The King Alpha's Mate

Chapter 51 - Challenges For A Queen

*Carmela's POV*

It has been months since the passing of King Alpha Jack's parents, but still the Kingdom is in state of sadness and despair. I tried my best as a Queen and Luna to help Jack with the pack duties and all. But he had been cold ever since.

I remembered how he asked me to stay by his side and never leave, and that's exactly what I'm doing. But Jack, for some reasons that I've been trying to understand is that he rarely slept by my side since then. He had kept staying in the chambers of the former King, and I stepped back to just let him be. I thought maybe he needed to mourn on his own and he needed some space to do that.

But it's been almost two months since the last tragedy and Jack is still cold and distant towards me. Unlike Princess Jasmin, who have started to hang out with me and slowly learned how to smile again.

"Oh Carmela, one month from now is my eighteenth birthday..do you think I could maybe find my mate that day?

My unhappy thoughts was disturbed by Princess Jasmin who's sitting in the chair across to me. She was paying me a visit in my chambers almost everyday since the last month. We talked about the previous Queen everytime and I am happy to listen to her pouring out her emotions and remembering the beautiful experiences they have in the family.

I looked at her from the teacup that I was about to drink. The news had taken me by surprised.

"My, that's a possibility Jas...and why don't we celebrate your birthday with a little party of our own."

Her eyes lit up but then it completely change she lowered her head and almost sob while giving me a slow reply.

"I don't think we can Carmela. The entire Kingdom is still mourning and you know it would stay like this for a year..."

I sent her a sympathetic face if only there's something I could do. But I know most of the wolves would opposed the idea, as it is just recent when the former King and Queen passed away.

"What about your brother, have you talked to him regarding your coming birthday?

I let out a heavy sigh and our eyes meet.

"No I haven't talked to him in a while, he had been keeping himself preoccupied. But maybe there's someone I would really need to talk to".

"Oh, and who is that?

I forced a smile in my face and asked her.

"Maleficus, he was the one who first found out about you as Jack's mate. So I'm absolutely certain that he could tell mine."

I nod my head and remembered the old man. I've not spoken to him in a while after the incident, although I've heard him and Jack are regularly talking about the Palace plans and the future of the pack.

"Yes, do you wanna consult him in your incoming birthday?

I asked her while taking a sip at the teacup in my hand.

"Oh yes please come with me Carmela please...let's go to his cabin tonight, but only if you are not busy. I hope my brother won't mind getting home without you. I swear it would only take us an hour or less".

I cleared my throat and looked away. I couldn't tell her that I'm not even sure if Jack is coming to sleep in our chambers tonight, or he would maybe sleep in the former King's chamber. I don't want to tell Princess Jasmin about my current predicament, instead we need to sort out hers. I should help her at least in finding her mate if we couldn't celebrate her birthday.

"I think it's alright Jas, your brother is busy and won't be coming home until dawn. So that makes us free to go this evening".

Princess Jasmin smiled genuinely and we parted that afternoon with a plan to go in the wizard's place around nine in the evening. That time is when Maleficus is done with his duties in the pack and would concentrate on attending to Princess Jasmin and me. I figured maybe I could asked him about Jack if given a chance.

Hours have passed.

The evening came too quick when I glanced at the huge antique clock in the bedroom. So I get ready to go, Gemer is already waiting outside and I am just waiting for Princess Jasmin.

A few minutes later, I heard her spoke in the mind linked. "Carmela I am outside with Gemer, are you ready to leave?

She asked casually, we decided to speak on the first name basis since the day we started to become closer as more than friends. She made me feel like a sister, same familiar warmth that I thought I have experienced before.

Jack once told me I have a sister when I was human and a father too. They gave their blessings to him to take me in this Pack and make me his Queen, because I am his fated mate. But my memory of them is so blurry, I just could not find them in my mind or in my heart. It's like the family I have always known is King Alpha Jack, the former King Darius, Queen mother Helen and Princess Jasmin. As well as Maleficus and the members of the Royal Pack too.

"Alright Jas, I'm about to go out now".

I replied cutting off my own thoughts.

I hurried through the door, my omegas Cory and Claire have already retired in their rooms. So it's just me, and when I come back I do hope that Jack would come home and will be here waiting for me. There's an empty gaping hole in my heart and that's because I am missing him terribly.

Gemer greeted me inside the car while Princess Jasmin wears a small smile in her lips.

"I am excited to see if Maleficus locates him Carmela, and I would go wherever he is. I am sure my brother would allow it. He understands how important it is to find our mate. I could take him and bring him back here in the Palace to become a member of the Royal Pack council as my Prince".

I smiled at Princess Jasmin while Gemer just pretended to not hear anything and concentrates on the road.

"Yes you could do that Jas, and what if he is already here in the Palace?

Princess Jasmin gasped. "Oh, you mean maybe one of the pack's warriors?

That's when we heard Gemer faked a cough. He might be nervous if it could be him, he's just eighteen and is mateless too. It would be a possibility.

Beta Michael is out of the question, since he is older and have already found his mate.

Before I could say some more, Gemer already stopped in front of the wizard's cabin.

"Here we are, Queen Carmela and Princess Jasmin".

Gemer quickly went out and open the doors for me and Princess Jasmin.

"It's alright Gemer you can wait for us in the car."

I told him while we stood there in the wizard's front door. Princess Jasmin nods, approving on the idea of only me and her together with Maleficus.

"I'll just be in the car then, my Queen, please mind linked me if ever you need me inside".

Gemer went back in the car. And when Princess Jasmin is about to knock the front door, it opened revealing the smiling face of Maleficus behind.

"Welcome Queen Carmela and Princess Jasmin. You arrived just in time".

His smile was lopsided. Maleficus must have felt us from a far or he already figured out what's gonna happen this evening.?A question that have me thinking when getting inside.

"I'm sorry for the late trouble Maleficus, but Princess Jasmin needs your service this evening".

I spoke while looking at the whole familiar place. Nothing is change since the last time I came to his cabin. We have sat on the same table too.

"That's alright, I am happy to be of service to the princess. I myself is anticipating the coming of a new member to the Royal Pack and that is the mate of Princess Jasmin".

Princess Jasmin smiled at him while holding out her hand in the table.

"No time to waste then! My dear wizard, let's start."

Hearing that, Maleficus moves his arm and his hand stretched out to me while the other is connected with Princess Jasmin. The three of us encircles the small crystal bowl in front of Maleficus. He closed his eyes and started chanting, asking for the Moon Goddess to show us Princess Jasmin's mate.

I felt the excitement vibrating in Jasmin's hand but I couldn't find anything in the vision of Maleficus. We tried for about few minutes but there's just darkness and a complete nothingness in his vision.

"What's wrong?

Princess Jasmin asked while opening her eyes and I opened mine. Maleficus frowned and sighed.

"He is cloacked Princess Jasmin, you're mate is surrounded by a dark smoke created by a sorcerer. It seems that he doesn't want to be found. But I could feel his strength, he is a very powerful wolf! An Alpha, but we don't know who. And I couldn't understand his reason for not wanting to find his mate".

I sat there frowning while Princess Jasmin have a look of disappointment in her face. I squeezed her hand trying to make her feel my concern.

"How is that even possible Maleficus? Is there a wolf who doesn't want to find his mate!?

Princess Jasmin raised her voice in a question while pulling out her hands.

"Maybe you should try again Maleficus, this time on your own...maybe you were just distracted because of my excitement and tension ".

The hopeful voice of Princess Jasmin made Maleficus sighed and let's go of my hand, then he went back to closing his eyes and chanting above the small crystal bowl.

"It's alright Princess Jasmin, take it easy. You will definitely find your mate. If not today then maybe in your birthday.. Cheer up my dear!

I told her while holding her hand and hoping she would feel alright.

"I hope you are right Carmela, I hope he is eager to meet me too. Just like how I am anxious to meet him".

The shadow of sorrow in her voice has kept me on the edge while staring at Maleficus who's concentrating in his vision, holding the white crystal bowl.