FIND HER!

Adelaide's POV

I stirred, looking at the walls, my eyes scanning everywhere.

Where's this sound coming from?! What is this really?! I thought.

Then suddenly, the door opened and Paula came in, she looked at me, surprised as to why I was awake by that time.

I turned quickly to her.

“Why did you come?! Ain't you having your rest too?!” I asked, leaning more on the bed.

She came closer, “I was worried you might not sleep well here, so I came to check on you.”

I nodded and pretended to lie back down.

“Are you alright, your majesty??” She asked, I could feel her gaze on me.

I can't tell her about the dream, I can't tell her about the strong pull I was feeling inside, and also about the howl.

She stepped closer even more. “Are you sure you’re fine, Your Majesty?”

“I am,” I replied quickly, then I stood up and walked past her before she could say anything else.

She put off the candle that was still on and followed closely behind me.

I turned and saw she was following me and I halted.

“Paula, you should rest. I want to have a me time …” I said, with a smile on my cheeks.

She swallowed hard, staring around as though she was seeing something I wasn't.

“What's it?!” I asked, holding her in place.

“Nothing. Nothing… I just feel you shouldn't be moving around that way… “

Before she could finish her words, the guards in patrol walked past us, all bowing as they went.

One came back, “is everything all right, Luna?!” He asked, staring at both Paula and I.

“Yes, it is.” I said warmly, with a cheerful smile, enough to dismiss him.

He nodded and went on his way, not uttering any word further.

“You see?! There's nothing to be scared of. This place is heavily guided.” I said, at least to ease her and make her leave.

I was feeling suffocated as she was standing, but I didn't want to tell her, she worried too much and telling her would make her stay.

I touched her cheek, my eyes burning into hers. “You should have some rest and conserve the energy for tomorrow.”

“Are we having any activity tomorrow?!” She asked, drawing closer.

I chuckled, “you'll find out when you come tomorrow..”

She nodded and smiled.

“I'll be on my way now, your majesty. Please, take care…” she said.

I nodded and stood to watch her go. At instances, she would stare back to check if I was still there and still watching her, I'd smile at her, keeping her more at ease.

Immediately she was out of sight, I breathed heavily, holding my chest as though it'd fall out. I was back to reality.

The dream refused to leave my head.

The forest. The scent. That growl.

It clung to me like a second skin.

I looked ahead and saw the gardening looming. I had seen it earlier from my window and had wondered what it'd look like if I was there.

I walked towards it, the moon was still hanging low over the sky.

I saw that the garden looked like it was locked, so I stopped in my steps and stood just to watch it.

Suddenly, a maid carrying a tray passed me and bowed.

I called her back immediately.

“Who holds the key to the garden?!” I asked in a low tone.

She chuckled as though I was speaking out of line, or maybe not.

“The garden isn't locked, my lady.” She said politely, even though her expression was rude.

Is she part of the maids that ridicule me?! She could be part of them.

“What of those?!” I asked, pointing at the padlock and at the same time wondering who she was carrying those things to.

“It will open when you get there, my lady.” She said and bowed again.

I nodded and sent her away, watching her closely.

She looked a bit suspicious, so I followed closely behind her back, and she didn't know I was.

I stopped and hid when she stopped and turned back.

I saw her sneak the royal food to a boy standing outside the gate.

She had passed through the back to the small gate, where the guards seldom guide.

“Eat and don't come back until next tomorrow..” she whispered, looking back but I was there and I saw everything.

When she was done, she came out in a hurry and almost bumped into me.

She jerked in fear, her eyes wide in panic.

“Who's he?!” I asked, my hands behind my back, like one of those heroes in history books.

“He's.. he's.. “ she stammered, looking back.

She quickly fell on her knees.

“Your majesty.. he's just a child. He's my brother, and the alpha's men took everything from us, and wouldn't let me leave.” She said, her voice shaking.

I reached my hand towards her, “what did you do?!”

“We.. My parents died long ago, so we couldn't afford the taxes and they took me and left my brother to himself. He's just ten years old.” She said, her voice shaking terribly.

Tax?! Things like that still happen?! Is Kaius that wicked? A lot of thoughts ran through my mind at once.

“Please, spare me Luna!” She said, her face on the floor.

I reached my hand out and pulled her up.

“I'm going to speak to the alpha and have your homes restored.” I said confidently, even though I wasn't sure I could do such a thing.

Wait! What was I thinking?! Speak to the alpha?! He wouldn't even listen to me.

“You will?!” She asked and I could feel the excitement in her voice.

“Yes.” I replied, still boldly, but a little shaky.

I would only try.

“Luna, am I going to be punished for sneaking food out?!” She asked, a little nervous.

I shook my head, “that's if you do it next time without informing me first.”

I didn't know when she embraced me and then quickly pulled out, as though scared.

“I'm sorry.. I was overwhelmed.” She apologized, looking down.

I smiled and lifted her chin, “you shouldn't be, I need friends anyways.. this place looks suffocating.”

She looked at me with those pairs of eyes and then looked away, as though it was chaos looking at me.

“I should go now before they start looking for me.” She muttered and I nodded and let her go.

I stood for a while, my mind swirling in thoughts over what she said.

Suddenly, my thoughts drifted back to Kaius.

“Not at this moment!” I lamented, walking towards the garden again.

The garden gates creaked open as I stood in front of it. Dawn was barely awake, but I didn't know how much time I'd spent.

The cold outside kissed my skin, but it did nothing to calm the heat in my chest.

I needed air. Space. Something real.

My bare fingers brushed the leaves as I walked deeper into the garden.

Everything here was alive, flowers stretching toward the light, dew clinging to petals, the earth smelling rich and old.

I stopped.

There it was.

A thorn bush I had never seen before.

Its branches were dark, almost black, twisted unnaturally, the thorns looked sharp like claws.

Something about it pulled at me. My chest tightened again, that same strange pull from the dream.

“Tsk… why do you look like that?” I murmured, reaching out without thinking.

The moment my finger touched it, I felt a sharp pain.

“Ah—!”

I pulled back sharply, but it was too late.

A cut opened across my palm and my blood welled instantly, bright red against my skin.

A single drop fell and hit the soil.

The ground shuddered.

I froze.

The air shifted at once and it looked like something was spreading, like warmth against my chest.

What … What did I just do?!

___

Kaius POV

I stiffened, my eyes opened at once as though something was calling me.

The pain I felt that instant came without warning.

It slammed into my chest like a hammer. My breath punched out of my lungs as my knees buckled.

“What….!” I gasped, holding my chest in place.

Magnus roared.

It was her! Our mate!

My wolf surged forward violently, clawing out of my control.

I stumbled, gripping the edge of a table before collapsing to the floor.

Blood spilled from my nose, splattering onto the floor.

“Your Majesty!” Rafaello shouted, rushing toward me.

“Get… back!” I snarled, my voice distorted as Magnus pushed harder. My bones screamed and my vision blurred.

She’s hurt.

My wolf howled inside me in a desperate manner.

“Find…Adelaide,” I growled through clenched teeth. “Now.”

“But.. but… you're bleeding?! Should I call the pack physician first or…”

I didn't let him finish, before I yelled at him.

“Find her!!” I thundered.

Rafaello didn't wait until I finished my statement before bolting.

He ran out, almost missing his steps.

I growled in pain, and Magnus wasn't helping matters.

“Find her…our mate.” I heard him whisper in my head.