Chapter Three

Amante POV

               The anguish I feel over the miserable defeat of attempting to save my mate is nothing compared to the shock am being in right now. My wolf form is crouching exhausted until I hear that faint screech coming from the opposite side of the door. I hold my breath instinctively as I watch it slowly raise and open softly from the inside. A gust of lavender scent mixed with the smoky-sweet aroma of chamomile flower wafted delicately through my nose. Somebody unlocks the door and it could mean one terrible fact. Only a human being could hold and unlock the silver-coated door! And with that strong scent of my mate coming from that room, I felt my whole being swept away with the wind. If werewolves have souls, mine definitely would have withered from my own body. Validating my horrible perceptions are the bewildered pair of sparkling emerald eyes of my human mate!

               A disgusting realization of having a human as my mate took me by surprise. There is no way in hell I would have expected this to happen in my thirty years of werewolf life. Why on earth should I be paired up to the very creature I loathed the most?! Humans had always been an adversary to werewolves. Their fear of the unknown deceives their humanity for other creatures in the world especially those with more power and strength like my kind.

               I watch my mate take delicate steps towards me. She looks extremely vulnerable and fragile. If not for her gracefulness she would have stumble on the her way out of the escape room. Her physical appearance is her only ticket to survival for now. She must have something to offer me at least. Oh, yeah! She got soft curvy features in her remarkable height of about 180cm tall which is extraordinary even for an average she-wolf. That is one good reason to keep her. I dislike petite ladies. I feel like they are mocking me whenever I bow my head down which gives me wild urges to step on them. My mate’s shoulder-length hair is dancing flawlessly with the wind at the back of her rather small head, captivatingly black, smooth, and shiny like a starry summer night. That is the perfect length for me, not too messy long, and not boyish-short. She looks perfect at any angle with an angelic face, expressive pair of emerald green eyes, and a shy smile that complements her rosy cream complexion. I murmur at the generosity of the word “perfect” that I subconsciously stamp on her.

“She is a sight to behold!” exclaimed my smitten wolf.

               Jackpot! If she was not this beautiful I would have already snatched her head off her shoulders regardless of her being my destined mate. She is way too much of a comparison to Marina, my favorite and only sexual companion in my life. Long after my twentieth birthday, I gave up the hope of finding my mate assuming she died already before we got the chance to meet each other. I propose to my beloved Marina. She was of the same age as me then and was already a widower. Her spy mate died in the human territory when his espionage was compromised. Losing a mate causes extreme depression to werewolves. I am a living witness of my mother’s suicide when my father the then Alpha King died on his attempt to protect his family and the kingdom from the attacking human hunters. My mom’s deranged state while trotting mindlessly towards silver bulleted canyons of the attackers that took her life is still vividly imprinted on my mind. Hence, I took pity on Marina and persistently wooed her for companionship I had missed so much. My royal background reprimands me of taking any unmated she-wolves within the pack while some widower was too intimidated to have a simple fling with me. My Marina is a loving forest she-wolf stunning enough to keep me up at night.

               Thousands of electrifying sparks bolts from the tip of my furs down the nerves inside my body when my mate’s warm hand touches my mane and stroke it slowly. I could feel her amazement and I almost surrendered on a strong desire to mark her right here right now. Surprisingly, her calm face do not have any traces of fear in front of the werewolves. A rosy blush flashes her cheeks when her gaze unintentionally caught the naked bodies of the male wolves who had failed to open the door for her. Amaltheo gives a menacing growl of jealousy which I ignored as I am delighted by my mate’s shyness, a screaming indication of innocence and purity. Her sparkling eyes met my sun-kissed orbs once again. Her breathtaking distance from me gave full details of her immaculate looks very rare for a human to possess.

“She is looking at me, the wolf me!” teases Amaltheo and I pouted in annoyance. A small peck of inferiority complex at my scrawny human form webbed its way inside of me.

              I need to see the pack and introduce my human mate. I want to see their expressions once they found out about this. That would be entertaining! A smirk flashes my twisted lips. I can imagine the troubles this thing called woman brings. But first, let me check if she can follow my rules. Submissiveness is a must. I step backward while keeping my eyes on hers. I want her to understand that she needs to follow where I go. She picked up instantly! She puts her left arm around my shoulders and I slowly walk back to where the pack army is, satisfied with her suave reaction. My small group stroll through the empty buildings in the city. We found the army by the south borders where we camped this morning. As expected, gasps and puffs rang in the valley.  Beta Emir's indescribable tone of voice broke trance that seems to flood everyone out of their wits.

“A human for a mate. It is worth a war with the council,” he mumbled.

               His words agitate me all of a sudden. I defiantly stand in front of my mate ready to kill anybody who would dare hurt her. I did not know how powerful a mate bond can be. Everything about my mate concerns me.

             Her being a human is already creating an open division between the arguing werewolves, the source of now slowly heating up arguments. Some demands for her banishment as their hatred against her racial ethnicity is not something to be ignored about. Surprisingly, there are several pack mates who take the matter with lesser prejudice strongly claiming the divine wisdom of the Moon Goddess to mate me with a human being. They added on their defense the consequences of rejecting the mate bond and the damage it might bring to the pack. The Alpha King is silent during the whole process. There is no expression on his stern face. I would appreciate a peek at certain emotions from him whether it be advantageous for me or not. I am contemplating which side I want to win in the debate. I feel pleasure in the tickling sensation of my mate’s caresses on my shoulders and I mentally concluded my resolve.

“The pack had given their decision. But I still have one question you needed to answer truthfully,” Alpha King Henrik declared openly.

I answered warily, “Ask away!.”

“Would you reject your mate if I ask?”, the wimp inquires.

               His white mane dances gracefully as a soft winter breeze passes through. I am astounded! I believe the question does not come from his slow-witted mind. I am cursing in my mind whoever is beat up to put such poison on the Alpha King’s brain. My paws begin to sweat despite the freezing coldness of snow under my feet. I need to answer wisely. I perceive this as someone trying to test my loyalty to the werewolves clan.

“Of course, not! No human is worthy enough to be my mate. I am going to do that, with or without your permission at my chosen time and place!”, is my dignified response.

               Amaltheo whimpered with my remark showing his dissent. But I keep staring back into his majesty's eyes proving my seriousness and sincerity. A smirk flashes genuinely on Alpha King’s face. His eyes glow in satisfaction and withdrew his stern look.

“I, Alpha King Henrik of Irati Nardus Pack grant Amante’s human mate permission to join our pack. Thus, no harm shall be put upon her without my knowledge.”, he roared his final verdict.

               The opposing group quietly resigned on their tracks unable to challenge the King’s decision. Amaltheo jerks triumphantly and I also feel a faint joy over the proclamation. My human mate would be a part of my pack and at the back of my mind, I am already sensing some dangers along the way.