CHAPTER 13 - THE MYSTERIOUS WOMAN

A group of men entered the dining room and sat in their respective places, followed by a charismatic gentleman with a deep set of amber eyes.

The rectangular table was made of both dark and light-colored wood topped with white marble. The eight dining chairs had bold and intricate carvings of a rose and the crescent moon. Surrounding the dining room was a collection of art and paintings posted on the wall.

Elias Lagerfeld, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, sat at the end of the table. The men were the members of the pack who had higher positions than the rest of the werewolves.

"So Elias, it's been almost a week since the announcement, can we hear some good news about our next Luna?" Stephen, a Zeta or a lead warrior of the pack, asked.

The others turned their gaze on him and waited for his answer. He was not in the mood to chat with his men about the next Luna, but he knew they were both worried and excited for him.

He sighed. "I don't want to lie, especially to all of you. But I have not found her yet."

The men's faces were saddened by his words. He would ascend as the Alpha in less than two months and if a Luna was missing during the ascension, the power of the pack would slowly weaken.

"Elias, I think you just lied." Triton exclaimed.

His face became serious as he glared at Triton.

"Why would I lie about that?" He said.

"But you said you met a woman in the woods of Moongrove."

The sudden reflection of Helena came into his mind. Surely, he couldn't forget her, but he wouldn't consider that she was the one he was looking for. They met and chatted for just a few minutes before she ran away from him.

He took a deep breath while shaking his head.

"We talked for a few minutes, but because of you, she ran away. How can I tell if she's the one?"

"But did you feel anything toward the girl?" Blue, a Delta asked.

He nodded, making the men thrilled. The excitement was all over their faces.

"I did. But I'm not sure if that's a mating pull. Her face was half-covered with a scarf, but when she removed it, there was something in her that made me want to devour her."

"Isn't that the mating pull?" Triton frowned.

He shook his head. "No. It's something stronger than that. But that feeling, I could not forget it. I felt like I was captivated and I was drowning with my own desire for her. At the same time, I felt nervous as I looked into her eyes. I don't know why."

The men glanced at each other. "Was she that gorgeous that you felt that way? I think you should find her. If you can't forget about her and to make sure of that feeling, you have to see her again." Amiel, another warrior, suggested.

The others nodded in agreement. He already had a plan to look for Helena. He had to finish his royal duties first and then he would visit Moongrove again. Helena told him that she was staying in an inn so he would start by asking about her in those places.

"By the way, have you heard the rumor circulating in Pria?" Blue asked.

The men looked curious and confused because they had no idea about it. They also had no time to waste on some rumor in town.

"I know. I know. But I heard about it from my sister. I didn't go to a bar or something, I promise."

The men laughed. They grew up together and had known each other for a long time. They already know everyone's habits, hobbies, and secrets.

"Just tell us if you think it's necessary." Elias said.

Blue nodded. "Well, yesterday a girl came into Elysium. She was simply dressed and her face was half-covered with a red scarf."

Elias stopped eating and stared at Blue. So the latter continued seeing the interest of the next Alpha.

"The inspector asked her to remove the scarf and she did."

"What happened?" Elias asked.

His reaction was new to his men. They exchanged glances and would peek at Elias to see his reaction.

"The inspector and all the men who had seen her face had the same reaction. They couldn't take their eyes off her as if they were bewitched and—"

"Captivated by her beauty." Elias continued.

"Do you think that's the girl?" Triton asked.

Elias didn't answer. He was in deep thought about Helena. Why would she come to Elysium? She didn't seem to know him with the way she casually talked to him. He thought inwardly.

He let out a growl and stared into his men's eyes. "Find her. I need to see her. But this is just between us. I don't want anyone in the palace to find out about her."

The men nodded. Elias felt their excitement and although he was worried that they could also fall for Helena's charm, he needed his friends to help him look for her.

"Do you happen to know her name and what she actually looks like?" Ali, the most serious man in the group, asked.

"Yes. She told me her name is Helena. I didn't bother to ask her last name. But her eyes were silver like a pair of crystals. You could clearly see your reflection in her eyes. As if she could see your soul when she stared at you."

"Wow. That's scary." Triton commented.

Elias ignored his beta and continued to give orders to his men.

"Blue, go to Moongrove and ask about Helena in every inn. She told me about an inn near the gate so start from there."

Then he turned to Stephen and Ali. "Ask the soldiers and the inspectors at the gate about the girl. We need to know where she's staying."

"Yes, Alpha!" The men shouted in unison.

Elias was left alone with Triton. He was thinking about the mysterious woman who awakened not only his own desire, but also his Lycan blood which was already burning to touch her.