The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 47: The Spy

"I just don't think it's a good idea," I replied, "I can provide you with money. You're my... mistress. If you need clothes or anything, just say it. I can get it for you. Name it."

"If that's the case, why did you put me in that shabby cabin?" she fired back, her words hitting uncomfortably close to home.

I found myself at a loss for words, unable to come up with a convincing response. The truth was hard to admit — I deliberately placed her in that run-down cabin because I wanted to keep my distance, to make things difficult for her, and most importantly, to avoid forming any attachment.

But I couldn't admit that aloud. I couldn't tell her that despite forcing her away from me, my mind is still full of her and every day, I am questioning my decision of placing her away from my chamber. Not that all, I am always finding myself in her space.

So, I remained silent.

With a cold and distant tone, I spoke coldly, “I told you, I cannot let you at my residence, that is”

Florence froze at my words, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes. It was there, the impact of my harshness hitting her, but I chose to ignore it. I couldn't allow myself to be swayed by her emotions; I needed to maintain that distance I'd worked so hard to establish but I couldn't ignore the surge of pain and guilt eating after seeing his reaction.

It happens all the time. I used to be straightforward without feeling guilty about but when it comes to her, I always end up questioning my words. My jaw clenched at the thought. Grabbing my belongings and the box of cookies, I made my way toward the door.

“I'll be back tomorrow to fix other things," I stated firmly, my voice a warning as I added, "Don't take the job."

Florence's unexpected words stopped me in my tracks. "Take care on your way," she uttered softly, catching me off guard.

I walked to my car, my heart heavy with emotions I couldn't name. And just like that, I hurt her again. But that's my plan from the start. Make her hate me so we both spare each other a lot more pain in the future.

I sat behind the wheel, ready to head home when my phone buzzed, flashing Clifford's name on the caller ID. I answered immediately, "Hey, Clifford."

“Alpha, our team in the Swiftmane Pack found something,” Clifford's voice came through the line.

“On my way,” I responded promptly.

I swiftly redirected my car toward my residence, determined to get to the bottom of the situation. Rushing into my office, I found Clifford and Gayle already assembled—my trusted advisors. They nodded respectfully as I approached the table, where a large monitor stood ready.

Taking my seat, I faced the screen, waiting for the video call to begin. The squad leader I'd dispatched to investigate the Swiftmane Pack appeared on the monitor, showing deference with a respectful bow. “Alpha.”

I acknowledged the squad leader's nod with a subtle one of my own. "I heard you discovered something," I prompted.

"We've made some headway in our investigation." the squad leader began. “One of our men managed to salvage some data in the computers here. We are able to retrieve a file containing the profiles of the members of the Swiftmane Pack. upon searching, we discovered something interesting”

On the screen flashed a picture of a young girl, followed by another photo taken in a convenience store located in a human town.

“What are we looking at?” I asked.

“She is the survivor” the squad leader announced, hope laced in his tone.

“A child” I echoed, can't believe how brave the young girl was for being able to survive alone in the woods.

“Her name is Sara Douglas—a fifteen-year-old girl. She just recently shifted and both of her parents died. Our trackers find her trace going to the North where there are no packs resided. We were able to retrieve a copy of CCTV video of the convenience store in the closest human town in the North,” relayed the squad leader.

“If she recently shifted, she should be new to the wild. There’s no way she can survive so long in the woods,” Gayle blurted out.

The squad leader nodded, “That’s what we thought as well. Also, she was carrying a rucksack. Upon investigating, we assumed that she made a few stops, making sure she was near the source of water. We also deduct that the child might encounter a rogue on her way. We saw some traces of matches, a silver-made knife near the dead body of a rogue, wrappers of energy bars, and a flashlight. The girl might have forgotten it after fleeing from the rogue.”

“Is it possible she stole that bag from someone?” Clifford voiced out.

“We also consider that possibility, Beta Clifford,” the squad leader replied.

“But what's intriguing was how she was able to survive that long in the wild when she recently shifted,” I casually contributed.

Gayle shrugged, “She must have followed her instincts then.”

“That is possible; however, young shifters, or newly shifted wolves, still need time and training to be able to understand their inner wolves. Usually, they resist the pull of the wolves, trying to gain control even in wolf form.” I explained.

The squad leader nodded seriously, "Newly shifted shifters often have a hard time synchronizing their human side with their wolf side, which is why training is crucial after their first shift. Data shows that placing newly shifted wolves in the wild without proper training significantly increases the risk of them being killed."

"Are you suggesting that the child did something before fleeing?" Clifford blurted out.

"More like talking to someone," I replied. "The path to the north was devoid of inhabitants, so it's unlikely she stole the bag along the way. Also, the presence of a silver-made knife is intriguing. If the Swiftmane Pack was burned after the intruders killed everyone, she must have retrieved the bag before the attackers could burn her pack down."

The squad leader nodded in agreement, "That's what we suspect too. The girl obtained it from someone, but the question is, who?"

I placed my clasped hands on the table, "Continue your work. When you have strong evidence that the girl didn't take another path and continued north, contact me. We'll reach out to the only pack residing in the North—the Silvermoon Pack."

"Understood, Alpha. We'll send all the data we've gathered. Once we retrieve the remaining profiles of the members of the Swiftmane Pack, we'll quickly send them to you," the squad leader assured.

I nodded, rising to my feet, "Great job, officer. Extend my gratitude to your team. I know I can rely on all of you."

The squad leader stood up, placing his balled right hand on his left chest, bowing. “It's an honor, Alpha Nicholas."

I saluted him, and he promptly returned the gesture.

"Get some rest now, officer," I said before the video meeting came to an end.

I glanced at Clifford, “When's the next meeting with the Werewolf Council?”

“I believe it's scheduled for a month from now.”

“I still have some time then.” I turned towards the door with Clifford and Gayle behind me, just as it swung open, revealing my Gamma—Isaac.

“Alpha, there's something you need to know,” Isaac began, his expression serious, "The investigators finally got a lead on Veilios after three long years."

At the mention of the name, everyone in the room seemed to freeze. Veilios or Makayla Ellis—a spy who had killed one of our own. My jaw clenched, and I felt Berion—my wolf—resurface in my mind.

“They tracked her down near the Swiftmane Pack. Looks like she's been hiding out there for a while,” Isaac explained.

A smirk crept onto my face, “Finally, she slips up.”

All I need now is to wait for the data that will be sent to me containing the profiles of the members of the Swiftmane Pack.