The pack soldiers were doing their thing, about a handful of them spent the whole day searching for our fur, blood trails and what remained of our wolves after we were burned. I could still feel the pain and the scent of our bodies burned as I watched them gather it all together.

Collins pointed to one of the charred body on the table and said,

“This wolf is missing some tooth's and the fur was thoroughly skinned before it was burned. And the head is missing as well”

Sloane was silent the whole time. He was probably wondering what made the rogues take time to remove the wolves fur.

He finally spoke up.

“Who is the unfortunate wolf?”

“We're waiting for the soldiers to identify the white wolves in the pack. They are rare and not many of them are available. We're also sending more soldiers around the pack to check for any missing person. It will bring us closer to identifying the victim.”

My husband gave him a simple nod. He barely looked at my body. It was almost as if he was grossed out with the sight of me. To be honest, this whole mess was his fault. There had been rumours of these rogue attacks and I expected him to make sure the pack was more secure, but instead he spent his time with Vera.

A pack council meeting was held later. Sloane brought out a wild theory.

“So, the murders doesn't seem to be a random rogue wolf attack just like I said before. I went through some recent cases surrounding us and I found a pattern. The Crimson wolves pack had a similar incident recently. People tortured, until they transformed into their wolves. Then they were skinned and later burnt to death. Their fur scattered everywhere. It seems someone is trying to send a message of dominance and probably form a pack.”

Collin's brows furrowed.

“Crimson wolves pack? You think it might be some of the rogue wolves they caught recently?”

“Yes Collins. It seems not all of them were caught. It makes sense that we're the next target because we share the same border with the Crimson wolf pack.” Sloane said.

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

“So what should we do now, Alpha?” Collins asked.

“I want you to send some soldiers to the Crimson wolves Alpha and ask if he could lend us a hand. Then go through the cases in their pack and see if you can develop some new patterns, like who they normally attack and any other useful information.”

After the meeting ended, Collins rose after Sloane, singing his praises.

“Alpha, you are so amazing. You figured out our next move within that short period of time. The entire pack is so lucky to have you.”

Sloane simply gave him a nonchalant nod and walked away. He was used to people singing his praises. He had exhibited excellent leadership skills since childhood and sometimes he just got sick of people trying to tell him what he already knew.

“Alpha,” Collins called, rushing to him.

Sloane halted in his steps and turned to face him. Collins removed a red string that was halfway in Sloane's pocket. It turned out to be a thong. Something Vera did intentionally to make me know she spent the night with Sloane.

“Looks like you and Luna had a great time.” Collins muttered with a smirk on his face.

Sloane's Face went stoic.

“None of your business.” His voice was so cold and void of any warmth. He snatched the thong and shoved it fully into his pocket before strolling off.

Embarrassed, Collins rubbed the nape of his neck awkwardly. I wished I could give him a pat on the back, but just like in the movies, my hand swept past him like a wind.

I wanted to tell him that I hated the colour red and none of my underwear was slutty like that, but all my efforts proved abortive. I could only watch how shocked Collins was, since he and Sloane were best of friends.

The night of my murder, Vera was snuggled up to my husband and left behind the little souvenir to taunt me as usual but unfortunately I was no longer in the picture.

I hadn't been home for a few days and my husband didn't bother to find me. The last time we had an argument over Vera, I stayed at my sister's place for a whole week. He just assumed it was like that this time too and didn't want to deal with my ‘tantrums’.

Vera called him, her voice trembling as she spoke.

“Sloane, there's supposed to be heavy snow tonight and I'm really scared of being alone. Can you come over?”

Sloane's grip on the phone tightened as he took a deep, shaky breath.

“I'm married, Vera. And I'm also the Alpha. It's not convenient for me to be seen spending the night with another woman. Especially with everything happening in the pack now.

I almost thought he had repented and realised I was the only one for him. But the thought quickly vanished when I heard his next words.

“But you can come stay at my house. Seline is having one of her phases again. So she is nowhere to be found.”

Vera's voice was laced with surprise as she said,

“Sloane, are you sure about that? What if she suddenly comes back. We wouldn't know how to explain ourselves.”

I let out a chuckle. The woman sure knows how to play her cards well. Her surprise was an act. She was elated at the idea of being in my house with my husband..

My clueless husband replied to her,

“I don't need to explain anything. It's my house and you're my close companion. I can invite whomever I wish to invite. You don't need to worry about what she'll think.”

He paused as if contemplating his next words.

“Besides, she is gone for good.” His voice was so certain.

Vera went silent for a moment before she asked,

“How do you know that?”

As if she realised that her tone might have looked suspicious, she quickly added.

“I meant to ask if she was mad at you again and left the house.”

Sloane nodded as if she could see him from the other end of the call.

“Yes. She got mad when I said I was going to see you on her 25th birthday.”

“I don't understand why she is always suspicious of our relationship. I've told her multiple times that we are just friends but she never stopped nagging about it. I mean, she is my mate, so that should be enough for her to trust me. But she never did. Honestly, I think I owe you an apology, Vera. You've put up with so much over the years and never complained. You're so different from Seline.”

I couldn't refrain from laughing as I heard him spurt out all those words. Why would any sane person celebrate their wife's birthday with an ex after getting married? An ex that shared a very intimate bond with you. A bond stronger than marriage. Your wife didn't have that bond with you and you expect her not to be jealous?.

To think my birthday was the same day I died. I wondered if he was going to remember it next year or even pay special attention?

***

Vera rushed into my place not quite long after the phone call. She jumped into Sloane's waiting arms, her voice quivering as she spoke.

“It's so dark and cold outside. It's freaking me out.”

I rolled my eyes at her over dramatic behaviour. It's dark every night and we are in winter, so the snow is expected.

Sloane lifted her up, placing a kiss on her forehead.

“It's okay. I've got you.”

He immediately lit the fire and brought out some duvets to keep her warm.

“You don't have to be tense, I am here to keep you warm. Even if it snows on us, my body will heat you up”

Vera let out a sigh and tightened her hold on him. They settled on the couch still snuggled on each other.

It was getting late. Vera needed to freshen up before going to bed. She strolled to my closet. Slamming the door behind her, she started going through my row of pyjamas without a care in the world. She left a huge mess in there, flinging the clothes on the floor. When she was done, she did not bother to pack them back up.

She smiled wickedly to herself.

"Seline won't mind. She is gone for good”

I watched Vera silently through the window glass. A lightning struck and Vera caught a glimpse of my reflection. She let out a horrified scream.

Sloane ran into the room and scooped her in his arms, shielding her like a damsel in distress. She started trembling hard against him.

“This is too risky. What if Seline shows up?” Her voice quivered as she spoke.

Sloane glanced up, the lighting cascading a soft glow on his cold face.

“Her coming back changes nothing. She has no right to say anything. If I hadn't married her, you wouldn't have left and we wouldn't have missed out on all those years together.” he sighed. After all you are the one my heart yarns for, not her.

“You don't have to worry about her. I wouldn't bat an eye even if I heard she was among the wolves that were burnt.” He added.

I stared at the both of them, their bodies glued together. I truly hope you will be nonchalant when you hear the news of my death…

The moon was bright in the sky, casting an eerie glow on the faces of the pack soldiers whose neck was deep in the murder case that plagued the pack. They circled around every piece of evidence, searching for the slightest clue that would help them unravel the mystery of the rogue's attack.

“Let's take a break. Clear our heads and return, hopefully we might get better ideas”

Collins suggested and the alpha agreed. He was also tired and needed a drink to quench his thirst. Sloane's eyes were drowning, and I knew he really needed to take a walk.

“It's a pleasure to have you here alpha. I never thought you would grace us commoners with your presence for a glass of wine” One of the soldiers in the tavern said and Sloane just ignored him.

“Hope all is well with Luna? The alpha’s drink is always served by her” another warrior commented and Sloane immediately spit out the wine he was slurping down. His countenance quickly changed and his deep blue eyes became dark.

“It's better you focus on your drink, or you might spend the night in the dungeon” Sloane said. Collins, sensing the tension, quickly commented.

“We miss the glass of whitehaven and olives the Luna always makes available on days like this” Collins tried to lighten the mood. But Sloane gave a dry smile

“One more glass of wine and you will no longer see clearly back to the pack house. We need you to be sharp and active. Besides you have had one too many glasses of wines” Sloane teased Collins.

But the joke was quickly turned into a more serious conversation as Collins pointed out that the Luna's absence was becoming very worrisome.

“Please give it a break. Seline’s presence is overrated. She is like a dark cloud that hovers around me and for once I am glad there is a burst of sunshine over me. So can we just focus on the case on ground instead of my private life?” Sloane's words made the pack soldiers and Collins speechless.

I watched in awe, as he described me like a burden and I just let out a dry laugh.

I can't wait for him to find out I was no longer the dark cloud hovering over him, and he was free from my pessimistic attitude. Vera would bring all the sunshine he so deserves.

“Alpha we have full account of the white wolves in the pack” one of the soldiers ran into the room and blurted out but the look of relief plastered on his face quickly turned to sadness and a little bit of anger. “The wolf who had the white fur and the head was missing has been accounted for”

Collins reached for the list but the soldier clenched onto the list, like there was more to it and he was not ready to give it up.

“The alpha should see the list first, it's better that way” the soldier said.

Sloane's eyes quickly darted to the soldier with a look of surprise on his face. Even as the Alpha, Collins was in charge of the case, so he was shocked that the soldier insisted on handing the list over to him.

Collins peeped at the list and his jaw dropped, his eyes quickly furrowed.

“Alpha, can the whereabouts of the Luna be established?”

Sloane, unsure what was going on, told Collins he recently linked with me via telepathy and I was fine.

“It was just yesterday, or when was it?” Sloane asked no one in particular as he struggled to remember the last time I tried to reach him and ask for his help. It was indeed more than three nights ago.

Sloane jerked up from his chair, his brows furrowed, as realisation dawned on him. His mind quickly processed everything that just happened.

“What the hell are you talking about?”