Chapter 4:

My paws hit the ground running, heart racing from both my action and my nervousness. What could be so bad that Grace had to interrupt me during my sleep? Probably not an invasion. If it was, the alarm would’ve been sounded. A rogue? The border patrols could handle a rogue. What is it?

“Luna, are you here yet?” Grace’s voice sounded through our mind link.

“I’m close.”

Power surged through me as I pushed myself harder, my paws thudded against the earth. I came to the edge of the forest after a few more minutes, seeing a few of my pack members kneeling with Grace, beside a human that I can’t see much from blocking bodies. There was a strange scent in the air, a scent that doesn’t belong to any of my pack members. But it smelled heavenly, it smelt of the subtle saltiness of ocean mixed with the richness of earth. I huffed out a breath, signalling my presence and shifted back to my human form. I hurried towards the body on the ground as the pack members moved away.

The delicious scent intensified as I got closer, my senses at peak, goosebumps raising on my arms. My wolf stired, pacing in my mind anxiously. When I neared, I saw a young man with his eyes closed, his shirt torn, revealing his thin and fragile body. Confusion invaded my mind. Who is this man? What is he doing here? I moved to kneel beside his body just like Grace, when I realized that he has fangs and a tail. He is definitely not a man, then. But who is he?

All I know right now is that he was the source of the sweet scent… Could it be?

Then he whimpered, shifted a little and opened his eyes. His eyes were gorgeous, a clear shade of forest green with a hint of baby blue. I felt something snap inside of me, a mix of emotions poured out so fast, that I didn’t know what was happening. Then I heard him whisper:

“Mate?”

Mate?

“Mate.” Andrea howled.

Everything inside me was muddled up, I didn’t know what I was feeling, I didn’t know what was happening.

“Pick him up,” Andrea growled lowly, instantly growing protective of her mate.

And I did. His body was light as a feather. His scent was much stronger now, even though he’s covered in dirt and blood.

Blood.

He needs medical attention.

“Someone hurt my mate,” Andrea growled much louder this time. She was getting agitated, angry even. “We’ll hunt down whoever hurt him.”

“We will.” I nodded in my mind, anger fuelling me.

A whimper pulled me back to the present. I focused on my mate once more, reminding me of what was more important at the moment.

“I promise we’ll kill whoever hurt our mate, but he needs help right now, Andrea.”

I started running back to my building. I heard Grace start to protest, but she didn’t finish, instead followed me. She commanded the border patrols to head back as well, telling them that she’ll have new ones for overnight. All that was in my peripheral, all I could think about is the man in my arms. His eyes were closed again.

I slowed to a walk as the medical bay came into view, careful not to accidentally harm him further.

“Luna!”

I whipped my head around and saw Arthur running towards me.

“Are you alright, Luna?”

No, I’m not, I mean, I found my mate, so that’s good, but he’s battered up! Agh, why is this so hard! I thought that finding mates should be easier than this! I exhaled as calmly as I could, steeling myself before answering. “Yeah.”

“I heard about what happened at the border.” Arthur glanced down at the man in my arms. “Is this the creature that showed up?”

“Yeah,” I said softly, “he’s my mate.” I could feel a goofy smile on my face and I can’t stop it. I mean, why would I? My mate is perfect.

“Congratulations, Luna.” A small smile played on Arthur’s face.

“Right, let’s get him to the medical bay.”

“Hurry!” A girl’s voice echoed from somewhere in the dark corridors of The Temple. Footsteps fell softly against the concrete floor, panting breathes as panicky as it can get. Soon, the soft footsteps were drowned out by screaming wailings and gusts of ripping winds.

“Get them!” A scream was whined as a powerful sheet of wind was released from behind, threatening to knock the girls onto the hard floor.

“We have to tell the mistress! Come on!” The same girl shouted at her companion as the corridor gradually enlarged to an opening, moonlight cascading in. “There’s the end!” So much hope compacted into three little words.

“Come on, let’s-” A deafening scream followed.

The crowd of wind spirits in pursuit cheered at their achievement, jeering at the unconscious girl tossed around in their wind cones like a ragged doll. The wind spirits laughed as they went back deeper into the corridor.

“No…”

Chapter 4, here we meet a new (and important) character, Casper! We’ll soon discover more of Casper’s personality in the next few chapters, so stay tuned!

If you liked this chapter, give it a clap and maybe comment on suggestions for improvements? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Much love,

Atally Chase