Dedicated to Dreamzangel21 and AlbeyEapen for being the two sweetest and most amazing people I know. I don't know where I'd be without you! Thank you so much darlings <3 Love you both!

Picture of Alpha Penson (Ryu Seung Ryong) to the side. This chapter is unedited so please excuse the grammatical errors.

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Suzzanah's POV

It's not...it's not a coincidence...

I stood unmoving, paralysed against the wooden closet. My mind replayed the events that had just taken place over and over again, but I was not embarrassed, no, I was baffled!

But he...he couldn't be...could he?...

I swallowed and continued to pant shakily as my mind started putting the pieces of a puzzle I had no idea even existed, together.

The CEO...and the wolf...

My hands trembled as I pressed the palm of my hand over my chest, feeling my erratic heartbeat. When I swallowed again, my throat felt very dry. My wide eyes stared unblinking at the ground in front of me, where just a few seconds ago, the CEO had been standing, pressed up against me.

His eyes...his teeth...his...his claws?...

He moved faster than any human I had ever seen. His strength seemed to surpass fathomable limits. His body radiated authority and power. He was indeed...an Alpha male.

Alpha Zuerien Kai Royale...

I gasped out loud as my heart rate spiked. My body trembled and my knees threatened to buckle underneath me. My mind had finished putting the few pieces I had with me, into place, and even though the picture I now saw was irrational and seemingly impossible, I still saw it...and it made my blood run cold.

The CEO...Alpha Zuerien Kai Royale...wasn't...he wasn't...hum-

"Suzzanah?"

I jumped and a strangled scream escaped my lips as my eyes darted upwards to where Roma stood by the door. Her features turned from confused to concerned in a split second as she ran up to me.

"Suzzanah! What happened?" she asked placing her hands on my shoulders, "Are you alright?"

I stared at her with wide fearful eyes, opening and closing my mouth, unable to say anything. Her eyes skimmed over my frame worriedly as though checking for injuries before they landed on the now broken and cracked wood on both sides of me.

Her eyes widened for a split second before apprehension clouded them and they returned to my frightened ones.

"The CEO was here", she stated more than asked and my eyes widened. Almost as though she had sensed my question she added quickly, "I saw him leaving"

I gulped forcing myself to speak but my words came out raspy and hesitant, "W-why was h-he here?"

Her brow creased in thought and she exhaled heavily as a hint of disapproval marred her lovely features.

"I'm not sure", she said before gently pulling me away from the closet, "Come, sit down"

I let her lead me to her bed and I sat down shakily. She walked to the bedside table to get me some water as I sat there very still, very silent and very very scared.

My body had not yet recovered from the feel of Alpha Zuerien's strong muscular frame pressed against mine, of his lips brushing against my neck and of his teeth digging into my skin.

Involuntarily my hand went up to my neck and pressed against the still tingling area. My fingers massaged the sensitive skin and for some reason I felt like something was missing there. Something that was supposed to be at the exact spot where Alpha Zuerien's teeth had nearly bitten into my skin.

What had the man been trying to do???

Suddenly I heard Roma gasp and I absently looked up to find her staring wide eyed at my neck, where my fingers now rubbed unconscious circles. As she stood holding a glass of water, her eyes darted rapidly from my neck to the cracked closet, to my eyes then back to my neck again.

Shock, confusion and finally comprehension settled in her features as she quickly set the glass down again and came up to me.

"Let me see dear", she said quickly removing my hand from my neck, "Did he...did the CEO..."

Even though she didn't finish her question or receive an answer, when her eyes returned to mine, a strange understanding had settled within them and a small smile played on her lips making me stare at her confused. She shook her head and smiled widely at me before quickly retrieving the glass of water.

"Don't worry dear", she said softly, "I'm not sure what exactly happened between the two of you, but I can assure you, you don't have to be afraid. Alpha Zuerien would never hurt you"

She stressed on the words 'Alpha Zuerien' and her eyes twinkled when a shiver ran down my spine on hearing his name.

But why did she also stress on the word you?

"He-He-his...those claws...", I stuttered pointing to her closet.

She narrowed her eyes at the claw marks but then sighed and replied coolly, "Its a very old closet, it's probably just a coincidence that the wood cracked the way it did, to appear as you said, like claw marks"

What?! No way, that's absurd!

"B-but he...Alpha Zuerien, he's..." I couldn't find the words to convey to her what my mind had very blatantly conveyed to me, "He's so strong and fast and...and he just put holes in your closet door!"

I didn't think my sentence had made any collective sense at all but she seemed to have understood me anyway.

"Yes I know, but that's nothing new though", she said calmly, "He's broken plenty of other furniture before too"

I gawked at her and she shrugged, "What're you gonna do? He's a young, strong, healthy male! With the kind of muscles he sports, some property damages are to be expected, especially if the Alpha is rightly provoked" she finished smiling mischievously at me.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "But I didn't say anything to provoke him!" I told her truthfully.

Her face went blank before she stepped back and her eyes did a once over on my frame, "Mmhmm", she hummed with a raised eyebrow, "You really think that with you openly sporting a body like that, any young straight male would still need words to be provoked?"

My face immediately turned bright red and I looked away feeling heavily embarrassed as I subconsciously adjusted the flimsy bathrobe. Her hearty chuckle filled my ears.

"I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean to embarrass you", she said shaking her head with a smile, "And I'm sure the Alpha didn't either"

"You call him Alpha", I said quickly and she nodded. "Why?" I asked uncertainly.

She smiled, "Why do you?" she countered making me hesitate and bite my lip.

"Because he is Royalty?" I stated doubtfully and she thought for bit before asking, "Mr. Penson told you that?"

I shook my head, "No, Mr. Talon did", I told her making her eyes widen ever so slightly before she nodded.

"I see", she said, "well, please don't worry too much about what happened just now dear. From what I can tell, the CEO seems quite attracted to you. Maybe he likes you"

My eyes went wide and my jaw dropped, "WHAT?!"

She looked at me strangely, "What? It didn't occur to you?" she asked incredulously.

"Of course not!" I said squirming uncomfortably, "There's no way he could like me of all people. I'm...I'm so...plain!"

She smiled, "You're you. And I'm sure that's all that matters to him"

"Roma!" I screeched staring wide eyed at her, "Can you please not suggest the matter of Royalty having a thing for me so lightly?!"

"That's why he stared at you like that when he saw you this morning on his return!" she exclaimed excitedly ignoring my words, "But of course, he's completely smitten by you!"

She was grinning widely, completely oblivious to the fact that she was literally killing me here! The idea of the CEO liking me was driving my heart crazy. Incomprehensible feelings of warmth and pleasure were running through me making some very inappropriate thoughts come to my mind.

"Roma stop saying that please!" I squeaked uncomfortably, "If he ever hears of this ridiculous supposition, he'll probably fire me!"

"Oh yes, I'm sure there will be fire", she said mischievously, "One room, you, the Alpha and lots and lots of hot sizzling fire"

She winked at me but I was in much too deep a train of thought to notice.

Speaking of fire...how had that rose caught fire all of a sudden when Master Marco had tried to give it to me that day?

When I returned my attention to Roma, I found her staring at me blankly.

"You're a little slow aren't you Suzzanah?" she said and that's when I realized the very inappropriate meaning behind her words.

And just like that, I was blushing yet again, only this time, bright enough to light up a country. I screeched her name and buried my face in my hands in embarrassment.

She laughed out loud again, "It's alright", she said handing me the glass of water and I hungrily gulped down the cold water, feeling it sooth my insides, "You'll understand everything in due time"

Her voice held an unmistakable promise and it made my body buzz in anticipation.

What did she mean? What was it that I would understand? And whatever it was, was it something she already understood?

I was about to question her but she cut me off.

"You should get dressed now dear", she told me, "I'll go get your clothes. We wouldn't want you catching a cold right after you recovered from your injury. Besides, there are men here, to paint the walls. They mustn't see you like this. The King wouldn't like it", she winked.

"Roma!" I whined, and she laughed as she rose to go get my clothes for me. But just as she was about to go I called out to her, "Hey!"

She turned around and I swallowed nervously, "The King...what people does he rule over?"

A ghost of a smile spread across her face, "What people indeed", she whispered and a chill ran down my spine. She smiled knowingly at me, "It's interesting that you would frame your question that way", she stated softly making me tense, "Let's just say...they're a people you don't know of..."

She turned and started walking away before softly but surely adding, "Yet"

***

That night I couldn't get a wink of sleep. There were so many distressing thoughts running through my mind. All evening I had tried to ask Roma what she had meant.

They're a people you don't know of...yet

But the more I pestered her about the matter, the more nonchalant she seemed to become about it.

What kind of king does not reveal what place or people he rules over? And why??

My thoughts kept coming back to this one particular handsome man who apparently was not just what he appeared to be.

The CEO, Alpha Zuerien Kai Royale wasn't...human!

I sat up straight in bed and screeched out loud while pulling at my hair. My roommate had not come back today so I could afford to act like a crazy female without fear of being stabbed for the disturbance.

Fear...yes, fear indeed!

The idea that it was possible that the CEO was not human but some strange evolved mutant alien animal was clawing at the insides of my brain giving me a massive headache.

I wasn't some kind of unabashed skeptic realist. I liked to believe that things like magic, mystery and fantasy really existed in this world. But the meanings of those words, for me, were quite normal.

To me, magic was probably a feeling that was too intense to be described as plain happiness, mystery was most likely a puzzle with missing pieces that existed but needed to be found and fitted in place, and fantasy was perhaps a perfectly cliché and romantic love story coming true.

But what happened when those terms took up completely different meanings? Supernatural meanings!

Once dressed, I had looked up whatever I could find on the internet about the Royale family. Strangely enough I had found nothing about them being royalty. The company had been established over a century ago, which was quite impressive. But most of the other information was about the Royale industries and their dealings alone and not really about the owners.

There was brief paragraph about the sudden death of both of Alpha Zuerien's parents in an accident, but no details had been mentioned about the manner of their demise. My heart hurt for Alpha Zuerien every time my eyes skimmed over anything related to his parent's unfortunate passing and I felt a strange urge to want to seek him out and embrace him.

The minute I had started having strange thoughts like that I had put off my search. I had also found nothing on their strange titles, their connection to wolves, or the reason why their logo portrayed a wolf.

A wolf that bore an uncanny resemblance to Alpha Zuerien

Sighing, I lay back down and rubbed my eyes tiredly. First thing tomorrow I'd ask Mr. Talon about the logo. Hopefully he'd know. With that thought I fell into a disturbed sleep, dreaming of brown eyed wolves, bright golden streaks and a red string of fate that tied me to a dark man.

***

"Mr. TALON!"

"Yaaai!" Mr. Talon screeched and glared at me and I stared sheepishly at his wet shirt as he placed the glass of water away, "Will you ever let me drink water peacefully again?" he asked wiping his shirt with his handkerchief.

"Sorry..." I apologized before quickly closing the door behind me, "But Mr. Talon, I have some questions to ask you!"

His body tensed as his wary gaze found mine, "I thought I answered them all yesterday", he said and I shook my head.

"Not all, I have some very important matters I must clarify with you", I told his impatiently.

He exhaled heavily before removing his glasses and cleaning them, and I knew he would try to stall.

"Suzzanah I told you-"

"Why is there a wolf on the company logo?" I asked quickly, cutting him off.

His eyes widened and brow furrowed, "Why?" he repeated, "What's wrong with there being a wolf on the logo?"

"Not that it's wrong, but it so unusual", I told him, "What is the significance of a wolf on the logo and not something more...understandable, like an initial?"

"There is an initial too", he stated

"Yes, I know but why a wolf?" I pressed.

I knew that if Mr. Talon did not know the significance behind it, he would find my argument quite silly. He'd wonder why this girl showed up at his door and scared the living day lights out of him just to ask him about some silly animal on a logo. But something about his demeanor told me he knew, and there was no way I was leaving this room without answers.

"Well", he drawled, "a wolf can signify a number of things", he said, his words careful and measured, "Like power and strength and vigor, not to mention camaraderie and loyalty as wolves stay in packs. All of those are defining qualities and features of the Royale Industries"

"Yes but all those qualities could be conveyed by other animals too, like lions! So why a wolf?"

His eyes were thoughtful as he stared at his desk but I didn't miss him gulp nervously so I added, "Or better put, why that particular wolf?"

His eyes shot to mine, sizing me up through his rimmed spectacles. He knew something, but he was reluctant to say. But I wasn't leaving without knowing why. Before I could press him further another voice joined in our discussion.

"That's a very good question Ms. Winters", Mr. Penson said as he entered the room making both my and Mr. Talon's eyes go wide as we quickly bowed to him.

He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes, "I can see that you are curious, but is it the logo you're interested in, or the history behind it?" he asked me making me gulp in anticipation.

"So there is history, sir?" I countered and his eyes glinted in that ever knowing manner.

"Oh there is always history Ms. Winters", he said taking a seat by the desk, "but that doesn't necessarily mean it is relevant"

"I'd like to know", I told him honestly, "If that's alright"

He nodded, "It is alright", he said, "but why do you want to know?"

"I'm curious"

"There is always a reason behind ones curiosity"

I huffed; there was no way I was getting answers out of Mr. Penson without giving him answers in return.

Hesitantly I started, "I stumbled upon something, a matter that both interested me and disturbed me, and I think it has something to do with the logo"

Mr. Penson rested his head back on the headrest and breathed deeply, "I see, but you still did not tell me what the matter was"

I said nothing but continued to stare at him. He was gazing out of the window seemingly at the vast expanse of woods lost in deep thought.

I had secretly always wondered why the Royale Industries, being such a large and well known foundation, were located so deep in the forest away from all civilization. Most meetings were held in the city and very few within the company building, mostly because clients could not find their way here without a great deal of difficulty.

The forest was thick, vast and enclosed the area from all sides. It was scenic, yes, but why would an industrialist choose such a remote area to set up such a foundation? It made little sense to me...but I had more pressing matters I needed to worry about right now.

A few moments passed and he spoke again, his voice distant, thoughtful and deep as he continued gazing at the forest, "There is a legend that has been passed down for centuries now, about this forest that surrounds us. Do you know of it Ms. Winters?"

As a matter of fact I did, just last night when I had been researching the Royale family and Industries, I also stumbled upon some unexpected information, a legend associated with this particular vast expanse of land, this forest.

There were beasts that roamed the dark depths of these never-ending woods. Mysterious beasts that had never been sighted, never been captured, but only heard. It was a very small article, probably ancient folklore. And I had not bothered to read further.

"I do sir", I told him, "The legend of the beasts that roam the forest", for some strange reason Mr. Talon tensed beside me, "They have only ever been heard on rare occasions, but never seen. Not much is known about them", I told him with a shrug, "Most forests have some or the other creepy rumors and myths associated with them, that doesn't necessarily mean they are true. The beasts could very well just be animals after all"

A small distant smile spread across Mr. Penson's face, "Indeed you are quite right Ms. Winters"

"But I don't understand sir. How is this important or relevant to my question?"

Mr. Penson's gaze returned to mine, "Like you said, they have only ever been heard and never seen", he repeated my words, "Do you know exactly what the ancient people of the forest heard?"

I furrowed my brow and shook my head, "No"

He smiled before looking out the window and a short while later he said, "They heard howling"

My heart skipped a beat and my eyes went wide and suddenly I could make the connection.

They heard howling

What animal was it that howled?

"Wolves", I whispered and Mr. Penson looked back at me. I gazed uncertainly at him, "Wolves?" I questioned and he just blinked before exhaling deeply.

"I believe Talon gave you a brief insight into Alpha Zuerien's history and lineage yes?" I nodded, "Well it is said that many many years ago, when the Royales were not industrialists but only Royalty ruling their people within the confines of this vast forest, their Queen was rescued, by these very same 'beasts that howl', by one of them"

"By a wolf?"

"Probably, by a wolf", he said in his ever insightful manner and my heart sped up just a little bit.

Rescued by a wolf, just like me...

Mr. Penson continued, "A colossal beast, with dark fur that shines and dark eyes that blaze. A strong, large, powerful creature that howls to the moon and challenges the sun"

Mr. Talon tensed again but I was too enthralled by what I was hearing to ask him about it.

"But I thought there were no sightings of the beasts", I said confused.

"Not by the ancient tribal people there weren't", Mr. Penson told me, "But what is found by the Royales, stays with the Royales. This is something only those associated closely with the Royales know about. Ever since then, the Royale family has valued wolves as their companions. Some say that they even held wolves as protectors of their lands, some kind of mutual bond that was formed between them. That has been passed down many generations. It is supposedly also the reason why the forest was preserved always, so that the wolves would not be discovered or hunted down"

It was all very intriguing to hear indeed, but one thing that he said was bothering me, or rather how he said it.

"...creature that howls to the moon and challenges the sun"

"You used the present tense", I spoke my thoughts out loud making Mr. Penson raise his eyebrows at me questioningly. I cleared my throat and said, "Earlier, when you mentioned the beast, you used the present tense. Is there a reason why?"

I felt stupid asking him that. It was just a tense, and I was no English teacher, so why did I have to bother about it?! But I was quite taken aback when he smiled at me with twinkling eyes.

"You're paying close attention aren't you Ms. Winters", he said and I could sense a hint of approval in his voice, "Yes, I used the present tense. And yes there is a reason. Can you guess Ms. Winters?" he asked me with a strange glint in his eyes, "When does one use the present tense?"

And just like that an onslaught of memories came crashing down on me in the form of things I had seen, heard and felt. And my mind suddenly clouded completely with these many recollections that were rearranging themselves.

"Wolves, are there any where you come from? Have you ever seen any? Do you know anything about them?"

Mr. Penson's questions from my first day of work resounded in my mind.

"Don't forget. Jungles, forests and woods are called 'the Wild' for a reason"

Mr. Penson's words were followed by very vivid images of a large, dark, majestic, brown-eyed wolf that I had run into in the woods and that had rescued me just yesterday. The same wolf that was on the company's logo.

There are mysterious beasts that roam the woods, large beasts, strong beasts, beasts that howl to the moon!

"They're still here!" I exclaimed and Mr. Penson leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes as a small smile played on his lips.

"Maybe Ms. Winters", he said nonchalantly, "They may be, they may not be. Who can say? Only one who has seen them of course"

One...such as myself

My body was still buzzing with the news, for some reason I felt exhilarated even though I hadn't really discovered any real answers.

I now knew that there was indeed a reason why there was a wolf on the logo, but why that particular wolf? The wolf that resembled Alpha Zuerien.

"Is there a reason why there is a golden streak running down the wolf's body in the logo?"

Mr. Penson opened his eyes and breathed deeply before standing up, "It is the wolf that has been on the Royale family emblem for centuries now Ms. Winters. Maybe the ancient beast that rescued the Queen looked something like that."

He turned to walk to the door and beside me Mr. Talon released a deep sigh. But just as he passed by me I spoke again, "So it has nothing to do with the fact that..."

I hesitated and both men turned towards me, Mr. Talon looking exasperated while Mr. Penson looking expectant. I gulped and continued as my heart rate sped up again, "So it has nothing to do with the fact that, Alpha Zuerien has a very similar golden streak running through his hair?"

The room suddenly went deadly quiet. The silence was so thick that I could hear my breathing as well as Mr. Penson's. I couldn't hear Mr. Talon's though and at the back of my mind I wondered if he even was breathing.

Seconds ticked away and my anticipation was at its zenith as a slow deliberate almost unsettling smile spread across Mr. Penson's face, "My my", he whispered, "she knows."

Chills ran down my spine and goose bumps spread over my skin making me shiver involuntarily. Dark eyes gazed back at me intently. Eyes that seemed to withhold wisdom unfathomable behind their indifferent exterior. Eyes that seemed to know all the answers I wanted, but eyes that would not reveal any without reason.

She knows...

Before I could say anything else, Mr. Penson asked, "What do you think Ms. Winters?" his voice was just above a whisper and it only served to make this conversation all the more disturbing, "Do you think it has something to do with Alpha Zuerien?"

"I-I..."

"And if so, isn't it strange that it does?"

I remained silent and waited for him to finish, not trusting my voice to make any sort of acknowledgement.

"Isn't it strange that an emblem of a wolf that was designed and created many hundred years ago resembles our Alpha King so very accurately?"

He was only adding fuel to the fire; he was only emphasizing my fears, fears about a certain tall dark and handsome man, who just might not be very human...

He smiled again, his ever knowing, understanding smile, but something about it was grave, something about it was dark and painful.

"A word of advice Ms. Winters", he said as his eyes welled with an emotion I hadn't seen in them before, "Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answers to"

And with that he turned and walked out of the door. And for some reason, as he left I felt something prick at my heart, a pain, which for some reason, did not seem my own.

***

John Penson's POV

She knows

My smile faded as I made my way towards the private elevator. As I got in, I couldn't help but marvel at how destiny pulled its strings.

That child was special. She was special because she was the Alpha King's Mate, the Luna Queen. She was special because she was human and still not. She was special because she saw things that had been hidden from the eyes of all others all this time. And she was special for reasons we were yet to uncover. She was special...so very...special!

Just like Emily used to be...

I shook off the pain and desolation of that thought and walked out of the elevator into the spacious corridor leading to the Alpha's office.

I passed Matree, the Alpha's P.A who bowed to me and I nodded at her. As I entered the Alpha's office I heard Alpha Marco's voice.

"The preparations for the Annual Games or should I say Annual Evaluation have commenced King", he said strongly, "They will be finished within a few days. Beta Cole is there right now, directing everything as was ordered by you and Alpha Penson"

Alpha Zuerien nodded while looking out of the large glass windows at the vast expanse of green that stretched in all directions outside.

"Thank you Alpha Marco", Alpha Zuerien said turning to him, "You can go ahead and join Beta Cole now. I and Alpha Penson will come by later in the day to check on everything"

"Yes King", Alpha Marco bowed before turning towards the door where I was standing. As he walked by me he smiled and nodded at me and I returned the same. When he had left I turned my attention back to the young man who had been much like a son to me for many years.

I took in the state of his tousled hair, baggy eyes and tired demeanor and shook my head.

"You called me Alpha Zuerien", I said walking up to him as he turned his gaze to meet mine.

"John, please have a seat", he said and I could hear the exhaustion in his voice.

I sat down and waited. It was very rare for the Alpha to want to talk about something privately, especially something that didn't involve the pack. And I instantly knew what this was about, or rather whom this was about.

It was never a good idea to push Alpha Zuerien to say what had transpired. He wouldn't budge. He would think and think and think and think some more till he couldn't take it anymore and would finally open up, if he wanted to. And seeing as he called for me, I was presuming he wanted to talk about it this time.

He breathed deeply before taking the seat opposite mine. He continued to think and his forehead creased in worry. After a few more seconds he spoke tiredly, "I made a mistake"

"Hmm", I acknowledged but said nothing else.

"I-I..." he exhaled heavily, his voice steady but also troubled, "I almost marked her last evening"

My eyes widened a little at his revelation as he continued, "I couldn't stop myself John", he said running a hand through his already disheveled hair, "she was there and I thought I could control myself but I just lost it. I was so close to marking her, it's a miracle I didn't do it. I managed to reel back my self-control in the last minute, but I think I gave too much away. I think she suspects something"

I smiled, "Oh she doesn't just suspect Alpha, she knows"

His head shot up and his wide eyes found mine. It was very rare for him to be caught shocked, but ever since Ms. Winters came into the picture, it had happened almost on a daily basis. That was probably another reason why she was special.

"What do you mean she knows?" he asked hurriedly, a thin stream of panic laced into his otherwise strong and steady voice.

"I mean that she knows far more than we thought she did. She is quite close to discovering your identity, both your identities"

He squeezed his eyes shut and exhaled heavily, no doubt beating himself up about his reckless actions last evening. But he shouldn't, he really shouldn't.

"Alpha", I said making him open his eyes and within them I could recognize many emotions I had felt when it came to my own beloved mate and it made my heart hurt, just a little more.

"Alpha Zuerien, there is only so much one can do to deter the inevitable. She is no ordinary Luna. She is Luna of all Wolves, the Queen. She may be human or a Neutral, but it does not change the fact that she was destined for the throne, for you."

His face twitched for a split second before his raised his eyes to the ceiling in exasperation.

"One thing I have learnt from my many many years of experience is that nothing good comes from denying the truth", I told him honesty, "She is your mate and she will continue to be your mate, whether she discovers our secret or not. I apologize for the manner in which I forced you to accept her as your mate out loud, but honestly do you think that if I hadn't, it would have stopped you from worrying about her, from longing for her, from loving her?"

"John I-"

"Would it?"

He exhaled heavily looking exasperated. In his eyes I could see the internal battle he was fighting to try and refute what I had said but soon exhaustion descended into them followed by defeat. I didn't need him to say it to know his answer. I closed my eyes briefly and sighed deeply.

"Zuerien", I said addressing him without his title, "life is very unpredictable with its ways. Trying to outsmart it has never done anyone any good. We are wolves, we have much longer lifespans than other beings, but we are not immortal. Death comes to us, just as it does to everyone else."

The pain inside of me grew a little more as I spoke on.

"You are young now, and I hope and pray you have a long life ahead of you, but you can't use that as an excuse to put off what you can very much do today, especially when it comes to your mate. You have lost many things in the past. I know life was cruel to you from a very tender age son, but when it tries to recompense for that, why is it you still choose to shun it?"

"How do I know I can trust her John?" he cried out exasperated as he stood up running his hands through his hair, "how do I know she won't turn out to be a back stabber just like they did? How do I know she won't betray me exactly when I can't defend myself? Because I know that if I let her in, I'll never be able to let her go. I can't expose my kingdom and my people to such a risk!"

"You have spent time with her, as has Kai", I said, "Did she seem like that kind of person?"

"But they never do, do they John?" he asked me and I could hear the hurt in his voice.

"You have full right to be cautious about this Zuerien. I'm not telling you to mark and mate her right away. But I implore you, not as one Alpha to his King, but as one broken wolf to another, don't let her go without giving her a chance"

His eyes glazed over in longing and he closed them to prevent me from seeing it. But I knew that feeling all too well. The insatiable feeling of longing.

"She is your mate, the one person who is supposed to bring you more joy than anything else in this world." I said, "I think she is worth the risk. And I can vouch for that, being one wolf who would give up anything just to have a glimpse of my own one more time"

His expression softened and I knew I needed to leave now. Standing up, I didn't look at him as I turned away from him.

"Give her a chance son" I said feeling exhausted, "At least all that happened in the past was someone else's unforgivable doing. You could do nothing about it. But if you let her go now, if you choose to do so, then later in life when you realize that she was the one thing in this world that could have made everything right, you'll have no one to blame for your mistake, but yourself"

I turned away from him and started walking to the door with a heart now too heavy to be able to reassure any more as I was left with my ever present thought.

And I know that feeling far too well...

***

The rest of the day I spent immersed in work. I did not see Alpha Zuerien again. Ms. Winters seemed to have sensed that something was wrong with me. She constantly kept trying to converse with me and even attempted a few jokes, for which I was grateful but unfortunately could not express it.

She reminded me too much of my daughter, my dear Emily, whom I could not protect. The daughter, who died in my place.

It had been many ages since I had felt this weighed down by my loneliness. Maybe at long last my perseverance had come to an end. I had reached a point in my life where I didn't know how to go on.

What good was being Alpha of Wisdom if I fell into the same depths of despair that everyone else did. What good was it if I couldn't use that Wisdom to protect myself from succumbing?

What good was that wisdom if I couldn't use it to protect my mate, my child?...

By evening I felt completely drained. I wanted to let my wolf take over and go for a run. I wanted to spend some time in solitude. Away from everyone and everything that reminded me of my lost life.

I stood outside on the stairs watching as the last of the lady employees got into the bus to return to the staff quarters. They chatted and laughed as they went and I smiled at the sight.

"Mr. Penson?"

I turned to find Ms. Winters standing behind me. I hadn't even heard her walk up to me. She looked at me soft eyes and I could see the worry hidden behind them.

Has it come to this that I must worry a dear child such as her with my own problems? How pitiful I have become.

"Mr. Penson, are you alright?" she asked me softly, "Is something wrong?"

I smiled and shook my head, "I'm quite fine Ms. Winters"

"But something is wrong?" she asked, her brown eyes reminding me too much of my own child's.

I looked away and sighed, "Something is always wrong Ms. Winters. You can choose whether you want to dwell on it or not"

She didn't reply so I looked back at her to find her staring at me with a soft gaze, indignant at my reply and yet brimming with concern. Much like Emily's used to when I replied to her questions vaguely.

"I'm fine Ms. Winters", I told her again and she nodded.

"You said that already sir", she said gently, "Are you trying to assure me, or yourself?"

I was taken aback by her words and suddenly my heart couldn't take it anymore. I sighed heavily.

"I miss my daughter", I told her before I had the chance to stop myself.

Her eyes lit up and she smiled at me, "Oh sir, that's alright. Just give her a call"

My heart constricted further and I closed my eyes unable to stop myself from replying to her, "I wish I could Ms. Winters. Unfortunately I cannot. She is no longer in this world."

I felt her tense beside me and a feeling of being heavily weighed down descended upon me.

"Oh sir", she said, her voice soft and pained, "I'm so sorry"

I shook my head but said nothing. We stood for some time outside the building, watching the bus get more filled with people as time went by. I thought not looking at the young child by my side would help me not think about how similar she was to my daughter, but unfortunately it didn't help.

"Many a times when I would be upset, Emily would just stand beside me like this. Neither of us would talk, neither of us would utter a word."

"Hmm", a soft voice acknowledged.

With a start I realized that I had said that out loud but for some reason I didn't stop even when I realized.

"We would just stand together watching the sky, the rain, the trees, the clouds. Just stand silently and watch time passing by. And truth is that's all I needed. I didn't need my child to fight my battles for me or solve my problems. I just needed her to be by my side. Just be there."

From the corner of my eye I saw her nod. I smiled sadly at the memory of my daughter. I remembered that once significant time had passed with us just standing there I'd invariably be feeling better. Then she'd say these exact words,

See daddy, the bad time has passed away!

"I wish she were here now", I said feeling pain welling up in my heart, "here, beside me"

"But she is here"

My eyes went wide and I turned my head to find Ms. Winters smiling softly at me.

"Honest", she said, "she is right here, right beside you as we speak"

She looked away from me at the forest as I continued to gaze at the dear child, unable to overcome the intensity of her words.

"When my parents passed away I was just a child. But when I grew older I felt their absence more and more. Till one day I came across a quote by an anonymous writer, bless their soul!"

She looked at me still smiling, then looked to the sky as she quoted the next few lines, "Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear"

My heart welled at her words as I felt their sincerity seep into my skin and comfort my pained soul.

"When I read that quote I felt so at peace, just knowing that they didn't leave me. They will always be right here" she placed a hand over her heart and then she smiled.

Her smile was so genuine and so happy that soon I too started feeling happy. It was something I could not explain.

"She is here. She has always been here. She never left you at all", she told me cheerfully and I felt myself smile at her- genuinely, whole heartedly and with every fiber of my being.

"So give her a call Mr. Penson", she said making my eyes widen yet again. Her smile grew, "Here, I'll show you how"

She quickly ran down the steps and stood on the asphalt path. She cupped her mouth with her hand and then called out loudly, "Hey mum, dad! How are you guys? I'm doing alright, although I think I ate too much for lunch, and I feel bloated so I'll be rolling back to my room instead of walking today"

I couldn't help but laugh as she continued, "I'm safe, I'm healthy and I still have a reason to smile every day. So don't worry about me too much alright. I miss you every day and I love you forever"

By the time she was done, I didn't feel even a tiny bit of pain anymore. That feeling had been replaced by a strange unexplainable sense of joy, comfort and love. And suddenly I felt whole again.

She turned back to me and laughed, "See, it's easy. Of course you don't have to do it as animatedly as me"

I smiled fondly at her, "Yes I see" I told her, "I'll be sure to give Emily a call"

Ms. Winters smiled so bright that it could have lit up a dark night sky, but before she could say anything else, a loud horn sounded from behind her and we turned to see that the last of the staff buses was about to leave.

"Oh darn! I have to go Mr. Penson, I'll see you tomorrow" she shouted and started running towards the bus.

When she was almost there she suddenly turned around and shouted, "Mr. Penson! What time is it?"

A confused smile spread across my face as I quickly checked the time and called out, "Its 6:45 pm"

She laughed out loud then held out both her palms on either side of her body and shrugged her shoulders, "See! The bad time has passed away!"

My eyes went wide in shock and just like that in place of Ms. Winters now stood Emily, with the very same smile, the very same posture and the very same words that now echoed in my head. When I blinked it was Ms. Winters again. She waved at me then ran to get into the bus.

I stared after her in shock unable to believe what I had just seen and heard.

It couldn't be!...

Slowly the shock left my features and was replaced by a smile.

It seems special might not quite be the right word for Ms. Winters...

My smile widened as I felt genuine gratitude and affection for the dear child, who I now had the pleasure of calling my Luna Queen.

And maybe more...

"She is extraordinary" I spoke out loud, "Isn't she, Alpha Zuerien?"

He walked out from behind the wall where he had been standing all this time, and stood beside me watching the bus disappear into the distance. He didn't reply but when I looked at him, I could see it in his eyes- the reassurance, the joy and last but not the least, the love.

Smiling I walked down the steps to go into the woods.

"John, where to?" he asked me and I turned around to look at him.

My smile widened as I spoke, "To make a call"

***

A/N

Hello my darlings,

I'm a little teary eyed. The quote Suzzanah mentioned is one my favorites :') by an anonymous person.

Specially dedicated to all those who have lost dear loved ones and here's to reassure you that they are always with you!

Hope you liked this chapter. Please vote and comment to let me know what you think.

The chapter numbers have been replaced by titles :D If the chapter titles have not been updated in your libraries kindly delete the book from your libraries and add it again. Hopefully that'll do it.

Next chapter will be updated sometime next week :)

Thank you for all the support. Until next time,

All my love,

Angel