Chapter 3
John POV
As I was leaving the packhouse after the banquet, a scent hit me like a bolt of lightning—distinct and clear, like a fresh morning breeze tinged with the delicate sweetness of wildflowers. It was unlike anything I had ever smelled before, and it wrapped around me, drawing me in.
My heart pounded as the word "Mate?" escaped my lips in a breathless whisper. The scent was unmistakable, igniting a sudden surge of excitement within me, something primal and uncontainable. My wolf stirred inside me, practically jumping with joy and excitement, pushing me forward.
I quickly followed the trail, my steps quickening as the scent grew stronger, leading me toward the pool. The closer I got, the more intense the scent became, driving my heart into a frenzy. And then, I saw her.
I froze in shock. The girl who had strangely caught my interest during the banquet lay unconscious in the water, her body limp and lifeless. My mate. The reality hit me hard—my mate was wolfless. A mix of anger, fear, and disbelief surged through me. How could the Moon Goddess choose someone without a wolf as my mate? But there was no time to dwell on it. She was dying. My mate was dying.
Without a second thought, I surged forward, pulling her out of the water with all the care I could muster. Laying her on the ground, panic clawed at me as I gently slapped her cheeks, trying to wake her.
"Come on, wake up!" I urged, my voice trembling with desperation. But she remained unresponsive, her face pale, her lips turning blue. Realizing there was only one way to save her, I leaned down, pressing my lips to hers, performing CPR with desperate hope. The contact sent a jolt through me, a tingling sensation that was both electrifying and terrifying.
She stirred, her lips responding faintly to mine, and I felt her eyelids fluttering open. Relief washed over me as I stopped and leaned back, panting heavily. But as I looked at her, my breath caught in my throat. The water had washed away the dirt and grime that concealed her true beauty earlier, revealing a face so breathtakingly beautiful that it left me speechless. Her skin glowed in the moonlight, smooth and radiant, her features delicate and mesmerizing. I couldn’t help myself—I cupped her face, my thumb brushing against her soft cheek. Her scent was intoxicating, soothing, and irresistible.
Before I could stop myself, I pressed my lips to hers again, this time with more intention, deepening the kiss as desire surged through me. I didn’t want to let go. The taste of her, the feel of her against me, was more than I could have ever imagined. My wolf howled in satisfaction, urging me to claim her, to keep her close.
But then she gasped, her eyes snapping open wide in shock. I froze, and she sat up quickly, her hand flying to my face as she slapped me, the sharp sting bringing me back to reality.
I blinked, utterly speechless. Why did she do that? My mind raced, struggling to understand, but then I saw it—a flicker of recognition in her eyes. She whispered my name, "Prince John?" as if she couldn’t believe it was really me.
“Hey, are you feeling okay?” I asked, my voice laced with genuine worry. I needed to know she was alright, that I hadn’t failed her.
She said nothing, her eyes filling with guilt. I opened my mouth to ask again, to offer some sort of comfort, but before I could, she whispered a faint apology and then passed out once more, leaving me there, caught between relief and utter confusion.
I had to make sure she was fine. I quickly scooped her into my arms. I have to find a doctor. Guilt gnawed at me as I looked down at her pale face, her body limp in my arms. She probably wouldn’t have been in this condition if I had protected her earlier. How could I have let this happen? I tightened my grip around her, holding her close as if I could somehow shield her from the harm that had already been done. There was no time to waste—I needed to get her to the pack's clinic.
With urgency driving my every move, I rushed out of the pool environment. The front yard of the packhouse was crowded with girls, all gawking at me with wide eyes. I didn’t have time for their stares.
“Move!” I barked, pushing them aside. They stumbled, their giggles quickly turning into murmurs of surprise and confusion. I didn’t care. My mate's life was on the line.
As I hurried down the path, I almost collided with Rose. She froze in her tracks, her eyes wide with fear, like a deer caught in headlights. She glanced at the girl in my arms, and I saw panic flare in her eyes. Her breathing quickened, becoming shallow and erratic.
“Get out of my way!” I yelled, my voice raw with anger.
Rose’s hands shot up defensively. “W…why are you with that servant, Prince John?” she stammered, her voice trembling.
“Can't you see her condition?" I snarled, barely able to keep my composure. My wolf was on edge, ready to tear into anyone who stood between my mate and her safety.
“I… I know. But she isn’t worth the effort and should be left to others to take care of,” Rose argued, her voice weak and uncertain.
“No!” I shot back, my voice booming. I won’t trust anyone else to take care of my mate! My words hung in the air, heavy with finality. Rose’s eyes widened even more, her face paling as she realized the depth of my fury. She gulped, trembling by the sheer force of my raised voice.
She frowned, something dark flickering in her eyes, and suddenly, it hit me. “Why weren’t you at the banquet later on?” I demanded, suspicion lacing my tone.
“I… I… went to my room to rest. Had a headache…” she muttered, but her voice wavered.
"Don't lie to me!” I growled, taking a threatening step toward her. The scent of fear rolled off her in waves. My wolf growled, sensing something was off. How dare she lie to me?
Terrified, Rose fell to her knees, babbling excuses. “Please, I didn’t mean any harm! I just wasn’t feeling well, I swear!”
I knew she was hiding something, but now wasn’t the time to dig into it. I’d have my Beta investigate it later. For now, I needed to save my mate.
Ignoring the others watching, I turned on my heel and fled toward the clinic, my heart pounding with every step. I wouldn’t let anything else happen to her. Not now, not ever.
Krystal POV
The sterile scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils as I slowly regained consciousness. Without opening my eyes, I knew I was in a clinic. The dull hum of medical equipment buzzed faintly in the background, confirming my suspicion. My body felt heavy, the events from earlier a blur, but one thing was clear: I wasn’t dead.
Voices drifted to my ears, pulling me further from the fog of unconsciousness.
"Prince John, you didn't have to do so much by saving this girl and bringing her over to ensure her safety. It's unnecessary," the doctor said, his tone a mix of confusion and disbelief.
My heart skipped a beat. Why would Prince John, the Alpha prince, go to such lengths for me?
I wanted to keep my eyes shut, to pretend I hadn’t heard anything, but my curiosity got the better of me. Why would the prince care about me? I was nothing—wolfless, worthless, as my family never failed to remind me.
But then his voice, deep and resolute, cut through the air.
“I’m going to avenge her. Someone tried to end her life. I won’t take that lightly. I’ll find them, and I’ll take her back to the palace.”
The palace? My heart pounded in my chest. What was he saying? Why would he take me to the palace?
The doctor voiced the question I couldn’t, "Why do you want to take her to the palace, Prince John?"
Silence hung in the air for a moment, thick and heavy. Then, his reply came, simple yet earth-shattering.
"She’s my mate.”