TAKING A DEEP breath, the Duke Beta calmly began, "I know you to be many things but a coward. The Darius I know would jump into a burning building with just a one per cent hope of coming out alive, just as long as the other person was alright.

"Don't you think that, that Darius is the one your mate deserves?"

With that last question, Darius could feel his resolve faltering. "I don't know, Noriel..."

Noriel cut in again. "Let this be the last thing you do for her."

When Darius sighed finally, Noriel broke into a wide grin, knowing that Darius had finally given in.

"I will get the Omegas to clean the library right now," the Duke Beta announced and disappeared before the Alpha King could say a word.

Noriel's excitement made Darius feel even worse about what he agreed to do. Falling back into his seat, Darius wondered what he had gotten himself into.

~•~°×°~•~

For what seemed like an eternity, Darius stood by the double doors covering the entrance of the castle library. He was always taught to recognise danger and how to get away from dangerous situations.

But even as he heard all the warning bells in his head go off, he still ventured into the library. After all, it is only by standing at the edge of the cliff would we see the beautiful view.

The royal library contained ancient books, most handwritten, but some typed out. The shelves were built with strong centuries-old wood that could stand against termites and other natural elements.

Even after five decades, it still looked the same but due to it not having been opened after so many years, the smell of old books was thick in the air, as well as the metallic scent of blood. It had been fifty years but the evidence was still there.

The moment Darius entered, his eyes were drawn to the desk by the wall but Darius quickly took his eyes off the desk and walked towards the shelf he came for. The sooner he found the old directory, the sooner he could leave that place.

~•~×°×~•~

Upon leaving the library, the Alpha King found the Duke Beta waiting for him by the door. He began walking away with his Beta closely behind him.

"Did you find it?" Noriel asked immediately.

"Yes, and surprisingly enough, I also found the last book. Along with her last known location, the directory mentioned her brother returning the book back to the royal library after she died.

"After searching for it amongst the shelves with the older books, I finally found it, hidden in plain sight amongst the newer journals about mating, but it's written in ancient werewolf language.

"And, the only ones who can understand this language are the wolves who were born before the blood moon era," Darius responded.

"There's only one wolf I know who is that old, but she gave up on our kind a long time ago," Noriel informed as Darius paused in front of his room.

Darius exhaled sharply. "Elder Eta Romina."

Every ounce of hope the Alpha King had vanished instantly and his face mirrored the Duke Beta's in discouragement.

Darius wondered why he agreed to do this in the first place. He should have known that he would get disappointed in the end. What was he even expecting, that his luck would change so quickly?

"Wait, Darius, let's not give up so quickly. Perhaps we can find a way to convince the Elder Eta," Noriel jumped in before Darius could say what was on his mind.

Darius eyed Noriel in slight annoyance. "How many wolves has she agreed to meet after she exiled herself?"

"I know but you are the Alpha King of all werewolves, the Elder Eta has to listen to you," Noriel pressed on, following Darius into his room.

"She is an exiled wolf, Noriel, those rules do not apply to her."

"Then you can use the Alpha command on her. Her wolf would be forced to submit!"

Darius looked up with a glare. "I would never force a command on a Wolf unless it is for their own good."

"But it is for the good of all wolves," Noriel defended.

"That doesn't justify it but since I decided to do this for my mate, I will go find Elder-"

"Yes!" Noriel cut in, fist bumping the air.

"You didn't let me finish," Darius started but Noriel's excitement did not dwindle.

Darius continued nonetheless, "But if I am unable to convince her, we will leave immediately."

"Alright, Alpha, I will gather some of the Earl Deltas and supplies. When do we leave?" Noriel asked.

Earl Deltas were the Head Guardians. They were responsible for the safety and well-being of the royal family.

The Deltas below them would serve the pack Alphas by going on border patrols to keep an eye on the pack borders to ward off intruders. Some Deltas chosen by the Earls would serve as the border guards for the royal pack.

"We leave at dawn, but you will remain here to look after the kingdom as acting Alpha King," Darius said to Noriel, whose eyes widened.

"But, Alpha..."

"Not tonight, Noriel. We need someone to step in just in case something happens to me along the way or if I don't find her before my prime time arrives.

"The wolves will need a leader they can count on, and that is you," Darius explained, stunning Noriel even more.

"Darius, I can't stay here while-"

"Don't argue with me, Noriel. I am doing what is best for my people and that is to leave them in capable hands."

"Still, Darius, we can assign someone else to look after them, what about Prince Bastien? Because you very well know that I can't leave you on your own out there," Noriel complained, but Darius wasn't having it.

"Gabriel wants nothing to do with being king, you should know that. And besides, it wasn't a request, Noriel. Stay back!" Darius demanded, his eyes flashing black.

Noriel frowned. "No, Darius, I can't leave your side during this time."

The Alpha King sighed before an apologetic look appeared on his face. The Duke Beta knew what was coming, and so he bowed his head.

"Then you leave me no choice. As your Alpha, I order you to stay behind as acting Alpha until my return or death. In the case where I do not return alive, you are to succeed me as Alpha King of the werewolves."

With clenched jaws, Noriel bowed again. "Yes, Alpha," he addressed mockingly and stormed out of the room.

Darius' face softened as soon as he left. He hated using his Alpha tone on Noriel, but at the moment, it needed to be done.

"Forgive me," He whispered, before falling onto the bed.

Everything seemed to be slipping away from his grasp and he was losing control of the things he could once control.

Tomorrow, he will be embarking on what might be his last journey. He had long lost faith in the goddess and fate. Now he had to rely on his own efforts, even if that didn't seem to be working out for him.

Shutting his eyes, Darius prepared himself for yet another sleepless night.

{•}

Thank you for reading.