Gavriel set out with Simon to search the entire area around the Wildfangs Pack.
‘What’s wrong with you? How could Althea sense his presence but you can’t?’ he growled at his lycan, Chaos.
‘He’s probably powerful enough to conceal his presence,’ Chaos replied calmly. ‘No one could sense him except our mate. Even Uriel failed to detect him. Maybe our mate is familiar with this man’s inner energy.’
Gavriel’s jaw tightened. He hated that he couldn’t track down the mysterious man lurking near his mate in the shadows. It wasn’t just the man’s strength that bothered him—it was the fact that Althea had sensed him when no one else could. Her words still echoed in his mind: “My hunch tells he won’t harm .”
That thought disturbed him more than anything. It almost felt as if there was so kind of bond between her and that man. And deep down, the idea that another man might share any sort of connection with Althea gnawed at him relentlessly. The fear that soone could take her away without him even knowing was enough to drive him mad.
He needed to capture that man and discover exactly what his intentions were.
A few monts later, reports began flooding into Gavriel’s mind from every patrol units.
‘Alpha King, all clear. No intruders detected in the area,’ the voices reported one after another.
‘Uriel?’ Gavriel called out to his cousin.
‘Nothing in the woods,’ Uriel replied. ‘I can’t sense any foreign energy either. Gavriel, that man isn’t an ordinary magic wielder. And about Althea... I think I might have an idea about her mother’s energy. I rember reading an ancient text from Velmora—it ntioned only one noble house capable of sensing even the most concealed energies and the life force of any being.’
‘We’ll talk about it later,’ Gavriel said firmly. ‘For now, return and make sure you cast protective barriers around the area.’
But just as he was about to head back, Gavriel caught sight of a figure in the distance—a man in a white cloak and hood, whose facial features were exactly as Althea had described. The stranger turned toward him and gave a faint, knowing smirk.
Without hesitation, Gavriel lunged forward.
‘That’s him! Chase him!’ he commanded through the link. In an instant, he shifted into his wolfman form and sprinted after the man, who had already darted into the shadows of the nearby woods.
Gavriel pushed through the trees, his claws tearing into the soil as he ran. The scent of the stranger was strong—sharp and cold, almost unnatural. He was fast, far too fast for any ordinary being.
“Stop right there!” he thundered, his voice echoing through the forest.
The cloaked man didn’t stop. Instead, he turned slightly, his hood slipping just enough for Gavriel to catch a glimpse of a faint, mocking smile. Then, in one swift motion, the man drew a blade that glimred with a strange, faintly glowing light.
Gavriel lunged. Their weapons clashed—fangs against steel, claws against speed. The air was thick with the sound of tal striking and the low, guttural growls that escaped the Alpha King’s throat. The man fought with precision, his movents almost unnatural, too smooth for an ordinary warrior.
“You’re good compared with others,” the stranger taunted, his tone calm despite the pressure of Gavriel’s attacks.
Gavriel ignored him and went for his throat, his claws grazing the man’s shoulder. The sll of blood filled the air. The stranger staggered back, clutching the wound where dark, almost black blood seeped through his clothes.
“You’re not getting away this ti,” Gavriel growled, stepping closer, his eyes glowing gold.
But the man only smiled again, raising his hand. “You shouldn’t be so sure, Alpha King.”
The ground beneath them began to tremble. Gavriel’s eyes darted downward just as glowing cracks spread across the soil, forming strange runes that pulsed with light.
“Sire!” Gustav’s voice echoed through the clearing, but the Alpha King was already too far ahead. He raised his hands, trying to summon his power to help but nothing happened.
‘What’s going on?’ he thought in shock, staring at his trembling hands.
“We can’t use our magic!” one of the mages shouted from behind him.
A cold chill ran down Gustav’s spine. It was the first ti he had ever felt such powerlessness. He looked around the area, eyes wide with realization, and his voice ca out in a shaken whisper.
“This is a trap... He lured the Alpha King here on purpose!”
The cloaked man whispered sothing under his breath. A swirling vortex of darkness opened between them, dragging leaves and dust into its center.
“Coward!” Gavriel snarled, lunging forward. His claws struck true—he managed to slash across the man’s chest just before the portal fully opened.
But before Gavriel could pull back, the force of the portal caught him. The air twisted violently, pulling him off his feet.
“Alpha!” Gustav shouted as he tried to reach him, but it was too late. The portal swallowed Gavriel whole, sealing shut with a deafening crack that shook the ground.
Silence followed.
Gustav dropped to his knees, panting as he stared at the spot where his Alpha had vanished. Only a faint shimr in the air remained, fading fast.
“Alpha Gavriel...” he muttered under his breath, his heart pounding in disbelief.
The forest was quiet once more but the scent of blood and powerful magic lingered, heavy and ominous.
Uriel ca running, panting heavily. “What happened?!” he demanded, his voice rough as he looked at Gustav and the others.
“That man—he created a portal and took the Alpha King with him,” Gustav stamred. “I... my Lord, I couldn’t do anything. His power—it was dark, but there was light in it too. It blocked us completely from using our abilities. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. It was too powerful.”
Gustav’s hands were still shaking as he spoke, his face pale from the lingering fear of what he had just witnessed.
Uriel’s face turned pale as he scanned their surroundings. “It can’t be...” he muttered, realization dawning on him. His eyes widened. “We all walked right into his trap! The entire area is under his spell. Why did you let the Alpha King enter this place?!” he roared.
“It’s my fault...” Gustav stamred. “I didn’t sense any danger when we followed him. I—”
“Track the Alpha King’s scent now!” Uriel snapped, cutting him off. “And open portals that can lead us to him!”
They couldn’t afford to lose Gavriel. His cousin was strong, almost unstoppable, but this was different. Being trapped in another man’s domain was sothing even power couldn’t easily overco.
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