. His tone was accusing but it was laced with sarcasm. This alpha seemed calm and level headed, unlike the others.

"Well yes, Alpha Nathan. I keep tabs on all my potential allies", Kane smiled at him to which Nathan just smirked whereas the other alphas growled in anger. It was clear none of them here like him.

Did Kane really set that fire?

Can he really stoop to that level?

Is he really a tyrant as I heard those rumours?

Thousands of questions were running through my mind.

'You should trust our mate', Soul said.

'I will'.

"Since there is no evidence, we request the Mooney Highlands pack to investigate further and we can discuss this again in our next council meeting", Elder Ho announced and took his seat. Alpha Ralph still was unconvinced and unhappy with the verdict.

"Calm down, love. Everyone present here could hear your heart beating", Kane pressed my hand and he was correct when I saw all the alphas looking in my direction. Alpha James winked at me while I just ignored him and looked down.

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself.

"Moving onto the next topic, the Crimson Hunters Pack and Storm Riders Pack have made a truce for some time owing to the rogue attacks in the north", elder Ho said. I could see Kane tightening his fists in anger.

So the rumours were true...They do hate each other.

Crimson Hunters and Storm Riders were the other two packs that are the strongest apart from Kane's pack. Rumours had it that these three alphas are never seen together in any event or even council meeting. I wonder if they had come here today. But Kane being here, I doubt any of them are present here today.

"Alpha Storm and Alpha Hunter couldn't join us today due to some personal reasons", everyone had ignorant looks on their faces. It was as if this their rivalry is known to everyone.