Chapter 8

Zade

I sat in my office, glancing through my files. My fists were clenched, and my mind wasn't focused at all. I stared at the papers as if I were reading them, but I was deeply lost in thought. My heart ached with a pain I had never felt before.

For the first time in my life, I felt a deep, aching pain in my heart. I couldn't function properly; my mind always drifted back to Ashley. It's been two long weeks since she left, and I kept expecting her to walk through my door and apologize for leaving.

I had hoped she would come back because I thought she had nowhere else to go, no place to call home. I had checked her background and knew she wasn't dead; if she were, I would have felt it. Yet, her scent was slowly fading away, and I couldn't sense her. She was very far away. I didn't want to break down because of Ashley, but why was I feeling this way? I kept asking myself. Perhaps it was because she was my mate, but I had rejected her.

Two days ago, I went out to see if I could trace her scent, but I couldn't smell or feel her presence. It was as if she was long gone. If she had walked on foot, she couldn't have gone this far. I didn't know when my pen fell from my hand, breaking in two. I groaned in annoyance, leaning back in my chair, trying to relax as I closed my eyes.

Suddenly, a hard knock on my door snapped me back to reality. "Come in," I muttered, opening my eyes slowly to see who it was. It was Vincent, my right-hand man. I had given him a holiday to spend with his family, as he had been loyal to me and his work.

"Sir," Vincent greeted as he walked up to me, sitting down with a smile. I didn't care much for people, but Vincent was different; he was like a younger brother to me.

"I have good news, sir," he continued, though my eyes remained fixed on the papers before me.

"I've found Kaus," he added, and a wicked smirk formed on my face. It was about time I taught him a lesson. He had no idea who he was dealing with when he decided to cross the Lycan King.

"Let's go," I said, standing up. It was time to do something other than sit here for hours, thinking about a girl who might be dead or gone.

As I walked out, the place became as silent as a graveyard, with all heads bowed in greeting. I ignored them as I passed by.

The cars were already waiting for me, and Vincent opened the back door as I got in. He took the driver's seat and drove us away. In my mind, I kept imagining what I would do to Kaus for trying to scam me. I'll show him who I really am.

The drive wasn't long. Vincent stopped in front of a mall, and we got out of the car.

"He's here, sir," Vincent said. I didn't wait for him to finish speaking before heading inside, Vincent following closely behind. We found Kaus working in the mall, attending to a customer. He hadn't noticed us yet. A wicked grin spread across my face as I imagined the possibilities.

"Should I bring him to you, sir?" Vincent asked.

I shook my head. "No, let him come to me."

Kaus finished with the customer and finally noticed us. His eyes widened in shock. "No, no, no, no," he muttered, clearly panicked, as people around us began to take notice.

"King Zade, I can explain," Kaus stammered, taking a few steps toward me before freezing. Realizing it was pointless to beg, he turned and tried to flee. I signaled Vincent to catch him.

Within seconds, Vincent had Kaus by the neck, dragging him back toward me. I tapped my right foot on the floor, struggling to contain the beast within me that wanted to rip him apart right there.

The fact that he ran away in front of me showed his utter disrespect. My nails started to extend, my beastly side rising. Vincent forced Kaus to kneel before me.

"Please, I didn't mean to. My child was dying, and I desperately needed that money. I swear on my mother's grave, I'll pay you back," Kaus pleaded, tears streaming down his face.

All eyes in the mall were on us now. The mall owner came out from his office with an angry expression, but it quickly shifted to fear when he saw me.

"King Zade," he said, bowing his head in submission, not daring to speak further. His fear was palpable, just the way I liked it. As I could hear his heartbeat raising in fear

"Look at me," I commanded Kaus. He glanced up at me briefly, then quickly looked down again. My mere presence was intimidating.

"I said, look at me," I roared, my voice echoing with authority. Everyone in the mall bowed their heads in submission. Kaus looked up, his eyes meeting mine, tears still streaming.

"Stand," I ordered, and he scrambled to his feet, his legs trembling with fear.

"Please, I'll pay you back. I'll do anything you want, but don't kill me. My daughter needs me, please, King Zade," he pleaded, his voice desperate. As he continued his pleas, I noticed him subtly pulling a pin from his pocket, aiming it at my neck. I shifted slightly, causing him to lose balance and fall.

What a fool. For a moment, I considered sparing his life, but his attempt to attack me with a pin was beyond reckless. I grabbed him by the neck, lifting him off the ground, his feet dangling. My wolf was losing patience, and I could feel the change coming. I didn't want to shift here, but Kaus had pushed me too far.

As I immediately snapped out his hand making his head to fall out of his body as the crack of his head making different noises as gasped filled the air his body shaking on my hold as he blood dripping on my hand staining my white shirt I dropped his body on the ground

As I found my way out of the mall as different screams were coming out from the mall