Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Cedric
The carriage lurched over cobblestones, wheels grinding against the ground with a dull thud. I leaned back against the seat, eyes closed, Alice's face flooding my mind once again.
Those tear-filled eyes. That pale face. And her final cry through the bond—
Cedric, I can't hold on anymore...
The words nearly killed me. I pressed my hand to my chest. Our bond was still weak. I couldn't pinpoint her exact location. But at least... at least I knew she was alive.
The White Witches were powerful, their network deep and hidden. I'd destroyed their stronghold in wolf territory and slaughtered every witch involved in that night's attack. But it wasn't enough. Their roots spread across kingdoms. To destroy them completely, I needed help from neighboring nations.
And the Kingdom of Rhine was my only hope.
"Your Majesty," Caspar's voice came from outside the carriage. "We're almost there."
I opened my eyes and drew a deep breath. The carriage rolled into the plaza, surrounded by grand buildings and rows of honor guards. Nobles in fine dress lined both sides, wearing polite smiles.
But I barely noticed. Because the moment the carriage stopped—
I caught a scent. Roses. Roses with dew.
Alice's scent. My body went rigid. My wolf roared in my chest, nearly breaking free of my control.
She'd been here. Or she was here now!
"Your Majesty?" Caspar opened the door, looking confused. "What's wrong?"
I didn't answer. I shoved past him and jumped from the carriage. The scent drifted through the air, faint and elusive, leading me, evading me. My gaze swept across every face in the plaza.
Not here. She wasn't among them.
"King Cedric." A guard in an elaborate uniform approached and bowed. "Our king awaits you in the palace. Please follow me."
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. Couldn't lose it. Couldn't let them see anything unusual. White Witches could be watching from the shadows. I had to complete this meeting first. Then... I'd tear this kingdom apart if I had to.
"Lead the way." My voice came out low and rough.
I followed the guard through the plaza and into the palace. But the deeper we went, the stronger her scent became.
Her scent was here. In this palace. My wolf was losing control, howling, struggling, desperate to break free and find her.
Find her!
Our mate is here!
Go find her!
My breathing turned ragged. My fingers dug into my palms, nails nearly breaking skin.
I couldn't do it. Couldn't hold back anymore.
"Wait." I stopped suddenly and grabbed the guard's shoulder hard enough to drain the color from his face. "Have you seen a woman with a birthmark on her face? Her name is Alice!"
"I'm sorry, King Cedric," the guard said quickly. "I haven't seen anyone like that."
"Think harder!" I was nearly roaring. "She has to be here somewhere! Her scent is everywhere!"
"Cedric!" Caspar rushed over and grabbed me. "Your Majesty, you need to calm down!"
"I can't calm down!" I shook him off and strode forward. "She's here! Alice is here! I can feel it!"
I pushed through the crowd, following that faint thread of scent through the air, but found no trace of Alice.
I was going insane. My hatred for the White Witches had reached its limit. Where the hell had they hidden her?
"Your Majesty!" Caspar's expression was stern. "This won't work. You'll destroy the diplomatic mission! I understand you want to find Alice. I'm worried about her too! That's why we need allies!"
"I don't care about any of that!" I roared. "I just need to find her!"
Alice's scent was right here, but I couldn't find her. And every moment I delayed put her in more danger. Those White Witches wanted her power. Once she outlived her usefulness, those damn witches would kill her.
"King Cedric." A deep voice cut through the chaos.
I whipped around. A middle-aged man in a dark blue robe stood at the end of the corridor. Blond hair, amber eyes, face stern with authority.
King Rhine.
"Who are you looking for?" His voice was calm, but I heard the coldness beneath.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to settle.
"Forgive me," I forced the words out. "I was out of line."
King Rhine studied me. "The guard said you're looking for someone?"
"Yes." I ground my teeth. "My mate disappeared two months ago. The White Witches took her. I've searched all of wolf territory and found nothing. But just now... I caught her scent here."
I stepped forward, my voice urgent. "I'm asking you to send guards to help find her. Have you seen her? She has a large purple birthmark on her face..."
"I haven't seen anyone like that." King Rhine frowned. "There's no one matching that description in the Kingdom of Rhine. Of course, if such a person has come to my kingdom, I'll have my guards keep watch."
My heart plummeted. My stomach twisted.
"Now let's discuss business first. This way." King Rhine turned toward the council chamber. "Regarding this White Witch rebellion you mentioned."
In the council chamber, I sat at one end of the long table, King Rhine at the other. I forced myself to focus, but my mind was full of Alice.
Her scent still lingered in this palace, proof she'd been here. I couldn't sit still for even a minute. I needed to find her.
"The White Witches are more powerful than I imagined.
They've been hiding for years, posing as allies, infiltrating," I said, struggling to concentrate, my voice thick with hatred.
"Every kingdom and pack may have been compromised.
Last month, I destroyed one of their strongholds in wolf territory and killed every witch involved in the attacks. "
I paused. "But it's not enough. Their roots run too deep. I need your help."
King Rhine studied me, eyes thoughtful.
"Why?" he asked suddenly. "Why do you hate the White Witches so much?"
My fists clenched.
"Because they took the most important person in my life." My voice was raw. "My mate... the White Witches kidnapped her. I have to find her. And those damn witches will pay for what they've done."
King Rhine was silent for a moment. "I need to consider this. It's not a small matter—it involves cooperation between two nations. I'll have someone arrange your accommodations. You should rest—"
"No." I cut him off. "If my mate is here, it means the White Witches have infiltrated the Kingdom of Rhine too. We need to act now!"
"King Cedric." King Rhine's voice turned sharp. "Our diplomatic meeting is already drawing attention. If we launch a massive search now, we'll only spook them."
He approached me, his tone softening slightly. "I understand how you feel, but please, stay calm for now. We can plan our actions carefully instead of acting rashly."
I bit down hard, every muscle trembling. He was right. I knew he was right. But I... I couldn't wait anymore.
"Fine." I forced the word out. "I'll wait."
That evening, King Rhine hosted a grand banquet. The hall blazed with light. Nobles in fine dress held wine glasses, laughing and chatting.
But I had no interest. I stood in the corner, constantly scanning every person who entered, hoping to see her.
Even though I knew it was impossible. My Alice was somewhere suffering right now.
"Well, well, if it isn't King Cedric." A mocking voice rang out.
I turned. Prince Adrian walked over with a wine glass, that handsome face wearing a careless smile.
"Didn't expect to see you again," he said, swirling his glass. "I thought you'd still be in your room going crazy looking for someone."
My eyes darkened. "You know about that?"
"The whole palace knows." Adrian shrugged. "You show up and tear through the palace looking for someone—that's big news."
A glint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
"Can't even protect your own mate." He shook his head. "Disappointing."
My fist clenched hard.
But I held back. I didn't want to cause trouble here. I still needed King Rhine's help. And most importantly... Alice might be here. I had to find her.
"Adrian," my voice dropped. "If you know where she is, please tell me."
Adrian froze, those amber eyes flashing with obvious shock.
"You're... begging me?" He looked at me like he'd seen a ghost.
"Yes." I ground my teeth, lowering myself further. "Prince Adrian, I'm begging you. If you have any information about Alice, please tell me."
Adrian stared at me for a long moment, then suddenly laughed.
"You regret it now?" He leaned in close, voice low. "But so much time has passed. Maybe she's already found a mate who treats her better."
My control snapped.
"What did you say?" I grabbed his collar, nearly roaring. "What the hell does that mean? Did you take her!"
Adrian narrowed his eyes, a provocative smile playing on his lips. "And what if I did?"
"Tell me!" I shook him hard, wanting to strangle him. "Where is she? Give her back!"
Everyone turned to look. Whispers rippled through the crowd. But I didn't care. I just needed to find her!
"Please..." My voice was hoarse. "Adrian, please tell me where she is. I'll give you anything you want. Just give her back to me..."
Adrian looked at me. The mockery in his eyes slowly faded.
"I was joking just now." He sighed. "I didn't bring her here."
Those words nearly made my legs give out.
"You're lying." I gripped his arm. "Her scent is here. I can feel it! Did you hide her somewhere?"
"Your Highness!" A noble suddenly approached, interrupting us. "I heard you found your long-lost sister? Why didn't the princess come tonight?"
"Yes!" Another noble chimed in. "I heard the princess is beautiful beyond compare and still unmarried! I wonder if we might have the honor—"
"You ugly bastards?" Adrian sneered. "Think you're worthy of my sister?"
He swept the room with a haughty gaze. "Only the finest warrior could ever be worthy of my sister!"
The air went still. The nobles' faces turned sour, but not one dared object.
"Your Highness!" A girl in servant's dress suddenly burst into the banquet hall, panic written across her face. "Princess Alice... she collapsed on her way here!"
My heart stopped.
Princess Alice? Adrian's newly found sister was Alice!
She was here!