Chapter 2 Mate

 I could hear him growling as his eyes glazed over. Two men stood in front of him, 

 one of them shot me a quick side glance. The other was the guy who had yelled at Bastian. From the look of it, they were the beta and gamma, but I had no idea who was who. The Lycan King let out another ferocious roar, but I felt no fear of him. It was almost terrifying how arousing this display was to me, even in my current vulnerable state. And what was even more mortifying, was that he seemed to notice my physical response. I watched as he took small breaths in the air, as if savoring my scent before his dark eyes turned towards me.

“Pwease don’t hurt our Wuna she didn’t do anyting!” A small child sobbed from within the pack. I looked up to see the mother trying to console and quiet her child. It warmed my heart, but I didn’t want them to suffer any repercussions from it.

I watched as the king turned to look at the child, and for a moment, I swear his face softened. But it was only for a second, so I couldn’t be sure, because everything was becoming a bit blurry. The poison was still strong in my system, and I needed more medicine.

“What is with that wound on your side not healing? And why are your pupils so dilated?” The guard that had yelled at Bastian asked as he moved closer to me. He seemed to be taking more of an interest now and leaned in closer to look at me. His deep blue eyes were searching mine as if the answer was written in them.

The wound at my side? I glanced down to see blood. It must have dripped to my side from my back. “I am not wounded on my side. That is from my back, where I was stabbed with a knife laced with poison.” I felt all their eyes on me. The Lycan King took a small step toward me, but the man next to him stopped him. I could see there was a lot of mental communication going on. Maybe they were deciding how to kill me, or what prison to send me to.

“Who stabbed you?” Blue Eyes asked, with a much softer tone in his voice.

“The stepsister of the alpha, right after I caught her sleeping with him. I demanded he turn himself in, and I was stabbed in the back. They fled with all the bank cards and family jewels. They wanted me to be the one to bear the responsibilities for his actions.”

“You took the chain in his place? For him?” Blue Eyes asked, and I could hear a low growl from the Lycan King.

“Of course not! He’s lucky he isn’t around or I would gut him myself! You have no idea the pain he has caused me.” I snapped and then reeled in my emotions. “I took the blame ... and this awful collar for my pack. They are innocent and should not be punished.”

“You are also innocent.”

I smiled at Blue Eyes. “I am, but I would also lay down my life for any one member in my pack, let alone all of them. These chains are a small price to pay ... my life is a small price to pay for their safety.”

“I’ve heard enough,” the Lycan King finally growled angrily. “Take them off, Lyle!” So Blue Eyes’ name was Lyle.

“Darren, protocol.” Lyle looked up to the man next to him. “Tim, you know we need to test her blood first.”

“Darren, he’s right,” the man I guess was named Tim said. I watched as the Lycan King’s eyes glowed, a menacing snarl ripped from his throat and he stormed up to me. This was it. The end of my life. But I would go out with honor. I kept my shoulders back and head held high as he reached for my throat.

There was a tug at my neck and then a shattering sound as the chain was snapped by his hands. My eyes widened in shock. He was able to break the silver chain. The silver control collar is considered unbreakable, and yet he was able to destroy it effortlessly. His fingers slightly brushed against my neck, and what I could only imagine were the tingles from the fated mate connection rippled through my body. It was warm, sweet, and calming. It was everything I always imagined it would be. Something I thought I would never feel.

I took Alfred as my chosen mate because I didn’t have a choice. My mother was dying and we didn’t have any money. Alfred fell in love with my beauty and promised to pay for my mother’s hospital bills if I agreed to be mated to him. Because of that, she was able to die peacefully in the care of the hospital. I never regretted my decision to do what I had to in order to take care of her.

I didn’t love Alfred, but I trusted him. I had no reason not to until what happened. And now ... I hate him. What he did to me ... to our unborn pup, whom I did love, was unforgivable. He knew I could miscarry if he cheated on me. All shifters know this! He murdered his future heir and betrayed me ... and the pack.

“There are burns!” I heard the Lycan King’s voice, snapping my mind from my thoughts and to him. I felt the sweet tingles again as his fingers brushed over my skin.

“Careful,” I managed to warn him, making him glance down at me. “Don’t get my blood on you. I don’t know what poison was used.”

The Lycan King's green eyes bore into mine, a mixture of curiosity and intensity swirling within them. He seemed unfazed by the danger of my potential poison, his touch gentle yet firm as he inspected the burns on my skin. The whispered gasps from the surrounding lycans filled the tense air, their expressions a blend of shock and intrigue at the unexpected turn of events.

“I am immune to most poisons,” he replied, his voice low and commanding.

“Most ... not all.” Lyle looked my body over. “She’s at her limit.” He glanced at the Lycan King with concern etched across his face. 

How did he know I was at my limit? I thought I was holding still, even though the world was now beginning to fade away. I felt a rush of wind hit my face as I fell forward. And then I was caught in warm, tingling arms.

“Get my royal healer here, now!” The Lycan King's voice boomed making the room shake. Or was it me? I felt like I was spinning in darkness all the while soft sweet electic sensations rippled over my body. I was blanketed in a relaxing heavenly scent before I fell unconscious.