Mated To Alpha Kessler

Kessler’s POV

The two weeks of Lyra’s absence are the fucking worst time of my life. My mother is bent on me not leaving the pack.

I’m livid. I’ve never been this infuriated with my mother in all my life.

It’s heart-wrenching. I feel her emotions every fucking day. She’s in serious pain, and I can feel it through the mate bond. Fuck this mate bond.

I never realized how important Lyra is to me until now. With her out of sight, I drown myself in alcohol every night just to find some semblance of sleep, my drink laced with wolfbane to numb the ache in my heart.

Annie, sensing my vulnerability, persistently tries to get me to sleep with her, and unfortunately, she succeeds numerous times.

Zach walks into my office, he looks at me with concern and asks, “How long will you continue to wallow in your pain?”

I look at him with a lazy gaze, but still, I ask, “What do you mean?”

“Jack is trouble, and he can’t afford to know that Lyra is missing. We need to find her, and you… you’re a mess,” Zach says, shaking his head at me.

“I know, Zachary. Must you rub it in my face? This is why I never wished for a mate,” I mutter, rubbing my hands over my face. “This is fucking torture.”

Someone knocked but I growled, and my anger intensified with the pain in my heart. “Who the fuck is that?” I mutter, ready to unleash my fury on whoever dares to disturb me.

Stepping outside, I immediately recognize Jack, Lyra’s uncle. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Jack gives a small smile, unfazed by my hostile demeanor. “Can’t I check on my favorite niece again?” he replies casually.

I step closer to him, my gaze deadly, my aura radiating menace. Pointing my finger at his chest, I speak with conviction, “Something about you doesn’t sit well with me. And when I find out what it is, I will crush every bone in your body.”

He trembles in fear, stumbling back. “Alpha, I just want to see my niece,” he stammers, desperation evident in his voice. “I have a message for her from her mother.”

“Is that so?” I retort, my tone dripping with skepticism. “Or did you come to check if your so-called niece had fulfilled your desires?” I said to him, “Leave the message with Zachary and get the fuck out of my territory.”

He looks at me as if he wants to protest, but with a loud growl and my aura oozing out, I cut him off. “Go,” I command, my voice firm.

He stumbles backward, clearly intimidated, but not without giving me a smirk. “I will be back,” he says ominously before turning and leaving.

I step back into my office, Zachary following closely behind me. “What intel have you gathered so far about Jack?” I ask, my mind already racing with suspicions about Lyra’s uncle.

“He’s up to no good,” Zachary responds grimly. “He’s cunning and devious. He knows we’re on his radar, so he’s been careful with his moves to avoid getting caught.”

“Put a trail on him and get more intel,” I command, determined to uncover whatever scheme Jack is plotting.

Zachary nods in agreement.

“I’m done not wanting Lyra by my side.” I’m filled with regret as I acknowledge the mistakes I’ve made, especially with Annie, while Lyra has been away. It’s time to set things right and protect what truly matters.

“I know she’ll feel it in her heart,” my mistakes, especially with Annie. “What was I thinking, banging Annie?”

I understand now that if I want to regain Lyra’s trust and warmth, I must come clean about everything. But then doubt creeps in.

“No, I can’t let my guard down,” I remind myself. “What if I mate with her while trying to warm my way back into her heart, and she gets pregnant, fulfilling her uncle’s wish?”

Then I reach for my phone and dial Tristan’s number. “I traced Lyra’s scent to the Croftwood Pack.”

“Tristan had the guts to come to my territory and take my mate,” I seethe, feeling betrayed and enraged. “Someone on the inside must have tipped him off. But who could that be?” I turn to Zach, my trusted beta, for answers.

Zach nods in understanding. “Whoever it is knows the best time to strike,” he acknowledges. “We’ll find the mole, Alpha. And whoever it is will regret ever knowing you.”

“Get to work on it, Zach. We need to root out this traitor before they cause any more harm.” I turn my focus to the task at hand, ready to do whatever it takes to protect my pack and reclaim my mate.

As Tristan’s voice came through on the other end, I could tell he hadn’t checked the caller ID before answering the call.

With no need for formalities, I cut straight to the chase. “I know you have something in your care that belongs to me. Send her back in peace,” I demand, my tone firm and unwavering, before hanging up immediately.

Two days have passed since I made the ultimatum to Tristan, urging him to return our mate or face the consequences. Yet, it appears he’s testing my patience with his silence and inaction.

“What will Lyra be going through right now in the Croftwood pack?” I wonder, anxiety gnawing at me. I’ve been told that Tristan, despite having Chloe, wants to mate and mark her.

I have no intention of sending Zach. Emotions might run high in conflict situations with Chloe around.

“Prepare my best warriors. We need to bring back our Luna,” I command firmly.

His face lights up with relief, happy that I’ve decided to go for Lyra. “Can I come too?” he asks eagerly.

I look at him with understanding. “You know the reason I don’t want you to come,” I say softly.

He nods his head in understanding.

“Be safe,” he says, comfortably squeezing my shoulder.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“I will. Thanks,” I reply, grateful for his concern.

We pull up in our luxury cars, accompanied by an entourage. I feel a surge of happiness knowing I’m finally going to see Lyra again. My wolf purrs at the thought of her.

Dolph has been angry with me, understandably so, given the way I let Lyra suffer and ended up sleeping with Annie.

“Happy now?” I ask him, trying to break the tension.

He wags his tail without responding, his silence speaking volumes.

As we arrive at the Croftwood Pack, our car entourage attracts members of the pack, gawking at us.

“I know it’s Audi’s new limited edition, and I know Tristan can’t afford it.”

“Arrogant much,” Dolph comments, echoing my sentiment.

Stepping out of the car, I notice Tristan emerging from the crowd, looking at me with a gaze I can’t quite decipher. I recognize that look; he feels rejected, as if he’s lost someone.

As I see Tristan’s expression, a pang of worry shoots through me. “I hope it’s not Lyra,” I whisper to myself, knowing that if it were her, I would have felt the pain.

Then, Lyra steps out, and my heart skips a beat. My voice hitches in my throat as I take in her appearance. She’s a shadow of herself, emaciated drastically.

Ignoring everything else, I march straight to Tristan and demand, “What the fuck did you do to her?”

He scoffs and replies callously, “She’s standing right there. Go near and ask her.” His indifference only fuels my anger, as I fight the urge to rush to Lyra’s side and gather her in my arms.

As I reach out to her, she flinches at my touch, and my heart sinks. With pleading eyes, I silently beg her to understand, to not push me away.

Thankfully, she leans into my chest and begins to cry, shattering my heart all over again.

But just as I start to console her, a mind link from Zach makes my blood run hot with rage.