Page 7 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

Time for the Howling Ceremony.

People around us backed away, shifting into wolves. The sound of bones breaking and reforming echoed everywhere, the air thick with magic and fur. I released her, stepped back, and began my shift. Silver-gray fur sprouted from my skin. Within seconds, I'd become a massive silver wolf.

She shifted too. Silver-white fur covered her body as she transformed into a beautiful white wolf. I moved closer, lowered my head, and nuzzled her neck with my nose, letting out a low whine—come on, howl with me.

She opened her mouth.

Nothing.

A hoarse wheeze squeezed from her throat, weak as a mosquito's buzz, instantly swallowed by the surrounding howls.

My ears twitched, hoping she was my fated mate, waiting for our howls to harmonize.

She tried again. This time she strained so hard her whole body shook, veins bulging, but—nothing.

I froze.

The pack kept howling around us, voices rising and falling, weaving into a primal, earth-shaking symphony. Moonlight spilled across the ground, spreading like flowing water.

I moved closer again, lowered my head, nuzzled her neck, and let out a low whine.

What's wrong? Why can't you make a sound?

She backed up a step.

I followed.

She backed up again.

I followed again.

Then she turned and ran.

I chased her on instinct.

Wait! I howled after her.

She didn't stop. Her figure grew smaller, blurrier, like a drop of ink dissolving into the night, gone in an instant.

I wanted to keep chasing. My muscles tensed, adrenaline surging through my veins, every stride wanting to cover ten meters. But then commotion erupted behind me—the pack stopped howling, all eyes fixed on me.

The Howling Ceremony had three parts. The first howl was a warm-up, awakening the wildness in our blood. The second was the actual call and response. The third sealed the bond. What just happened was only the prelude.

They were waiting for me. I was the Alpha, the pack leader. The second howl needed me to lead it, needed me to be the first voice, to guide the entire pack through this sacred tradition.

If I ran, the ceremony was ruined.

I stood frozen. Ahead, darkness had swallowed her. Behind, hundreds of waiting eyes. My wolf raged in my chest, desperate to break free and chase her, but I had to hold it down. We'll find her. Whatever it takes.

I turned back.

I walked to the center of the crowd, lifted my head, and opened my mouth to the moon.

The howl tore from my throat—loud, long, carrying all my fury and helplessness. The pack howled with me, voices rising and falling, shaking the entire valley. Moonlight poured over me, cold as ice.

My howl rang louder than ever before. Because it held the words I couldn't shout.

Come back.