Chapter 6

Bronson POV

"Alpha, please calm your anger." Seth implored, his tone steeped with deference and submission as he trailed behind me out of the dungeons.

I barely acknowledged him, my thoughts consumed by the rage boiling within me. That son of a wretch dared to lie to me, he might as well continue his falsehood in hell.

"Feed his body to the vultures." I intoned coldly, before halting abruptly. My gaze skidded to Seth, who stiffened in fear. "And, why are you still trailing behind me? Find that treacherous woman and bring her to me, dead or alive!"

Sheer humiliation burned through me. A mere woman- weak and vulnerable, a murderer to be exact slipped through my grasp. If word of this were to escape beyond these walls, where was I to put my face?

I, who had accumulated a fearsome reputation was played by a woman, reduced to a fool?

The thought alone sent me teetering on the verge of losing control of my anger.

I couldn't understand what the Moon Goddess was thinking when she chose Madison as my mate. Was she perhaps joking with me?

How could a woman like her be destined for someone like me?

Just then, a guard rushed over, his breath uneven as he came to a stop before me. He gave a swift bow, but the slight hesitation in his actions fuelled my annoyance even more.

"Speak or leave!" With my patience wearing thin, I berated them in frustration before he dared to speak.

"Alpha," The guard stammered, before finding his voice. "Madison seemed to have vanished without a trace. We combed the land but found naught of her whereabouts. It seems she has been making plans of her escape for a while now, as she left no tracks to be traced."

For a brief moment, silence stretched in the corridor.

And then, my eyes blazed with fury.

"And you dare bring such news to me?" I thundered, unsheathing my sword with a single, swift motion.

The guard's eyes widened in horror.

Before the tactless fool could react, metal hit flesh. His head separated from his body in a clean stroke, tumbling to the ground like a piece of meat. I watched as it rolled for a few distances before halting, his vacant eyes remained wide as if he couldn't decipher how he had died in the first place.

Blood flowed like a fountain from his stiff neck, and with a loud sickening thud, the lifeless and headless body collapsed.

"Have mercy, My Lord!" Seth exclaimed, his deep, old voice thick with fear. I paid him no heed, merely snorting as I once again sheathed the steel.

With a darkened visage, "Seth, follow me." I ordered, before striding towards my chambers, mind riddled with several measures to bring that slut back.

Seth hurried in tow, silent yet cautious.

Upon reaching my chambers, I excused all the guards stationed at the entrance of my chambers. The heavy doors slammed shut, bringing with it suffocating stillness. And only when I was certain of my privacy did I turn to Seth, my gaze calculating.

"Your daughter was a close friend of Madison, was she not?" I questioned, my voice deceptively calm as I blithely wiped away the remnants of blood on my pants.

Seth fell to his knees, his face ashen, "My Lord, it's true that my daughter was a friend of hers, but she would never aid Madison in escaping."

"Is that so?" I hummed deliberately, twisting the blood-stained clothes in my palm.

"Indeed, My Lord. I can testify with my life." He affirmed fervently. Actually, I knew his daughter wouldn't dare such treachery, but that didn't matter. I had no plan of leaving a stone unturned to search for anyone involved in Madison's escape.

"Bring her to me," I ordered through clipped lips.

Seth didn't dawdle, as he hurried out of my chambers to reach his daughter, leaving me to my thoughts. I had seen how close Madison and Aurelia were, if anyone knew of Madison's escape, it would be her.

I didn't wait long enough, when Seth returned, ushering in a fairly average-looking slender woman, whom I deemed to be Aurelia.

She curtsied calmly, without fidgeting in the slightest, "My Lord, It's a pleasure to be…"

"Spare me the pleasantries," I cut in harshly. "I assume you are aware that your best friend is missing," I uttered, studying her expression as if to peer through her thoughts.

Aurelia stiffened, and her face changed drastically, as if she found the news unbelievable.

"Madison…is missing?" She echoed.

My eyes narrowed, "Are you telling me she didn't inform you of her plans to escape?" I asked icily, and Aurelia shook her head frantically, before falling on her knees.

"I wouldn't dare, My Lord. She's your prisoner and a murderer, I had indeed made friends with her, but it's a mere surface friendship. I have no idea she had decided to resort to such treachery." She cried, bowing her head low to her chest.

I fell silent, before adding after a long pause, "If you could tell me her plans, I could reward your family with the position of a Duke."

Seth's eyes widened, and his breath turned uneven. He stared fixedly at Aurelia, "Daughter, tell the Alpha everything you know this instant."

Aurelia, however, shook her head firmly, "I wouldn't dare deceive the ruler of the Pack. I speak nothing but the truth." She insisted.

I gazed at her carefully, if she was lying, she was skilled at it. But, I believe she wouldn't.

"Of course you wouldn't dare. The guard who dared already met with the Moon Goddess."

Aurelia's expression didn't falter, and I decided to dismiss her since I couldn't get anything from her, and it didn't seem like she was lying.

"You may leave."

Aurelia once again dipped her head into a bow before retreating. But, Seth remained.

I fell silent for a moment with furrowed brows, deliberating my next move. Then, my resolve steeled.

"She shouldn't have ventured far, she had already been injured prior to the capture. Seek the Knython Brothers for help, they will know how to deal with this matter."

At my words, Seth's head snapped to meet my gaze, the shock in his eyes couldn't be any more evident.

"M... My Lord, I fear that is an unwise decision. The Knython Brothers are rapacious and deceitful. Our last collaboration with them had ended on a bad note due to their insatiable greed. I would advise..."

"Are you teaching me what to do?" I queried in a calm tone but with a hint of warning.

Seth froze, swallowing sharply as the next words seemed caught in his throat.

I knew well the nature of the Knython Brothers. They are a band of lawless rogues, known for their notorious deeds. They are driven solely by their interests.

Months ago, I had formed a secret alliance with them, enlisting their aid in obfuscated affairs in exchange for weapons, lands, and beautiful young maidens for their pleasure.

However, their requests had grown brazen and extreme. The last time, they dared request for one of the jade mines within my pack, a request that led to a bitter flite.

Yet, at this moment, they remained my last resort. Deploying my warriors searching for Madison would undoubtedly attract the attention of the common folks, raising suspicions.

A situation I couldn't afford.

"The Alpha is wise." Seth uttered, and I sneered, ignoring the sarcastic undertone in his comment. He knew well enough not to try to refuse my orders.

I cared not for the means deployed, Madison must be found. Not because she was my mate, but because she could harbor secrets she shouldn't know.

"Carry out my order, and make sure she's brought to me without delay. Seal the borders to prevent anyone from leaving, I do not believe she would still escape after all these measures had been taken."

Then, I stilled, a sudden thought creeping into my mind. I had been so consumed by my rage that I forgot an important piece I could use to my advantage.

"Right," I murmured, voice laced with menace. "Bring to me all those homeless children Madison lived with, I could find a use for their dirty selves."

A sardonic smile tugged at my lips as a thought emerged in my mind.

"Shall I have them questioned, My Lord?" Seth questioned cautiously.

However, I smirked, "Questioned? What would street urchins like them know? I have a better use for them."

If she were still within reach, this would force her out of her hiding. And if she isn't? Well, it doesn't matter. I had other ways of ensuring that she regretted her defiance.

"As you command, My Lord."

Run, Madison. Flee to the ends of the earth if you must. However, I shall have you back in my grasp and make you pay for all the atrocities you've caused.