Antonio's POV 

I picked up the files my beta had dropped on the table and scanned through it. It was the files of mappers from different packs and I needed to sign each one of them. I looked lazily at them too tired to pick up a pen. I had slept so late last night is the norm nowadays. I know I'm suffering from severe insomnia and nothing is helping to cure it.

I had been tossing and turning around in bed until I gave up and stood up to go outside for a run in the woods. There's nothing like letting my wolf run free. It calms me and also helps me deal with insomnia for just a couple of hours. I had jogged past a couple of the guest houses until I stopped and my wolf ran back. Ignoring my quest for exploration. He wouldn't tell me what he ran from or why he ran because I didn't see anything. It's really strange because instead of facing whatever it was head on, he ran from it which is puzzling. I didn't sense anything.

I was about to begin signing the files when salvatore bust in and give a sign of relief when is saw me sitting on my chair.

" Alpha " he said and I rolled my eyes. I don't fancy him calling me alpha at all. We have been friends since we were toddlers but he insists to address me formally when we are in my office or at a gathering.

I looked at him and frowned. "Everything all right? ". He pursed his lips and sat on the swivel chair at the other end of the table.

"Are the files signed?" He asked, deliberately avoiding my question and I immediately knew something was wrong and it looked serious. It could be a rogue attack or a brawl at the bar or a serious fire outbreak. Any of these things happen everyday but I knew what he was about to say was something serious.

"What happened Salvatore?" I asked.

He sighed and fiddled with a paper stop on the table. "One of the guides was found dead this morning." He said, looking straight at me.

I leaned back in my chair and stared back at him in silence. Dead? Found dead?

"Patricia Zyna. She was the guide for red crescent moon pack." He explained to me with care knowing how much I resented that pack for all it worth.

He handed me some sheets of paper and I looked at it. They were images of a woman, covered with blood from head to toe, her wide eyes frozen in shock. Claw marks, deep ones all over her body, bruises and...

"She was murdered brutally. There's something really off about a murder though. Her body has been taken for autopsy but the pack doctor who was at the scene when they carried her body away told me that the bites and claw marks aren't wolf-like.

I saw them myself too and I agree with him. we wolves like to kill fast,just a snap to your head will do,but this..." He trailed off.

A guide dead under my reign. this has never happened before,as long as I know. I have never heard of such happening in my pack. who would murder a guide and why?

I sighed and tore my gaze away from the woman's seemingly accusing eyes.

"Where was she found?" I asked.

"In the guest house kitchen by the counter. Her blood was spilled all over the place." He said.

"And the girls? " I asked,a bit unconcerned but it's my duty to protect them.

"They have been moved inland. we had no where else to lodge them. all the guest houses are filled up. one of the girls said she went down to the kitchen at about midnight and saw blood on the counter top. It was still fresh and she also claimed to have heard a scratching sound. "

I raised my brows," She didn't see the body then?"

"She said she didn't even though she might have been an inch from stepping on it. She said she couldn't find the light switch."

"We can't rule out the fact that one or all of those girls could have killed the guide."

"I don't think so Alpha. As a matter of fact there are very frightened..."

He trailed off as I shot him a look of disdain. "When did you become this soft Salvatore? Don't let your guard down. We know any of them and for now they are all suspects. They need to be questioned."I sighed and rubbed my aching eyes. "Seal off the area."

"Done that" He replied.

That's the problem with having different people from all over, you just don't know what might happen. I have no say as to what might have happened unless I go investigate myself.

Salvatore picked up the files.

"You really need to sign these files and the approval forms so they can all start preparing for the ball." He said as I got up abruptly,startling him in the process.

"Sorry" I whispered as I made my way to the window. I felt is presence behind me seconds later.

"Itchy?" He asked with a hint of amusement. I didn't see anything funny in that. He placed is arm on my shoulder.

"Happened to me before I got to know your sister is my mate." He said with a smile.

My brow drew together as I turned to face him. "What are you suggesting? "

"I don't have to put it in words Antonio. Your mate is coming along this year. You will do yourself a great favor by attending the ball. Who knows she might be there." He said.

I honestly don't want to go. If my mate is here I should have felt her by now. But I feel nothing.

"Talking about mates." I said quickly shifting his attention from me. "You might need to talk to Sandra. she isn't felling well. I offered to relieve her of her job for now but she declined. Talk to her about it, my offer is still open. I don't like seeing her stressed out." I told him.

"Yea. I told her to stay back today and get some rest. "He said and it let it go.

"I think you should rest too. You look like a mess." He offered.

"Thanks" I said dryly.

"No. I really think you should. I can step in for..."

"How can I? Sleep eludes me all the time. I don't know what else to do." I cut in.

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Sorry for the late late update. Just been too lazy to type these days. 

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