Chapter 4 Southern Forest

Cassius POV

Two years.

Two damn years, and I was still searching for her.

Roxanna Vermillion, my Luna, and my wife, gone without a trace the night before our mating ceremony.

I had searched every corner of the world, from the bitter cold of the northern mountains to the scorching deserts of the east. And now, the southern region, with its endless forests and humid air, has become my latest hunting ground.

Sebastian, my Beta, moved beside me, his sharp amber eyes scanning the darkness.

While Kalix, my Delta, trailed behind, silent but alert.

“This is useless,” Kalix muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “How long are we going to chase after someone who clearly doesn't want to be found?”

I shot him with a sharp look. “Until I have her back.”

Sebastian sighed, his breath even visible in the cold night. “Alpha, we’ve combed this region for many days. If she's really here, then she’s well hidden.”

A growl of frustration rumbled in my chest as I ignored their protests and kept moving.

My instincts screamed at me to continue, to push forward. I wasn’t a fool, I knew the difference between desperation and instinct.

And I believe that Luna is somewhere in this region, hiding from me.

As I continued walking and searching, the thick scent of pine and damp moss filled the air, but something sharp and metallic scent mixed through it.

It was faint but undeniable, a fresh warm blood.

I halted, narrowing my eyes in the dim moonlight.

“Do you smell that?” I muttered, scanning the trees.

Sebastian lifted his head slightly, as his nostrils flaring. “Yes Alpha, and it's still fresh.”

Kalix's eyes darted around, scanning the dark forest. “Could be a rogue or maybe a wounded animal.”

I turned my head, letting my senses guide me. I followed the scent, my wolf stirred, restless beneath my skin.

Until my gaze had already landed on the dark shape slumped beneath a tree, half-hidden by shadows.

She lay beneath a gnarled tree, her body curled as if the roots themselves were trying to claim her.

Long dark hair spilled across her face, tangled and matted with dirt. Her clothes were torn, her skin marred by cuts and bruises.

But the strangest thing was the necklace resting against her chest, a strange, old thing with markings I had never seen before.

A human?

I crouched beside her, my fingers brushing away the strands of hair obscuring her face.

The moment my skin touched her, a jolt from my wolf surged through me, rattling through my nerves and bones.

What the hell?

I frowned, my fingers ghosting over the necklace. The second I touched it, the woman’s body tensed.

Her eyes flew open. A brilliant, wild green greeted me, it was so beautiful that it could even be described as the sacred forest of the moon Goddess. 

I was momentarily stunned until she shrieked.

Her hand shot out, clutching the necklace to her chest like it was the only thing binding her to this world.

“Who are you?”  she rasped, her voice hoarse but laced with contempt.

I didn’t answer, I only stared at her.

Because the moment I met those enchanting emerald orbs, something inside me snapped.

My pulse roared, drowning out everything else. My wolf lunged forward, unhinged and primal, clawing at my chest in a way I had never felt before.

Not even with Roxanna.

This wasn’t normal, and I find it really strange.

This woman…

My eyes widen in disbelief. I gritted my teeth, my hands instantly grabbed her cheeks.

I forced her to look at me. “Speak,” I commanded coldly, my grip tighten as I demand an answer.

“Your name. Now.” I whole body trembles from rage as I forced her to speak out her name or else, I might kill her.

She glared, her emerald eyes blazing with fury, even in her weakened state, she dared to look at me with disdain.

As if she wasn’t afraid to die in my hands.

“A-Astoria,” she uttered out, refusing to look away.

A shudder ran through me, my muscles locking tight and my jaws ticked. I know I wasn’t mistaken when I saw her eyes.

She’s my mate.

No. That was impossible, it couldn’t be.

Roxanna was my mate, my one and only Luna.

I had already made a vow with her, and I spent two years looking for my runaway Luna.

And yet, as I stared at the battered woman before me, my body moved in instinct.

Without a second thought, I scooped her up into my arms.

She tensed, her fingers weakly fisting the fabric of my shirt.

“Put me down,” she whispered, though her body betrayed her, as she went limp against my chest.

I ignored her as I pretended I didn’t hear her words.

“Sebastian. Kalix,” I called.

They rushed forward, only to halt abruptly at the sight before them.

Sebastian's lips curled, his instincts screaming in protest.

“Alpha,” he growled, “What the hell are you doing with a human?”

I exhaled slowly, the weight of what I was about to say settling deep in my bones.

“This woman…” I met his gaze, “Is my mate.” I added.

After I spoke, silence settled between the three of us.

Sebastian and Kalix stiffened in their place, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief.

I understand their shock, because I was stunned too when I find out that I have a mate who wasn’t Roxanna.

What’s even worse, with a weakling human.

A woman who I didn’t expect to meet in the middle of the southern forest.

And yet, the bond had already begun to sink.

“No.” Sebastian snapped, his growl echoed through the trees, the displeasure was written all over to his face.

“It can’t be, it should be a mistake.” His gaze flicked down at the unconscious woman in my arms, then back to me with disgust. “You can't accept a human as your mate.”

Kalix exhaled sharply, his stance rigid. He didn't explode the way Sebastian did, but his disapproval was clear enough.

“Alpha,” He carefully called, “We already have a Luna. Roxanna is the only one meant for you. You swore to find her and we all did.”

Their words dug into me like painful claws in my head.

I knew this reaction was coming. It would have been foolish to expect anything less.

Sebastian had been my most loyal enforcer since we were young, but he was also tough and stubborn.

Kalix, on the other hand, was calm and rational but right now, he looked at me like I had betrayed something so sacred.

I clenched my jaw, forcing the heat of my frustration to stay buried.

“Do you think I forgot my vow to find her?” I replied sharply, “And do you think I want this?” I asked, slightly raising the human in my arms.

Sebastian’s lips curled, barely containing the growl in his throat.

“Then reject her,” He spat. “End the bond. Whatever it is, this is a mistake. The mood Goddess made a huge mistake, and you don’t have to accept it.”

I let out a slow breath through my nose.