Antonio

'Get the healers to tend to the Alpha" the sorcerer said to one of the guard by the door.


I don't remember his name. Given everything that he does for me, I should at least know his name.

'Sorcerer, tell me your name."

He wiped the blood from his nose with his sleeve.


'Ganymede is the name of this humble one my Lord" he replied with a bow.

'Good. Now Ganymede, what the fuck was that?"


Three healers ran into the room with maids behind them holding their bags.

'My Lord."

'Also attend to him."

Two came to fuss over me while one worked on Ganymede. My ears were bleeding, the both of them.

'My Lord, I'll advise that you stay away from mental magic for a while. It would be disastrous to your health if you don't" one of the healers said.

'I agree with him my Lord" Ganymede began, 'whoever blocked your daughter's mind link is an old and powerful sorcerer. The snake was a trap set up for anyone that comes snooping around. If your wolf didn't pull us out in time then, it would have been fatal."

Peru perked up, 'don't do that again. It's best to ignore the mind link after all, it is disappearing."

'Fine. Were you affected too?"

'Nothing serious, just an energy drain."

'Did you at least see something familiar or striking in the forest?"

'Yes my Lord. Due to the abundant growth of one of the herbs I usually use, I am sure that it's Ash wood forest."

'Ash wood forest? Where is it on the map?"

'It's the far east part of the forest around Black Pool pack."

'Do you know the exact place Amelia was?"

'No, that herb is very abundant in almost all part of the forest."

'Alright, gather the men. We'll head there this night."

'My Lord please reconsider. It may seem like only an ear bleed but it's more than that. Your mind is under heavy duress and you need rest. At least two days" one of the healers said as the others packed their things.

'He's correct my Lord."

They were correct. I can't send my men ahead because of that sorcerer. I'll have to prepare for every possible outcome.

'Ganymede, do you know any sorcerer that would love to fight this old one? Tell them to join my army in three days if you do."

'Of course my Lord."

I could practically smell his excitement.

'You're dismissed. Send in two guards as you leave."

'Yes my Lord."

They left and the guards walked in.

'Go to Black Pool Pack and bring Sonia Romanov here. I want to see her first thing in the morning."

'Yes my Lord."

There were a lot of questions. How was this person connected to Leila? If she wasn't then, what was Amelia doing that attracted the attention of the sorcerer?

I'll burn down that forest if I have to. Nothing was going to stand in my way of finding that village.


****

‘Our mate is here' Peru said with a bored tone.

His voice woke me up.

'Sonia" I called, sitting up.

Time did favor her but she was growing old. I could tell that she had a happy life based on the laugh lines around her mouth and eyes.

It was ironic how her daughter took that happiness from her.

'Antonio."

It was a shame that I couldn't feel love for everyone because Sonia was a beauty. Her cunning mind attracted me more than her flawless body.

Shame she couldn't handle my kinks.

'How has my pack been in my absence?"

'Suffering. There may be no one left by the time you return."

Hmmm…happiness had made her bolder.

'They won't dare run away."

'Of course not, you've instilled a lot of fear in them. I mean you might become the first Alpha to own a pack full of heavily guarded dead bodies" Sonia replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

I chuckled, 'I missed you. No one else would be this bold."

'Flattery won't get you anywhere."

'Maybe not with you but it got our daughter."

I saw her stiffen but it was very subtle. If I wasn't used to her ways, I won't have noticed it.

'My Lord," Melanie called, she stood at the door, 'your breakfast is here."

I nodded. Melanie was my personal maid that I took joy in teaching how to please me.

'Sonia, this is Melanie. You can say she's your current replacement."

Sonia spared her a glance and turned back to me.

'Well, you met your replacement on the battlefield."

I smirked, Sonia may claim I'm the devil but she wasn't a saint in anyway.

The maids brought in the food, pausing our conversation. Melanie supervised the arrangements, ignoring Sonia's attitude.

'Did you ever tell him that he mistreated his only child all the days of his life?"

Her hands did not falter as she selected food into my plate. Habits aren't easy to kill.

'Why would I do that? I never implied that Amelia was his. I just announced that I was pregnant, he's the one that assumed it was his."

I laughed. Melanie looked at Sonia with a shocked expression.

'So your pack doesn't know that you're my mate?"

'I don't find the fact important enough to share. Besides, sharing it would only lead to the pack losing hope."

I smiled at her subtle threat.

'Was that a threat?"

'Did you interpret it as one?" She sipped her tea gently after asking.

'Don't get too comfortable Sonia. We don't want you bleeding."

'You want to hurt me Antonio? I thought you had Melanie for that, don't tell me she doesn't cry out well enough?"

'No one can scream as pretty as you do." I stared at her lips as I spoke.

'Don't threaten me with a good time Antonio. Besides, you of all people should know what happens when there is no hope."

'Bitch."

'Don't be crude Antonio. It doesn't suit you, now have you found my daughter?"

I savoured the piece of meat I put into my mouth. Melanie held a cup of wine to my lips and I took a sip.

Sonia didn't fret. She focused on her food ignoring us.

'I did."

'And?"

I smirked, 'dead."