It's a trap

Magnus’s POV

Adira followed close behind me, with two guards trailing her.

Michael leaned in and whispered something to me as she stopped walking. I turned to face her, my eyes full of questions.

"It's a trap. I feel danger," she whispered.

Suddenly, attackers rushed at them from all directions, their faces masked and movements swift.

I caught a glimpse of insignia on their sleeves. I recognized the wolf's eye symbol from the reports about the Wetlandclaw pack.

The Wetlandclaws had been rivals for generations, their ambitions driven by bitter jealousy and a feud that began long before I was born.

Rumor had it they blamed my dad for the lands their ancestors had lost and had sworn to reclaim them at any cost. Tonight, their focus was clear; they were after me and anyone who tried to protect me.

I fought back, tearing into them with claws and strength.

Just when I thought it was over, a man on horseback appeared, leading another group.

The man aimed his long knife at me. While I was busy fighting the others, the man approached. The knife slashed me. Blood was gushing out. My eyes were blurry, and I dropped.

Adira’s POV

Suddenly, I began to glow. For a moment, I was just as shocked as everyone else.

A memory flickered in my mind. Years ago, I felt a strange warmth spread through my body in a moment of fear, but I never understood what it meant.

A strange thought crossed my mind now, unbidden: my grandmother’s stories about lost gifts in their family, powers waiting to awaken in a moment of true need. The idea seemed foolish, yet a part of me wondered if those bedtime tales had been more than just old legends. Now, I could feel her power as it rolled out from me; the horse reared and turned away.

I stood in front of Magnus' body, my glow pushing them away. Michael and the others chased after the attackers.

I looked at Magnus, who was bleeding badly. I tore my shirt and quickly wrapped it around his wound to stop the bleeding.

"Magnus, sit up. We need to move. Please," I said, helping him. He had lost a lot of blood and might pass out again.

"We need to find shelter," I thought. I sniffed the air, then turned in a new direction, and then heard voices nearby. We hid, and I covered us with leaves as I sat over him.

"Adira..." He started to speak, but I quickly covered his mouth with my hand.

I finally got off Magnus and helped him sit up, then put my arm around his waist and let him lean on me as they slowly walked forward. After a short distance, Michael and the group returned and rushed over.

Michael and one of the guards carefully lifted Magnus, supporting him between them as they carried him back. The doctor entered and examined his wound.

"He needs blood, now," the doctor said.

Michael walked over to him.

The doctor turned urgently to the group. "I need to test everyone, quickly," he said. He took blood samples from Michael, one of the guards, and then from me. As he worked, my hands trembled as I watched the doctor test their blood to see if anyone was a match for Magnus.

"She’s a match. Sit on the chair," the doctor instructed. I watched as my blood flowed through the tube to Magnus.

Then everything went dark.

I opened my eyes to shouting. Tried to get up, holding my head.

Magnus gently pushed me back down.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to steady his breathing. Magnus dragged a hand through his hair, avoiding my eyes.

For a long moment, he just stared at the floor, jaw clenched as if waging a private battle with himself. "You keep doing great things, and I treat you badly," he finally said, his voice quieter, raw. His shoulders slumped a little as he let the words hang between them.

I looked at him, confused.

Michael hesitated outside the doorway, his fists clenched at his sides.

"Alpha, I would like to marry Adira," he said, voice steady but tight with emotion.

What, he stood up growling. Tell me that’s not what you said.

"I will marry her. I don’t want to see her suffer anymore," Michael said, then looked at me.

Magnus was fuming. She is my mate; he said each word slowly. Now, get out.

"I didn’t know," Michael said. "Forgive me, Alpha." He turned and left.

I looked at Magnus, my brow furrowing. "Am I your mate?" I whispered, uncertainty in my voice.

Being mates wasn't just about affection; it meant their souls were bound by destiny and ancient magic, a connection stronger than any ordinary bond.

To be mates was to be chosen by fate itself, tied together for life, their powers often linked in ways that shaped not just their hearts, but their futures.

Will you take a wolf-less servant mate?

Magnus met my gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You do have a wolf," he said gently. "I just need to help you learn how to control it."

What? I asked excitedly. How do you know that? I asked, but the door opened again, and Diane jumped on the bed, going straight into my arms.

"Are you okay? I heard someone say you’re sick. And what about your dad?

"Thanks for your concern," Magnus said.

"Daddy, are you okay?" Diane asked.

"Yeah, Adira saved me,"

Diane’s eyes widened. "Like she saved me?"

Yeah, she is a very important person to me. Now get out of here. After she left, he locked the door.

"No more interruptions,"

You’re walking...I said

"What the hell?" Magnus mumbled.

And his cut was almost healed. He looked at me. Confused.

"Alpha Magnus, are you okay?"

"Yes, thanks to you. Tell me, how are you feeling, sitting next to her?"

"Uhmm, I’m fine,"

"Do you remember what happened in the woods?" Magnus asked.

Vaguely? I remember jumping in front of you, he was coming with a knife...then, it’s fuzzy...I felt warm...

"Adira," he said, "tell me what you feel."

I don’t know what you mean, Alpha?

"When you’re with me, what do you feel? Hatred?"

I let out a nervous laugh. Never hatred, I said. I feel warm and ...

He was waiting, staring at me with his amber eyes. Attracted, I barely whispered.

Magnus let out his breath, then pulled me close and kissed me.

"You are? Why?" he asked.

I touched his face with one hand, then placed the other on his chest. "Inside, you’re amazing. You’re just afraid to show it,"

His phone rang.

What now? He answered.

Your son is alive, a voice said, she hid him from you.... Then he hung up.

"Michael!" he shouted, startling me.

Find who called on my phone. My son is alive; we need to find him. She hid him from me. Find if she has any other relatives, check...

"Yes, Alpha. Just leave it to me," Michael said.

Magnus turned to me. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. If they find my son, you can go home," he said.

I stared at him. Can I still visit you, I whispered.

You want to see me again? he said, hovering over me. His lips touched mine softly.

"Yes, I do, Alpha Magnus..." I replied.

His hand caressing my body, I started to glow, and I felt his fire moving inside me.

I want you, Adira...

"I want you, Alpha Magnus,"

Makarius ‘s POV

"Mate," Han said. "I love mate." I love Tala.

After she fell asleep, he stared at her, thinking how amazing it felt to love and be loved. What did I say? I love her...There, I said the words in my head. Progress.

Adira was dreaming.

This time, the glow emerged, her wolf took shape beside her, a silver figure with eyes closed, radiating calm strength. The wolf’s voice echoed softly, pleading,

Help her, Han... don’t let them kill her...

Han broke free, and I couldn’t control him.

Adira began to shake while I struggled to control my wolf. "Han!" I called out.

Then the full bond formed. I felt it, I felt her. Love.

My fated mate, I whispered.